Thread by @Kasparov63

Years of hearing that no action could be taken against Putin's propaganda outlets in the West, all for what? To wait for him to launch all-out war and kick you out anyway. As with many companies setting up there, handing Putin hostages he could use for leverage.

https://twitter.com/cliffordlevy/status/1501215382698405893

I can't count how many times the biggest tech & social media companies have told us they couldn't "take a side" or "criticize Russia" because it would put their employees there at risk. Mostly that meant their profits, of course.

Even good-faith engagement becomes appeasement and collaboration as corruption spreads. As I wrote in Winter Is Coming, the road to Hell may be paved with good intentions, but compromises on principle are the streetlights.

Putin's assassinations in EU, invasion of Georgia & Ukraine & annexation of Crimea, that wasn't enough. The brands held fast. The gas & oil deals boomed. Putin used that money & time to build up the military now bombing hospitals & civilians in Ukraine, as he did in Syria.

High gas & gasoline prices are small penance for years of empowering Putin & the blood paid in Ukraine today. Instead of spending 8 or even 15 years weaning off Russian energy, building capacity, renewables, nuclear, you did the opposite.

Suddenly, alternatives are everywhere. LNG, Israeli pipelines, reserves, etc. It was never impossible, as we heard. It was difficult. It requires sacrifice and strategy. Putin's constant escalation always exposes the appeasers, the short-sighted and corrupt.

Now you pay the higher price. Pay it happily. Pay it and count your blessings it is not the price Ukrainians are paying, that Syrians paid, that Russians are paying for your years of cowardice and blindness. Don't waste it with half-measures. Win.

Putin will escalate. He may cut off Russian energy before his industry grinds to a halt. It's time to rise to the occasion, to show that the free world will not be intimidated by a KGB thug any longer. We have the resources if we have the courage. Fight. Glory to Ukraine.