Another take from a Russian academic

Here’s a fantastic reply from my recent outreach effort to Russian academia. It summarizes my own view on the situation quite well. It’s also a good reminder that, under current conditions, even Russians who understand the situation cannot free their own country from Putin’s grips. They need our help. As the academic requested, I am passing this opinion “higher up”.

“Putin and his state are responsible for this war and for the fact that we have a million or more dead and maimed because of it. The West and the US are guilty of being afraid of the Kremlin grandfather [Putin] and not realizing that we should not fight/negotiate with him, but finish him ... Him and the system he built. The West has wasted more than 2 years of time! If the Kremlin dwarf had gotten his brains kicked in immediately, the situation would have been different!

Alas. The territories have already been irretrievably lost ... The West missed the historical (!) opportunity use the hands of a third party (Ukraine) to ‘finish’ the absolute mediocre and cowardly creature who thinks himself to be great. Or at least—again with the hands of a third party—to throw missiles at him until his defeat. This is a MISTAKE. I am proceeding on the assumption that all of the above is obvious.

The West must realize that, with proper policies, military assistance and action, Putin is guaranteed to be totally defeated. The West and Trump need to get more active and tougher. Believe in victory!!! The Kremlin rodent can and should have it all come crashing down in his old age. This is your chance ... and without any atomic bombs. Can't you see the bluff on his part?

No need for pity. The Kremlin creature must be finished. Where's your Reagan II?!

If possible, you can pass this opinion to people higher up.”