Photo/Illutration Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, speaks to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Moscow on April 26. (Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

"Universal Soldier" was an anti-war anthem from the Vietnam War era. The song's premise, as implied in the title, is that anyone can become a soldier.

The lyrics go: "He's a Catholic, a Hindu, an atheist, a Jain/ A Buddhist and a Baptist and a Jew/ And he knows he shouldn't kill/ And he knows he always will/ Kill you for me my friend and me for you."

He’s fighting for his country, for “democracy,” for “the Reds.”

"And he thinks we'll put an end to war this way," continues the song.

But whatever the cause may be, humans killing fellow humans is the stark reality of every war.

Two months have elapsed since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.

Images of utter devastation on the outskirts of Kyiv highlight the inhumanity of Russian forces.

The Ukrainians are fighting back with weapons supplied by the United States and other countries which, I understand, will continue aiding them.

I was perturbed by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's audacious words, however.

Speaking on America's goals for success, he stated, “We want to see Russia weakened to the degree that it can’t do the kinds of things that it has done in invading Ukraine."

The stated purpose of U.S. arms support was to help Ukraine defend itself. Since when did it morph into the destruction of Russia?

Ever since the start of the invasion, I have constantly tried to put myself in the shoes of a Ukrainian citizen, or a mayor of a small Ukrainian town.

I wouldn't want to fight, nor would I want anyone in my town to fight. This makes me all the more painfully aware of the anguish and inner conflict of the people who have no choice but to take up arms, and I can't help obsessing over the horrors of war.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is now in talks with the leaders of both Russia and Ukraine.

I pray he will find a path to a solution, no matter how small.

Stop fighting. Stop fighting. Stop fighting.

--The Asahi Shimbun, April 28

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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.

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