By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The sanctions imposed on Russia are having a significant impact on my ability to travel. Due to the refusal of “friendly” countries to refuel my plane, I have encountered difficulties on recent trips to South Africa and Brazil. This situation arises from the widespread ownership of aviation fuel companies by non-governmental entities, leaving “friendly” countries apprehensive about potential secondary sanctions. As a result, I have been forced to rely on alternative transportation methods, such as utilizing the planes of my counterparts, highlighting the ongoing challenges of international travel for Russian officials in this new geopolitical landscape.
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Imagine being so out of touch that you complain about not being able to refuel your plane due to sanctions. That’s exactly what happened when the Russian Foreign Minister, a man who should probably stick to traveling by car, train or boat, whined about “friendly” countries refusing to refuel his plane. Apparently, the problem isn’t that his country is invading a sovereign nation, killing innocent civilians, and engaging in all sorts of war crimes – it’s the inconvenience of not being able to fly in style.
This “friendly” country business is laughable. It’s as if he thinks the world still sees Russia as a respectable power player. The reality is that Russia has become a global pariah, isolated and ostracized for its barbaric actions. The sanctions, a necessary response to its aggression, are a testament to that.
Perhaps he should take a moment to reflect on the hypocrisy of accusing the West of neocolonialism while Russia is actively trying to rebuild its own empire through force. Or maybe he should simply accept that he’s lucky those countries didn’t blow up his plane altogether.
It’s almost comical how he expects the world to bend to his whims, especially when he’s the one who’s created this global mess. The sanctions aren’t a personal vendetta against him; they’re a direct consequence of his country’s actions. And frankly, they should be strengthened, not lifted.
The irony is thick enough to cut with a knife: the man who represents a nation actively trying to rewrite the rules of international order complains about the rules themselves. It’s a perfect example of how Russia has lost its way, caught in its own delusion of grandeur.
This is not about “friendly” countries being mean, it’s about the world holding Russia accountable for its actions. Until there’s a change in Russia’s behavior, the sanctions will remain. And the only way to avoid future inconveniences like not being able to refuel your plane is to stop invading your neighbors. It’s time for the Russian Foreign Minister to wake up and smell the reality of his country’s actions. The world isn’t going to come crawling back until Russia shows genuine remorse and commits to a peaceful path.