The idea of a modern day leader like Putin literally toying with the prospect of nuclear war in front of the entire world for his evil gain, just ranks as one of the worst types of war threats any dictator has ever made! We expect that kind of deranged threat from Iran’s Khomenei or Kim Jong Il, but not from a somewhat civilized nation like Russia.
I was stunned when Putin and Foreign Secretary Lavrov spoke of a possible nuclear strike just days after the war in Ukraine started! When there was deep concern in America about Iran’s threats against Israel and our nation once they get enough of the right grade uranium, I wondered how people would react to another source of imminent nuclear threat?. The world peace I thought I knew was disintegrating into a possible hell on earth!
Early on in the war, while I was still in shock, I reflected, “Who else in history have we heard openly state such megalomania aspirations? Who talks about ethnic cleansing of his peaceful neighbors like that?” Strong, decent nations don’t talk like that! Does the U.S. speak about invading Mexico to get rid of it’s gangs, or invading Canada because they still use the French language? Does France threaten to denazify the leadership of Italy government and annex it?
I’ve been sickened like others by the many war crimes the Russian army has committed in Ukraine. The mad rants of Putin about cleansing Ukraine of nazi’s, preventing biolabs from harming Russians, and bringing Russian speaking people back to their “homeland” were the statements of a genuinely disturbed sociopath. So, no wonder a few troops were ready to follow his lead and become barbarians in battle. I was amazed at how we all missed Putin’s insanity for so many years.
There you have it… the West was fooled, and now we are fighting a war for civilization. We allowed a bear to lure us into his cave, but Ukraine is doing a good job of kicking the butt of the bear and fighting for the rest of the free world. Putin has de-stabilized world peace, and he must be met with complete resistance. The West must do all it can to help Ukraine!
Erick Erickson, an American political radio personality wrote:
“As I have said all week, Putin sized up the West appropriately. We took the advice of a Swedish teen on the spectrum who is convinced the world is going to end and we outsourced our energy and national security to Russia.
The United States could be energy independent. We could be providing oil and gas to Europe. But we all gave up and relied on Russia instead.”
There’s more to the collapse of world vigilance for democracy in Ukraine than what Erick shares here. There’s more to the history of the Ukraine/Russian relationship. I know the world super powers are deeply rattled by Putin’s loss of conscience about the world. I saw its leaders faces as they toured Bucha after Russian troops viciously ravaged the town.
Since my son was murdered I’ve learned not to turn away from violence. I’ve learned not to fear death or crime the way I used to. I hope the lazy, self involved people in America who are having a problem believing Ukraine, will consider the importance of democracy in their lives. I hope they stop a moment, and reflect on what dictators want to do with those who are free.