Quote (bogie160 @ Feb 18 2022 03:55pm)
I did not say that Ukraine is presently wealthier than Russia. What I did say is that Ukrainian development lies in the West. I see, Ukrainians see it. They look at Poland, Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania and they want what those countries have. Can you imagine being a Pole and wanting to be under Russia's thumb? Of course not, the Polish model is far superior.
Biden is not orchestrating Ukrainian policy because he doesn't have anything to offer them worthwhile in exchange for their lives. Ukraine understands that open conflict with the DPR/LPR, regardless of who starts it, means war with Russia, which makes almost every decision of note in the two republics. Biden has said emphatically that he is not going to intervene military in Ukraine. Why on earth would Ukrainian politicians, officers, and soldiers commit (literal) suicide on behalf of a power thousands of miles away that refuses to over them direct military support?
By the way, I am still waiting for the below.
If Ukraine wants to develop stronger economic ties with the EU, then there is nothing stopping them from doing so. This they have already done to a certain degree by taking on IMF debt.
However, to say that even if Ukraine does somehow defy the odds and prosper despite their economy being destroyed by the war, to say that this will harm Putin personally is silly. This isn't the 90's anymore when Russia was teetering on the edge economically - the situation has improved for them over the past 20 years or so. Furthermore, they have a strong industrial base which has been made stronger by sanctions, as these sanctions have forced them to become self-reliant and rely less on the west in general. Is the standard of living amazing in Russia? No, not everywhere, but the improvement has been good enough that people aren't desperate like they were in the past. It is true there was a time when Russians were dazzled by the west and wanted to be more like them. Now there is just a general feeling of disgust due to what they see as the west's constant attempts to subvert them, and whom they see as responsible for triggering the crisis in Ukraine. You could see the liberal party as being the pro-west opposition group in Russia that is opposed to Putin. This group polls somewhere in the range of 5% support from the population. Not exactly a huge pro-west movement.
I said it before and I'll say it again. Where Russia's real concern lies is whether or not Ukraine joins NATO. This is a red-line for them - like how it was a red-line for the US when the Soviets wanted to put nukes in Cuba.
At any rate, I would love for you to be right that Ukraine is not going to attack Donbass. These people should be spared further destruction. Though we're on the brink, there is still time for them to change their minds and turn the situation around. Don't act surprised, though, if this turns out not to be the case and shit hits the proverbial fan either next week or later this month.
When I have time I will look for a reputable source regarding troops on Ukraine's border. It's not my job, though, to disprove Biden's propaganda every time he makes up a ridiculous lie. They lie constantly. So does the entire mass media. My hope is that over time more people will develop an eye for spotting propaganda and develop an inner instinctual gut feeling for when something isn't true.