An attempt to confront the two arguments, pro- and anti-Putin and pro- and anti-Trump, directly, with the impartial spectator as the imaginary "trial" judge
Thanks for reposting this. Skidelsky never disappoints. Brilliant, calm, equitable.
The one thing I might question is when he excuses the Poroshenko regime from oppressing the Russians/Russophone Ukrainians in the eastern oblasts. He writes that the regime was not committing genocide. No, of course not, but it was, if reports are true, committing mass murder and otherwise discriminating.
Where does this narrative about "invading Ukraine" come from? It is like saying that Houthis trying to liberate Gaza, "invade Israel". Russia interfered with Banderite conquest of Donbass, which was NOT Ukraine. Donetsk and Luhansk strongly objected to Ukrainian conquest and separated themselves. Banderites were furious and decided to bomb all Donbass civilians as "terrorists" and take Donbass as "the land without people", they mimicked Israel's actions in Palestine. Donbass republics asked Russia for protection and Russia interfered. They never "invaded" anybody. The West gives the Banderites unlimited power over the whole "territory" that has been made up. There cannot be any "sovereign and independent Ukraine" if the land is taken by conquest and civilian massacres. Russia interfered with Ukrainian Nazi conquest, not "invaded Ukraine".
Thanks for reposting this. Skidelsky never disappoints. Brilliant, calm, equitable.
The one thing I might question is when he excuses the Poroshenko regime from oppressing the Russians/Russophone Ukrainians in the eastern oblasts. He writes that the regime was not committing genocide. No, of course not, but it was, if reports are true, committing mass murder and otherwise discriminating.
Where does this narrative about "invading Ukraine" come from? It is like saying that Houthis trying to liberate Gaza, "invade Israel". Russia interfered with Banderite conquest of Donbass, which was NOT Ukraine. Donetsk and Luhansk strongly objected to Ukrainian conquest and separated themselves. Banderites were furious and decided to bomb all Donbass civilians as "terrorists" and take Donbass as "the land without people", they mimicked Israel's actions in Palestine. Donbass republics asked Russia for protection and Russia interfered. They never "invaded" anybody. The West gives the Banderites unlimited power over the whole "territory" that has been made up. There cannot be any "sovereign and independent Ukraine" if the land is taken by conquest and civilian massacres. Russia interfered with Ukrainian Nazi conquest, not "invaded Ukraine".