Member-only story
Europe and the US to shoulder some of the blame for the Ukraine war
Insights from everyday Russians.
When I wrote my article “What people don’t understand about Russia” found here , I showed it to many of my Russian students and friends.
Many of them liked the piece but one curious reaction was, though they agreed with it, they didn’t like that a non-Russian had written it. Though they were against Putin and the war, criticizing their motherland by a non-Russian stung somewhat. I find that interesting, as I really loathe faux patriotism that prevents people acknowledging faults in their country- or that THEY can say it but others can’t. This doesn’t just apply to Russia, but everywhere. My native Australia, you can freely criticize and I might agree with you or laugh at you but I won’t be offended. We Australians like to make fun of ourselves aplenty. Though this habit is falling away and saddens me.
The other reaction I got was that I failed to discuss Europe, notably Germany, and the US. It would have been an awfully long article if I discussed everything in it, but my Russian friends felt I missed this key point.
How is the West to blame?
- Germany
No, my Russian friends weren’t talking about NATO expansion or EU expansion which the Kremlin harp on…
