The Independent newspaper published an article in which its author indicated that the world has witnessed many abhorrent acts committed by Russia against the Ukrainian people, which urged some to search for the reasons for their occurrence, and how politicians and prominent personalities increasingly believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin Crazy or mentally ill.
Author Ian Hamilton, senior lecturer in addiction and mental health at York University, commented that this description sounds not only heavy but dangerous.
He reasoned that part of the stigma associated with people with mental illness is based on fear of what they might do;
It is dangerous and possibly violent.
The second problem with calling Putin "crazy" is that he removes responsibility for his actions and, by relieving him of being in control, is thus responsible for his orders.
It is all too easy for Western politicians to make unwarranted statements about Putin's state of mind, but they risk delaying an end to a war that continues to harm soldiers and civilians in both countries.
The writer added that it is ironic that this negates the reality of what is happening in Ukraine, which is that Putin is in full mental strength, and uses it - as indicated by the Russian media - to personally monitor the operations of his forces there.
The writer also points out the logic of “be careful not to try to negotiate with a crazy person” because it is unpredictable and unreliable.
This is again where the notion that Putin is "crazy" is misjudged and will have lasting consequences and could prolong the conflict in Ukraine.
He asked: How can peace talks continue when Western leaders see Putin as mentally ill?
He cautioned that it is very easy for Western politicians to make unjustified statements about Putin's state of mind, but they risk delaying the end of the war, which continues to harm soldiers and civilians in the two countries.
The writer concluded his article by saying that you should stop pretending that Putin is crazy, and describe his actions as evil.