OPINION: I’m old enough to remember when WV leaders came together for Ukraine

By Stephen Baldwin, Publisher of RealWV

I’m old enough to remember the days, in the not-too-distant past, when Republicans and Democrats came together in defense of national sovereignty right here in West Virginia.

The day Russia invaded Ukraine (Feb 24, 2022) I was serving in the State Senate. Democratic Senator Richard Lindsay introduced a resolution recognizing the sovereignty of Ukraine and condemning Russian military aggression by Vladimir Putin’s invasion. The resolution passed 34-0, with members of both parties standing together voicing strong support of it.

I hand-delivered an official copy of the resolution that night to my step sister-in-law, who is Ukrainian and was working for the federal court system in Charleston at the time. It meant the world that her adopted home of West Virginia was standing beside her people and her family as they were invaded across the globe.

I’m old enough to remember that same group of 34 senators right here in West Virginia wearing a small symbol of Ukraine on our jacket lapels. It was a piece of yellow ribbon connected to a piece of blue ribbon, symbolizing the Ukrainian flag, made by members of the staff for every single senator. We wore them proudly the rest of the year, together.

I’m old enough to remember then-Governor Jim Justice requesting and receiving $5 million from the state legislature to send to Ukraine for a maternity and children’s hospital.

I’m old enough to remember calling his Chief of Staff, Brian Abraham, to ask if the governor would consider banning the sale of Russian vodka to show support for Ukraine. He issued the order that same morning, for which I was very grateful.

I’m old enough to remember the WV National Guard sending several armored personnel carriers to Ukraine to aid the people in their fight against invasion.

I’m old enough to remember Congresswoman Carol Miller, Senator Shelley Moore Capito, and then-Senator Joe Manchin all condemning Russia and Putin for invading Ukraine and killing innocent civilians.

Yesterday, that all seemed to change. What happened? Is my memory too long, or are those of our elected officials too short? The politics have changed. Should the politics of the moment trump our word and principles?

My family and friends from Ukraine are so upset about what happened yesterday that they can’t even speak about it yet. I’m old enough to remember when we stood firmly behind them in their time of need, defending the freedom of others for we know it is akin to our own.

I’m old enough to know that complicated issues like the war in Ukraine cannot and will not be solved easily. But I pray we are young enough at heart to keep trying, to stand firm for freedom across the globe, and to remain committed to a just peace in Ukraine.

Stephen Baldwin is the Publisher of The Real WV, a Presbyterian minister, & the former West Virginia Senate Minority Leader.