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Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with members of the Security Council via video link in Moscow, Russia on June 22 2022. Picture: Sputnik/Mikhail Metzel/Kremlin via REUTERS
Though writers like James Cunningham might be interested in the minutiae of European politics, it is important to keep an eye on the big picture (“So what exactly happened in Kyiv last week?”, June 20).
Given the destruction visited on France and Germany in World War 2 it is not surprising that both countries have pacifist instincts and think they can do a deal with Vladimir Putin. They can’t. Or, to put it more correctly, if they do it will be a big mistake.
The present war is evidence of what happens when you appease demagogues. Putin’s fantasy about a new Russian empire cannot be reasoned with. He needs to be put back in his box and the lid nailed shut.
It will cost all of us in blood and treasure, though I predict he will eventually be done in by his own. As they say, “you can fool some of the people some of the time but…”.
Bernard Benson Parklands
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 Anonymous correspondence will not be published.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: No reasoning with Putin
Though writers like James Cunningham might be interested in the minutiae of European politics, it is important to keep an eye on the big picture (“So what exactly happened in Kyiv last week?”, June 20).
Given the destruction visited on France and Germany in World War 2 it is not surprising that both countries have pacifist instincts and think they can do a deal with Vladimir Putin. They can’t. Or, to put it more correctly, if they do it will be a big mistake.
The present war is evidence of what happens when you appease demagogues. Putin’s fantasy about a new Russian empire cannot be reasoned with. He needs to be put back in his box and the lid nailed shut.
It will cost all of us in blood and treasure, though I predict he will eventually be done in by his own. As they say, “you can fool some of the people some of the time but…”.
Bernard Benson
Parklands
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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