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A LETTER TO PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN
I was immensely impressed when you, as President of Russia, recently
explained yourself in an interview with the media. At least at last, you
are coming out of the woodwork to explain your mysterious motives
and positions so far, from a person who had all long been taken as a
polished gentleman and responsible leader. That you stooped to
partake of the callous blood-letting of fellow Europeans led to great
concern and reassessment of who the world really was dealing with.
And you are very right, Mr. President, that the west was undermining
your friend, Ukraine’s then leader Mr. Victor Yanukovich. And you have
proof of it, as you stated severally in the interview. It takes a perfect
gentleman like you to appear so over-protective of personal friends.
Your chemistry with Victor (excuse my spelling), tended to degenerate
into a national issue, and Victor Yanukovich exploited the situation
with unusual glee. The result was Ukraine being threatened, Europe
and the world the same, as Crimea fell victim to it.
Of course you are right to state that Ukraine’s independence ought to
have been respected by the west. But you should also have tamed
your friend Victor. His leadership excesses played into the hands of
western agents. Personally I was touched the way he so brutally and
ruthlessly dealt with his rival, Madam Yulia Tymoshenko, a lady who
looked basically simple and harmless. Putting Yulia in jail under
trumped up charges, keeping her in such inhumane conditions even
when she was sick and frail, I mean, the civilized world was outraged.
It was worse than rape.
You cannot handle rivals like that, even tender ladies, and claim to be
practicing democracy and deserving independence. Because Victor
enjoyed your protection, he felt he could run roughshod over anyone
and get away with it. With such atrocities meted out on others
Yanukovich lost all claims to representative government that you are
fond of claiming was firmly in place in Ukraine at that time.
Because you backed brutal conduct, Victor’s rivals could not come to
you for any rescue, and easily found themselves safely in the arms of

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the only alternative, the western agents. When this happened you
immediately saw red, and proceeded to show the world how dangerous
an annoyed bully can be. Quickly you took up Crimea, and poured
troops into eastern Ukraine.
Mr. President, teach your friends to be a little democratic and humane,
even if your protection is guaranteed. Surely you should do, if you
want the world to be with you. Evil tendencies and brute force revolt
the world, and make them automatically freeze.
Take the example of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad. He has stood with you all
along, in fact from the days of his Father Hafez. It is easier to be
democratic than to fight, you need to teach them. Long term
friendship and being an ally should go hand-in-hand with certain
fundamental rights and international norms of leadership. Wake up
your friends to these realities, before you discover the train has left
the station as you fret with friends and allies.
The war in Europe over Yanukovich was uncalled for. Why kill a fly
with a big stick? Why mobilize the entire eastern Ukraine to rebel
because your friend Victor is disappointed? Why place the whole world
into a state of panic for a domestic misunderstanding between
brothers and sisters?
Partly, I understand. Of course the west disappointed you, interfering
in a territory that is basically your domain. Germany always was of
this view. Why, you are a living testimony of dangerous internal
western interference. You saw the Soviet Union break up on your
hands, as a result of such interference. It created a nasty situation
where you see an unsavoury order unfolding, and there is nothing you
can do about it. Until it ended up entirely dismembering the country.
Once bitten, twice shy.
But it was not the only reason, and surely so many Ukrainians did not
have to die because of fear of the unknown. Exaggerated situations
easily lead to over-reaction, and surely patience should have saved the
day. Look at the soured and suspicious relations between the two
countries now, and even the two peoples! Sincerely speaking, the
situation did not warrant such a show of sinewy might, on your part.

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Right now what you have done is promising and the west have to take
over from there. Those sanctions they slapped on Rusia must be
relaxed, as really Germany and Ukraine cannot do without Russia, and
progress. People have to wake up again. A bitter lesson has been
learnt by all, showing how inter-dependent the modern world is. Those
end-of-the-world wars are no longer tenable or possible.
I like your coming out to explain yourself for one reason. In a way you
are also asking the west to come clean. You are telling the world
indirectly that you are ready to forget the past. That is extremely
encouraging. Let the west reciprocate. Try to come out more openly so
you make history as a world reconciliator instead of war monger. Then
the world can develop.
The west are aware that you are now involved in Syria, and it could be
a prolonged campaign. They are aware that significantly, the economic
implications of that campaign could be overwhelming to you. Coupled
with the sanctions already in place against you, and your troubled
rouble, it might not be easy, especially if there is the possibility of an
airborne clash with the Americans on the battlefield. You find it
necessary to tone down.
The west should be understanding and relax their stance. Your forces
had been mobilized to fight a life or death war in Ukraine. But you
have outgrown that now. Being a man of military intelligence, you
know that you do not mobilize an army and let it stay put. It might
implode. So Syria is just a way of letting off steam. The west cannot
afford to take advantage of it to exploit your military and economic
vulnerability. Neither should Syria’s Assad take advantage of it to lord
it over the others. You are on the right track, and let no one
discourage or doubt you. Go right ahead and disengage from Ukraine
forthwith. Free yourself of this cumbersome burden. Even on Crimea
do not hold fast positions. I know it is tempting to, but be pragmatic.
Set in motion conditions for its future release. Do not undo what your
ancestors did some 300 years back, especially when there is no need
to. In Africa it could lead to a curse.
Now then, do not overstay in Syria, and don’t be ready to die with
Assad. I hope now that you have managed to live close to Victor, you

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realize he is not worth dying for. So be bold and give Assad some
conditions. He must accept some fundamental changes and quit
power. His safety and future application you can promise to take care
of. No one can rule for ever, like it or not. Even for your case,
personally, embrace change, before change changes you. Wish you the
best, son of the world.
BY;-
FREDERICK OWINO OYARO
Email: frederickoyaro@gmail.com