1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I am furious that the United States is treating Russia as a partner while Ukraine fights for its survival. Russia is the aggressor. Ukraine is defending itself. Russia must withdraw. The United States should never discuss Ukraine’s future with Russia. Our job is to support Ukraine’s defense, not help Russia, pressure Ukraine, or dress surrender up as peace. My father left Czechoslovakia in 1969. His family stayed behind. Russian occupation is dangerous, oppressive, and inhumane to the people forced to live under it. The Russians take. They do not care about the welfare of a country they occupy. This has been demonstrated throughout history, and nothing I see now gives me reason to think otherwise. There is no excuse for the United States and Russia to act as allies against Ukraine. If we side with a dictator against a democracy, the world will see us as evil aggressors and as betrayers of everything America claims to stand for. Stand with Ukraine. Support its defense. Make Russia leave.