With Russian forces raining terror and destruction down on Ukraine, destroying much of the country’s infrastructure while reportedly making little effort to spare civilians, it is heart wrenching to see what the Ukrainian people are enduring. Images of the misery are being flashed across television screens in the U.S. in what critics say is a campaign to convince the American people to support a no-fly zone, which would almost certainly result in direct conflict with Russia.
One such moment was seen Tuesday on MSNBC, when anchor Katy Tur interviewed Hannah Hopko, a former member of the Ukrainian parliament pleading for a no-fly zone over her country. Hopko would eventually break down completely on camera as they discussed the carnage on the ground, while Tur was seen struggling to contain her own emotions.
Hopko commented on a young girl dying from dehydration in Mariupol because the city is without water, prompting Kur to say, “I just read a couple lines about that and I had to stop reading because I was going to break down. The idea this little girl died of dehydration alone because the mom wasn’t there any longer.”
It was at this point that Hopko lost all composure, saying something inaudible as she began to sob uncontrollably.
“It’s — it is horrible. I understand it’s horrible. There are a lot of Americans out there who, sorry, want a no-fly zone as well but, again, what we’re hearing from officials they don’t want to start another World War,” Tur said.
“That is not explanation,” Hopko replied, as her connection began to break up. “Look, this is not just this one kid. You saw this picture of … killed and cannot just watch how many Ukrainians dying. I’m asking Biden, I’m asking Congress please help our nation. During the last century when Ukraine suffered during the World War genocide, the U.S. recognized the Soviet Union… actually when we were killed by hunger.”
“I don’t understand why — why we have to convince everybody this is about humanity,” she continued, unable to hold back the tears.
“Hanna, I’m — I’m sorry,” Tur said, as tears welled up. “It’s awful. It’s just terrible. Hanna in Poland, thank you for joining us. At the very least we are happy you are safe right now.”
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Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
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