China Dictatorship (中国独裁统治)

47.8.2. Russo-Ukrainian War (俄乌战争, Російсько-українська війна, 2014-)

The situation is basically the same as that of Belarus (Белоруссия): Russia wants buffer states/human shields between itself and its possible enemies, The West. Just like he USA did during the Cuban Missile Crisis (古巴导弹危机, 1962). It is just too important strategically for the Russians.

Some things that must be said:

Ukraine is/was not a proper democracy. There was only limited freedom of speech.
there is a some level neo-Nazi-like movement in Ukraine. Of course, this is just an excuse for Russian invasion, but it is there.

This is something the USA should recognize, and promise not to expand NATO/EU there:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnHo6JXxcQM The War in Ukraine by Glenn Greenwald (2022) Mentions how USA was very influential in Ukraine since the 2014 revolution. Another point is on the Trump election, democrats were accusing Trump of being supported by the Russians, which led it to become a taboo to talk to Russians, and strained relations between the USA and Russia.

Some other pearls:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/11/russia-un-claims-us-backed-biological-weapon-plot-kremlin-foreign-fighters-ukraine Russia claims US has biological weapons development in Ukrains… that’s insane, why would they develop weapons next door to Russia, where billion dollar research would be at constant risk of disruption and capture, not to mention the risk of starting world war 3!!! Resonates with United States accusations of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq though. However, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmyDGZsrQyA mentions that the US knew about biological weapons research facilities in Ukraine.
Police make more than 1,700 arrests as protesters take to the streets in cities across country https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/24/we-dont-want-this-russians-react-to-the-ukraine-invasion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8X7Ng75e5gQ Vladimir Pozner: How the United States Created Vladimir Putin (2018) Basically says it was a similar bullshit to what the allies did after WWI, rather than invest in the country, they were more willing to punish it, or ignore it. Notably disastrous was the enlargement of NATO in 1996 to move East including Poland, which the USA had promised not to do during discussions for the reunification of Germany in 1989. When Putin came to power, he propoesd that Russia should join the NATO or the European Union, and again he was turned down.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrMiSQAGOS4 Why is Ukraine the West’s Fault? by John Mearsheimer (2015) Interesting points: 1) Ukraine is badly split, the East is really pro-Russia unification, and the West really pro-European. 2) The Americans didn’t like the Cuban Missile Crisis (古巴导弹危机, 1962)", where an enemy power would install weapons on its borders. Ukraine is the same for the Russians. 3) The West wants Russia to be on our side against China. That is the big fight coming up. And in the Middle East. So we have to give some them some concessions. Ciro is a bit saddened by this kind of Realpolitik (现实政治), which completely disregards principles, but unfortunately, especially when dealing with dictatorships, it is the only way perhaps, choosing the lesser of two evils.

https://youtu.be/wtyA3VJQn1g?t=53 French state television pre 2022 invasion interview with brainwashed Russian. The pricesless moment is when they ask if the troop buildup on Ukraine’s borders pre-2022 invasion don’t worry him. To which he answers: "it’s our side of the border, so we can do whatever we want". Ukraine, on the other hand, can’t do whatever they want, e.g. join NATO.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-gpIs3rcFk Ukraine: Invade us if you are gay | Russia: meme.