Україна все одно буде вільною
How can you not sympathize with the Ukrainians? They are probably one of the most historically abused nations in Europe. The last centuries have been a series of constant wars, massacres, famine, and deportations for them. Thirty years after gaining independence, when it seemed that nothing would stand in the way of their full participation in the nations of the free world, they must once again fight to defend themselves against the invader.
Putin learned from the best.
On September 1, 1939, Hitler announced to the world that he was entering Poland to protect the Germans living in Poland from the Poles. Stalin used the same argument on September 17, when he was cutting off his part of the Republic, saying that he was doing it to save the Belarusians and Ukrainians from the bloodthirsty Poles.
Now, identical words have flowed from the lips of the Russian lord and heir. Putin says about Ukrainians that they are fascists and genocidal people who seek at all costs to exterminate the Russians living in Ukraine. A vile, disgusting manipulation to justify the use of missiles and tanks, sowing death.
Why is Putin doing this?
The motivation of autocrats and dictators is always the same. It is fear and lust for power.
Putin is afraid of the free world. He is afraid of those who think differently. He is terrified by the thought that Russians might want to have the right to choose and the right to vote. He is afraid of a world in which problems can be solved in a way other than by force. He is terrified by the thought that he would have to start taking into account the opinions of others. He is paralyzed by the fear that the first of the former Soviet republics may soon join the EU and NATO.
Putin openly says that the collapse of the Soviet Union is the greatest trauma for him. He would like to rebuild the Soviet empire and return to the times when it controlled half of the bipolar world. He would like to leave in the glory of the most powerful Russian ruler and it annoys him that so far his countrymen hold Stalin in much greater esteem.
Putin began the dismemberment of Ukraine in 2014. He swallowed the Crimean Peninsula, 90 percent ethnic Russian, and transferred it to Ukrainian jurisdiction in 1954 as a personal gift from Nikita Khrushchev, the first secretary of the Soviet Union's Communist Party. The annexation of Crimea took place with the virtual tacit consent of the West. Ukraine is now paying for this great mistake, as Putin has become convinced that the world will not demand a return to the former republic, which is being reconciled piecemeal into Russian arms.
The civilized world will not defend Ukraine from Putin. And it certainly will not do so by using force for fear of unleashing a world war. The restrictions, implemented seven years too late, are of course necessary, but they will not stop Putin. Besides, there is a serious problem with them, because a large part of the world is unfortunately dependent on Russian gas, oil and coal.
Is Poland safe? Yes. We and no one west of the Bug are in danger. Putin is perfectly aware that crossing this border would be a real problem for him, just as he knows that he can take Ukraine apart piece by piece and no one will stop him.
Is Putin a madman? Yes. Like every autocrat and dictator. When he started his aggression, he was aware that the world would call him a criminal and would want to put him on trial at the Hague tribunal. But he doesn't care. And this is where his madness manifests itself.
Putin can be stopped by his people. But so far, he is not particularly eager to do so. The decision to recognize the independence of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions was received with enthusiasm by most Russians. Fewer Russians support the war, but Putin can still count on a lot of support.
I don't want to lump all Russians together. There are many honest, open and fully aware citizens among them. The problem is, however, that they are a definite minority, and the first fiddle is still in the hands of the Russian scum.
So far, Putin's blitzkrieg has lasted longer than he planned. Goliath did not expect to encounter such great resistance from David. To date, two hundred Ukrainians and over three thousand Russian soldiers have died. Kiev has been defending itself for three days now and will not surrender easily.
Dear brothers in Ukraine.
In Polish, from you.
Україна ще буде вільною!
