Pariah Putin’s paranoid desperation is increasingly dangerous yet tightening global strangulation should finally signal the end for this Kremlin crackpot.
Ukraine will prove the fatal, final mistake by a fascistic gangster who egotistically believed his own invincible propaganda after strategic triumphs in Crimea and Syria, and the 2016 Trump and Brexit blows delivered to the US and UK.
Vlad the Invader’s twitchy finger on the nuclear trigger and the offer of Potemkin negotiations are both signs even he fears this is an impending personal Armageddon.
This is fuelled by brave Ukrainians fighting heroically and Russians courageously protesting “No to War”, which is inspiring resistance around the world. Supplying
anti-tank, helicopter and aircraft missiles strengthens defenders and weakens attackers already suffering punishing losses.
Britain, the rest of Europe and the US finally uniting over economic and cultural sanctions will eventually bankrupt the Putin machine and perhaps drive a deep wedge between the tyrant and his billionaire cronies who enjoy opulent luxury wherever they please.
And China abstaining instead of vetoing a UN Security Council motion by the US condemning the brutal invasion emphasised Putin’s isolation, as a new ally quickly distanced itself from an ageing, deranged dictator.
The bloody conflict could still belong: reducing Ukrainian neighbourhoods to rubble, inflicting unbearable heartache and costing countless lives.
What is becoming clearer, however, is that Putin is also likely to be one of the victims.
But let’s not buy charlatan Boris Johnson’s propaganda that he is suddenly an international statesman, a Prime Minister orchestrating the resistance.
Johnson let Putin walk all over him and Britain, with oligarchs smirking unconcerned whenever ruling Conservatives, reliant on Russian-linked money, talked tough then acted soft.
Charismatic, cool-headed, defiant Ukrainian Volodymyr Zelensky is what a real leader looks and sounds like.
Germany’s centre-Left Olaf Scholz is also rising to the occasion, standing up to Putin at considerable financial expense.
A European Union that Johnson ripped Britain from as part of a career move was firmer on sanctions until shamed Johnson started running to catch up.
Locking out Ukrainian refugees fleeing terror unless they apply to be fruit pickers is disgraceful and inhuman, when Poland, Romania and Hungary open their borders.
Why not seize the spacious British properties of Russian oligarchs to house Putin’s casualties?
I’ve watched and known Johnson for longer than the 22 years Putin has misruled Russia.
So I’m aware of the cynicism of the great charlatan.
The first casualty of war is Partygate, with Johnson relieved that the shells and missiles are effectively providing a smokescreen.
If he’s hit by a fine, the PM will pray it is today.
Now wouldn’t be the moment to remove a lawbreaker in Downing Street, his apologists will argue.
They’d be wrong, of course.
Chamberlain was dumped by MPs to be replaced by Churchill during the Second World War then, before Japan finally surrendered, the country swapped Churchill for Attlee.
Labour leader Keir Starmer will inevitably receive less airtime than the PM but should have calculated that he must be constructively critical rather than mercilessly pummelling the Tory rogue.
War in Europe might save Johnson if not an invaded country or Putin.
