There are some unusual things going on in the background here in the US.
Something I noticed early-on in the conflict is a similarity between the US midwest the Ukraine farmlands, farming towns, and the farmers themselves including their attitudes. The images of the farming communities could almost be from the 1950-1980 period here in Minnesota - except the Ukraine farmers have larger and better tractors than we had then.
The similarity I have noticed seems to be contributing to a feeling of empathy/sympathy and of being on the same team, or at least in the same league, among Minnesotans for the Ukrainians.
This may not sound like much, but over the last few weeks I have become aware of some amazing potential effects of these feelings.
There is for example, a privately held company company based here in Minnesota that is in the process of setting aside $100,000,000 for aid in rebuilding Ukraine (if they succeed in defeating the Russians) or for helping relocate Ukrainians that are displaced to other countries (including here).
Another example is a large construction company that operates and is based here in the Midwest. It has begun setting aside materials for building quality prefab houses. They are negotiating for production of long lead items and with appliance manufacturers for increased production of items needed for habitability (ie ovens, refrigerators, heaters, toilets, etc). The intent is to send them (free) to the Ukraine after the war to help in the rebuild.
Another large size company based here in the Midwest is starting to set aside upto 90% of its profits this year and next year, for use in rebuilding in Ukraine (I am talking about billions of dollars assuming the economy does not tank).
A worldwide logistics chain is working on long range planning for coordinating the shipping of material for rebuilding Ukraine - at the request of private companies who have expressed intent to help with the rebuilding and supply of materials.
All of the above is based on private initiatives and has not been initiated by the US government.
I have not seen such a large scale sameness of view in my lifetime, although some of the past disaster relief efforts had some of the same aspects. It reminds me of descriptions I have read about the attitude in much of the US population toward Great Britain during WWII.
