We should not tell the truth to the Russians. In fact, we should tell them lies.

Confused? Read on …

Picture created with Nightcafe Studio, by author

I am not on Putin’s side. I admire Zelensky and am proud of the Ukrainians. I find it horrible what happens to them. I despise Russia.

I also despise lying. And even though it might seems like, I just said we should be lying to the Russians, it is not what I am saying.

People accept the truth as it is being presented to them. So, the Russians believing Putin’s lullaby stories about the success of Russia, that is not strange.

It has been said, one can lie to many, one can lie in a long time, but one cannot lie to many in a long time.

And that is correct. However, if you ONLY tell lies, then you will fail. Because a lie cannot survive on its own, like the truth can. A lie needs a new lie to proof the original one.

But… That can be masked.

People are also curious. If you tell a lie, and adds a bit of the truth to it, making the truth ugly and the lie beautiful, you will probably decept your entire audience.

And that is exactly what Putin does: he tells a little about people dying in Ukraine —and adds that they are die as a hero. And who doesn’t like heroes?

The Russians get to know about the weapons and equipment Ukraine receives. Then he adds information about the greatness of the Russian counter measures, the greatness of the Russian Army.

I tried to make a Russian think about the different points of view. That does not work. I tried to depict Putin as a dictator. That didn’t work either —they can’t see another ruler than Putin.

So, telling the truth does not work. They know the truth. But they also know the lies. They only don’t know, the lies are lies.

That is the problem with the Russians.