Russia’s own diplomats have clearly stated their reasons for invading Ukraine to the UN during televised meetings. The mental gymnastics to come up with more palatable explanations are stupid given that actual Russian representatives have confirmed that the nonsense about denazification and genocide are their official reasons for invading.
Russia’s own diplomats have clearly stated their reasons for invading Ukraine to the UN during televised meetings. The mental gymnastics to come up with more palatable explanations are stupid given that actual Russian representatives have confirmed that the nonsense about denazification and genocide are their official reasons for invading.
Ah yes, Russian diplomats. Well-known for their transparency and honest recitation of Russia's strategy.
And call you a Russian stooge. They are unable to think objectively and/or abstractly. All they understand is "Ukraine GOOD! Russia BAD!"
When you start deliberately bombing and shelling civillians you lose the benefit of nuanced consideration of your motivations. Whether he was right or wrong for invading, and whether Ukraine was in the right or wrong in the past, Russia and Putin are very clearly in the wrong here.
Russia’s own diplomats have clearly stated their reasons for invading Ukraine to the UN during televised meetings. The mental gymnastics to come up with more palatable explanations are stupid given that actual Russian representatives have confirmed that the nonsense about denazification and genocide are their official reasons for invading.
Ah yes, Russian diplomats. Well-known for their transparency and honest recitation of Russia's strategy.
Strategy is not what is under discussion here. I did not claim that Russian diplomats are sharing Russia’s strategy.
you’re trying to tell us that Russia has valid reasons for the invasion, but they are choosing to instead present stupid reasons to the UN?
There's a difference between trying to understand someone's motivations and endorsing those motivations.
Why do people not get that?
In this context, 'understand' is most often meant to imply being partially sympathetic toward and granting justification for. It implies that the action is rational and reasonable.'
'I don't agree with it, but I understand why he did it.'
There's a reason Hitler scholars don't often say "I understand why Hitler did it."
"I understand why Ted Bundy did what he did," is not something you are going to hear from most people.
There's a difference between trying to understand someone's motivations and endorsing those motivations.
Why do people not get that?
In this context, 'understand' is most often meant to imply being partially sympathetic toward and granting justification for. It implies that the action is rational and reasonable.'
'I don't agree with it, but I understand why he did it.'
There's a reason Hitler scholars don't often say "I understand why Hitler did it."
"I understand why Ted Bundy did what he did," is not something you are going to hear from most people.
Most people understand this. Maybe you don't.
That's your interpretation, I don't agree with it.
Let me ask you something: As the United States, would you rather negotiate with Putin if you understood his true motivations and goals, or if you believed some straw man interpretation of his actions?
Ultimately, I believe he's an imperialist who wants to expand the territory and control of Russia. As a secondary goal, I think he wants to challenge the hegemony of the West and perhaps create an axis with China that can operate completely outside of the US / Western Europe paradigm.
I think he's also genuinely threatened by NATO and wants to create a buffer zone.
However, there's a lot of propaganda coming out from both sides. Ukraine was doing a lot of really shady things before the war. Ukraine was also flaunting their independence in Russia's face, knowing Russia had imperialist intentions.
War is complex and dirty. It's easy to label one side as "bad" and the other as "good" but the truth lies somewhere in the middle.
There's a difference between trying to understand someone's motivations and endorsing those motivations.
Why do people not get if his motives have been revealed then that is the explanation. to then understand them would be to say you would not be against doing the same thing if in his position
In this context, 'understand' is most often meant to imply being partially sympathetic toward and granting justification for. It implies that the action is rational and reasonable.'
'I don't agree with it, but I understand why he did it.'
There's a reason Hitler scholars don't often say "I understand why Hitler did it."
"I understand why Ted Bundy did what he did," is not something you are going to hear from most people.
Most people understand this. Maybe you don't.
That's your interpretation, I don't agree with it.
Let me ask you something: As the United States, would you rather negotiate with Putin if you understood his true motivations and goals, or if you believed some straw man interpretation of his actions?
I would also hope the people in our government would understand the implication of publicly stating, "I understand Putin's motivations."
It's understandable that some people on a message board are fairly clueless about the nuances of the English language.
Do you really think there are people who think we should negotiate blindly? Do you really think there are people who think we should not try to figure out his motivations? The fact that you are confused by all this and pose such a ridiculous question makes me question your own motivations. (and intelligence)
Ultimately, I believe he's an imperialist who wants to expand the territory and control of Russia. As a secondary goal, I think he wants to challenge the hegemony of the West and perhaps create an axis with China that can operate completely outside of the US / Western Europe paradigm.
I think he's also genuinely threatened by NATO and wants to create a buffer zone.
However, there's a lot of propaganda coming out from both sides. Ukraine was doing a lot of really shady things before the war. Ukraine was also flaunting their independence in Russia's face, knowing Russia had imperialist intentions.
War is complex and dirty. It's easy to label one side as "bad" and the other as "good" but the truth lies somewhere in the middle.
That's your interpretation, I don't agree with it.
Let me ask you something: As the United States, would you rather negotiate with Putin if you understood his true motivations and goals, or if you believed some straw man interpretation of his actions?
I would also hope the people in our government would understand the implication of publicly stating, "I understand Putin's motivations."
It's understandable that some people on a message board are fairly clueless about the nuances of the English language.
Do you really think there are people who think we should negotiate blindly? Do you really think there are people who think we should not try to figure out his motivations? The fact that you are confused by all this and pose such a ridiculous question makes me question your own motivations. (and intelligence)
That's your interpretation, I don't agree with it.
Let me ask you something: As the United States, would you rather negotiate with Putin if you understood his true motivations and goals, or if you believed some straw man interpretation of his actions?
I would also hope the people in our government would understand the implication of publicly stating, "I understand Putin's motivations."
It's understandable that some people on a message board are fairly clueless about the nuances of the English language.
Do you really think there are people who think we should negotiate blindly? Do you really think there are people who think we should not try to figure out his motivations? The fact that you are confused by all this and pose such a ridiculous question makes me question your own motivations. (and intelligence)
Fine - how about "honest analysis" instead of "understanding"
And call you a Russian stooge. They are unable to think objectively and/or abstractly. All they understand is "Ukraine GOOD! Russia BAD!"
NATO on Russia's doorsteps, foreign agencies likely recently stirring the pot in Kazakistan (sp) and Belorussia (sp), two Russian allies, Ukraine very cozy with the West for few years now.... i think Putin just snapped. While i dont condone Russia's actions I cant say I am really surprised.
I think they probably miscalculated the reaction though, as they will run Ukraine to the ground and likely annex the east of the country, throw maybe a bone to the West by ceding areas in the west, but hard to see the West recognizing the new status-quo for a while, shortage of gas or not. My 002s
And call you a Russian stooge. They are unable to think objectively and/or abstractly. All they understand is "Ukraine GOOD! Russia BAD!"
NATO on Russia's doorsteps, foreign agencies likely recently stirring the pot in Kazakistan (sp) and Belorussia (sp), two Russian allies, Ukraine very cozy with the West for few years now.... i think Putin just snapped. While i dont condone Russia's actions I cant say I am really surprised.
This is exactly the kind of thinking that will get you labeled a Russian bot.
From a realpolitik perspective, Putin's action makes sense.
For the record, I think war is awful and am completely against what Putin is doing.