Here's a theory! Make Kyiv the capital of Russia! Replace dying Putin with President Zelensky

Wait! Wait! Maybe, there is one way to unite Ukraine and Russia??

Check the theory described in the Mackinder's Heartland Theory.

Opinion published in the Bismark Tribune.

"The Geographical Pivot of History" is an article submitted by Halford John Mackinder in 1904, to the Royal Geographical Society

Halford John MacKinder (1861-1947)- geographer: Heartland lay at the center of the world island, stretching from the Volga to the Yangtze and from the Himalayas to the Arctic. Mackinder's Heartland was the area then ruled by the Russian Empire and after that by the Soviet Union. 

Vladimir Putin may talk about “historical unity” among Russians and Ukrainians as “one people.” 

Putin may talk about restoring Russia to (delusional!) greatness. One man stands in the way of realizing this dream – Vladimir Putin (and, if current reporting is authentic, this evil tyrant is ailing before our eyes, reports about cancer and Parkinson's Disease, early dementia).

If Putin truly seeks to cement his name in the history books, as the man who restores Russian empire, there is a clear path in front of him. He would surrender to Ukraine, so Ukraine would annex the Russian Federation! 

Kyiv would then become Russia's capital. Volodymyr Zelenskyy would become Putin's successor. This plan would implement Mackinder's Heartland Theory*, so central to Russian strategy.

Kyiv is the oldest capital city of “The Three Russias,” heart of not only Ukraine's fight for freedom, but also that of Belarus and Muscovite Russia. 

In fact, Kyiv has greater strategic depth than Novgorod or St. Petersburg. In any case, Moscow only gained its preeminence since the Mongol invasion.

Don't expect Vladimir Putin to swallow his pride. His talk of nationalism is a farce because it is all about him. Whenever he has a choice between keeping his perks of office and the best interests of Russian imperialism, he puts himself first.

Unlike Putin, an enlightened Russian imperialist would avoid creating conditions for making Ukrainian nationalism flourish. Putin's massacres have solidified Ukrainians against him, particularly Russian-speaking Ukrainians.

Unlike Putin, an enlightened Russian imperialist would not imitate the Fascism, cult of personality, and mistakes of Benito Mussolini.

Unlike Putin, an enlightened Russian imperialist would not push his western neighbors into the arms of NATO.

Kyiv could become Russia's once and future capital! The spirit of Alexander Nevsky is with Ukraine.

Vladimir Putin still has a chance to restore the “Russian World” to the greatness he dreams of. But only if he swallows his pride and surrenders to Ukraine.

I won't hold my breath.

Andrew Alexis Varvel, Bismarck, North Dakota

*Mackinder thought that whoever controlled Eastern Europe –the Heartland—would control the world. The idea was that whoever gained control of Eastern Europe, controlled the Heartland –also known as the Pivot Area—and whoever controlled the Heartland, could easily gain control of the World Island (Africa and Eurasia).