Spotted this yesterday afternoon while out for Mothering Sunday lunch.
I will admit to a fair amount of guilt.
Guilt that we were out enjoying ourselves while war criminal Putin has destroyed the Ukrainian peoples lives and their homeland.
I suffer a huge amount of frustration too. Knowing that there is nothing tangible that I can do. But also that I, being almost 70 years old, have seen Russia do this time and time again.
Russia has been testing the waters for the last few years. Sending ships and submarines into our territorial waters. Invading and annexing neighbouring states.
Meanwhile, we and our allies have reduced spending on defence. Reduced the size and capability of our forces.
Putin has watched all of this and and has siezed the moment. Our complacency has signaled our inability to respond.
It may be that Putin may have over-reached himself and underestimated Ukraines ability to resist.
One thing is sure Putin did not expect the worldwide condemnation of his actions. He has woken Europe and the world out of its slumbers.
I feel sorry for the Russian people who are being lied to by Putin and his government. They, like the Ukrainian peoples are going to pay the price of Putins ambitions.
The Russian people are the ones that are going to have to topple Putin from his position of power.
WrAnTz 