It has been on my mind for several months now. When the Russians seized Crimea I thought this at the very least could trigger a new Cold War between Russia and NATO countries. At the very worst it could trigger a Third World War - and we know how that would end?
I'm not going to repeat what has already been reported about the on-going tension between my host country of Russia and it's neighbour Ukraine (and the west). But, it has got me worried. Now, at the best of times I am a natural worrier. If there was nothing to worry about, I would still worry - about the fact there was nothing to worry about. So, when there was talk about the crises escalating into a possible military conflict in the region, I thought...oh shit, we might be at war very soon! I thought and worried some more Okay, if the proverbial hits the fan and I have to leave Russia, where am I going to go? The airports may be closed or overcrowded with EU nationals clambering to escape the Federation. Well, I am in Saint Petersburg, and that means there's always a land route to Finland. I pictured myself getting on a coach to Helsinki, or if that was not viable, trudging across the border.
This would be a pretty cool way to cross the border All I need now is a sleigh, some huskies and some snow!
Then there was a lull. As you already know, Russia held a referendum in the Crimean peninsular, amidst an outcry of foul-play from the west and the new Ukrainian government. In a short space of time Crimea was incorporated into The Russian Federation. And now tensions are building up again. Armed gunmen have seized police stations in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. The Russian government have said that they would send in their special forces if the Ukrainian military try to act against them. Claim and counter-claim from both sides. This is politics and it is always the little man (the general public who just want to get on with their lives) who suffers. The question is now: will this lead to war?
I hope not. A war between Russia and Ukraine would lead to a wider conflict and may be even nuclear war. While the situation worsens and politicians on both sides fan the flames, they have forgotten that they are putting all of our lives in jeopardy. I sincerely wish for a peaceful outcome to this crisis. Both sides have something to offer, but please, for the sake of ordinary Russians, Ukrainians and the rest of the world, the politicians must de-escalate and stop playing with fire. Nor, do I like the way that nationalists have taken this as an opportunity to voice their xenophobia - be they Russian, Ukrainian, or whoever. As a Briton living in Russia, I think it is sad that neighbours, who have so much in common, are now at logger-heads. Who's to blame? Politicians with their own agenda and a minority of bigots in both countries. This reminds me of the conflict in Northern Ireland with idiots on both sides of the divide stirring up hatred. It has to stop. I've heard and read some unsavoury comments - anti-Russian and anti-Ukrainian, in the last few weeks. Most people, as I've already said, want to live in peace. For those who want a fight, you are risking a lot - and for what?
As John Lennon once sang: 
In the meantime, I'm going to carry on as normal, teaching my classes and enjoying the Russian spring. I still want to be here tomorrow, and the day after that, and not on some evacuation flight, or thousands of metres into the stratosphere!
