Odessa: Spending four days here has been remarkable for many reasons. The primary purpose was to attend the Black Sea Forum in Odessa, which was largely sponsored by the successful English businessman and philanthropist Lord Michael Ashcroft. This is one of the few, if any, Black Sea conferences actually held on the Black Sea.

The purpose of the forum was to inform as many people as possible as to the reality of this illegal war started by Russia and the consequences, good and ill, for the Ukrainian people.Odessa is an extraordinary example of the positive side of the war. Ravaged by Russian attacks in early 2022, and the courageous activities of the residents, aided by many contributions from outside donors and non-governmental offices, Odessa is the quintessential example of a city not seemingly at war. Virtually all the damage has been repaired.The few signs are a couple of bombed-out buildings and the presence of plywood replacements where glass windows were shattered by shrapnel or blast. The streets, unlike many in the US, are immaculate. However, it is the spirit and morale of the Odessa public that are extraordinary.

The war in Ukraine may........

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