The Russians believe that the West is trying to undermine and suppress Russia, so it can be controlled.
However, this is a false narrative.
The West wants a strong Russia.
Of course, not the Putin's Russia we see now, but the free and democratic Russia of tomorrow ππ§΅
However, this is a false narrative.
The West wants a strong Russia.
Of course, not the Putin's Russia we see now, but the free and democratic Russia of tomorrow ππ§΅
For anyone reading this outside the iron curtain, it's pretty obvious why Russia is sliding into a sanctions-driven economic abyss.
Is it obvious for Russians?
Do they blame Putin for not being able to post on Instagram while enjoying a double-cheese from Macky-D?
Is it obvious for Russians?
Do they blame Putin for not being able to post on Instagram while enjoying a double-cheese from Macky-D?
Unfortunately, they don't... after all, Putin did not impose sanctions, right?
The West did.
And that's how the Russian state media spins the story.
And that's what the Russians (want to) believe.
The West did.
And that's how the Russian state media spins the story.
And that's what the Russians (want to) believe.
Moreover, it further solidifies the idea that the West is evil and wants to keep Russia weak and prevent it from becoming a superpower.
And it kinda seems to make sense, right?
After all, why would the US want another competitor on the global arena?
And it kinda seems to make sense, right?
After all, why would the US want another competitor on the global arena?
This narrative also conveniently justifies all the domestic misfortunes.
Everything can be blamed on the Western actors.
In 2014, Obama took a disproportionately unfair amount of credit for Russia's troubles.
Everything can be blamed on the Western actors.
In 2014, Obama took a disproportionately unfair amount of credit for Russia's troubles.
A running joke was that Obama even urinated in elevators around the country.
Sometimes it became so absurd that the USA was blamed for Russia's low pensions!
During one pro-Kremlin demonstration, a woman was carrying a sign that read, "USA, hands-off from our pensions!"
Sometimes it became so absurd that the USA was blamed for Russia's low pensions!
During one pro-Kremlin demonstration, a woman was carrying a sign that read, "USA, hands-off from our pensions!"
Like, what?!
Of course, the West has better things to do than to steal Russia's pension savings.
And it certainly doesn't want the additional foreign policy headache of having to deal with the Kremlin.
They've got enough of their own problems to worry about, as it is.
Of course, the West has better things to do than to steal Russia's pension savings.
And it certainly doesn't want the additional foreign policy headache of having to deal with the Kremlin.
They've got enough of their own problems to worry about, as it is.
Wouldn't it be awesome if Russia could help with those instead of add to them?
For example, how great would it be if Russia could help us tackle climate change?
Or commit its oil revenues to solve hunger and poverty?
Or even help @elonmusk set up a Mars colony?
For example, how great would it be if Russia could help us tackle climate change?
Or commit its oil revenues to solve hunger and poverty?
Or even help @elonmusk set up a Mars colony?
It may be hard to see right now, but in the long-term, the West and regular Russians want a free and democratic Russia.
A Russia with a strong economy.
With a society based on law and justice.
With an open and transparent market.
A Russia with a strong economy.
With a society based on law and justice.
With an open and transparent market.
Russia's population is 144 million. Almost half of the USA.
This is a huge market.
Huge.
It's hard to believe that Western corporations would be interested in keeping Russia poor and underdeveloped.
How do you sell iPhones in that case?
This is a huge market.
Huge.
It's hard to believe that Western corporations would be interested in keeping Russia poor and underdeveloped.
How do you sell iPhones in that case?
If Russia was a politically stable and developed state with a free market and a substantial middle-class, this would be a massive opportunity for Western companies.
It's good for their earnings, good for employment, and good for economic growth.
It's good for their earnings, good for employment, and good for economic growth.
Ultimately, the West wants a Russia it can trust.
NATO would be thrilled if Russia was its partner.
Frankly, we should eventually get to a point where Russia is a NATO member!
Simply because Russia and the West would be on the same page, trying a achieve the same goals.
NATO would be thrilled if Russia was its partner.
Frankly, we should eventually get to a point where Russia is a NATO member!
Simply because Russia and the West would be on the same page, trying a achieve the same goals.
Is it possible? Yes, certainly.
There is really no reason why Russians should be in a constant confrontation with the West.
It's an empty narrative that goes back to the Soviet Union, further exploited and amplified by Putin's kleptocratic regime.
There is really no reason why Russians should be in a constant confrontation with the West.
It's an empty narrative that goes back to the Soviet Union, further exploited and amplified by Putin's kleptocratic regime.
But it's baseless.
It's got no fundamental reason or logic behind it.
Its sole purpose is to create this mystical external enemy who gets the blame for domestic issues created by the local government.
It's got no fundamental reason or logic behind it.
Its sole purpose is to create this mystical external enemy who gets the blame for domestic issues created by the local government.
Russians don't want the confrontation with the West.
They want to live in peace.
They want to raise children and give them the best opportunities.
They want to buy iPhones, eat McDonald's and drive Teslas.
They want to be part of progress and civilization.
They want to live in peace.
They want to raise children and give them the best opportunities.
They want to buy iPhones, eat McDonald's and drive Teslas.
They want to be part of progress and civilization.
However, the reason they don't is not the West's fault.
Europe and US will always have their doors open when Russia resets its government and demonstrates a willingness to work together.
Until then, there is only so much the West can do.
Europe and US will always have their doors open when Russia resets its government and demonstrates a willingness to work together.
Until then, there is only so much the West can do.
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