As an ordinary chap in the UK who over the years has been writing a rather erratic diary which admittedly has at times been a bit strange. I feel it is time for me to write something about the present situation in Ukraine. Mr Putin has blamed Nato, The EU, Britain and the US for his actions in sending troops into the country. On the grounds that they are threatening Russia. Now I'm sure there are folk out there that will say . . . Yes its True . . . but I dont agree because it's not true. You see Mr Putin does not always work in the interests of Russia, but does work in the interests of Mr Putin. He is reputably one of the richest men in the world and those around him, his long standing circle of oligarchs have also become incredibly wealthy too. I mean if you can afford a 6oo million pound yacht and 100 million pound houses then we are talking serious money. So the truth is that Mr Putin and his friends have milked the Russian economy for many many years. Not really the actions of a great leader although sadly a course taken by other world leaders over time. Power as the old saying goes corrupts.
Many have even called Mr Putin and his little gang Russian Mafia something I am unable to comment on, but will say as an ordinary chap in the UK it does look a bit like that might be true. However I have little trust in the UK Government at present either and it appears the Tory Party have been happy to take Russian money for ages and also seem a bit slow on sanctions of Russian individuals.
As things stand Russian forces are using what are regarded as classic Russian fighting methods to slowly destroy towns and cities using long range artillery and missiles destroying houses shops and the general fabric of society. Mr Putin firmly puts all this destruction down to Extremists, Nazis and Western Powers. And his own troops are saving the Ukrainian people. If you live in Russia and read this well that is not true. OOoooooo No I'm afraid Mr Putin is destroying Ukraine.
Here in the UK I can safely say that I think our present Prime Minister Boris Johnson is rubbish and I'm sure he thought the whole Prime Minister thing would be one big Jolly for him and his pals to make money and get knighthoods before retiring. If I openly suggested such a thing about Mr Putin in Russia I would probably vanish. What this means is news reported in Britain can be far more critical and subjective than in Russia where at a time like this reporters report what they are told to report or else. So many ordinary Russians just dont realise what is being done in their name or just how many people both Russian and Ukrainian are dying because of one man's deluded ambitions. Not for his country but for himself. To protest in Russia you have to be very very brave indeed.
What Mr Putin thinks the outcome of all this will be I just dont know, it is very likely he will be unable to travel outside Russia in the future and will end up with more weapons pointing at him than he could shake a stick at as the west gets as paranoid as he is. He has made a terrible error and it is not one that can be undone.
I will return to this but right now it is late and time to sleep. I am lucky I have a bed and a safe home unlike so many in Ukraine.