The Ukraine war is a year old.

Interesting that the USA is financing both countries. U.S. taxpayers are paying for weapons and aid to Ukraine. U.S. consumers are financing Russia’s weapons through high gasoline and diesel prices. In the USA when oil prices go to $100 per barrel we hear about obscene profits for oil and gas companies.

When oil went from $40 to $100 what did Russia do with the windfall profits they received without drilling any new wells? Was it used to finance weapons for a war with Ukraine?

Based on web sources, the USA is still the world’s leading oil producing country as it has been for over 10 years, producing over a million barrels a day more than any other country. Russia was second until 2022. Saudi Arabia is now No. 2 oil producer. Russia is No. 3, still producing over 10 million barrels of oil a day.

When oil increased from $40 per barrel in 2019 to $100 per barrel it meant a windfall of $600,000,000 every day to the Russian economy, or an increase of over $219 trillion a year with no added cost.

What did Russia spend it on? Hospitals and parks for its people? Probably not.

Brent crude has fallen to around $80 per barrel, still a very nice income for the Russian economy.

The Ukraine war is hurting the people of both countries and it is taking resources away from people in the USA and other places.

It’s heartbreaking to see what the Ukrainian people are going through. Imagine going to bed with the possibility of a missile hitting your house or apartment building?

We are talking to European companies who had operations in Ukraine. They are working on alternatives, mostly moving operations to the USA.

I’m not aware of any Ukrainian peace talks being planned. Most experts expect increased fighting and the potential for a wider conflict impacting more people and the possible use of nuclear weapons. A nuclear winter would lower the planet’s temperature. It would also destroy food production. The USA is the only nation on earth with the power to bring both parties to the table by reducing their ability to obtain weapons.

As the world’s leading oil producer, the USA has the capability to increase oil production and drive down world oil prices (and Russian revenue). This would require changes from Washington, cooperation between political parties and between government and industry.

It would require those in leadership positions to care enough to put differences aside and look at the big picture. Companies selling weapons would be very unhappy.

It would require diplomacy and a lot of prayer.

There are probably people who would be upset about the USA increasing fossil fuel production and what it would do for the planet. My guess is, the Ukraine war has a significant influence on increasing emissions. A wider conflict and use of nuclear weapons would be environmentally devastating.

The USA has control of its own energy resources. Moving to EVs can give China control. China controls the mining and refining of cobalt, graphite and rare earth metals all required for EVs. If we are going to have EVs, we first need control of the resources to manufacture and operate them.

Once again, we the people have more power than we give ourselves credit for. We can restrict the modern weapons used in the conflict.

We can’t control the hearts and minds of the people and leaders of both countries. War creates hatred. Ukrainian people who have lost family members in the conflict hate Putin. Can they put hatred behind them to have peace?

After the church shooting a few years ago in Charleston, South Carolina, I was surprised the survivors quickly forgave the shooter even after witnessing what he did to their friends. They followed the teaching and example of Jesus who, while hanging on a cross, said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) or “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15)

The late Earl Nightingale, radio personality, author of “The Strangest Secret” and professional speaker said, “Destructive emotions, such as anger, hatred, and jealousy don’t hurt others, they hurt you. They can make your life miserable. They can make you sick. Forgive everyone who ever hurt you ­– really forgive them — and then forgive yourself. That’s all past.”

Some of the hardest people to forgive are those closest to us. Maybe that is because we expect more of them. When they hurt us by what they say or do it is more hurtful than when it comes from a stranger.

When we forgive someone we’re not saying what they did is OK.

We recognize they are more than a particular action. We also recognize we aren’t perfect, either.

It is important to put the past behind us and move forward. I have seen family members who haven’t talked to each other in decades and even attend the same church.

Sometimes they can’t clearly recall the incident but neither will take the first step and forgive.

If we struggle with forgiveness as individuals and families, imagine the challenges countries have.

When we feel we have been wronged, sometimes it’s hard to let go of the hurt but we must.

One of the favorite sing-a-long songs at Walt Disney World is “Let it Go” sung by Idina Menzel:

“Let it go. Let it go. Can’t hold it back any more. Let it go. Let it go. Turn away and slam the door.

“It’s funny how some distance makes everything seem small and the fears that once controlled me can’t get to me at all.”

Like the butterfly effect, if forgiveness starts with us, we might just change the world.

Greg Kozera, gkozera@shalecrescentusa.com, is the director of marketing and sales for Shale Crescent USA, www.shalecrescentusa.com. He is a professional engineer with a master’s in environmental engineering and over 40 years’ experience in the energy industry. He is a professional speaker and author of four books and numerous published articles.