Why don't you meet Osama bin Laden, invite him to Brussels or to the White House and engage in talks, ask him what he wants and give it to him so he leaves you in peace? You find it possible to set some limitations in your dealings with these bastards, so why should we talk to people who are child-killers? No one has a moral right to tell us to talk to childkillers.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Putin argues that negotiating with Osama bin Laden is immoral because he is a child‑killer, and no one has the right to demand talks.
- In plain terms
- Putin says we shouldn’t talk to a child‑killer, as it’s immoral.
- What can you take from it?
- Moral objections can block diplomatic engagement.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When should moral concerns outweigh strategic dialogue?
- What are the risks of refusing talks?
Another view
Oversimplifies complex diplomatic considerations.
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