I was surprised at the assertions made in the Feb 9 letter [“Ukraine and nuclear war”]. The writer says war started between Russia and Ukraine because Ukrainians rose up against an autocratic leader who was Vladimir Putin’s puppet. I presume he was not aware that the U.S. engineered a coup to topple the democratically elected Viktor Yanukovitch. This was plotted by Victoria Nuland (among others) then assistant secretary of state under the Obama administration. A recorded telephone conversation is available of Ms. Nuland mapping a plan for the coup.

The predominant reason for the Russian invasion of Ukraine has been the ever-growing threat to Russia of Ukraine joining NATO.  How could the letter writer have missed this?

Russia is not losing the war but winning. Listen to Prof. John Mearsheimer, Major Scott Ritter, Marine and former weapons inspector, Col. Douglas, U.S. Army. These are just a few who can offer expert opinions as to the status of the war.

What is extremely worrying is that Europe and the U.S. cannot accept that Russia will win this war. They are therefore pumping more and more lethal weapons into the corrupt regime of Volodymyr Zelensky, even though casualties are huge and desertions enormous. Ukraine is losing more territory day by day and much of their energy infrastructure is no longer functioning.

Feb. 24 is the 4th anniversary of this conflict. The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists recently reset its iconic Doomsday Clock to 85 seconds to midnight, the closest it has been to nuclear war since it started in 1945. They view the Ukrainian war as the most likely flash point of international conflicts around the world which can spiral into a catastrophic nuclear war. 

The START treaty (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) expired on Feb. 5. Putin offered to extend the treaty for at least a year but was ignored or rebuffed by the U.S.  It was the most effective and long-lasting treaty to limit nuclear bombs and missiles over the past 40 years.

For our survival and the planet’s please participate in a peace rally to protest the continuation of the war on Feb. 24 at noon, 94 Pleasant St., Northampton, Rep. Jim McGovern’s district office or write/call directly to your congressperson. Other rallies will be held simultaneously around the state, organized by Mass. Peace Action.

Kirsten Taranto

Northampton