About 10 years ago, at a film festival in Canada, I met an indie film maker from Moscow. A decent clean cut guy, a few years younger than me. We saw his film at the festival and we were impressed. I had not had much contact with this artist until recently. He pinged me when the war broke out. We got in touch over WhatsApp and he shared with me some important Russian perspectives.

I asked Mikhail the film maker if it was true that most people in Russia supported the invasion of Ukraine. I knew where Mikhail stood – he is an opened-minded good Jewish boy. He hates what is going on. And he said to me, “Ronnie, you are asking the wrong question.”

Mikhail said that Russia is a dictatorship and that just about all of society lives in permanent fear. He was suggesting that in such a system if Putin says the sky is pink, then that is what people believe. So if Putin changes the brainwashing and says “We love Ukraine” then everyone loves Ukraine. So the majority of Russians hate Ukraine because Putin hates Ukraine.

My take on things is that before the 2014 revolution in Ukraine and before Russia annexed Crimea, Russians and Ukrainians were getting along. They would holiday in each other’s countries, do business together, marry, play sports, listen to each other’s music, and so on. Most Ukrainians and most Russians have family in each other’s country. I would say that everyone was friendly. But after Putin started the war in 2014 the Ukrainians stopped trusting anything Russian. All airline flights to Russia were stopped. Russian Internet sites were blocked, TV stations were made unreachable, tourism stopped, etc. The Ukrainians were not interested in anything to do with Russia from then on, and they looked to the West more than ever. And up until the nightmare war that started just over a month ago, since 2014, Ukraine was doing good. Economic growth was healthy and the future was looking bright.

Back to the Moscow man. My film maker friend said that a more relevant question to ask Russians is, “Do you support the freedom and peace that Russia brings to Ukraine?” I guess none of us can comprehend the level of propaganda that is taking place there. They are seriously brainwashed by the evil Mr. Putin. I went on to ask Mikhail about Putin and the nuclear button. His answer was sobering. He said, “There is a bad news: he is a fanatic. And there is good news: he’s a coward.” I also don’t believe Putin will be pushing the button. The big issue is, in my view, is that the West is weak, and Putin knows this. President Biden needs to grow some balls, and quickly.

The last thing we chatted about was to do with the sanctions. Mikhail said the sanctions are a joke for now. He explained that the biggest impact from them will be with Russian middle class and creative people. He went onto say that it effects those who do not support Putin and embrace democratic ideas. “The rich Russian oligarchs and state servants like police and corrupted judges will not feel the sanctions“, Mikhail added, “And poor people who always were poor – neither will feel these sanctions.”

So, with Putin’s mass of terrified sheep nothing much will change. Mikhail ended our conversation with, “In any case sanctions will not stop this war.”

Values are what bind us together, apparently. I guess the question is then: what do you truly value? This war nightmare has woken me up, and what I value has been driving my recent behavior.

“If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.” – Alexander Hamilton |

If you ask just about anyone now if they like Russia then I am pretty sure that their answer would be a very quick and rigid NO. Hang on, what has Russia done to you personally? But still, no one wants anything to do with them. Putin is without a doubt, pure evil.

Let’s make it a bit more personal and intimate. Let’s say that someone does something bad to me, and you are my close friend, and then the next thing I hear is that you and this guy are now doing business together, and I ask you about this and your response is, “But he has not done anything bad to me.” I am sure if they shot me with a gun then you would avoid them. So yes, I don’t get it. A guy who robs me, for example, is going to rob you too. Our values seem to be more like trends than things we actually stand for and believe in.

Perhaps one day I will publish a list of people I know that I think you should avoid. I know that shaming people by naming names would be not be cool or professional. But I am thinking about it. Fuck it. I am just tired of bullshit.

Values can’t have double standards. And it starts with the small things. All relationships that are healthy are based on mutual respect. But when one party starts to neglect you, then call it a day. I am. Perhaps it took this trauma to make me embrace the values I believe in. I simply don’t have time for people who humour me. Regardless of how long we have known each other, or what we have shared together. If you are not sincere, I don’t want you near me. Take trying to call people on the phone – if it is so hard to get a hold of someone then it reveals something about their attitude. And I can make it easy for someone with a simple text asking them when is a good time to call them. If after a few texts asking the same thing then I am calling it a day.

Through this nightmare war I have reconnected with people I lost touch with. Some I am very fond of, some not. And then there are some that are meant to be good people but not to me, and I don’t want anything more to do with them.

Another bizarre thing I have experienced in this past month is people lecturing me online about how Ukraine should be grateful, and how Biden is a good man, blah blah blah. You are entitled to your perspective and I am allowed to have my own point of view. I think that America is not helping Ukraine nearly enough. The Budapest agreement in 1994 should have been adhered to, but America does not seem to remember what was agreed to back then. And now it is more lip service than real help. So yes, I am not so fond of America and their weak President who is too chicken to call Putin’s bluff. People giving me shit online that are meant to care about me is just mind boggling. No compassion towards me personally, no empathy. Even if perhaps you are right, rather just be kind. Pure selfishness and insecurity. And again, they are meant to be people that care about me but I don’t get that sense of all. Instead they made it personal, and started to criticize me and insult me, simply because I am saying that America is weak. Wow!

This good VS evil battle is polarizing the world even more, and I will end off by saying that if Ukraine is destroyed then evil has won, and it will spread. And then good luck to all Americans and everyone else – everyone will suffer if Ukraine is allowed to disappear. Evil is like a cancer, and if not stopped, it will come and get all of us.

No one in Kyiv thought that Russia would invade. No one thought that the war would go on for this long. Most thought it was going to be over in a couple of days. No one in the world thought that the Ukrainians would put up such a fight. And if you reckon that this is about Russia VS Ukraine then I think that you are wrong. This is about good VS evil, and that affects all of us.

If evil is allowed to thrive then God help us all. Evil, like a cancer, will spread, and before long we will all be terminal.

So, yes, we all need to help fight this evil, in any way we can. I know all the arguments about NATO and what the consequences will be if the West gets directly involved. Putin is not going to push the button. They are too selfish and indulgent for that, with their lavish lifestyles and what not.

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. – Edmund Burke

The West needs to grow some balls and call Putin’s bluff. This is about fighting evil and if we bury our heads in the sand, then it is going to haunt us all until the end of time. Humanity is being tested here, and in my view, we are failing.

I am no economist but one quick look on Google and you can see that the Russian Ruble has basically bounced back. So much for all these tough measures the West are putting in place.

America and the West (NATO specifically) don’t want to send in troops to help in the fight against evil. No one is even asking them too. Mr. Zelensky is begging for support. For arms and technology, to help them fight off this evil. And yet, he is getting mostly lip service.

When we were in Krakow, after leaving Ukraine, I met a man from the world’s leading military contractor. A very warm, decent American man. It was a chance meeting, and we have stayed in touch online. This is what he sent me a few days ago, “I attended President Biden’s speech last night in Warsaw. Good speech. Nice words. Weapons, aircraft and ammunition would be better.”

I keep thinking, with each passing day, how naive I really am. If you think that Putin is going to stop at Ukraine then you are naive too. Again,this is not about Ukraine and Russia. This is about good and evil. If we allow this evil to fester and spread then God help us all.

“The world is learning that we are all connected and evil against on of us will affect all of us. The impact of the last 6 weeks is going to be years of suffering globally.”

Kyiv is one of the world’s best kept secrets. Everyone who comes there is amazed. And they can’t wait to come back. It is a beautiful city, made for walking and exploring. You could stroll around for two weeks, summer or winter, and still not see and experience everything. Yeah, it is not a small city.

Ukraine has many challenges is not a perfect place (it is currently a war zone), but it has charm and soul, and that makes up for any flaws. Ukraine suffers from corruption and parasite oligarchs, but they are working on this, and things are getting better, year on year. And yes, the roads need to be improved, and medical care needs to develop further, but it was all in motion, and there was a big light in the tunnel. Ukraine is hard working and it is innovative and inspired. Most people in Ukraine have difficult lives, and the average salary is around $500 a month. These are humble and modest people and they are kind and warm. And they have the best sense of humour you could ever experience. People joke a lot in Ukraine. In Kyiv life was always filled with smiles and laughter.

There are many booming industries in Ukraine. Real estate in Kyiv was going gangbusters, and the IT sector is a phenomenon. Ukraine is the tech hub of Europe. Agriculture is the country’s largest industry – Ukraine is one of the biggest food producers in the world, and is often referred to as the breadbasket of Europe. Creativity and design are an inspired affair in Ukraine’s capital. International movie shoots had become common, and news of movie stars spotted in Kyiv was frequent. Top musicians perform in Kyiv constantly, and in my view, Kyiv was called “The next Berlin” for a very good reason. Within the next 5 years it was going to become a global hot spot. If Ukraine is destroyed we all lose here. The world is always looking for something new and fresh. Kyiv had it all to give. If it is taken away from us, the world loses out big time.

I could write a small book on eating out and coffee culture in Kyiv. When you come visit one day you will all be in for a stunning surprise. I have eaten at some of the coolest places around the world and Kyiv kicks ass. Yes, the silly stereotypes are strong and so many people often would ask me “Do you eat a lot of bread and soup in Ukraine?” We did in winter, and it is on the next level. You could do a culinary tour of Kyiv and you would be licking your lips at every encounter. Italian, Indian, Georgian, French, Isareli, Thai, Chinese … you name it, Kyiv has it, and it is all off the charts good. You would be seriously blown away. And the gourmet burgers … oh man !

A month ago we were still in Ukraine, heading towards Krakow. Our apartment in Kyiv , which we call The Nest, is a magical place. It feels like we have not been there for a long long time. These past few weeks have been intense, to say the least. From The Nest it was an 18 minute walk to the city center. In winter, when it snowed, it was about a 30 minute walk to a practice ski slope. You name the season, there is always so much to do in Kyiv. And it is photographer’s dream come true. I hope we get back there soon. I believe we will. I am feeling optimistic.

Here are a few pics of some parts of The Nest … I miss the magical views. Sunsets are spectacular.

With all the Western/American business shutting down in Russia, like McDonald’s, the thing I keep wondering: What are all the now unemployed people thinking? Surely they must be asking why are these companies all shutting down their operations. McDonald’s was a big, money making business in Russia, so why the shutdown.

I believe that the majority of Russians are brainwashed by their state controlled media. They believe Putin knows what he is doing, blah blah blah. But when hard-working people lose their jobs, en masse, all of a sudden, it must get people questioning things.

This is another effect of the sanctions. I hope it wakes all these zombies up. It is pretty clear to everyone by now that Russia = lies. This entire war is one big lie, and that out-of-date and out-of-touch nation is all one big lie. Russia truly is the evil empire. Who will ever trust Russia again?

All the people in Russia that are losing their jobs must be weary. If suddenly hundreds of companies down tools all at once, it must tell you something is not right.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/mar/26/russia-retailers-putin-sanctions-ukraine

It was 4 weeks ago that our building was shaking and air raid sirens were making a racquet. Feels like a lot longer than 4 weeks.

I believe Ukraine will win this war. At what cost though is everyone’s terrifying guess.

But if God forbid Putin wins the war then they will not stop at Ukraine and WW III will be inevitable. Putin can see the West’s weakness and is taking full advantage. And yes, the nuclear threat is no joke. If Russia wins this war then just nuke us now because I don’t want to live in a world like this – if Russia wins this war then humanity is in the toilet and then what is the point any more.

For those who know me, I like to make laugh, and tell stories, and I like to listen to stories and I like to laugh too. I have lived in many parts of the world and I laughed the most in Kyiv.

Here is a story that will make you laugh – I have a ton of stories and anecdotes like this.

So, about 4 years ago I get hosted at a meeting of some successful IT entrepreneurs in Kyiv. They are showing me around their super cool offices, and they are laughing for some reason. I get it all the time
Ronnie, you don’t look African?
I say, I know, but I was born in Cape Town, in South Africa. I am from Africa.
They say, But you are not black.
I say, I know … something happened. And everyone laughs for some reason.
So this IT guy says to me: Here in Ukraine there is no political correctness – you can say anything you like.
He then asks me: is the business climate in SA like Ukraine or America.
I tell him it is like America. You can’t joke about race, religion, sex , etc.
There are two lovely computer programmers sitting in a coffee area. He calls them over; everyone generally speaks English in the IT space there.
He asks the one girl: Do we have sexual harassment in offices here in Kyiv?
Her answer: NOT ENOUGH.

We all pack up laughing – it was good for the soul. In America this would have become a lawsuit within 15 minutes.

There is one potential end to this nightmare war and that is when Russia simply implodes because of financial strain. Russia has an economy the size of Italy – they cannot afford to keep this up for too long.

Ukrainians believe they will win this war. I believe it too. The Ukrainians will fight to the death – this they have made clear and the world can see it. The painful cost of this is hard to comprehend, but they are not going to give up.

At some point, some sad and terrible point, like if Putin threatens to drop a small nuclear bomb, the West will step in. I believe that – they will grow some balls at some point.

If no one challenges Putin then this sets a very very very dangerous precedent in the world. The next madman with nukes, in say 5 to 10 years, will do the same thing: hold the world to ransom by threatening with nuclear weapons. No doubt about it. This is setting the stage for future leaders in Pakistan, India, North Korea and any nuclear power out of the Western orbit. This is seriously dangerous stuff.

Europe is dependent  on Russia  for gas, oil and wheat. Especially Germany, a key player in the EU. Putin’s daily income of hundreds of millions of dollars a day needs to stop. If this happens then Russia cannot keep on financing this mad war.

Greed has caused this mess. On all sides. And Ukraine is fighting for the whole democratic world. Please God they get more help They need it. Now.

I became a dad late in life. There are pros and cons with this. I am in pretty good health and am not over-weight or lazy. But yes, I got backache and some joint pains. But I also have perspective. I know that if I was in my thirties, say, and became a dad then, work was my primary focus. I am now older and if someone calls me up and says they have an opportunity and that we can all make a lot of money, then so what. The Bunster is my biggest opportunity. To love, to nurture, to teach, to inspire. This is where I enjoy spending my time now. It is important (to me) and challenging and it is good for the soul.

When The Bunster came onto the scene something inside of me switched on. Something I never knew about. Where did this love for this little man suddenly come from? I love this feeling. And I am learning a lot about myself on the journey. It also got me thinking. Does everyone have this love inside of them, just waiting to come out? I think yes, but I also think that not everyone has the capacity to embrace it.

Imagine you have a child and at the same time you lose your job, or you are struggling with some kind of addiction, or a tragedy, or perhaps you are a single parent. Or war breaks out. One’s situation is a fundamental parameter. I am very fortunate that I can give the Bunster my full attention. And yes, I do have stresses on the work front, and there has been the pandemic and a dozen other things to worry about, including the current nightmare situation with Russia, but all in all, I thank God that we are in this fortunate position, that we can give the Bunster the time he needs, and with our full attention.

I know that being a parent is something much of the world experiences, and yes, I am just another parent statistic. But to me it feels special. And for this, I am very grateful. I think I am really fortunate that I can embrace the journey and enjoy the Bunster as much as I can. I think also that being a parent makes you less selfish, and for this I am also thankful. Yes, I am learning a lot about myself, and also, I am thanking God a lot. To be able to embrace this love is a magical feeling. And with that, I am going to give the Bunster a big hug now … when he looks at me and gives me a hug and goes “dada” it all just feels like magic.

I started writing this text a month ago. I was constantly thinking about this new love that I have been experiencing and wondering if everyone else gets to feel this too. If they did, I don’t believe there would be any more wars.

Three weeks ago today we were still in Kyiv. I see it is almost 10 am now, and it was around this time that we left our apartment and hit the road on the most terrifying journey that lasted around 5 days. We will never forget it. I finally finished this blog piece, and added in this last paragraph here. I pray that this nightmare ends soon. I pray that the Bunster never gets to experience this kind of horror. I pray that peace returns soon.

It was 3 weeks ago this time that we were running around looking for a bomb shelter. Air raid sirens were going off, our apartment building in Kyiv was vibrating, and bomb blasts could be heard in the distance. Our lives had changed. And the whole world has changed with it. Not for the better, I am sad to say.

America has lost its way. First there was that maniac Trump and now there is this weak Biden. America should have stood up for Ukraine right away. The Budapest agreement should have been more than enough. And yet Ukraine has to constantly beg for help.

No matter how long it takes Russia cannot win. Even if Russia takes over Kyiv, what will they do there with a puppet government. No one will support them. No one will give them money. What can Russia do with Ukraine?! There is nothing for them to do. They can’t even sort out their own country’s failing economy so how can they now also run Ukraine. There is seriously nothing for them to do in Ukraine. It is all just senseless.

Ukraine needs $565 billion to rebuild after Russia’s war. Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmygal said on March 15 that this preliminary figure would be at the expense of Ukraine’s partners and reparations from Russia. Ukraine’s government has already established a group to assess losses to the economy due to Russian aggression. – UBN

Ukraine is begging the world to help. Humanity is failing. If Putin nukes the world we probably all deserve it. I am sure many of you feel disgusted too.

God help us all.

This nightmare is not going to end soon.

The US is studying every Russian move. They are learning all their current military capabilities, seeing all their weaknesses. I don’t believe the US/West “engineered” this war, but they are certainly now taking full advantage.

Putin is going to fall, and that is good for the world. No one expected Zelensky to rise up and unify Ukraine like this. The US didn’t see this coming, Putin didn’t see this coming. And now there is the opportunity to try and remove Putin and Ukraine is doing the US/West’s dirty work.

NATO is going to have to step in at some point – Ukraine is the first wave. Yes, Ukraine is doing the world’s hard and ugly work. Unless China steps in and helps Russia – then it is WW III. I cannot see China helping Russia. They saw what happened to the Russian economy in a very short space of time. They don’t want this to happen to them.

These are very scary times.