Where he’s coming from, based on what I’ve seen, is the assertion that Ukraine was in civil war before the 2022 invasion (basically true), and that the eastern separatists (who were indeed fighting Ukraine’s government) were being killed.
It’s also true that there was corruption, and some democratic backsliding, prior to the invasion (not that the US or Russia have any leg to stand on there).
The kool-aid part is that the separatists were fighting to “free” western Ukraine from the tyrannical govt, and that Russia finally invaded to save and “relieve” these noble citizens who want to be part of Russia. That everyone would vote this way if some elections weren’t suspended. This conveniently leaves out the first Russian invasion, propaganda efforts and so much more.
This is why Ukraine “started it.” They just kept attacking these rebels and forced Russia to intervene… I guess. On Putin’s side, it ties into the idea of an oppressed population yearning to be one with Russia again.
…What I am getting at is, with the MASSIVE intelligence apparatus at his disposal, Trump is guzzling this kool aid. He’s not a two faced dictator, he believes the propaganda and has swallowed the hook.
I think that is even scarier than a real “dictator.” Even if you buy into the whole “America First” philosophy (which has some merits at least), it means Trump can make monumentally bad decisions that don’t follow this mandate or even benefit him, as his view is totally warped.
It would have worked again if the second invasion hadn’t trended so much, encouraging other countries to intervene, and if Ukraine itself hadn’t put up such a staunch, united resistance.
The alleged reason why Russia attacked was because they want a buffer zone of neutral countries around them. Apparently the US has been running its agenda pushing for Eastern European countries to join NATO knowing it’d stir some shit by ruffling Russia’s delicate feathers. So Russia panicked when Ukraine looked to join NATO at the US’s suggestion and basically used the gay panic defense but for the Western allegiance arriving in their backyard and invaded under a pretext.
Yes, the USA did ignore Russia’s concerns knowingly (and did some very questionable shit inside Ukraine, as usual) but Russia imagined the worst scenario for themselves and did the illegal shit.
Where he’s coming from, based on what I’ve seen, is the assertion that Ukraine was in civil war before the 2022 invasion (basically true), and that the eastern separatists (who were indeed fighting Ukraine’s government) were being killed.
It’s also true that there was corruption, and some democratic backsliding, prior to the invasion (not that the US or Russia have any leg to stand on there).
The kool-aid part is that the separatists were fighting to “free” western Ukraine from the tyrannical govt, and that Russia finally invaded to save and “relieve” these noble citizens who want to be part of Russia. That everyone would vote this way if some elections weren’t suspended. This conveniently leaves out the first Russian invasion, propaganda efforts and so much more.
This is why Ukraine “started it.” They just kept attacking these rebels and forced Russia to intervene… I guess. On Putin’s side, it ties into the idea of an oppressed population yearning to be one with Russia again.
…What I am getting at is, with the MASSIVE intelligence apparatus at his disposal, Trump is guzzling this kool aid. He’s not a two faced dictator, he believes the propaganda and has swallowed the hook.
I think that is even scarier than a real “dictator.” Even if you buy into the whole “America First” philosophy (which has some merits at least), it means Trump can make monumentally bad decisions that don’t follow this mandate or even benefit him, as his view is totally warped.
Didn’t Russia use this tactic to annex part of Georgia’s territory back in 2008?
IIRC yes.
It would have worked again if the second invasion hadn’t trended so much, encouraging other countries to intervene, and if Ukraine itself hadn’t put up such a staunch, united resistance.
It also didn’t help that Crimea kept on popping up here and there too.
The alleged reason why Russia attacked was because they want a buffer zone of neutral countries around them. Apparently the US has been running its agenda pushing for Eastern European countries to join NATO knowing it’d stir some shit by ruffling Russia’s delicate feathers. So Russia panicked when Ukraine looked to join NATO at the US’s suggestion and basically used the gay panic defense but for the Western allegiance arriving in their backyard and invaded under a pretext.
Yes, the USA did ignore Russia’s concerns knowingly (and did some very questionable shit inside Ukraine, as usual) but Russia imagined the worst scenario for themselves and did the illegal shit.