Russia and Ukraine have been in a state of war for over a year. Countries all over the world are sending any help that they are able to, whether that is military ordnance, clothes and necessary things for the refugees, or simply spread awareness of the situation. Ukraine needs funding to keep standing against the invasion and fighting back. Russia has become the most sanctioned country in the world. And yet while the civilians are suffering, there are still people in both countries, who are benefitting from this tragic war. And what is most upsetting of all, the people whose income is rising from the ongoing conflict, are spending the funds on saddeningly useless things.
On December 24th, 2023, Putin’s business card sold at an auction in Russia for two million russian rubles. Even with the currency decreasing with the sanctions, that kind of money could be life changing, especially during this conflict. However the Russian oligarchs are not eager to donate the money to those in need of it in Ukraine, or even anywhere else, in case they are not allowed to send it to Ukraine because of the current censorship veiling Russia. Those little men in big suits would much rather keep it for themselves, and wait for some more to fall in their pockets.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/zelenskys-wife-says-he-forgot-to-mention-he-was-running-for-president/
And while the invaded country would benefit from any help it can get, their former comedian president is allowing a million dollars to slip away from under his nose, as his wife throws that money away on jewellery, while on a trip to America to request further funding to “defend their country”. Ukraine is under attack, and its leader is closing a 1.1 million bill at Cartier.
There will always be people who benefit from the war. Sometimes it will be a win-win situation, as it is in London mayor Sadiq Khan’s recent decision to send old vehicles to Ukraine, which otherwise would be scrapped, as they no longer met the ULEZ. However even when in the end, that part of the UK would benefit from the donation, as it would reduce unnecessary waste, the mayor’s initial rejection of Kiev’s mayor’s proposal for the donation due to it not benefitting Londoners, spoke to the way ultimately, every man looks out for himself. And on a slightly more absurd note, while the mayors of London and Kiev are playing tug of war over old cars, Debbie Wingham, a British baker decorates a Dolce Gabanna gingerbread house worth £6.3 million for this year’s christmas season.
There is an old Russian joke;
“Doctor, I need some medicine against greed… and a little more… and some more… and more.”
There will always be people who benefit from a war. Whether they are in the country that is attacking, fighting back, or perhaps even impartial. The line between materialism and absurdity is getting thinner and thinner, and the rich are dancing on it better and better.