Espreso. Global
OPINION

It's time not to understand Putin

3 August, 2024 Saturday
15:41

Among Western politicians, public figures, and university intellectuals, there's a small but highly noticeable group often referred to as "those who understand Putin"

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They find dubiously attractive - mostly populist - wrappers for Russian propaganda. Mainly one of Moscow's messages: "Make the West reckon with Russia".

In addition, it is not about any truly legitimate interests that Russia could best secure before the invasion of Ukraine in 2014, when it cooperated on an equal footing with the G7 and when its word was, unfortunately, believed.

"The Russians demand to "reckon" with their desire to revive the empire, to conquer peoples and do whatever they want in their corner of the world."

In fact, Russia is so boldly objecting to Ukraine's accession to NATO precisely because joining the Alliance would mean that aggression against Ukraine is impossible (at least without a direct clash with the West).

A totalitarian regime - rashism (Russian fascism - ED.) - preaches its exclusivity and demands that the world accept it, sacrificing the interests and very existence of peoples, including the Ukrainian one.

"This can only be cured by military defeat and subsequent thorough re-education, as was the case with the predecessors of rashism, Nazism, and fascism."

Because when the immediate parents of rashism - Russian chauvinism/Bolshevism/Stalinism - have not been stopped, eradicated, or punished, it returns again and again.

This should be kept in mind when thinking about peace initiatives (especially "peace initiatives") and communicating with "those who understand Putin." The equilibristics of the mind are easiest to treat with simple historical facts and banal logic.

The Ukrainian government should remember this. Their task is to repel the attacks of those who "understand Putin" on helping Ukraine. Judging by the weather in international circles, it is not working out so far.

Source

About the author. Rostyslav Pavlenko, Ukrainian politician, political scientist, political strategist, lecturer, former lawmaker.

The editors do not always share the opinions expressed by the authors of the blogs.

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