Even more sinister than the actual murder of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, is the cruel public reaction. Sympathy for the victim has been hijacked by right- and left-wing politicians, as well as media pundits leading incendiary racial attacks in all directions.
Why can’t Americans understand that this tragedy is a microcosm of the ongoing death and suffering being experienced by 40 million Ukrainian civilians facing Russia’s daily murderous aggression?
While riding a train in Charlotte, North Carolina she was stabbed in the neck without provocation on Aug. 22, by a violent repeat offender, Decarlos Brown, an African American.
Iryna’s life will never be restored. But that eternal flame of life and liberty lives on in the hearts of 40 million civilians struggling in Ukraine. If Americans have compassion in their heart, they should redirect their anger by standing in solidarity with Ukraine, which is the respectful American way to honor her memory.
No doubt, the American system failed Iryna and the outcry to strengthen laws and judicial oversight to prevent future violence is warranted. But this must be based upon sound evidence and jurisprudence, not on a mob lynching mentality.
Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) is one egregious example. Recently, on the floor of US Capitol, she was grandstanding Iryna’s tragic death to justify stiffer crime sentences. Greene’s compassion for the victim seems highly doubtful. Her hatred for Ukrainians became known after she stated “not a penny more for Ukraine.” She has continually led efforts to block critical lifesaving Ukraine aid packages, while parroting Russian propaganda.
Americans should respect the overarching issue that Iryna’s survivors are dealing with. Russia is increasingly committing genocide on a monumental scale. This partially traces to Russia’s state-controlled media (Ria Novosti) that issued a “genocide handbook” in 2022. They redefined the term Nazi to include anyone who identifies as “Ukrainian.” Placing subhuman labels on innocent civilians is a strategy to replicate Soviet Russia’s Holodomor genocide that murdered millions of Ukrainians last century.
Regrettably, America failed Iryna, but failing Ukraine would be catastrophic.
Those who care about the sanctity of human life should denounce America’s recent cozy relationship with Russia. The US must resume delivery of advanced weaponry and punish Russia with catastrophic economic consequences by leveraging America’s $30 trillion economy.
Regrettably, America failed Iryna, but failing Ukraine would be a catastrophic failure with the potential for exponential death and destruction. The $892 billion defense budget for FY 2026 which just passed the U.S. House is particularly concerning. It disgracefully allocates $400 million for Ukraine. This pittance represents less than .01 percent of America’s yearly economy, or the approximate price of a yearly cup of coffee for the average taxpayer. Do Americans believe a Ukrainian life is worth only a couple dollars?
Ukrainians and Americans share a common zest for fighting against tyrannical regimes to protect freedom and democracy. Americans have risen to the occasion against almost impossible odds by winning war battles at Fort Ticonderoga, the Battle of New Orleans, Normandy and elsewhere. Today, Ukraine is that miracle beacon of hope fighting for the future of humanitarian world peace.
Americans should take the cue from the US President’s special envoy to Ukraine, Gen. Keith Kellogg. After visiting Ukraine recently, Kellogg accurately assessed that Russia’s tactical battlefield gains are a catastrophe with over a million casualties “in order to seize just one per cent of Ukraine’s territory.” Washington policy makers should stop dithering and capitalize on Russia’s dire vulnerability. Capitulation to the fanatical dictator Putin is not an option.
President Trump should be commended for condemning the horrific murder of Ms. Zarutska. Fair enough. However, the following day Iryna’s surviving loved ones mourned 24 elderly pensioners murdered by a Russian strike in eastern Ukraine. Russia then launched numerous drone incursions through Poland’s airspace, a prelude to a wider war.
In memory of Iryna Zarutska, President Trump should initiate peace through strength initiatives by arming Ukraine to the maximum. He should vigorously promote bipartisan Senate bill (S. 1241) that includes massive tariffs on countries buying Russian oil. This would devastate Russia’s war economy and stop their genocide.
The views expressed in this opinion article are the author’s and not necessarily those of Kyiv Post.