Yes, I want him to 'win'. I believe Russia has been prodded and poked by the West for decades, at the behest of vested interests, none of whom care a single jot for me and my family. I believe Putin has been the most far-seeing leader of a modern country for the last 30 years and if you actually listened to what he had to say, suspect you might end up agreeing.

But this war has broken my heart. The destruction, the sight of Europeans killings each other, people from Christian cultures doing this to each other...horrible on every level.

We are lied to in the West. About so so many things and this war has been one of them. Does that mean Putin is some kind of angel? Of course not. But he acts as he does because he believes it is in the best interests of the Russian people. Unlike our leaders. Who act in the best interests of whatever corporate or foreign paymasters pulls their strings.

I love the West. That is the point. I want to save it although I fear it is too late and suspect that people in the West are far to cowed now to do anything until it is too late.

And yes, my plans are to head east (helped in no small part by already having one foot in the door) if things carry on as they are. There is already a drip-drip effect going on with people heading out to central and eastern Europe. Tiny amounts at the moment but I suspect the numbers will grow and grow.

I get the anger from you, I really do. Because that is what the narrative we are constantly fed is. Russia bad, Putin mad. Been going on for the best part of 30 years now, ever since NATO saw its entire reason for being just fade away within 12 months when the wall came down.

Putin actually wanted Russia to become part of NATO. To really take its part in Europe's future. All rejected. Why? This is all I ask of you to look into. To try and take a slightly deeper look beyond what the same people who lied to you about weapons of mass destruction and Iraq are telling you about Russia and Putin. And they the same people. 100%.

You want me to justify Putin's invasion of Ukraine? Then no. I truly wished he had not done it for all kinds of reasons, not least because it pits me against many of my own people. But I can 100% sympathise with the 'why'. The West has been provoking him for decades, with Ukraine serving the role of their proxy by way of it. And now he has reacted.

Russia has autarky. It can feed and it can keep its own people warn. Its currency is the best performing one in the world this year ( [Link] ). Is Putin really that mad? Or bad?

All I ask is that people question the 'why' they are told by all the usual sources in the west.

Edited by Matov (28 May 2022 8.44am)

A fair point. And when the wheat crisis really gets going, then millions and millions more will be heading for the 'wicked, decadent West'.

Enjoy the cultural enrichment.

I love the West. That is the point. I want to save it although I fear it is too late and suspect that people in the West are far to cowed now to do anything until it is too late.

And yes, my plans are to head east (helped in no small part by already having one foot in the door) if things carry on as they are. There is already a drip-drip effect going on with people heading out to central and eastern Europe. Tiny amounts at the moment but I suspect the numbers will grow and grow.

I get the anger from you, I really do. Because that is what the narrative we are constantly fed is. Russia bad, Putin mad. Been going on for the best part of 30 years now, ever since NATO saw its entire reason for being just fade away within 12 months when the wall came down.

Putin actually wanted Russia to become part of NATO. To really take its part in Europe's future. All rejected. Why? This is all I ask of you to look into. To try and take a slightly deeper look beyond what the same people who lied to you about weapons of mass destruction and Iraq are telling you about Russia and Putin. And they the same people. 100%.

You want me to justify Putin's invasion of Ukraine? Then no. I truly wished he had not done it for all kinds of reasons, not least because it pits me against many of my own people. But I can 100% sympathise with the 'why'. The West has been provoking him for decades, with Ukraine serving the role of their proxy by way of it. And now he has reacted.

Russia has autarky. It can feed and it can keep its own people warn. Its currency is the best performing one in the world this year ( [Link] ). Is Putin really that mad? Or bad?

All I ask is that people question the 'why' they are told by all the usual sources in the west.

Edited by Matov (28 May 2022 8.44am)

I would ask why the free press is effectively banned in Russia ? If it’s good as you claim what has Putin got to fear from it ? Unless of course the reality is rather different to what he portrays.

I love the West. That is the point. I want to save it although I fear it is too late and suspect that people in the West are far to cowed now to do anything until it is too late.

And yes, my plans are to head east (helped in no small part by already having one foot in the door) if things carry on as they are. There is already a drip-drip effect going on with people heading out to central and eastern Europe. Tiny amounts at the moment but I suspect the numbers will grow and grow.

Edited by Matov (28 May 2022 8.44am)