Todd Lefko provided an enlightening presentation on the origins of the Russian war in Ukraine, starting with the motivations and mindset of Russian President, Vladimir Putin.
President Todd Nicholson called the meeting to order at 5:01 pm at the University Club of St Paul and remarked on the healthy turnout of members and three guests. Today's speaker topic is timely and many in attendance want to learn more about the origins of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Todd noted that today is the 154th birthday of Rotary founder Paul Harris. Todd then passed around a set of hand-written thank you notes from RYLA attendees. What a great gesture!
Those assisting at the meeting were recognized, including today’s Scribe Valdi Stefanson, Online Greeter Laura Nichols-Endres, In-Person Greeter Kinumo Usuda and our great A/V Tech Team of Ken Crabb, Paul Meekin & Matt Magers.
Todd encouraged all members to invite club 10 alumni to our next Tuesday noon meeting on April 26th. Next Ken Schaefer introduced our May 17th 5:01 Inspiration Lounge theme -- New Member Recruitment Event. So, please do invite PROSPECTIVE MEMBER GUESTS.
On to the speaker. Todd Lefko, was introduced by Dr. Jim Hart. Todd is a club 10 member and President of International Business Development Council. Todd has decades of International business involvement and he and his wife have a second residence in Russia. His topic: “The Current Events in Ukraine and Russia”
Todd provided an enlightening presentation on the origins of the conflict -- primarily the motivations and mindset of Russian President, Vladimir Putin. In a nutshell, Putin believes that the western world has been disrespecting Russia of late and that his goal is to restore Russian greatness. In his playbook, this is accomplished through bullying (to use a polite word). This strategy is not new to Putin. Think back to the brutal repression/bombing/death associated with Chechnya, Georgia, Crimea and, recently Syria. To Putin, these brutal actions raise his popularity and improve his standing with the Russian population. (Many Russians today are unaware of the details of the Ukrainian war.) So goes the minds, logic and policies of the Russian state under Putin. This is a moral fight against anti-Western values (sprinkled with jealousy about the status of some of the former Soviet break-away states).
Todd added that a little known fact is that recently, some 300,000 Russian young professionals have emigrated from the Country. Most are young, IT professionals who are privy to the facts behind the war.
Meanwhile, this war may be backfiring for Putin on many fronts. (1) Putin has made President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, into a hero, (2) Putin has inadvertently enhanced NATO relevance and purpose, (3) Putin has seen the EU countries coalesce in support for Ukraine and opposition to his war mongering. (Witness internal discussions in both Finland and Sweden about NATO membership.)
Who knows how this will play out, by this man who literally controls 1,597 nuclear devices!
ANNOUNCEMENTS, UPCOMING EVENTS:
Next Signature Lunch Meeting (Tuesday, April 26, 2022)
Speaker – MN Supreme Court Associate Justice Anne McKeig and Rotary Alumni Day: “Just a Girl from Federal Dam”
Next 501 Inspirational Lounge (Tuesday, May 3, 2022)
Speaker – Paul DeGeest, Director of Development, Rethos
“Rethos: Places Reimagined”
Coming Up – 16th Annual Sunrise Forum: "Perspectives: Creating a Safe and Just Community Together" April 28, 2022 7:15-9:15 am at the Woman's Club of Minneapolis. This event is presented by Rotary clubs of St Paul Sunrise, Minneapolis City of Lakes and Roseville.
Respectfully submitted,
Valdi Stefanson
