To think that Putin is a creature of and restrained by a circle of oligarchs finds no evidence in reality; only a simplistic reading of Marxist theory, in which abstractions – the executive branch of government is no more than a committee charged with the task of managing the common affairs of the whole bourgeoisie – crowd out real political processes, allows one to make such a claim. Actually, it’s the other way around in Putin’s Russia.

In a similar vein, the suggestion that the current goverment in Russia is center left finds no evidence in reality either. To believe so is to take flight from reality.

To think that Putin isn’t the main danger to peace in the world at this moment is to be lost in a world of abstractions. Unless I have my facts wrong it is Putin’s army that invaded Ukraine and is killing Ukrainians. Millions have been forced to flee. Lives have been shattered, families separated, and a future has become bleak. And a few days ago, Russia was accused of committing war crimes.

As chilling, Putin more than once has alluded to his nuclear arsenal.

The commission of war crimes and assassinations of adversaries is prominent in Putin’s resume. It goes back to the beginning of his Presidency. He is of an authoritarian state of mind and a corresponding practice.

Some reporting on the war in Ukraine would make you think that Biden is a bigger problem to finding a resolution of the war than Putin and the Russian troops there.

With Putin’s hope of a quick military victory in Ukraine running up against stiff and unexpected resistance from the Ukrainian army and people and talks between the two sides going on, I hope a diplomatic offensive by the Biden admininstration and other Western goverments accompanies this turn of events.