The Finnish writer Sofi Oksanen who publishes his new novel in Spain ‘The dog park’ (Salamandra), has warned about the “dangers” of thinking that the Russian president, Vladimir Putin is “simply crazy” to justify his attacks on the Ukrainian population.
“It is not at all and it is dangerous to fall into that delusion or illusion: Putin is very clear about his actions and everything he is doing fits perfectly with previous actions. It is totally aligned with the propaganda and politics of the Russian country in the last 20 years,” the author of ‘Purga’ lamented in an interview with Europa Press.
For Oksanen, there has been no policy change in Russia in recent years because “their big idea is to restore power to the empire.” “I don’t think there is any anomaly or shift in the Kremlin’s agenda (with this invasion), so speculating that Putin is crazy puts all the blame on that person.“, he has warned.
In fact, he describes as “delusion” to think that the fact that Putin is no longer in power will stop this conflict. “All Russians have been controlled for two decades, one can change Putin and another will come who will remain the same. What do we expect, that by a miracle Russia will become a democracy overnight? That’s not going to happen,” she lamented.
Oksanen also blames the West’s stance of looking the other way these years. “The war started in 2014 and it never stopped, although the western media stopped paying attention for years Ukrainians were still dying day after day after day at the hands of Russian troops“, has pointed out the Finnish author.
For Oksanen, “it was clear” that Putin “had no intention of respecting the sovereignty” of Ukraine, so this “large-scale invasion should not surprise anyone.” “What has surprised me is that Western countries have quickly aligned themselves and countries like Finland itself, which has never sent weapons to anyone, now does“, he commented, speaking of “a positive response”.
In addition, he does not rule out purges in Putin’s Russia that are reminiscent of those experienced in the Stalinist era. “They haven’t started yet, but that doesn’t mean he won’t: He recently gave a speech in which he spoke of ‘self-purifying’ traitors to the Russian state. It seems to me a track and a very beastly and powerful message“, has indicated visibly concerned.
In ‘The Dog Park’, Oksanen addresses the issue of surrogacy in Ukraine through the experiences of two women. The author assures that the fact that this country -where the first test-tube baby was born- has been considered the world center of these practices is no coincidence.
“When corruption comes to power, businessmen want to make a law to suit them. In Ukraine there are also a lot of young blonde and poor girls. What else do you want? It is the perfect cocktail for the needs of the West,” Oksanen lamented.
“Ukraine is the country where a foreign couple can get a white baby cheaper, it is easier to sell for a Western client. They are affordable prices. If you want to do it in the United States, you need to have money, but a hairdresser, and I’m sorry for the example, will go to Ukraine,” he said.
Asked about what she thinks the future will be for newborns in Ukraine who have seen this process interrupted by the war, Oksanen speaks of “an overwhelmed situation.” “Babies are in bomb shelters and many parents are hysterical wondering where they are.“, it is finished.