Cycling for Freedom: Ex-Diplomat George Kent on His Mission to Support Ukraine
After retiring, American diplomat George Kent decided to combine a long-held dream with a civic mission by cycling across the United States to support Ukraine and tell Americans about its struggle.
The Gaze reports on it, referring to George Kent's interview with NPR
In a conversation with NPR host Scott Simon, George Kent said that his trip had a dual purpose — to fulfill a long-held desire to cross America by bicycle and to raise funds for Ukraine's military efforts.
The Former US Ambassador to Estonia and a key witness during Donald Trump's first impeachment inquiry noted that the idea of a bike ride coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Trans-American Cycle Route and was a great opportunity to talk to Americans about Ukraine, Russia, and disinformation.
"That was a perfect fit. Cycle across America, talk to Americans about what's on their minds, talk about Ukraine and Russia, and raise money for a great cause," he noted.
During his two-month trip with his family, Kent talked to people in cafes, on bike paths, and even in small towns. He noted the generosity of Americans, who often donated money themselves after learning about his mission.
At the same time, the diplomat noticed certain regional differences — in rural areas of the Midwest, interest in Ukraine was significantly lower, and conversations about the war were often met with silence.
Kent particularly remembered meeting a couple in Oregon who represented an evangelical community. They supported Ukraine but admitted that they did not know whom to trust for information about the war. According to the diplomat, this illustrates the deep problem of disinformation in American society.
George Kent emphasized that Ukrainians understand the existential nature of this war and will continue to fight, and that the United States has a duty to continue to support them.
“I think arming Ukraine, giving them the weapons to fight back, is in our interests. For the next generation of weapons, those are being developed in Ukraine, and I think the U.S. defense industry risks missing out,” he stressed.
He called for investment in weapons production in Ukraine, as Ukrainian innovations in the military sphere could serve as a model for Western countries in the future.
“I think best - I came away with the impression that what we should be doing is investing in production capacity in Ukraine because what Ukraine is innovating in terms of weaponry and tactics is the way Western countries should defend themselves if they're ever put in that position of attacking a pure competitor like China or Russia,” Kent concluded.
As The Gaze informed earlier, in Kyiv, roughly a thousand participants joined the annual Run for Freedom, an advocacy race calling for the release of Ukrainian prisoners, with professor and UNITED24 ambassador Timothy Snyder taking part.