"The year has shown clearly that the system, put in place in the “new Russia” in the 1990’s in the interests of the global elite, has taken root. There are many in positions of authority here who like it that way: those among the governmental officials and politicians, business “elite,” cultural “elite,” scientific “elite,” academia, etc. Some of them may believe that the global elite cannot fail and has it under control, and so they’d better stick with the “proposed” script. Probably, all of them are scared of any changes.

Theirs is a world where governmental officials approve or reject state funding for projects depending on how much they can steal in the process of their implementation. Where financial regulators are concerned more with profits of bankers and speculators than with the state of national economy. Where “recommendations” of foreign organizations, such as the WTO, IMF, WHO, etc., are followed to a tee. Where people are proud that they keep money in foreign banks, buy property in foreign countries, and send kids to foreign schools; are certain that Russia is only good for them as a place to line their pockets; and believe that it’s possible for them to negotiate things back to the way they were, even if it means unconditional surrender. And where lies abound.

However, because of various developments and circumstances, much is getting exposed. And people are paying more attention to it, and more are starting to do something about it.

Theirs is a world where many live paycheck to paycheck, but they donate millions to help pay for treatment of sick children or send truckloads of humanitarian aid to Donbas. Where millions take to the streets on Victory Day, carrying old photos of their parents and grandparents who fought in WWII (The Great Patriotic War), “tore the guts out of the filthy Nazis,” and took Berlin in 1945. Where grandmothers knit socks, and kids make presents, for soldiers and officers in the trenches, who lay down their lives for their friends. Where truth and justice and common good (as in, “ask what you can do for your country”) are more than mere philosophical concepts. And where people are proud of Russia’s past, are certain that She can overcome any adversity and troubles in the present, and believe that She will have a most glorious future.

These two worlds cannot co-exist much longer. They are clashing more and more with each other, the war in Ukraine acting as a catalyst. The irony is that the global elite, whose approval the “elites” in Russia seek, serving it faithfully, is contributing the most to the disintegration of those domestic “elites’” world.

And so be it.

Happy New Year!"