Zelensky-The Villain in Putin's War

 Zelensky – The Villain in Putin’s War

It’s been more than a fortnight since the weak but brave Ukraine is facing the ire of the stubborn President of Russia.

For the last two weeks, the world is watching the tearful exodus, the beautiful cities being ruined, children being orphaned, unarmed civilians rebuking the invading soldiers and amidst these disheartening scenes, a President appears and appeals to the mightier countries for aid, often in informal outfits. 

The so-called brave President has won the sympathy and favour of the world but he has chosen to pay a hefty price to buy this trivial individual praise. 

Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelensky, the popular comedian and a famous TV face had made an exemplary leap to become the supremo of his country about three years back. 

His country, the second largest in Europe, is at war with its larger neighbour since 2014. No doubt, Zelensky has been an inspirational leader right since the war began. He has invoked patriotism in his countrymen but, heroics sounds good in folklore. When you are the head of a country, every decision you take must pass through multiple rounds of deliberation, discussion, reflection and introspection as it would affect millions of your compatriots. 

Both Russia and Ukraine could have avoided this war. When Zelensky was elected, there were doubts that he is pro-Russia. Maybe the pressure of proving the speculation wrong was too much that Zelensky never tried to improve relations with Big Brother Russia and instead, urged NATO to make it a member ignoring all the past agreements. A step towards peace, and disenchantment from joining NATO while not comprising his country’s interest might have made Zelensky a bigger hero. This war will throw Ukraine half a century back. They pouring financial aid from sympathetic countries might reinstate the concrete but it would not heal the wounds on the soul and mind of Ukrainians. 

Zelensky must realise that a real war is not a TV show where everything is an eyewash. People don’t die. Cities don’t moan and mourn. In a real war, every single bullet leaves an irrecoverable wound somewhere. 

Vladimir Putin has emerged as the cruellest man alive by waging an unprovoked war on Ukraine. He is wrong. Wrong. As claimed, a full-fledged army action on a weaker neighbouring country is arrogance and tyranny. However strong you are, if violence is the only way you know you are not fit to live in this world. 

Putin is not wrong if he opposes Ukraine’s intention and interest in joining NATO. There have been arguments that whether to join an organisation or not is a country’s choice. Fair enough. Then, it is the choice of another country to oppose and prevent it if the association might threaten its sovereignty and safety.

Considering NATO’s objectives and record, Russia cannot be held wrong. If treaties and organisations create a divide amongst the communities and countries, they are worthless. Russia’s cause is no different from the cause that gave birth to NATO. If the economic and strategic powers of the west have a right to put their safety and interests before everything and anything, then the Eastern countries too must be granted discretion. 

Why this world needs military organisations like NATO?

Fact is, the ringmaster has successfully played the game. The war will not resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine but will leave them weaker. Trap proved successful. The neighbours have been befooled.

I see Zelensky as the bigger Villain in this war because he allowed himself to be used against Russia while desperately trying to prove the speculations of him being pro-Russia.

No, I am not Putin’s fan. He is behaving the same he is known. 

Views expressed are personal 

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