Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, speaks to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Moscow on April 26. The song's premise is that anyone can become a soldier.
He is a Jew, a Hindu, a Catholic, a Jain and a Buddhist and a Jew And he knows he will kill me forever for me my friend and me for me. He is fighting for his country, for democracy, for the Reds. He thinks that we'll put an end to war this way, continues the song.
It's a stark reality of every war, regardless of the cause.
Two months have passed 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 that will continue to aid them.
I was perturbed by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's bold words.
He stated that he wants Russia to weakened to the extent that it can't do the kinds of things that it has done in Ukraine, because of America's goals for success. The goal of U.S. arms support was to help Ukraine defend itself. Has it morphed into the destruction of Russia?
Since the beginning of the invasion, I have always 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 more painfully aware of the anguish and inner conflict of 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 in talks with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine.
I pray that he will find a way to a solution, no matter how small.
Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that covers a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. The column, written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, provides useful insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.