Quote Originally Posted by wanderlust View Post
Buda - understand where you're coming from despite the propaganda videos...but Ukraine is an internationally recognised independent state and as such has every right to join NATO or any other club it wishes to - and it is none of Russia's business if they do. Just because they allegedly feel "threatened" they have no right to invade. Whilst local racism undoubtedly exists on both sides, they are a relatively small minority of fanatics as the vast majority of people in the Donbass have co-existed comfortably for a very long time. The fanatics are an excuse for war like invading the UK because of Millwall fans. Exactly the same tactics as Chechnya.
Did Ukraine attack the Eastern States that declared their independence? No - and yet they had more reason to feel threatened especially after the Russians annexed the Crimea.
This is about one thing only according to many people close to Putin - his undying shame about the collapse of the USSR and his obsession with stamping his name in history by reestablishing the Russkyi Mir - making Russia great again now that he and his old KGB colleagues have taken back control of the state from Yeltsin's cronies.
He doesn't represent the Russian people - he brainwashes them through the state controlled media and rules by fear.

How do you know he does not represent the Russian people?Do you live in Russia?Or is it because the impartial BBC and CNN told you so.Evidence suggests it is you who is being brainwashed Wander.Why do you think they are banning all media that has a different point of view.Why is Germany for instance locking up independent journalists?
Over 80% of Russians approve of Vladimir Putins actions in June 2022:-

https://www.statista.com/statistics/...rating-russia/

The West accounts for 13% of the worlds population and a surprising number of people in the West agree that NATO are to blame for the Ukraine crisis.87% of the worlds population can see through the hypocrisy of the West and continue to do business with Russia.