I turn 80 this year and, for my entire life, the Russians have been an enemy of the United States of America and to the values of democracy, free speech, freedom to gather and protest and free and fair elections.

When the USSR broke up in 1991, there appeared, what many viewed as, an opportunity for a democratic Russia. But that was not to be. This is when Vladamir Putin, who declared Soviet Union’s fall to be “the greatest geopolitical tragedy of the 20th century,” began his rise to power. He ascended to the presidency in 1999 and has remained in control ever since.

Opponents have mysteriously died in prison. Freedom of individual speech and an independent free press have been squelched. He has surrounded himself with the very rich, who curry favor with their money. His policies have never demonstrated “friendship” with the United States and certainly he has never acted in our country’s interest.

And yet, he has somehow caused the United States to change sides in a war, where Putin was the aggressor, from support of the country Putin invaded, to an apparent allegiance with Russia’s goals. The United States of America that I grew up in simply does not turn its back on its allies. It is like we are, by the actions of one man, suddenly in the pocket of our enemy. How can this be?

Linda Gunn

Hopewell