Dear Mr Putin – In Your Own Words

Russia is a part of European culture. 
Therefore, it is with difficulty 
that I imagine NATO as an enemy. 
There are both things in international law: 
the principle of territorial integrity 
and right to self-determination.
Terrorism has no nationality or religion. 
Everything will probably never be OK. 
But we have to try for it. You must obey the law, always, 
not only when they grab you by your special place.
I think the international community should unite 
to fight such inhuman phenomena as terror attacks 
and the murder of totally innocent people. 
It is necessary to suppress any extremist actions, 
on all sides, regardless of their origin.
No one should be allowed to violently trample on the law.
In almost any country, probably in Russia in particular, 
it's fashionable to criticise people in power. 
If you come out in support of someone like me, 
you're going to be accused of trying to ingratiate yourself.
Any people has a right to self-determination, 
and now in Europe the process of diluting national sovereignty 
in the framework of a united Europe is more accepted.
History proves that all dictatorships, 
all authoritarian forms of government are transient.
Only democratic systems are not transient. 
Whatever the shortcomings, 
mankind has not devised anything superior.
Based on Vladimir Putin quotes on brainyquote.com
Karen Mooney lives in Northern Ireland. She the co-author of Penned In, a pamphlet of poetry written during the pandemic. Her pamphlet, Missing Pieces, will be published by The Hedgehog Poetry Press on 30 March. She can be found on Twitter @1karenmooney.