If the global community truly seeks peace, freedom and cooperation, then the world does not need a Vladimir Putin. While it is inevitable that people will have disagreements and conflicts, and sometimes even brief escalations or small, conventional wars, the specific goal should always be to resolve differences ultimately through dialogue and mutual understanding.

But leaders like Vladimir Putin, who thrive on aggression, enjoy destruction, and boast about nuclear weapons, stand in stark contrast to the ideals of global harmony and collaboration. Vladimir Putin does not exhibit the traits of a world leader or a statesman, but rather those of a dictator causing long-term damage to humanity, killing people, and threatening the world with nuclear weapons.

With each passing day, Russian President Vladimir Putin is turning into a monstrous machine that is running an unfortunate, painful saga of Aggression & Invasion, Suppression of Dissent and a growing threat to Global Stability.

Aggression and Invasion- Ukraine

Vladimir Putin’s tenure has been marked by extremely aggressive foreign policies, most notably the invasion of Ukraine. This act of unprovoked aggression has led to immense human suffering, with thousands of civilians killed and millions displaced. The invasion has not only devastated Ukraine but also disrupted global stability, creating a ripple effect of economic and political turmoil.

Russia’s attack on Ukraine constitutes severe breaches of international law, including the prohibition on the use of force outlined in Article 2(4) of the UN Charter. Russia suggesting otherwise is only disinformation.

Ukraine neither committed nor threatened to commit an armed attack against Russia or any other UN member state. Even if Russia could demonstrate that Ukraine had carried out or planned attacks on Russians in the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, Article 51 would not justify an action in collective self-defense, as Donetsk and Luhansk are not UN member states.

Interviews with released POWs, including women, disclosed that all had endured torture, such as beatings, electric shocks, and extended solitary confinement. Sexual violence was also widespread, affecting both women and men. All these treatments have directly violated Viena conventions.

“Behind each of the facts and figures in report are stories of loss and human suffering, showing the devastating impact of the war across Ukraine. The armed attack on Ukraine has continued unabated for almost three years. Amidst so much suffering, it is imperative to intensify efforts to uphold international humanitarian and human rights law – which States designed to protect people from intolerable violence, harm and injustice,”

 Danielle Bell, Head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine 

Threat to Global Stability

Vladimir Putin’s actions have significantly destabilized global politics. His threats of nuclear escalation and blatant disregard for international norms have created a more volatile and unpredictable world. The annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the ongoing conflict in Eastern Ukraine are biggest examples of how his policies undermine international law and order.

“Putin is in tough shape right now, and I think it’s really important that he not have any breathing room to continue to do the god-awful things he continues to do,”

Joe Biden, President of the United States

“By 2025, Putin will advance his strategic plan to undermine and force post-1997 NATO states, including Poland, Finland, and the Baltic nations, to leave the alliance,”

Professor Anthony Glees from the University of Buckingham

Vladimir Putin has set a long-term ambition to reclaim territories that were once part of the Soviet Union. It seems all probable that Putin will not be content with a peace deal imposed by the West and is likely to pursue further expansion, specifically targeting NATO states that joined after 1997.

“For some reason, the West believes that Russia will never use it, we have a nuclear doctrine. Look what it says. If someone’s actions threaten our sovereignty and territorial integrity, we consider it possible for us to use all means at our disposal. This should not be taken lightly, superficially.”

Vladimir Putin, Russian President

Years of continued Russian hostile rhetoric fueled the stage for military aggression. When Vladimir Putin initiated the invasion of Ukraine in the spring of 2014 by invading & occupying Crimea, he started calling southern and eastern Ukraine “Novorossiya” (“New Russia”). This revival of long-forgotten imperial terminology from the Czarist era was the clearest signal yet that Putin aimed to dismantle Ukrainian statehood and reverse over a century of European history.

Suppression of Dissent

Within Russia, Putin’s regime is notorious for its suppression of dissent. Opposition leaders are frequently harassed, imprisoned, or worse. Media censorship is rampant, and independent journalism is stifled. This environment of fear and repression stifles democratic processes and silences the voices of those who seek change.

• The suspicious death of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Russia is self-explanatory. Additionally, the mysterious death of the Chairman of the National Oil Company, Ravil Maganov, who fell from a Kremlin hospital window, raises questions. Notably, the CCTV cameras were reportedly switched off for maintenance work. Both Navalny & Maganov were fierce critic of Vladimir Putin’s way of governance & dictator styles.
• Fifty-year-old Natalia Larina, retired judge in Russia, was discovered dead outside her apartment building in southeastern Moscow, she surprisingly died after falling from an apartment block window.
• Marina Yankina, Head of the financial support department of the Ministry of Defence for the Western Military District, died by falling from apartment window.
• Artyom Bartenev, Federal Judge of the Kirovsky District Court, was found dead after falling 12 stories from his apartment window
• Kristina Baikova, Vice-president of Loko-Bank, was found dead after falling 11 stories from the apartment.
• Yevgeny Prigozhin, a friend of Vladimir Putin had ultimately, reportedly revolted against Putin and was moving to Kremlin to confront Putin for his own reasons related to Ukraine war. Died mysteriously in a plane crash.
• Alexander Surikov, Ambassador to Mozambique, died mysteriously, Russian authorities denied request for autopsy.
• Dzianis Sidarenka, Ambassador to Germany, found dead after falling out of a window after interrogation.
• Mikhail Rogachev, Former vice president of Yukos, former executive director of ONEXIM Group, former deputy general director of Norilsk Nickel, found dead after falling out of the window of his Moscow-area apartment.
• Vladimir Shklyarov, a reputed Russian dancer, died by falling from his apartment, after strongly criticizing Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine.

It’s particularly significant that Navalny’s death occurred during the presidential election campaign. While it may appear that Putin has no competitors, he indeed faces opposition—not necessarily in the electoral arena, but in what those in power refer to as an “existential” sense.

The political fallout from these events will only reinforce the sense of absolute power and lack of accountability within the rulers community and its repressive mechanism. Consequently, the silent segment of society in Russia, which tends to support any autocratic decisions over free speech, will become further silent. The Russian authorities led by Vladimir Putin feel completely safe: those who speak out or protest or criticize will only become Putin’s enemies, facing an emboldened machine of oppression and systematic, extensive repressive laws. Russians who remain silent will continue to do so, while supporters of the regime will become even more vocal and aggressive in their backing.

A Person like Alexie Navalny, who stood head-on to Vladimir Putin, would be thinking while dying in the polar wolf prison, with his head held high, a time will come, and the dictator will be thrown out. Will it happen? Does Russia need a Vladimir Putin? Does the World need him?

People have always longed for peace & freedom. Ukraine is fighting for it. It is time to see if whole of Europe & especially, will the people of Russia fight for it?

Ultimately, Europe must unite, and NATO must take on a larger, more forceful role to end Vladimir Putin’s madness. With President Joe Biden on the verge of leaving the White House and the less understanding Donald Trump likely to become the next President of the U.S., Europe has a unique opportunity to grow, consolidate, and fortify its defenses.

Recently, The European Union’s executive branch has sanctioned €300 million (US$317 million) for five collaborative defense-procurement initiatives among member countries. This marks the first instance of the EU utilizing its budget for collective defense purchases.

“This is the first time we use EU budget to support member states in commonly procuring defense products, This will allow to provide better value for money for national defense budgets, improve the interoperability of European armed forces, strengthen our industry and make Europe better prepared to face defense threats,”

Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, EU Commission

Europe must revitalize its defense industry to prepare for future challenges. Although Russia has an early advantage, Europe’s significantly larger economy provides the potential to not only catch up but also exceed Moscow’s military output. Given the material and political limitations in the US, which remains NATO’s leading nation, it is evident that Europe must increasingly depend on its own capabilities for defense. Immediate action is essential.

By standing together, Europe can prevent another tragedy like the suffering and displacement in Ukraine. In doing so, Europe will not only contribute to world peace but also bolster its influence in global affairs, extending its impact beyond its borders.