If Putin were slightly smarter, he would have already stopped the war. Because it seems that the post-war peace will be even more terrifying. Not because of the shelling. Because of the internal war of everyone against everyone. It has already started, if you look closely.
Progress against stagnation, wisdom against irrationality, rights protection against lawlessness – these are its positive aspects. But there is also the opposite. When people argue over names instead of meanings. When they defend the personal rather than principles. When they attack over different views on life, not just politics. When the right of power dryly wins over the power of rights.
Recently, at a strategy session, I asked one of Ukraine’s brightest and smartest visionaries what to do with a society broken down to atoms, now an exposed nerve. When everyone has PTSD. When there’s a lot of weapons, and everyone is ready to explode at any moment. When the legal system is dead and only revives upon command from above? I didn’t hear a clear answer. There was a fair reference to the role of the church, but it can’t replace other elements.
First of all, leadership. Currently, the state is headed by a selfish and authoritarian charismatic leader who cares about preserving and strengthening his power. He is not interested in uniting a country that he has already become tiresome to and is losing trust, not according to polls, but in reality.
Who can become a unifying factor? I won’t replace the research of scientists with my conclusion, but the basis should be a person who is relatable to both military and civilians. For those who experienced the war here and those who left abroad. For everyone who is divided by something.
He does not need to be perfect, he needs to be acceptable. To find such a person, one must not fall in love with the leader but evaluate them comprehensively. Both positive and negative traits. Then choose wisely. This is currently challenging.
And I understand my old friend, the visionary, who knew the answer but doubted whether it was worth voicing. Because sanity and the ability to think are two more answers to the question “what to do?”. Then even Putin will have no chance to break us from the inside.
