Et tu, Modi?

"This is an opportunity for Putin to do the right thing. He cannot undo the damage and suffering he has caused. That is a fact. But he can stop any more from happening. Or, Putin can go out in a blaze of fire. That would be terrible for the world. Really bad for the people of Russia." 

Oh my. Putin went to India to have some high level talks, and the subject of Putin's war came up. Modi minced no words on how he felt. "This is not the time for war", he scolded Putin. I could just see what was going through Putin's mind when he heard that. I mean, first NATO is all over Putin's case for starting this war. Many of his own people are against this war, as it is costly and bloody, with no real purpose. Now India? What up with that?

First the good news. India is a huge customer of Russia. They buy arms, they buy Putin's dirty oil. The oil thing is really helping Russia right now, with Europe boycotting more and more of Russia's fossil fuels. Now the bad news. Modi, is a true Hindu. What does that mean? He is mostly a pacifist. War to a true Hindu, is always the last resort. Whenever peace is possible, that should be the first path. For Putin to invade Ukraine for no reason, goes against what Modi believes in.

Now the real bad news. Getting taken out to the woodshed by Modi, comes right on the heals of getting a similar message from Xi of China. This needless war in Ukraine, is wearing thin on just about everyone. If India and China start to distance themselves from Putin, Putin will be the last man standing. Except for that nut ball in North Korea, and maybe some Iranians, things could get really lonely in Moscow.

Bottom line is this. Putin's army is getting its butt kicked in Ukraine. Russia cannot beat the Ukrainians using convention forces. That has been proven. So what is Putin's next move? Withdraw, and admit this war was a mistake? His power in Russia would be over, and the international court would be calling for his scalp. Or - reach into his bag of naughty things, and pull out some VX gas, nukes, or some other terrible bio weapon. 

This is an opportunity for Putin to do the right thing. He cannot undo the damage and suffering he has caused. That is a fact. But he can stop any more from happening. Or, Putin can go out in a blaze of fire. That would be terrible for the world. Really bad for the people of Russia. 

Putin has etched his place in history. Unfortunately for him, that etching is on a page which is occupied by other terrible men. Hitler for example, is on that page. But nobody forced Putin to invade Ukraine. That was all on him. He will soon reap what he has sown.