It has been a while since I last wrote for my blog. Vladimir Putin is trying to recreate history by donning the role of an aggressor and behaving like a street thug and common criminal involving himself in the massacre of civilians by targeting hospitals, theatres and schools. Putin’s dramatic action of placing his nuclear arsenal on alert has not deterred Ukrainians from fighting for their nation while exposing the hypocrisy of non-proliferation treaty. It is no surprise that Russian citizens are unable to stop this international embarrassment. Sadly, they have proved themselves to be inept in preventing harassment of leaders like Alexei Navalny who are imperative in infusing democratic values within the governance of their nation. One cannot help but pity the plight of Russian citizens and soldiers who are fighting a war on grounds based on mis-information and with no compunction. Looking at the flip side of this war, Putin has made a statesman out of a comedian-turned-politician while showcasing to the world the bravery and pride of Ukrainians who are relentlessly defending their territory and sovereignty.
If Putin backs out of this war that is creating immense shortage of energy and food at a global level, he can at least save face domestically and gain the appreciation of his own. Instead of flaunting his military might that is woefully flailing, he can probably spend his time and resources resurrecting his economy, protect the Siberian region from climate change that could have a catastrophic effect on the planet’s natural resources. There is nothing more far from truth when leaders assert that Putin should not be in power keeping in mind the welfare of its citizens. As the brilliant Economist, Mr.Raghuram Rajan has recently explained, economic sanctions can have a negative and cascading effect on global economy while infringing upon peaceful international order. Global leaders should take a cue from his conclusions on recent economic sanctions that leaders are devising on a day to day basis.
NATO cannot remain a bystander while Putin is mocking the alliance from far. It is time to show what the alliance means to the world and why so much money is being spent by nations on this alliance. Let the leaders leading the global alliance not forget that Europe is here today because it failed to protest the Russian aggression in Crimea and Putin’s audacity in recognizing the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. It perplexes me as to what more provocation is needed for global leadership to condemn and contain the atrocities committed by one man on a single nation while innocent citizens are made to flee their homes causing refugee crises in neighboring nations.