Assassinate Putin? Discuss

 

Olena Zelenska, the first lady of Ukraine, accepted the Dissident Human Rights Award at the Victims of Communism Annual Captive Nations Summit held at the Victims of Communism Museum, July 19, 2022/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The question was posed to a panel at the Victims of Communism Annual Captive Nations Summit last month at its new museum in Washington.

Peter Humphrey who identified himself as a former diplomat asked the question.

For a few seconds, stunned silence filled the room. The 50 or so in attendance wondered if they had heard correctly.

They had.

Finally, panel member Marek Jan Chodakiewicz, blurted out the obvious: Do you mean, kill Putin?

Yes was the reply.

Olena Zelenska, the first lady of Ukraine, second from right, with officials from the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation including, from left, Ambassador Andrew Bremberg, Edwin J. Fuelner, and Ambassador Aldona Wos at the Victims of Communism Captive Nations Summit held at the Victims of Communism Museum, July 19, 2022/Photo by Patricia Leslie

After a few seconds of silence, Mr. Chodakiewicz said an assassination really wouldn't achieve anything since the Russian government would just pick up the pieces and continue.

Eliminating Putin means someone else would step in and take over, and not necessarily for the better.

Brian Whitmore, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center and another panel member, agreed. At least, Putin is a known quantity, more or less.

Panel members from left, Brian Whitmore, Michael Sawkiw Jr., Marek Jan Chodakiewicz, and Milda Boyce, moderator, at the Victims of Communism Captive Nations Summit, July 19, 2022/Photo by Patricia Leslie

At the event, the first lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, was present to receive the Dissident Human Rights Award, and she spoke briefly before leaving for the White House and a meeting with President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden.

In a somber mood, Ms. Zelenska, in her remarks, renewed focus on those fighting communism, denouncing Joseph Stalin's legacy which must not be permitted to continue.

On the panel, Mr. Chodakiewicz noted that Ukraine is not drawing as much attention in Europe as expected.

"Spain is more concerned about the invasion from Africa" than Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

Chodakiewicz is a Polish-American historian who specializes in Central European history of the 19th and 20th centuries and teaches at Patrick Henry College and the Institute of World Politics.

He said Kazakstan, Poland, Belarus and more are on Putin's "menu."The "land bridge" to Crimea allows Putin's "incrementalism" and although Putin knows he's not immortal, he has no incentive to stop his aggression, but perhaps he may move "more slowly."

No one is calling for the destruction of Russia.

Also on the panel was Michael Sawkiw, Jr., a member of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America Executive Board, who said Russia denies the facts, makes war and claims victory.

"Putin will never negotiate until he has to negotiate." Putin has noted how he wants to emulate Peter the Great. (Watch out, Baltics!)

Whitmore said this coming December will be the centennial anniversary of the founding of the Soviet Union. In 1922, the West was "not engaged." It's a very different world now. 

Putin is "very cognizant of the anniversary and he would like nothing more than to put Russia back" the way it was. Georgia is on his radar, too.

"We're kind of in 1947 and everybody's got to watch their backs."

The Victims of Communism Memorial Statue at the Victims of Communism Museum/Photo by Patricia Leslie

At the Victims of Communism Museum/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Victims of Communism Museum has several small galleries with artifacts and photographs devoted to the message of fighting communism/Photo by Patricia Leslie

At the Victims of Communism Museum/Photo by Patricia Leslie

At the Victims of Communism Museum/Photo by Patricia Leslie

At the Victims of Communism Museum/Photo by Patricia Leslie

At the Victims of Communism Museum/Photo by Patricia Leslie

On the second panel Hyun-seung Lee, Ambassador Martin Palous, and John Suarez addressed "The Lessons of Ukraine for Captive Nations Around the World" with Carlos Ponce, moderating.

They talked about North Korea, Cuba, and other nations where freedom is unknown.

"Freedom is not free," Lee said. If you don't fight for freedom, it will not survive.

Ambassador Paula Dobriansky is a VOC trustee and the daughter of former Ambassador Lev Dobriansky, chairman emeritus of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation which hosted the event.

She sent a video message that the VOC Foundation "stands in solidarity with the nations around the world held captive by communism."

Those nations were identified as China, Iran, Cuba, Vietnam, Laos, North Korea and possibly, Ethiopia.

Ambassador Dobriansky said that victims of communism will not be forgotten, but "let us recommit ourselves to the defense and promotion of individual liberty."

At the Victims of Communism Museum/Photo by Patricia Leslie

At the close of the gathering and before lunch, five members of the Carpathia Folk Dance Ensemble dressed in native Eastern European costumes and waving colorful floral wreaths, entertained attendees with graceful dancing.

The Victims of Communism Museum opened June 13, 2022 and is a $40 million project supported by the nations of Poland, Hungary, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia, among others.

On its website, the museum says it is dedicated to the estimated 100 million people killed by the murderous ideology in the past century, as well as to the 1.5 billion others still living under its jackboot.

The Victims of Communism Museum/Photo by Patricia Leslie

What: Victims of Communism Museum

Where: 900 15th St., NW, Washington, D.C., across the street from McPherson Square.

When: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Cost: No charge

Metro station: McPherson Square

For more information: info@victimsofcommunism.org(202) 629-9500

patricialesli@gmail.com