Jakki wrote:
I think during the Cold War Russia had a very stable economy. And actually many older Russians became quite familiar with that lifestyle . Even prospering. People lean towards what was familiar. Russia controlled the entire USSR , And I believe he , Puin wants that back . Russia controls large natural gas reserves and has created a pipeline into many European Countries and they have become reliant on it . Perhaps some how Germany has benefitted from
That business from Russia? Besides the USA still maintains military bases inside of Germany.
Yes, the main goal of Putin is to rebuild the position of Russia as an empire controlling a significant part of the world.
For historical and cultural reasons, East Slavic nations like Ukrainians and Belarussians are of particular interest to keep them under "Mother Russia".
So, Ukrainian pro-Western tendencies and their talks about joining EU and NATO are super irritating to Moscow. "Mother Russia" feels rejected and she doesn't take it well
BTW, "Mother Russia" is another concept made of pure propaganda. Kiev was a capital of a Russian-speaking state when what now is Moscow was just a steppe inhabited by nomads.
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Let's not confuse being normal with being mentally healthy.
<not moderating PPR stuff concerning East Europe>