SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Brian Bonner grew up in Mitchell and moved to Ukraine in 2008 to run the Kiev Post, an English-language newspaper. He says Ukrainians are not very optimistic that Russia wants peace.
“Vladimir Putin dug in, showed no interest in compromising at all,” said Bonner. “And the cease-fire, the so-called temporary, partial cease-fire never held even for an hour. They were flying drones outside my window in the dead of the night and it’s a very scary time.”
U.S. Senator Mike Rounds says everyone wants the war to end.
“I think the president has made it clear he is going to try to get between Ukraine and Russia and act as a mediator. He was pretty tough on Ukraine a couple weeks ago. I expect him to be just as tough on Putin,” said Rounds.
But Bonner isn’t confident that will happen. He says Ukrainians are afraid President Trump has already given in to Putin.
“Vladimir Putin is going to drag this out, as he continues to kill Ukrainians,” said Bonner. Now there are going to be gestures, like we had that prisoner exchange today, the Kremlin called it a sign of good will but these are pretty cosmetic in terms of brings an end to the war.
Tom: “As an American, as a South Dakotan, how does this make you feel?”
“Deep depression today Tom, because I don’t see, and if you do let me know, but I don’t see where this is going,” said Bonner.
Senator Rounds says many in Congress feel the same way he does about the invasion of Ukraine.
“Let’s begin by remembering that Putin is the aggressor that caused this war, it never would have happened. He is responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths, and millions of people being displaced, this is on Putin, he is not a good person. 21:13
Rounds say any deal with Putin should include guarantees and a peacekeeping force made up of Europeans. he also says there should be an American presence.
“America has to have a business interest established in Ukraine with civilians working there. And a lot of that has to do with minerals that are available there that can help perhaps pay back some of the costs that we’ve been incurring,” said Rounds. “It also more importantly provides an American presence in that country, makes it a lot more difficult for an authoritarian like Putin to come in and attack again.”
Rounds say there should be a long-term plan to arm Ukraine so if Ukraine is attacked in the future it can defend itself.
“Time will tell how this works out, but I can tell you that within Congress, Ukraine has a lot of allies,” said Rounds. “We want to see this ended as well. We don’t want to see the violence continue on, nobody does, except for Putin. And you have to recognize that. So if we can get a deal done. Ukraine has to be protected.”
As for Bonner, he says all Ukrainians can do is hope, but right now there’s not much of that.
“I think the world should understand very clearly that it’s the Ukrainians who want the peace, Vladimir Putin wants to continue the war and he’s going to continue the war,” said Bonner.
Senator John Thune and Representative Dusty Johnson have voiced their support for Ukraine and a peaceful resolution of the invasion of that country.
