Russia is not a prosperous nation. It will become poorer as a result of war, and its military could well turn on Mr Putin.
Norman Tebbit
7 Feb 2022
As leaders of Nato nations, both President Biden and the Prime Minister have a responsibility to counter Russian threats. It is important to note that this time, with the threat to Ukraine, Russia’s actions spring more from the insecurity of Vladimir Putin than from its strength. Russia is not a prosperous nation and should Putin threaten to cut off gas supplies to the West, he would be threatening his own national economy.
If he resorts to military force in a “Great Patriotic War”, would support be sustained as the dead bodies of his troops come back from Ukraine and Russia becomes poorer? More crucially, might his military conclude that a regime led by one of their own would be better than one led by a member of the secret police? As readers of the late Airey Neave’s book, They Have Their Exits, know even in Hitler’s National Socialist Germany there was no love lost between the Army and the Gestapo.
Extracted from Lord Tebbit’s column. I edited out the other topics covered.
Now in his 80’s, Norman has lost none of his sharpness. I like the subtle way that he compares putler to another little national socialist.