Hitler had the pretext of “Lebensraum”, Putin has the pretext of national security.

Zelensky should immediately challenge Putin to a live TV debate, broadcast and streamed worldwide. The world is entitled to it. It would show Russians and the world exactly who Putin is and delegitimize him and his grievances. If Putin participates in the debate, he will lose. If Putin refuses to debate, he will lose face and be considered a coward and a fraud. Zelensky would reveal that the “emperor has no clothes”. He has all the cards to win the debate by a crushing margin. He has many valid points, and Putin has none. The debate would be a gigantic win for Ukraine and for democracy and human rights in the world, and a big loss for dictators.

© Edward Sonnino 2022

February 20, 2022