Putin has set off a global chain reaction of violence and war.
The world is beginning to realize that it will not be possible to "wait it out" until better times, because it is the waiting and prolongation of wars that delays peace and "better times". Moreover, the situation of waiting and unpunished evil worsens the situation around the world.
In Ukraine, we have realized a long time ago that we will not return to the state of "before February 24, 2022". And this is not just about Ukraine. It's about the whole world.
Now the world is beginning to realize that global, tectonic changes are taking place. A return to the pre-war status quo is impossible.
The future of the world in the coming millennia is being decided right now.
However, there is no clear understanding of what comes next. If not "as before," then how? What should be the model of the future system? What values will be fundamental? What and who will provide guarantees?
We see that emotions prevail now, boosted by social media, which in recent years have become the main source of information and a call to action.
Emotions also prevail now because a new cycle of electoral elections in Europe and the United States is approaching, and voters are used to talking to them not in the language of facts but in the language of emotions.
Russia is more monolithic here, because Putin has been in power for decades and does not care about domestic voters. He controls the media, social networks, and not only in Russia.
Information wars are waged through anonymous accounts that are trusted by readers who are not interested in facts, reputation, or expertise. This is maximized by propaganda, which allocates huge amounts of money to manipulate and distort reality.
Manipulated, distorted, unverified, anonymous and irresponsibly disseminated information can be more dangerous than nuclear weapons.
We don't go to doctors on an emotional and impulsive basis. We carefully choose the best expert. A professional who has a real long-term reputation. Unfortunately, this is not the case with information.
Therefore, the basis of our decisions should be a critical mind. Critical doubt. Common sense. Information hygiene.
These times are a test of modern democracy. It is a test of people's maturity and values. It is a test of opinion leaders and politicians.
How will this crisis end? Will autocracies and tyrannies win? What will the world look like in the future?
Whether we want it or not, it depends on us, among other things. It depends on our actions and our choices.
Right here and right now.