Ukraine war: I hope Putin doesn't have a sting the tail
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It’s so difficult to see any quick end to this disaster, in fact it's now impossible for this to ever be put behind us in our or our children's lifetimes. It’s all very confusing and depressing. “Putin’s changed the world forever,” was a quote I heard on ITN.
Never be surprised at anything which happens in this conflict. I did consider Putin to be as thick skinned as they come – to fly in the face of the whole western world's objection to him amassing his forces on the Ukraine border and then shocking most by actually invading, carrying out what so many are calling “war crimes”.
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Hide AdIf Boris has taught me anything at all it is that to be leader of any country you have to have the thickest skin and strongest will to forge through with your policies and actions.
Notwithstanding a few u-turns and Covid-restricted get togethers, Boris Johnson has toughed it out, taken all the flack and is still there.
Boris knows that as a leader of a western democracy in a country which expresses its rights to free speech you have to expect people to speak their minds
To hear that Putin is extremely angry and upset at being called a war criminal by President Biden surprises me, even though through this conflict, I try not to be surprised.
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Hide AdPresident Putin is a leader of a country which operates state-controlled TV stations, locks people up for anti-government protests, or dissent, and doesn't believe in free speech. As most dictators, he is very thin-skinned – vanity and ego overrides his personality.
He’s surrounded himself by ‘yes men’ and anyone speaking up or against their leader is quickly removed.
As an ex-military person, I’m again surprised at how people casually talk about the threat of nuclear, biological or chemical weapons.
After service personnel we learn, with regular updates and refreshers, about the effects of weapons of mass destruction.
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Hide AdWe have an insight into what they are, and what they can do to people and everything else they touch.
My hope was that these weapons are seen as so destructive that no one would ever dare to use them.
We learn that none of these weapons are to be taken casually.
While Putin’s troops fail to make efficient progess, and sustain many losses, he continues to bomb Ukraine indiscriminately. Why would you destroy a place you hope to occupy?
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Hide AdPutin has shown petulance and a vindictive nature throughout his rule.
My hope is that he doesn’t have a sting in the tail for when his troops start to withdraw back to Russia.
If this war has taught me anything, never take anything for granted, or be surprised.