Because the former satellites are for their own independence from Russian domination! Already, Putin got little from Georgia in the way of support for Russian preeminence in '08; Crimea and an ornery East Ukraine from Ukraine in '14; and now in '20 -'21 rumblings of discontent in Russia for elections in Moscow and an inability to control popular opinion over the jailing of Navalny. But more threatening to Putin's autocracy is the possible uprising of a burgeoning middle class in Belarus, which may prove more difficult for the Russians to put down once united. Putin needs industrial Belarus.
The point is, the traditional lands for Russian domination are being eroded; put another way, the rise of a middle class is something unheard of in Eastern Europe aside from those countries protected by NATO. Put yet another way, an autocracy has trouble containing a virulent, youthful middle class. That is why, autocracies thrive when there's but two social classes: the wealthy and the rest--in poverty, struggling to make a living. If Ukraine fails to survive independently from Russian control, there'll be others to take up the fight for their own freedom. The list continues to grow--of objectors to Putin and his reign. The days of the Grand Purge should be over soon, whether or not Putin's reign falls--I contend the indications are already in sight (that amounts to nearly 40 years of knowing Russians enabling me to follow notable events there).
If I were in Ukraine now, I'd run out of there--flee for my life! The Russians are coming!
My considered opinion.
No comments:
Post a Comment