Building High Walls for a Gangster State: The Case Against Putin’s Russia

[Social Media]

 

The past few years have highlighted the fragility of societies and the inevitability of the downfall of dictators. Vladimir Putin, after 25 years in power, has left Russia weaker, poorer, and far removed from the rule of law. He has pursued policies that have sacrificed countless citizens, invaded sovereign nations, and waged a covert war against the West.  

 

Under Putin, Russia is no better than a shadow of its former self. “Putin is just a gangster with a gas station,” a current leader of a former Russian ally recently remarked, underscoring the degradation of the nation. Once a global player, Russia now relies on countries like North Korea for support and has become a client state of China—a far cry from the superpower Putin likely envisioned.  

 

When Putin decided to invade Ukraine illegally, the world’s initial response was to separate the Russian people from the Kremlin. The narrative stressed, “This is not the Russian people; it is just a small clique in the Kremlin.” However, the past three years have dismantled this view. Support for the invasion and the atrocities committed—torture, mass murder, assassinations, and cyberattacks—is widespread among Russians.  

 

This echoes dark periods in history, such as Adolf Hitler’s Germany, where public support fueled despicable acts. Unlike the Soviet era, when dissidents spoke out against oppression, today’s Russian dissenters are few. Many Russians abroad in places like the UAE, Cyprus, and Europe not only defend Putin but also take measures to shield their own families from the war’s consequences, revealing a deep contradiction in their stance.  

The question now is how to address this gangster state. Russia must be placed behind self-imposed bars, isolated and constrained by global unity.

 

Despite sanctions, Russia continues to act as if nothing has changed. Its elites thrive in Western capitals, and a shadow fleet smuggles goods, exports oil, and undermines global stability. British brands still thrive in Moscow, revealing the cracks in the sanctions.  

 

To counter this, the West must build high walls. Diplomatic pressure must target havens like Cyprus, the UAE, and Switzerland to restrict Russian elites. Wealthy Putin supporters should be ostracized from international circles. Just as criminals are removed from society, Russia must be isolated until it abandons its destructive path.  

 

Such measures would also counter Russia’s fabricated narrative that NATO is poised to invade. As the saying goes, no one wants to break into a prison. The isolation will strip Putin of his false strength, weakening his grip on power. In the end, even the most formidable autocrats fall.  

 

As Winston Churchill once said, “Dictators ride to and fro upon tigers which they dare not dismount. And the tigers are getting hungry.” In Russia, the mothers and widows of those sacrificed in war will grow increasingly restless. Change is inevitable, and Putin’s days, like those of all despots before him, are numbered.  

 

Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2024-01-16

 

 

[spidermike007]

Excellent essay. Alot of truth. Russia is an objectively weak state — “Upper Volta with nuclear weapons,” as someone once quipped — with a nominal G.D.P. smaller than that of South Korea. Outside of energy, minerals and second-rate military equipment, it produces almost nothing that outsiders want: no Russian iPhone, Lexus or “Fauda.” If it were not for the minerals, oil and natural gas, I believe Russia would be a highly irrelevant state. Sure, it had alot of culture. Had. What have it's contributions been since the middle of the 20th century?

 

There are a multitude of reasons why very few around the world have sympathy for the Russians. Those reasons are not limited to their serial killing, despot, thieving multi billionaire dictator for life. It is more about their nature, their history as ruthless, homicidal Cossack warriors, and their total lack of manners, and class. Not to mention the dignity, class, decency, civility, and social skills decades of Leninism, Stalinism, and now Putinism has stripped them of. 

 

And of course, the utter failure of their leader. This is a clear case of psychological projection: Putin dreamt and failed to create a dollar-free world and establish Russia as an “energy superpower.” He allowed corruption to metastasize through the state’s fabric, undermining its security capabilities. With its mass emigration, skyrocketing divorce rate, and low fertility, Russia, more than the West, demonstrates an immense collapse of family and social values.

 

Russia has nothing but malicious intentions. They are a terrorist state, run by a serial killing desperado. This is a nation so lacking in redeeming qualities. They contributed alot culturally, in past centuries. Now? What are they bringing to the table? How are they of any benefit to mankind? They offer nothing but misery, death, destruction and bad will. 

[harryviking]

....and this terror state is Thailand's friend! There must be hundreds of thousands of Russians in Thailand already staying LONG TIME!!😫

[metisdead]

A post in which the quoted content had been translated into a foreign language has been removed as this is an English language forum. 

[AZJA]

Fake news and defamation of PUTIN. PUTIN saved Christmas in one day from the fake COVID19 virus. He also saved national minorities living in Ukraine and their mass murder by Ukrainian Banderites.Currently, Ukrainian staying in Poland are murdering Polish citizens returning from work or walking in the evenings.Global media is blockig information.

[Rinato]

4 hours ago, AZJA said:

Fake news and defamation of PUTIN. PUTIN saved Christmas in one day from the fake COVID19 virus. He also saved national minorities living in Ukraine and their mass murder by Ukrainian Banderites.Currently, Ukrainian staying in Poland are murdering Polish citizens returning from work or walking in the evenings.Global media is blockig information.

Evidence of your statement?

[Fortean1]

This "Rinato" is a misguided individual.  There is a good chance that he or she is trolling the wonders of Putin.  His comments are of no value.

 

Terry in Thailand

[Fortean1]

52 minutes ago, Fortean1 said:

This "Rinato" is a misguided individual.  There is a good chance that he or she is trolling the wonders of Putin.  His comments are of no value.

 

Terry in Thailand

I have made a mistake.  The individual making this statement of ignorance is using the 'handle' of AZJA.  Rinato kept it simple.  Anecdotes are not facts.

 

Terry in Thailand

[ericbj]

"Vladimir Putin, after 25 years in power, has left Russia weaker, poorer, and far removed from the rule of law. He has pursued policies that have sacrificed countless citizens, invaded sovereign nations, and waged a covert war against the West."

 

Obviously written by someone who knows nothing of Russia under Yeltsin, nor of the precedents for the Russian attack; or else is an outright liar.

 

This statement gives you advance warning that the article is propaganda at its crudest.