Frankly speaking it was quite a surprise to hear Steve mention the Khmelnitsky Uprising of 1648-1657. I did not know anything about it; but it had a profound implication for the history of Ukraine. What can be more appropriate to discuss today? 

During the mid-17^th Century, today’s Ukraine was under the control of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. One of the local leaders by the name of Bohdan Khmelnitsky, a Zaporozhian Cossack, rose up against the commonwealth. Steve explained people’s grievances such as social and economic discrimination, religious tensions (Orthodox Cossack vs. Catholic Polish elites) among others as background to the revolution.

Being a skilled strategist and charismatic leader, Khmelnitsky managed to rally the Cossacks and allied with Crimean Tartars in achieving many stunning victories. The rebellion spread to the Ukrainian peasantry and was also a social rebellion. As a result, Khmelnitsky succeeded in creating the Cossack Hetmanate in Ukraine. The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was devastated. So, Khmelnitsky was credited with laying the foundation for a Ukrainian national identity. However, it must be said that the revolution was both infamous and deplorable in that it inflicted brutal atrocities on both sides.  

Did you know that the Cossack Hetmanate eventually came under the strong influence, followed by the dominance, of the Russians, notably under Catherine the Great in the late 18^th Century. Isn’t it a kind of déjà vu for the current Russian invasion of Ukraine? 

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2025 seems to be extremely unpredictable due largely to the behavior of “America First” Trump. Steve first mentioned that he would hope for the earliest possible end to the war in Ukraine.

As is well known Trump has said many times that he would end the war on day one of his administration. Many people have doubtful opinions about this boast. But because of Trump’s unpredictable nature, things might turn out for the better, by putting pressure bluntly on both Russia and Ukraine. Surely, brokering peace in Ukraine will show off Trump’s diplomatic skill. Hopefully, Trump will also exert his efforts to bring the earliest possible peace to Gaza as well. 

Secondly, Steve said that it would be important to avoid another pandemic, counting on the advancement of science. In this respect, what we have painfully learned from the latent COVID-19 pandemic must be fully utilized.

Next came environmental issues. Once again, a concerted effort is needed to cope with them. We have to wait and see how Trump will react to these impending issues.

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