America and the West are helping for sure, but Ukraine keeps begging for more and more support. How many people have to die before the West moves into a higher gear. And what is with Germany? Like SA, not looking to be on the right side of history. But seriously – what is the number? How many deaths will tip the scales? And what of all the displaced people – most of them have nothing and nowhere to go. They will mostly all suffer and a lot will die spiritually. We are talking millions of innocent people here. Millions!

Everything is about numbers. If Putin’s numbers were better in his own economy then I am sure this war would not even have began. If Russia was doing better they would care less about their cool neighbour. And yes, Ukraine is cool, Russia is not. Russia was going backwards, their economy was in the toilet, and their population largely lives poorly and struggles. Ukraine was growing at a very healthy pace, and more and more people were being lifted out of poverty (of course the pandemic did mess the world up a bit, Ukraine included). This must have pissed Putin off. The ex-girlfriend was doing good. The jealous ex-boyfriend was angry.

This is a war about good and evil. And if evil wins here, God forbid, it will spread. I don’t think anyone has a clue what will the end result be, and this is a scary thought. Of course, if the West stepped up their game, the Ukrainians predict they will be able to repel the Russians. But if this happens won’t it make the violent ex-boyfriend even angrier. Or, will the world finally put Putin in his place. He is not pressing the nuclear button. He is a total narcissist and he does not want to die. It is reported that this evil maniac is the world’s richest man. Once again the numbers tell a story. He is not going to risk dying by entering into a nuclear war. I just don’t buy it.

Ukraine needs more support. Again, the numbers spell it all out. If I was walking past your house and it was on fire I would help put out the fire. I would try find a hose pipe and start spraying water. And I would of course call the fire brigade. What I wouldn’t do is leave a glass of water on the patio (ala Germany). And If I saw you in the window screaming for help, I would try and save you. But the West is so slow in Helping Ukraine, all because the are not in the club. If I was walking past your house and you were in trouble, I would help you. I would not start discussing the fact that you are not in the club. Ukraine tried to join the club, for years, and they never were allowed in. And yet, their neighbours are in the club: Poland, Romania, etc.

People wrote about Ukraine long before anyone ever heard of Russia.

Russia is now trying to rewrite history. They are trying to spread a lie that says that Ukraine did not exist before Russia. It is simply not true. Russia will not succeed at changing history. The fact is that Kyiv existed before Moscow. That part of history cannot be changed. No amount of lies, or this insane war, will change the facts.

Ukraine will win this war because Putin is living a lie, and the truth always wins out.

One interesting thought about this war. Putin is paying mercenaries to fight this insane battle. Ukraine has volunteer soldiers from around the world coming to fight for freedom. This speaks volumes.

We started a documentary film project in 2018 that explored IT entrepreneurship in Kyiv, and how the Soviet legacy has affected the nation’s work life. Risk taking in Soviet times was not a thing, and following a dream was non-existent. So it is fascinating to observe how in Ukraine a group of free thinkers, a new generation of dreamers, are rising to the challenge.

We had come up with this logline for the narrative. It took us many many years to arrive at these words. This is the elevator pitch, ie, a short summary of the vision: Rewriting The Code.

Ukraine’s struggle for freedom and recognition from their hard-wired Soviet conditioning. A story of identity. They are not The Ukraine.

This nightmare war that started in late February is all about identity. And in terms of Rewriting The Code this is what the Ukrainian military have done, and continue to do. If they were all in their Soviet state of mind they would have been defeated. That old, miserable Soviet way lacks purpose and honesty and it is weak when it comes to organization and leadership. The Ukrainian army has passion and purpose, has been open to Western intelligence and technology, and they are fighting with all their heart and soul.

We arrived at this vision with respect to entrepreneurs and business people, and it is evident in the Ukrainian military too. The Ukrainian army has rewritten the code for sure – that is why they are kicking ass.. The Russian army has been incompetent, corrupt, cruel, with no motivation or purpose, and it is an army based on brainwashing. The Ukrainians know what they are fighting for, and this is fundamental.

Our film story is very much about “purpose”. A key theme to throwing off the shackles from their hard-wired Soviet conditioning. Our documentary’s narrative explores who, what, where and why is Ukraine. The war highlights this in the biggest possible way.

Ukraine is fighting for their identity and this war is showing the world who they are, where they are, why they are, and what they are. They are not Soviets – they are rewriting the code with the highest possible stakes.

Our story is about who is Ukraine. This insane war is showing us their determination, passion, belief, courage, spirit, identity, humour and more. Ukrainians are using their innovative skills and entrepreneurship to help win this war.

Ukraine was under Russian rule in the Soviet Union but Ukraine is not Russia. It has a culture far richer and older than that of Russia. A culture that is open and warm. Not a culture rooted in arrogance and evil. Russians are not free, and Ukraine is fighting for freedom. Russian culture, despite its being famous, didn’t save them. In fact a lot of their artists were of Ukrainian origin.

This nightmare war is all about rewriting the code. Russia has proved once and again to be the evil empire. Ukraine stands for freedom and goodness. This is indeed a battle of good VS evil. I believe there is more good in the world than bad, and I believe that good will win here. Ukraine will be victorious. They are showing the world how brave they are. This is their code.

The horror in Ukraine is just unbelievable. When will this nightmare end? And when will America/West stop messing around and really step up and help properly?!

“Meanwhile the EU is scared that “gas prices are up,” so keep paying $1B a day to Putin.

We Westerners enjoy great lives of privilege. We cancel each other for saying banned words but can’t ban oil for murder, and cheer on tepidly while women and 130lb software engineers do the fighting for us.

This war has exposed us all.”

These words above are from my friend John in the US. He has a Ukrainian soul and he has solid insight.

You would think that most normal, caring people would stand behind Ukraine, but no. It is around 50% that supports Ukraine. It would appear that around half of the world does not like the West. Yes, not everyone likes the free world.

Russia is a pimple compared to China. They are the next superpower that will influence our kid’s futures.

We sold our standards for comfort and greed.

https://brave.ua/en.html

That story of the cold calling captured my imagination. There is indeed a battle underway online too, and Ukraine is winning, in my view. Yes, Russia is losing, and they did this to themselves. Who on Earth will ever want to visit Russia or have anything to do with Russia ever again.

https://callrussia.org/eng

“In World War I and World War II, no one had a smartphone or access to social networks through which to observe and participate in the war in nonkinetic ways. Indeed, a large chunk of the world’s population was still colonized and did not have the full freedom to express independent views, even if they had the technology. Many of those residing outside the war zones were also extremely poor subsistence farmers who were not so heavily affected by those first two world wars. There weren’t the giant connected globalized and urbanized lower and middle classes of today’s wired world.”

We have heard of many innovative and creative online activities to try help Ukraine. The Jooble story, like the cold calling campaign, is about spreading the truth.

“Twitter to introduce restrictions on Russian government accounts, propaganda. Head of Site Integrity at Twitter Yoel Roth said that Twitter will not “amplify or recommend government accounts belonging to states that limit access to free information and are engaged in armed interstate conflict.” Russia blocked access to Twitter on March 4.”

Let’s not forget the tractors

Europe and America are not helping Ukraine because they love Ukraine. They are helping Ukraine because they are afraid of Russia. Ukraine is fighting their war.

https://spendwithukraine.com/

You can’t fool all of the people all of the time. These stats are seriously revealing. The truth will come out.

I know I have picked on the Ukrainian Oligarchs before. I think they are all a bunch of parasites, and I wonder how much they are doing to help the country from where they took everything. The key word is “take”, because that is what they do. Take, take, take. What they don’t do is create. No jobs, no role models, no wealth distribution. And I am sure that when the war is over, they will be the first to cause problems. Perhaps I am wrong though. I hope I am. But enough about them.

Let’s turn our attention to the famous billionaires. You know, the ones that are always in the headlines. The ones with their space race and all. Why aren’t they helping more. Bill Gates, for example, has a lot to say about human suffering when it comes to malaria, but not when it comes to genocide. Perhaps I am just angry and confused. I am no saint either, and I could do more to help people. I do help a lot of people but I could do more. We could all do more. When it comes to Ukraine though my gut feeling is that the billionaires could do a whole lot more. Not that they owe Ukraine anything, but if you think this is a war about Ukraine and Russia then I would say you are wrong. This is about good and evil, and if we don’t help to stop this evil then we are all going to be damned.

The world is being tested here. Humanity is in the spotlight, and I think we are failing. And yes, I am over simplifying and yes I am naive. So here is my thinking. If Ukraine had the money, then can’t they simply buy the weapons they are begging for? How does this even work.

I also think that it is becoming open season for dictators. Yes, this evil is spreading. If the world doesn’t make more of a stand soon, and help Ukraine end this nightmare, it could easily escalate and before we know it we are going to be heading into WW III.

I have been swimming a bit at my brother’s house here in JHB. It is not winter yet, so the water is not freezing, but it has been cold. I am told that a cold swim does wonders for trauma. It certainly wakes me up.

I have been feeling quite unproductive this past month. I know I am always hard on myself so I should probably not worry about treading water for a while. Marta tells me that all her friends back in Ukraine have the same feeling. And my friends still in Kyiv are saying similar things too. It is hard to focus. The past month has been an up and down roller coaster of emotions.

I am always so busy. Now, when I look back, I am not even sure what consumed my time. I am pretty sure a lot of it was just nonsense. My film friend Craig told me it sounds like I am depressed. I have never suffered from depression before, and I am not sure I am depressed. I am always so excited about life, and about all the wonder out there, and the magic we have inside. But now, when I look at the images that are being published from the towns outside of Kyiv, and what those Russian savages have done, I am just lost for words. Actually, I am just feeling lost. Wondering all the time about what is important in life. And thinking, how can this horror be happening in this day and age?!

Things sound quiet in Kyiv now. Our friend Zhanna told me that the Saturday and Sunday nights were not filled with gunshots and bomb blasts, like in the past month. For the past 5 weeks I would pray that my friends in Kyiv were all safe and ok. I miss them, and hope to see them again soon. Everyday we check to see if our apartment building is still there. It is, and everyone is ok. What an insane reality.

The one things that is keeping me sane is writing and our story telling work on the Ukraine documentary film, which we started in 2018. My film director friend Craig, and Janine and Jol, the editing wizards, are capturing and going through a ton of Zoom sessions with people currently in Ukraine, and some who have now left the country, and what we are seeing is powerful and moving.

Alec Hogg from BizNews had a conversation with me on Friday. I listened to it over the weekend. I can’t believe that any of this can be happening. If America and the West doesn’t help Ukraine more then this evil will spread, and then God help us all. The entire world may be treading water soon if this nightmare is not stopped, permanently.

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.