ILIGAN City ― Who are these people, Vlad and Volod? Are they the same people?
Yes, they are the same. And different too. And they are so near to each other. Yet so far too!
As in Russia and Ukraine. As in Putin and Zelensky or Zelenskyy. As in Vladimir and Volodymyr. Say it fast and they really seem the same. Say it slow and it seems like preying. Russia preying upon the carcass of Ukraine, if you know what I mean, ha ha ha. But this ain't no laughing matter.
Putin became very ambitious. And this ambitiousness became very obvious in 2O14 when it was able to conquer Crimea. So the next big thing in his mind was to conquer Ukraine altogether! That would be kind of hard, but achievable, per Putin’s mind.
And so, on February 24 of this year, Vlad launched what was on his mind. But to this day, the war still continues. Both Vlad and Volod are winners, even as they are losers too. Depending upon your perspective.
It was said that Volodymyr was once a comedian. But he has morphed into a wartime leader. But I heard my friend Fely say that here in this part of our world, we have a leader who has become a comedian. I know you all know who she is referring to.
The West (read: US) has offered Volod to be flown out of Ukraine, to some place where he would be safe and out of the war there. But he told them: “We want ammunitions, not a ride!”
And Volod and his men are still at it, fighting a war against Vlad. With, of course, the “subdued” help of America and other countries in NATO. With this “operative” word “sanctions.” Sanctions, sanctions, sanctions. In the meantime, much of the whole world suffers. In the form of the ever-increasing cost of petroleum products.
Because Russia has many such products. And it is also “sanctioning” other worlds, be it the first world, or other worlds, like the Philippines. That's how we look at it. Superficially and simplistically of course.
I can’t go into details regarding this. Because, for one, I don’t know the details. But I know the result. As in, we’re suffering a lot. Like seeing some friends, lessening their input of gasoline in their cars. By not using cars, every day, four-wheeled cars I mean when they go to work. But using two-wheeled vehicles on some days of the week, like motorcycles or even bicycles.
Or even walking on two legs, if the place they want to go to is near.
Two days ago, I asked my friend Fely why it has come to this point with almost every nation affected. Because Vlad had wanted to bring back the “glorious” days of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics or USSR. And big Ukraine was once a part of it. So bring back Ukraine, a step towards that.
Fely said: “That’s what’s happening to this country too.”
I could not see her point. So I asked: “How so?”
“Bringing back the ‘glorious’ days of the Marcoses!” She said without batting an eyelash. Her face was unsmiling though.
(Email: norasorino2@gmail.com)
