Expert On Russian Affairs At University Of Tulsa Shares His Perspective On War In Ukraine

An expert on Russian affairs at the University of Tulsa said he doesn't see a positive end in sight for the war in Ukraine and is terrified for his friends living there. Dr. Benjamin Peters said he sees four possible outcomes.

Either Russia annexes the southeast corner of Ukraine, attempts to seize the entire country, Russia's president installs a puppet in the capitol, or this instigates a global war.

Long lines of cars were seen leaving Ukraine's capitol with drivers fueling their cars and escaping the cities. He believes the timing over the invasion was calculated to maximize human suffering.

Peters said the attack falls 'conveniently' after the Olympic spotlight lifts, during the bitter cold causing winter-exacerbated hunger and maximizing human suffering. Meanwhile, others are stranded, seeking shelter, and unsure of tomorrow.

"I'm swirling. I'm heartbroken. I'm upset," said Dr. Benjamin Peters, TU Professor.

Dr. Peters has lived in both Russia and Ukraine and studied both for nearly two decades.

"Most of the Russians I know are also opposed to the invasion of Ukraine and feel heartbroken and helpless and shamed," said Dr. Peters. "A Russia that invades Ukraine is a Russia that invades the Ukrainian inside every Russian."

He said his friends in Ukraine are living through horror.

"They feel, not only heartbroken and terrified but just stunned and confused," said Dr Peters.

Peters said Russia has threatened Ukraine's sovereignty for more than a decade. Russian separatists have been fighting in eastern Ukraine since at least 2014. On Monday, Russian troops moved into two separatist parts of eastern Ukraine. In the last 24 hours, they've launched a full-scale attack from all directions.

"Putin is reading right now the historical ties between Ukraine and Russia as a pretext for him to invade," said Dr. Peters.

He worries the human death toll could become incalculable.

"It's deeply baffling. Again, I think the only logic that makes sense is to destabilize what could be his last chance at reaching for a Russian empire," said Dr. Peters.  "Russia, in order to be great Russia, must have Ukraine, and Ukraine, in order to be any Ukraine must be without Russia."

President Joe Biden and other world leaders are putting pressure on Russia through sanctions.

"This is capitalism run amuck and the way to exert pressure on Russia is to control their capital," said Dr. Peters.

Peters said while this will impact Americans at the pump and more broadly the economy, it's nothing in comparison to the cost of a war.

"It is categorically against everyone's interest in the world to put boots on the ground in Ukraine. That would provoke almost surely Nuclear response from Russia," said Dr. Peters.

As its national anthem states, "Šče Ne Vmerla Ukraïny," said Dr. Peters. Meaning, "Ukraine has not yet died."