Crimeans, do you really believe that joining Russia is exactly what leads to prosperity?

You have lived in Ukraine for so many years, and now, are you ready to take a step into the unknown?

What is Putin doing? He is brazenly exploiting the inconsistencies of Ukrainian realities. It is no secret that there are many differing perspectives on the real state of affairs in every region: in Crimea, in Donbas, and elsewhere. By simply highlighting the problem and playing on the emotions of the residents, he is playing a ruthless game—executing a corporate raid at the interstate level. Only he is not seizing a business; he is seizing territory along with its population.

So who is Putin?

A global corporate raider seizing foreign territories.

The key word here is exactly “territory,” and one should not turn a blind eye to it.

But how do some Crimeans perceive him?

As a benefactor who will change and improve their lives. They think Putin needs them! No, Putin needs their territory. What follows from this? He will treat the population however he sees fit. If he wants, he will evict them; if he wants, he will ruin them, or simply dismiss them, while local authorities begin a fierce plundering of all Russian subsidies. Yet everyone yearning for Russia thinks that this will not happen to them and that they will have the opportunity to live well doing nothing. That they will just be handed money, everything will be fixed and repaired, and tourists will even be brought in just so Crimea can live comfortably.

But if Putin is so great and caring, why aren’t Russians living in luxury?

Why is there still devastation in Abkhazia and Transnistria?

Everywhere Putin has gone with his “good intentions,” things are quite harsh and dismal.

And people like to vacation in places that are not only beautiful but also safe.

Likewise, Putin needs a weak Ukraine. This comrade simply cannot play against strong opponents; he only takes from the weak. He invested so much effort into getting everything through Yanukovych, but the Ukrainians prepared a surprise for him.

Of course, Ukraine is currently weaker than ever, but this weakness is purely organizational, which is why Putin is in such a hurry. He understands that after carrying out certain procedures, the country will secure its positions, level the playing field, and then Ukraine will simply become a strong neighbor. And he is afraid of strong neighbors. Because then, a logical question will arise among Russians:

— Why are our neighbors doing well, while we have it so harsh and bad?

And what can be answered here? Well, Putin does not know how to create. To do that, one needs to be a true steward and know how to nurture prosperity. It is much easier to just expand territories and say it is for the greater good. But good intentions are very often used to cover up destruction and ruin. Everything happening looks very much like madness and fear. One feeds the other, constantly driving a new spiral of escalating aggression, with an absolute unwillingness to call things by their real names.

This is where the world divided into those who are “for” and those who are “against.”

And what do you choose?

Are you for fear and madness, or against violence and war?

Madness is:

• rejoicing at being occupied;
• thinking that people with weapons are “just standing guard”;
• believing that someone will do everything for us;
• expecting blessings and care from an occupier;
• hoping that everything will just resolve itself.

All of this is based on the fear that someone will come and take things away. Yet, at the very same time, the exact people who sowed this fear arrive promising protection, while completely failing to mention that the taking will happen later.

The most interesting things always happen later, when no one can stop the authorities from doing whatever they deem necessary and useful for their newly acquired territories. In a corporate raid, the people (the population) are not the priority—and that is exactly when the painful encounter with reality occurs.

Human life is too short to squander your opportunities and allow someone to deceive and rob you on such a crucial matter. Be brave and look truth in the eye; only then will you be able to see the real picture of what is happening. Remember: the enemy’s main weapon is fear and panic. Do not give him the opportunity to control you.

Olena Boiko — a business coach who creates results

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