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I've read this whole thread and as yet to read one answer on what Russian American's/visitors to the West or Europe for that matter.?? How they view Putin or what he is doing supporting a slaughterer Assad? Never mind lying as to what he is doing versus the truth of what is he doing.??????
I watched Syria's Ambassador to USA talk to day on MSM..He basically said it..Russia views anyone against the Assad dictatorship as "Terrorists"..so choses to kill those who are actually making inroads against his leadership. But what I couldn't understand with this Ambassador was him suggesting that Syria is a Sovereign Nation and needs their rights recognized blah blah...and allow true Syrians to voice their demands and allow Assad to deal with it to create a harmonious Country....
I about choked on my coffee....The In-house Syrian DID PROTEST PEACEFULLY and they got bombed/Gassed/and slaughtered..so they sought help....That is just like what Putin does in Russia..Has some Goon Sqaud kill any dissident ..and claim IDK?????Investigation..??? Nope don't know Nuttin!!
Ambassador sounded too full of Putin Rhetoric! I wonder why it took him so long to even have the nerve to go public?? Oh I know..he had to have a crash course in order to maintain that straight face..and answer the bullet points dictated to him by Putin...Assad is a lost cause in the rest of world's eyes..Only Russia and Iran actually support Assad the Butcher!!
I would love Turkey to nail one of Russian Bomber Jets if comes 1 cm past that boarder!!
Anyway...Do Russian American's who hear both sides of the issue have anything to say?? Maybe they are too scared IF they do..something will happen to their family back in Russia??? It wouldn't be the first time that has been suggested!
you are far from the policy, and generally far from understanding how the world works and what it takes place.
Well I'm a Russian American, I don't speak for all, and I know I have different opinions compared to most, for instance most Russians be that younge and old are conservatives, pro capitalist, and almost always vote republican. I however tend to be liberal, I believe in a free market, but I also think that socialist programs are good too, and I tend to side with democrats more often than with republicans. That being said my opinions on things going on in Russia are;
Putin: he's not the greats guy, probably has a closet full of skeletons, but he also loves his country and he is the best leader Russia has seen in a very very long time. I hope that someday better than him takes his place in 2018, but I don't think he should be made out an enemy.
Crimea: I'm for it being part of Russia, my family is from there and they all seem to agree, and those who are still living there voted for it going to Russia.
Donbas: huge tragedy!!! At this point with all the atrocities committed by Ukraine to these people I don't ever see this place bowing down to Ukraine. I hope that they will be allowed great autonomy similar to Scotland in the UK. And in general Ukraine needs to be federalized, no nation of that size should have a centralized government, and that applies to Russia too. Yes on paper it is a federation but Moscow still controls a lot, especially in the oblasts.
Syria: Assad is not the greatest guy either, but nocking down the government institutions and the social infrastructure already in place will do nothing but replace one snake with another. Just look at what happened to other Arab Spring countries. What needs to be done in my opinion is that the world needs to recognize Assad and his government as legitamit leaders of the nation. Force Assad to recognize the opposition, and have them plus the Kurds, and a select few countries such as the US, Russia, Turkey, UK etc. to discuss their future. Assad will have a time limit to place certain reforms and implement laws that prevent dictator from occurring, and prevent relegious radicels from taken nig power. and then have him step down and he retires somewhere. An election then takes me lace and the people vote on a new leader. Also durring the discussion it might also be best to split the nation up between Sunni, Shia, and Kurds if they can't stand each other that much, and have them be part of a loose economic federation, but politically independent.
Baltic states: Russis isn't stupid, it will never invade them. You can put extra troops as a precaution but seriously doubt you will ever use them.
Sanctions: at this point some sanctions need to be lifted as a sign of willing cooperation, the sanctions are doing more harm than good, especially in Europe.
Opposition: I think that the Russian gov is a bit harsh on them, I can't say with certainty if they killed Navalny (or what ever his name was) but I wouldn't overly surprised, but it also doesn't make sense. Also if the opposition wants a chance at winning they need a United front and message because at the moment they are very divided. And I don't think they are traitors, free speech is an integral part of having a free society and keeping your government in check. However this would be the wrong time for a full scale revolution like what happened in maidan, and hopefully will never happen in such a fashion. I am more in favor of the kind of revolution that Bernie Sanders in the US is trying to make.
Gay rights: most Russians both in Russia and out side are anti gay (gay is sin/unnatural). That being said I think that gay people should have rights, I think that no matter what you say they will always be there and there will always be gay couples so I think that at least there should civil unions allowed for them. I also think that the gay community both in Russia and outside need to understand the Russian culture, and the more flamboyant and the more they push, the more the Russian people will push back. So for instance I'm againts gay parades, because it's a public event and it is very provocative and sexual. It looks more like a gay strippers parade than a gay parade. I also think it might be good Idea for Russia to creat a gay colony/city where they can live their lives happily while not provoking the more conservative people of Russia, and they could still be productive people contributing to the Russian economy. It would somthing like the Jewish atonomous oblast, but on a much smaller scale.
Ukraine in general: I love Ukraine, I'm half Ukrainian myself and I hope that both Ukraine and Russia can go back to being brotherly nations. If Ukraine wants to be part of the EU then Russia needs to respect that and let them go. But I don't think they should be part of NATO since that will send a very bad and dangerous message to Russia.
Neo nazies/far right groups: they scare me and disgust me, not only are they in Ukraine, but also in Russia, and in Europe. It just makes me sad that my great grandparents fought againts these pigs, and now their grand kids and great grand kids want to destroy all of that and let the pigs back in, it's just alarming, and I feel like the world powers are not doing enough to curb this trend because if they don't do something they will be the new "Islamist" and trust it will be much worse. Russia needs to educate it's young people what fascism is, what hitler stood for, the people who died to save Russia. And also that things such as rasicm and sexism is unacceptable.
I think I brushed up on most of the talking points.
You are right in many respects well understand what is happening.
Dear author. What you do not like Putin? you are accustomed to blame Russia and Putin in all the world's ills, we tend to forget to look at his feet.
Late replying to this, but oh well. I hate Putin because he is exactly like Brezhnev in many ways. His foreign policy is eerily similar to the Brezhnev Doctrine.
Before 2014, things were going quite well and then the Euromaiden (Which was not instigated by the west btw.) occurred, then Crimea went spiraling out of control and finally Putin decided to send in troops into Crimea and take it over. He even admitted that there were Russian troops sent into Crimea.
Even worse, he's not doing anything to stop the rebels in Donbass at all despite the fact that they are on the border of his own country. Rather, he's letting the bloodshed continue.
Perhaps the nail in the coffin so to speak as to why I hate Putin and Medvedev both is because they back Iran, which is a country that I hate for obvious reasons (1979 Hostage Crisis, State Sponsor of Terrorism, takes Americans and other Western civilians hostage, etc.) As someone who likes Israel, a man who allies himself with the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is an enemy in my eyes and to a lot of Americans for that matter.
(Also, saying that the West or CIA instigated the Euromaiden is equivalent to saying that the West instigated the fall of the USSR imho).
In my honest opinion, the world should've simply let the whole situation with Ukraine and Crimea play out on it's own without foreign intervention. Much like with the Yugoslav Wars before the Kosovo War occurred.
Even though Crimea had autonomy, it still needed permission from the Ukrainian govt. to hold such a referendum. Just like with Scotland in the U.K, which also has autonomy.
Same logic goes with Syria. Rather than having foreign intervention to the point where Saudi Arabia and Turkey are now about to step in completely like how Russia has, the world should simply let that situation between Assad's forces and the Syrian Opposition play out on it's own.
Now I'm not going to lie, the West (NATO) doesn't have clean hands either. they have plenty of dirt on their hands as well. This goes all the way back to the 90s with the Balkans and later down the line Libya as well as Syria. It was wrong for NATO to escalate those situations like they did, but there's nothing that can be done about it now.
As of now, no matter what side you are on, may it be for the East or the West. The world seems to be ever encroaching towards WWIII with Syria and Ukraine.
But let's not get off track here. In the meantime, I still would like to see more replies from Russians living in the West such as the United Kingdom, Canada, etc.
Especially ones living in United States I.E. Russian Americans.
Last edited by Aethalstad; 02-15-2016 at 10:28 PM..
Re: 'I appreciate your two cents on all of this! Especially coming from a Russian American. However, I still would like to hear more answers from other Russian Americans'
Yes that would be interesting to see say differing opinions from grega94's post. I'm curious to know if there's a continuum or not of opinion hovering to the US side only, Russian side only or an amalgam of the two.
Here's their chance to speak up of dumping the US completely as the cause of all civilization's troubles , praising the 'old country' to high heaven while sacrificing to Vlad or perhaps understanding and looking at the two great countries having great weaknesses and strengths trying to get on in a world that is usually and continually trying to divide them.
Re: 'I appreciate your two cents on all of this! Especially coming from a Russian American. However, I still would like to hear more answers from other Russian Americans'
Yes that would be interesting to see say differing opinions from grega94's post. I'm curious to know if there's a continuum or not of opinion hovering to the US side only, Russian side only or an amalgam of the two.
Here's their chance to speak up of dumping the US completely as the cause of all civilization's troubles , praising the 'old country' to high heaven while sacrificing to Vlad or perhaps understanding and looking at the two great countries having great weaknesses and strengths trying to get on in a world that is usually and continually trying to divide them.
You are absolutely right! So far, most opinions that I have heard on this thread and the thread that proceeded this one are exactly like grega94's post.
In all honesty, I find it hard to believe that all Russian Americans support the Crimea Annexation by Russia and are supporters of Putin. I mean c'mon! The way that most Russians on here are portraying the whole situation with Crimea so far is basically "If you meet a Russian who's not for Crimea being part of Russia, he or she is most likely not Russian, but Ukrainian."
Same goes with Putin as well. Most of them keep on saying that Putin is a great leader and he is doing his job and all. Very little have said otherwise and one of them called me out on why I hate Putin.
Make no mistake, I appreciate and respect everyone's opinions on this thread. It's great to hear these opinions afterall. Even if those opinions differ from mine.
HOWEVER, I do find it odd that I haven't heard one opinion from a Russian American that is negative toward Putin and the Crimea Annexation.
That's all that I have to say other than the fact that you are absolutely right that now is their opportunity to do as you said and I quote yet again:
"speak up of dumping the US completely as the cause of all civilization's troubles , praising the 'old country' to high heaven while sacrificing to Vlad or perhaps understanding and looking at the two great countries having great weaknesses and strengths trying to get on in a world that is usually and continually trying to divide them"
In truth, I've been granting them this from the start, I'm honestly surprised they haven't done it yet.
Putin: he's not the greats guy, probably has a closet full of skeletons, but he also loves his country and he is the best leader Russia has seen in a very very long time. I hope that someday better than him takes his place in 2018, but I don't think he should be made out an enemy.
Crimea: I'm for it being part of Russia, my family is from there and they all seem to agree, and those who are still living there voted for it going to Russia.
Ok! I kinda owe you an apology on this these two, because to your credit at least you don't put your opinion on the Crimea Annexation like this:
"If you know a Russian who is against Crimean annexation, they are most likely NOT Russian, but a Ukrainian."
Because that is extremely broad to say.
So I apologize for my latest post when I kinda snapped at everyone and I respect your opinion when it comes to Putin as well. What I said in my latest post was mainly aimed at GreyKarest.
Ok! I kinda owe you an apology on this these two, because to your credit at least you don't put your opinion on the Crimea Annexation like this:
"If you know a Russian who is against Crimean annexation, they are most likely NOT Russian, but a Ukrainian."
Because that is extremely broad to say.
So I apologize for my latest post when I kinda snapped at everyone and I respect your opinion when it comes to Putin as well. What I said in my latest post was mainly aimed at GreyKarest.
That said, I hope I cleared things up!
No apology needed, I didn't even think you were angry, and if you were I didn't even know it was directed at me, you are free to think however you feel, the world would be extremely boring if everyone agreed with me. I love debating, so feel free to hate Putin, trust me I won't be offended and neither will most russians. I understand why you don't like the guy, I just think he gets a little bit to much critasism compared to other world leaders who are far worse than he is, and be happy it is Putin in charge of Russia because he is pretty moderate and level headed compared to some other politions who would've by now taken over Ukraine, Turkey, and Syria. As far as Crimea, generally Russisns support annexation, why wouldn't they? Not even the opposition is opposed to it. Crimea was a gift to Ukraine for the 300 year anniversary of when the Ukrainian Cossack country united with Russia. But now they are not united, and Ukraine doesn't want to do anything with Russia and are currently erasing Russia out of their history, so why do they deserve such a gift? Also it was given to them because it made economical sense, they were going to build a canal from the dinieper river to the arid Crimea, and it would be a lot easier to do it if it was all under one jurisdiction. Furthermore the transfer was unconstitutional because neither Crimea nor the Russian SFSR was asked permission. If Ukraine hadn't opposed it, Crimeans were going to declare independence from Ukraine back in 1994 anyway.
No apology needed, I didn't even think you were angry, and if you were I didn't even know it was directed at me, you are free to think however you feel, the world would be extremely boring if everyone agreed with me. I love debating, so feel free to hate Putin, trust me I won't be offended and neither will most russians. I understand why you don't like the guy, I just think he gets a little bit to much critasism compared to other world leaders who are far worse than he is, and be happy it is Putin in charge of Russia because he is pretty moderate and level headed compared to some other politions who would've by now taken over Ukraine, Turkey, and Syria. As far as Crimea, generally Russisns support annexation, why wouldn't they? Not even the opposition is opposed to it. Crimea was a gift to Ukraine for the 300 year anniversary of when the Ukrainian Cossack country united with Russia. But now they are not united, and Ukraine doesn't want to do anything with Russia and are currently erasing Russia out of their history, so why do they deserve such a gift? Also it was given to them because it made economical sense, they were going to build a canal from the dinieper river to the arid Crimea, and it would be a lot easier to do it if it was all under one jurisdiction. Furthermore the transfer was unconstitutional because neither Crimea nor the Russian SFSR was asked permission. If Ukraine hadn't opposed it, Crimeans were going to declare independence from Ukraine back in 1994 anyway.
Most neutral world countries (like Brazil) have the same opinion about Crimea. It was a gift from Russia to Ukraine when both were the same country, Crimea is historically Russian so if Ukrainians don’t want more contact with Russians and they want to be Europe Union and NATO Russia has the right of take it back and it is not aggression. Because that Brazil and our allies South Americans countries continuum supplying food to Russians and not sanctioning them.
No apology needed, I didn't even think you were angry, and if you were I didn't even know it was directed at me, you are free to think however you feel, the world would be extremely boring if everyone agreed with me. I love debating, so feel free to hate Putin, trust me I won't be offended and neither will most russians. I understand why you don't like the guy, I just think he gets a little bit to much critasism compared to other world leaders who are far worse than he is, and be happy it is Putin in charge of Russia because he is pretty moderate and level headed compared to some other politions who would've by now taken over Ukraine, Turkey, and Syria. As far as Crimea, generally Russisns support annexation, why wouldn't they? Not even the opposition is opposed to it. Crimea was a gift to Ukraine for the 300 year anniversary of when the Ukrainian Cossack country united with Russia. But now they are not united, and Ukraine doesn't want to do anything with Russia and are currently erasing Russia out of their history, so why do they deserve such a gift? Also it was given to them because it made economical sense, they were going to build a canal from the dinieper river to the arid Crimea, and it would be a lot easier to do it if it was all under one jurisdiction. Furthermore the transfer was unconstitutional because neither Crimea nor the Russian SFSR was asked permission. If Ukraine hadn't opposed it, Crimeans were going to declare independence from Ukraine back in 1994 anyway.
Indeed I enjoy debating as well. Obviously Russians in Russia support the annexation of Crimea. That is a given, just as they generally support Putin.
However, there are Russians that are opposed to the Crimea annexation. The opposition is opposed to Putin and his actions in Ukraine, Crimea included. There were rallies in Moscow back in 2014 against the Crimea invasion Ukraine crisis: Moscow rally opposes Crimea intervention - BBC News
Now, it's understandable that you probably might not trust Western Media outlets as much as I do, but that's to be expected.
Also, Nalvany doesn't oppose Crimea being part of Russia. True, but he has gotten a lot of heat from his standpoint on it from parts of the opposition itself. (A lot of hate on twitter that's for sure.).
Look, I can understand a lot of Russian Americans supporting the Crimea annexation and Putin, thinking of him as a good leader, but somehow I just can't and don't see most, if not nearly all Russian Americans having the same viewpoint on the Crimea annexation and a similar viewpoint on the situation with Ukraine in general. Considering that I have met some Russian Americans myself, despite the fact that I've never bothered to ask about their political viewpoints to a large extent.
Like what had been said earlier on this thread, don't paint all Russians with the same brush.
Another thing that was discussed earlier on this thread was that most of the youth (girls in particular) are not exactly or at all interested in politics and are for the most part unaware of what's going on as a result. This applies to American and Russian youth, particularly with girls.
Finally, when it comes to Russian Americans, you can't lump all of them in the same boat when it comes to opinions, may it be Crimea or anything else for that matter, hence what I meant by saying "don't paint all Russians with the same brush".
Now, although some of us are pretty young ourselves, it's pretty safe to assume that we are more well informed than the general public. That's all that I have to say.
Most neutral world countries (like Brazil) have the same opinion about Crimea. It was a gift from Russia to Ukraine when both were the same country, Crimea is historically Russian so if Ukrainians don’t want more contact with Russians and they want to be Europe Union and NATO Russia has the right of take it back and it is not aggression. Because that Brazil and our allies South Americans countries continuum supplying food to Russians and not sanctioning them.
Now you see, this is the kind of rhetoric and talk that worries me along with many westerners a little bit. Sorry EVANGELISTTI, but unfortunately that is NOT how foreign policy works! Regardless if a territory has historic ties to another country does not give that country the green light to take it over. This is covered by U.N. international law!
Also, most neutral countries are neutral. If they have the same opinion about Crimea, then they are not truly neutral to begin with because they do not have a neutral opinion.
Moreover, if you think that Crimea was a gift to the Ukrainians, think again:
First off Crimea was historically Greek-Byzantine first off as they had the peninsula for thousands of years and then it was taken over by the Tatars and then taken over by the Tsars of the Russian Empire and then it was briefly in Ukrainian hands during the late 1910s-early 1920s when Ukraine was the Ukrainian People's Republic and then it became part of Russia again and under Stalin, the Tatar majority was displaced, thus making ethnic Russians the majority. Then Ukraine got it back and then kept it up until 2014 and is still recognized as part of Ukraine by the U.N.
If anything, by your logic with historical ties, then Greece should have Crimea, especially since they have an ethnic minority over there. Never thought of that did you?
Anyway, as much as I love debating, it's at this point that it is safe to assume that the thread is just going to go around in circles now. So in the meantime, I'm out.
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