TRAVERSE Issue 29 - April 2022 | Page 58

TRAVERSE 58
paralympic sportsmen are not allowed to participate in the Beijing games , Russian cats and dogs are not allowed to participate in international exhibitions , Dostoevsky books are not allowed in universities , Russian Ballet and Opera not allowed in Munich Orchestra Halls , scientists , musicians , and other people are banned from all places in Europe because they are Russians – that is not correct .”
He echoes the thoughts of many Russian people when questioning why a level of hypocrisy is there when other nations , other ‘ superpowers ’, have committed similar ‘ crimes ’ and yet no sanctions have been taken .
Some believe the USSR will return and more countries will be annexed , and that nationalism will return , and Russia will isolate from the rest of Europe . It ’ s a process that is being driven by the West as the people of Russia are the ones suffering in response to what their government has been doing .
“ It ’ s the fault of the authorities who do not represent the people ,” said one young university student on the streets of Moscow . “ But indirectly , perhaps everyone is responsible for decisions made in a country .
“ Please people of the world , stop watching television , use social media less , learn history , travel more , understand the full situation .”
It ’ s a current situation that no one will win , least the people of Ukraine and the ‘ real ’ people of Russia . Yet everyone is in agreeance that no matter what side you are on , war is not the answer , a point summed up by Nikonov , “ there is no single answer how people react to what is happen now .
“ Some are deeply disappointed and stressed , others inspired , but most think war is always a bad outcome and common people suffer from political mistakes . But as we , personally , can ’ t affect NATO policy , and Kremlin decisions , we should do what we can do .
“ Others , doctors , teachers , IT specialists , waiters in restaurants , engineers at factories , taxi drivers , people work and do what they must do , and we all hope a peaceful solution will come soon and all this will end , and life will slowly return to normality .”
The hypocrisy of war always benefits the generals and disadvantages the people .
“ Never mix the government and the people .”
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