re: Latest Updates: Russia-Ukraine Conflict

I am against all wars. I would not have fought voluntarily in any war in our history with the possible exception of the American Revolution.

I think it's a culture thing. My exes father subjected us to many such history "conversations" with her as the translator.

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Putin is not a communist. He is a Tsarist. He has never wanted to go back to communism. Communism failed in the USSR. He is interested in empire and sphere of influence. Putin absolutely admires some of the Tsars.

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This. 100%.

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Putin is not a communist. He is a Tsarist. He has never wanted to go back to communism. Communism failed in the USSR. So did Tsarism.

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Correct, in fact for decades Russia has been an aggressor nation; while they flounder behind Europe and the West economically.

No matter what you called them, they are losers.

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So did Tsarism.

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Not in creating and expanding the empire. They were very, very successful at that.

His trans amigos

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In Putin's propaganda, Russia is never at fault and is always the victim.

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This isn’t Putin propaganda. It is etched into the psyche of Russians as a people.

Putin wasn’t lying becuase lying means you don’t believe what you are saying. Putin believes Russia is the victim because their people are bred to believe they are a victim. It’s in their culture.

His “propaganda” is so effective at home because it echoes with their very being: Russia is always under attack, Russia is always trying to do the right thing, and everyone else is always the reason for their struggles. The concept of “well we kinda fricked ourselves” is foreign to them as a people.

This is why they only understand force. It’s not for some “uncivilized” reason, but because everything is justified in their view because they are victims; and any failures are a result of specific “Russophobia” and having to overcome obstacles that only Russia has to face.

You cannot expect Russia to stop because of any introspective activity. They have to be stopped

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I am saying that the Tsars were very successful in expanding the empire and incorporating territory into the empire.

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I got what you were saying. Wasn't meaning to respond to that post. NOt even trying to respond in this thread.

I need lunch.


However, their empire was pretty shittily ran. Hence why they were overthrown by revolts after a short period.

So...Tsarism did fail.

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Putin wasn’t lying becuase lying means you don’t believe what you are saying.

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Never said he was lying. I did say he was telling/giving the Russian version.

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His “propaganda” is so effective at home because it echoes with their very being: Russia is always under attack, Russia is always trying to do the right thing, and everyone else is always the reason for their struggles.

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This I agree with somewhat. Call it brainwashing/indocrination/propaganda, whatever you wish. This was also used very effectively by Stalin and the Soviets after WWII. But remember, in a way they are paranoid as hell because historically they have been invaded many times. Napoleon, Hitler and even back before Napoleon. That invasion by Hitler cost them about 27 million people. There are examples of where the Russians lost more killed and wounded in a single battle on the Eastern front than the US lost in the European and Pacific fronts combined. That war and invasion weighs heavily on their minds even today. They view that war alot differently than we do. It effected their society much differently. I still say that Soviet leaders and Putin have/still use(d) that for political reasons. Stalin believed and established the practice of "Security by Depth", in other words buffer zones to protect against invasion. That is one reason that the Tsars incorporated so much land. Security by Depth. You can't beat me if you can't reach me. Putin wants to re-establish buffer zones for that same purpose and that includes Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, etc. Plus he believes that these are " historical Russian" lands and that incorporates his view of Tsarist empire and spheres of influence. He believes that the West's goal is to surround Russia and eventually break it up. He said it during the interview.

Thanks. I agree with you that in the fact that Putin is selling his actions to the people as an example of This is a fight against the West. The West is out to destroy us. This is not about Ukraine.
And you are correct that this has been ingrained into the Russian mind for decades. Whether one believes it or not, a large portion of the Russian people do.