There has been a lot of commentary in the media suggesting that Putin is mad, some even ridiculously suggesting this had something to do with “COVID”. In this video clip (thankfully with transcript provided in this link), he answers a woman who questions whether his operations in Ukraine were necessary, and he answers her at length:
I don’t know whether what he says about the situation is true or not, I certainly do know that the Western media has lied about so many things that they can’t be trusted to give us an accurate picture of what is happening at all. The one thing I am not seeing in his response is evidence of madness, he responds calmly and tries to explain his actions. If there is any truth in these particular claims then it ought to give us some pause for thought I think:
What did these people demand? Nothing but the basic things: the right to speak their mother tongue, i.e. the Russian, and maintain their traditions and culture. These were by no means extraordinary demands. But no. These territories were put under economic blockade; disconnected from the banking system; the supplies of food were stopped; the payments of the pensions and social assistance were suspended. Sometimes, some handouts were given, but in order to get those pensions and benefits a person had to cross the separation line.
(Here he is speaking about the 8 years since 2014 I believe):
Approximately 13,000-14,000 people have been killed during these years. Over 500 children have been killed or injured. But what is particularly intolerable is that the so-called “civilized” West has preferred all these years to look the other way. All these years – 8 years! Eight years!
He says that if Ukraine joins NATO then the disputed Crimea region will be invaded:
If Ukraine is a NATO member, then according to the North Atlantic Treaty, all other members must support the country in case of a military conflict. No one besides us has recognized Crimea as a Russian territory. The yare [sic] conducting military operations in Donbas but also could move onto Crimea, and in such case we would have to fight with the whole of NATO. What is that? Do you understand the consequences? I think everyone understands.
My own belief is that Putin is not mad, I don’t know the truth about any of the claims on either side, but I see no evidence of madness here. He may be lying (then again he may not) but I don’t think he is mad.
