Or, feeling the squeeze of Russia’s isolation, will he bomb Ukraine and its people off the map
23 March 2022 - 19:12
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Russian President Vladimir Putin. Picture: THIBAULT CAMUS/REUTERS
Where will Vladimir Putin draw the line? He will only “negotiate” a settlement on his own terms, and for that reason he still has Nato in checkmate.
Before he reaches his minimum aims Putin will not be interested in serious negotiations. He hoped for more, including regime-change in Kyiv, but he may now settle for an agreement that Ukraine will never become a member of Nato (and as a possible plus, disarmament); recognition of Crimea and the status of Donbas in the east of Ukraine. As things stand now, Ukraine is ready for his first objective, namely an agreement that it will not become a member of Nato.
The unknown is whether a cornered, angry and increasingly desperate Putin, feeling the squeeze of Russia’s isolation, will go for the “final solution” and literally bomb Ukraine and its people off the world map. He may even have chemical weapons up his sleeve, as in Syria.
Putin’s hatred and fear of freedom and democracy have completely silenced his senses, conscience and humanity — if he ever had them in his makeup.
Dawie Jacobs Sterrewag
JOIN THE DISCUSSION: Send us an email with your comments to letters@businesslive.co.za. Letters of more than 300 words will be edited for length. Anonymous correspondence will not be published. Writers should include a daytime telephone number.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
LETTER: Does Putin have a fail-safe?
Or, feeling the squeeze of Russia’s isolation, will he bomb Ukraine and its people off the map
Where will Vladimir Putin draw the line? He will only “negotiate” a settlement on his own terms, and for that reason he still has Nato in checkmate.
Before he reaches his minimum aims Putin will not be interested in serious negotiations. He hoped for more, including regime-change in Kyiv, but he may now settle for an agreement that Ukraine will never become a member of Nato (and as a possible plus, disarmament); recognition of Crimea and the status of Donbas in the east of Ukraine. As things stand now, Ukraine is ready for his first objective, namely an agreement that it will not become a member of Nato.
The unknown is whether a cornered, angry and increasingly desperate Putin, feeling the squeeze of Russia’s isolation, will go for the “final solution” and literally bomb Ukraine and its people off the world map. He may even have chemical weapons up his sleeve, as in Syria.
Putin’s hatred and fear of freedom and democracy have completely silenced his senses, conscience and humanity — if he ever had them in his makeup.
Dawie Jacobs
Sterrewag
JOIN THE DISCUSSION: Send us an email with your comments to letters@businesslive.co.za. Letters of more than 300 words will be edited for length. Anonymous correspondence will not be published. Writers should include a daytime telephone number.
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