Putin is a Madman
Ukraine and the World need to be on alert.
For several weeks, the world has watched as the country of Ukraine battles Russia for its very existence. The Russian bear is being led by Vladamir Putin, the twenty-year dictator of Russia. Russia is a Communist country. Democracy doesn't exist in Russia. Putin rules with an iron fist and he wants to bring back the Soviet Union.
Millions of Ukrainians have fled the country. Some used their own vehicles, others boarded buses, and the rest trekked hundreds of miles to Poland’s border. Poland has welcomed the Ukrainians with open arms. They have provided the refugees with food, shelter, and medical support. Ukrainian children have enrolled in Poland’s schools. Ukrainian are trying to rebuild their lives in a new country. Many hope to return to Ukraine once the war ends, but the possibility grows more unlikely with each passing day.
Russia began its offensive over a month ago by entering the contested regions in eastern Ukraine. Putin anticipated an easy victory, betting that Ukraine would fall in a matter of days. The Russian dictator’s received a rude awakening as Ukrainian forces fiercely battled Russian troops despite having fewer high-tech weapons. The Ukrainians went old school on Russian forces by setting up roadblocks, planting mines, and throwing Molotov cocktails at Russian tanks. Once the rest of the world started providing weaponry to the Ukrainians, Russia’s hope for a quick victory was over.
Now, Ukrainian forces have won back some keys cities from Russia and have severely delayed Russian forces from attacking the capital city, Lviv. Putin is fuming over this turn of events. Ukrainian President Zelensky is headquartered in Lviv, in a bunker, monitoring the war effort and appealing to the U.N. and NATO for even more support. And his appeals have not fallen on deaf ears.
The U.S. and other NATO nations have poured millions into Ukraine. In addition, Poland has received monetary support for helping refugees. Weapons, food, and medical supplies are coming to Lviv and other neighboring cities. In addition, Russia has been sanctioned across the board from banks to exports. The Russian people are suffering and protesting the war. Putin answers the protests with arrests and violence. Even the Russian Oligarchs are asking Putin to end the war as they’re losing billions. Putin ignores them.
Recently, there were talks of a meeting between Zelensky and Putin. The two were to come together to broker a deal and end the war. Despite agreeing to a meeting and a neutral nation to host it, Putin had his forces attack Ukraine’s 3rd largest city, Odesa in an effort to cut off Ukraine’s ocean access. This would landlock Ukraine and slow delivery of supplies. Putin can’t be trusted. He says one thing and does another.
Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians have been injured or killed in the fighting. Hundreds of the dead are children. Hospitals and schools have been bombed. Orphanages and Red Cross shelters have been attacked. There are reports of many Ukrainians being captured and brought to Russia. There are also reports of Russian soldiers committing war crimes against Ukrainian citizens, like shooting unarmed civilians in the streets.
Whenever this war ends, the troubles for Russia are only the beginning. The Ukrainian people won’t forget the atrocities committed against their country. Many will seek revenge. Putin may have to deal with a slew of Ukrainian terrorists entering Russia and committing acts of violence. Innocent people could be hurt or killed. Remember, Putin wanted this war not the majority of the Russian people.
Putin must be stopped. He is destroying two countries — Russia and Ukraine. He doesn’t care. Putin wants what he wants. He is a madman. Putin can’t continue his reign of terror. He wants to get all the countries that broke up the Soviet Union. Putin wants to reunite them and create a new version of the Soviet Union. A more powerful version. The world can’t let that happen.
