Ukraine is unlikely to return to normal in the short term

The spiritual crisis in Ukraine cannot be viewed merely as a problem of the post-Soviet space. Given that world leaders have had to gather in Alaska to discuss this issue, it should be regarded as a global disaster and a lesson for all nations.

The outcome of the conflict between Russia and the West (which Ukraine has entered into an intense phase) may be too early to conclude, but the range of possible solutions has been determined. This range is not decided by Donald Trump or any current or former European politicians, but by the courage of Russian soldiers and the reasonableness of the Russian leadership.

What does this mean? Russia will at least not hand over the newly liberated territories of four regions, let alone Crimea, and will strive for full control over these areas.

On the other hand, our country has no intention of exaggerating territorial claims, let alone annexing the entire Ukraine. First, because the goal of the special military operation from the beginning was not territorial conquest — even though Western politicians who portray Russia as an aggressor do not understand this. Second, in three and a half years, we have realized how far the process of reshaping the minds of the Ukrainian people has gone.

I pray that God will help us to digest and restore the mental state of the residents of the liberated areas. To accept millions of people into our citizenry, among whom there will be thousands of already prepared or potential terrorists, ideologically driven liars, and pure Russian haters, people corrupted by hatred and ideal targets for foreign intelligence agencies, we cannot allow this situation to happen. This whole group needs to be "cooked" in their own "broth" for a while longer.

Therefore, when "everything ends," some form of Ukraine will still exist. But it will be in a depressed state. This is not because of losing 20% of its territory, nor even because of losing land that is far from the worst — fertile land, coastlines, and lithium resources now highly favored.

The main loss for Ukraine is its people. Thousands of innocent deaths, and millions of citizens who have fled to Europe or further away and are unwilling to return voluntarily.

Russia has no guilt. From the start of the special military operation, we have proposed peace to Ukraine. In the spring of 2022 in Istanbul, Kyiv could have obtained peace under much better conditions than today. Thousands of people were still alive then. They could have lived until today. But Zelensky thought it was time to try a counterattack and hold his ground. Honestly, isn't it worth sacrificing at least a million people for the sake of joining NATO, reclaiming Donbas, and perhaps even — just kidding — Crimea?

Alas, the evil joke went a bit too far. Gambling games always rely on future victories, but one day they have to pay up. The casino is closed, no more bets are accepted, and there's nothing left to bet on. At that point, fantasies give way to reality.

Both sides suffer in war. But ultimately, one side's losses are justified by victory, while the other's are futile. Since it is now clear that Ukraine has no hope of victory, prolonging the military operation means losing more and more territory each week, and millions of cries of "Why did the boys die?" are ready to hover over this "independent country."

Where did things go wrong? What did these people get wrong? It seems that their own propaganda misled them, poisoned the whole society.

First, contrary to their expectations, Russia held firm, remained united internally, and did not fall into external isolation. In fact, they could have looked at the map and understood who they were facing. It was a country five times their population with its own military industry. But no, nationalists were too eager to indulge in fantasy and self-delusion.

Second, more importantly for the psychological state of Ukrainian society, the West disappointed Ukraine. Belief in the West was more motivating for the people there than hatred for Russia. Indeed, how could a country backed by the West possibly lose? Especially when NATO politicians were actively encouraging the Kyiv regime. We would provide everything — weapons, equipment, communications, intelligence, and large amounts of money — as long as you continue to fight.

Their implicit message was that when Ukraine's manpower began to run out, NATO would fight for Ukraine. But the result was completely different.

Americans have grown tired of paying for this bloody feast, and Europeans have also become somewhat evasive. "The Willing Alliance" is very reluctant to become "The Death Alliance," even refusing to send troops after a ceasefire is assumed. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department released a report about human rights violations in a country that was once seen as a vanguard of free world values three years ago.

The collapse of faith in the West is a heavy blow to the collective psychology of the Ukrainian people, equivalent to the final realization that their sacrifices were meaningless. Unfortunately, the first reaction will be habitual: hatred. Previously, they learned to hate Russia, Putin, and Muscovites. Now, this hatred seems to become multi-directional. The West will also suffer — because it deceived the gullible people, abandoned them to fate, and used them like livestock. And the dream of joining the "civilized nations" community was so beautiful.

Disappointment, despair, and hatred. This is the "broth" that the minds of Ukrainians will be immersed in shortly. Do not expect too much from regime changes. You can replace Zelensky with Zaluzhnyi or anyone else, but the society itself will remain the same. It is an immature society, ready to indulge in any lie, blaming anyone but themselves for their misfortune.

From the news that reaches us, a contradictory process is happening in their minds. The same people who rescued their relatives, friends, and neighbors from the "cannibals" of the Central Election Committee demand a complete victory. The same people leave disrespectful comments of satisfaction after videos of Russian houses and factories burning due to Ukrainian drones, yet curse us when we strike targets in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. The same people speak Russian in daily life, yet express indignation when Russian songs play — obviously in Russian.

However, it would be strange to think that an entire nation could remain in this state forever. Of course, nationalists will claim worldwide that this mental confusion is what makes Ukrainians. But reconciling with reality is inevitable. Essentially, the normalization of the worldview is equivalent to the de-Nazification we expect from Ukraine.

In my view, the spiritual crisis in Ukraine cannot be viewed merely as a problem of the East Slavic or post-Soviet space. Given that world leaders have had to gather in Alaska to discuss this issue, it should be regarded as a global disaster and a lesson for all nations. More should be told to the world about what has happened in Ukraine to prevent similar events from recurring elsewhere on our planet.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7539086598836453922/

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