How you lead a bull?

The Russian aggression in Ukraine shocks our world. Maybe it shocks my world more than many of yours, as my company works with many Ukrainian IT-experts. Much software used in our EU countries is being developed in Ukraine.

Besides that Ukraine is rich in natural resources: minerals, ores, and the best agricultural soils in the world. Putin knows this.

Don't believe that wars like this are waged on political ideals. The cost of war can only be justified by the future proceeds of the countries resources. The "profits" will last generations and exceed the "investment" by a multitude. Putin wants this land and its future proceeds before it's sovereignty can be secured by international treaties like EU-membership and NATO.

He has carefully weft his plans for years, even warning the west. The west has been tone-deaf and dependency on Russian gas slowly grew. Last summer, the supply of gas was gradually reduced. Gazprom, in part owned by Putin himself, and one of the biggest suppliers has about 10% of the stock reserves that it should have. No coincidence, and makes the EU basically dependent on direct supply. Quite a strategic move.

As a judoka, Putin knows that he must use the strength of his opponent. NATO is a defense mechanism, and not designed to work outside its boundaries. Until he would attack one of the NATO-countries all the powerful weaponry that is installed at the NATO perimeter will be completely useless. And by threatening to inflict tremendous pain and destruction, the fear of escalation keeps NATO watching in agony as he commits the greatest atrocities. That's how you can lead a powerful bull by the nose.

Even though I'm afraid, I don't believe Putin will push the nuclear button. These last days I've witnessed that fear is paralyzing, and prevents people to intervene or take action. In Kharkiv, these last days, many people were shocked and the images are heartbreaking and horrifying. It's unbelievable how Putin can order heavy missiles to be targeted at civilian areas and innocent people are being killed in the streets. The fear to flee the city was bigger than the fear of being killed by bombs, or even the fear of being without food, water, electricity and communication-networks. Today, as the Grad-rockets hit the center and several other parts of the city (mostly civilian buildings), several hundreds of people managed to get to the railway station, which is outside of the center, to run for their lives. A few of my family members and friends among them. Now on a 1.5 day journey, not without perils, we await their safe arrival in the west of Ukraine.

At this moment Ukraine applied for a fast-track membership of the EU. And I sincerely beg to all EU member states - presidents and population - to accept Ukraine and its people. Much more than the sanctions imposed on Russia and its oligarchs, this is the greatest support to help the people of Ukraine directly.

Please share this post and write to your government officials to support the people of Ukraine.

Europe wake up and let's release the bull!