Should the people of Russia also be responsible for what is happening in their name?

[Anonymous]

I think silence means the people of Russia support what is happening in Ukraine. Thus if sanctions cause them pain and financial ruin I personally do not feel bad for them. The people of Russia can stop what is happening anytime.
Thoughts?

Updates

+1 y

Oh so Mcdonalds is suspending operations in Russia. Good move. But they said they will still pay their employees there. Why? Are Mcdonalds employees in Russia trying to stop the "special military operation"? If not I say put em on unemployment Mcdonalds. See above.

[ChrisMaster69]

The response following Russias invasion of the Ukraine as been multifaceted but constrained by Ukraine not being in NATO or any gentleman’s agreement which sort of cover Sweden and Finland.

Sanctions are not just aimed at the Government and others in power, it’s aimed at the military, their families and the general public.

Not only are governments around the world putting in sanctions, also the EU is, individual organisations from Audi to VW, from Amex to Mcdonalds, Apple, Samsung, Toyota, AirBus Boeing etc.

Also companies who are dedicated to logistics and shipping have stopped doing any work with Russia or Belarus,

Also hackers around the world have been given free reign to support the war effort, banks have been attacked, had account details, secret keys etc exposed.

latest is kaspersky has had its source code exposed and passed out to the online community, this pretty much destroys it as an antivirus and cyber defence product. Every person using it will be vulnerable now from everything new produced or older stuff adjusted.

Why do all this.

you have soldiers on the front line talking to families back home, conversation goes like this.
“Our bank account is frozen, I can not get food for the children, no we can’t just go to McDonald’s it’s closed, I spent all day queuing for food, the car has broken down, VW are not sending spares to Russia”

Etc etc

you have families bitching and moaning, crying at their sons, brothers, sisters, husbands etc who are part of the military attacking Ukraine, it effects their moral, effects how they perform, makes them more vulnerable, not focused on fighting but thinking about home.

this means that pilot is slow to react to a Starstreak or the tank crew to a javelin

You make them bleed by 1000 cuts

[Anonymous]

Look, it is USA’s fault. It is your countries fault but you have no knowledge of geopolitics so you have been manipulated by your country into believing that Russia and Putin are the bad guys.

Also, Zelensky no longer considers you as his friend. Zelensky just said he feels betrayed by USA.

Anyway, back to the topic. Whatever is happening is totally the USA’s fault. You were looking to expand your NATO into Russia. Did you really expect Russia to stand there and watch while you potentially station your nuclear missiles right next to their borders?

When Russia did something similar during the Cuban Missile Crisis, you Americans did NOT tolerate that. You also did the same as Russia is doing now

As for invasions and civilian casualties. You Americans have invaded Libya, Afghanistan, Iraq and tons of other countries.

You goddamn nuked Japan. You killed millions of innocent civilians throughout history. You are the biggest evil in the world. Why did you just forget all of your crimes?

NOW I ASK THIS QUESTION: SHOULE THE PEOPLE OF USA ALSO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CRIMES AMERICA DID?

[Asker]

OK let me get this right... its the fault of the USA that the Russians chose to invade a sovereign country with no nuclear weapons and posing no real military threat to Russia? I would be interested in knowing what your background, nationality and expertise in this area are. Care to share?

[Opinion Owner]

Okay, I'm from India. And India is neutral, we have equally excellent diplomatic relations with both, your country US and Russia.

And I'll explain. So your country USA has made a treaty with many of the european nations. That treaty is called 'NATO' and in layman terms it means that when one NATO country goes to war, all the NATO countries will fight together along with it.

And if Ukraine becomes a member of NATO, then US troops can be stationed in Ukraine and also be allowed to use any weapons from the land of Ukraine (including nuclear weapons). That essentially means you would be allowed to claim Ukraine and use it's land whichever way you want. This threatens the security of Russia (it's neighbouring country) because by exploiting those NATO rules, USA can potentially attack Russia at anytime just from Ukraine.

Thus, Russia, being worried about their security are not allowing this to happen.

You may claim that Russia has no rights to stop Ukraine from letting USA use their country. BUT the thing is that your country, USA, also did something very similar in Cuba during the Cold War. When Russia (then USSR) made a similar alliance with Cuba (just like your country is doing with Ukraine), at that time your country also waged war and INVADED Cuba in 1960s.

So you explain to me!! The same action done by USA is justified but the same action done by Russia is wrong and 'imperialist'. Why?

Continued in the next reply so read on below...

[Opinion Owner]

So, Russia had also clearly stated multiple times before that if they can have an agreement which states that Ukraine will not become a part of NATO, and if America withdraws their troops from countries which share a border with Russia and if USA removes all nuclear weapons from Europe then Russia would leave Ukraine alone.

If your country agrees to these conditions, Russia would leave. But neither USA, NATO nor Ukraine ever agreed to fulfill any of thes conditions. Why, you may ask? The reason is a hunger for power and the potential geopolitical advantage that comes from it.

So you tell me? Why doesn't USA agree? Is your hunger for power and having an edge against Russia more important than the loss of lives of innocent Ukranian people?

[Asker]

The two issues I think are not related. Russia's issues with NATO (a defensive organization with no desire to invade Russia) can be negotiated separately. It is also up to each individual nation to decide to join NATO (if they meet the requirements and the other members agree) NATO forces no one to join. Nations join NATO because they feel threatened by Russia. I think thats says all you need to know. Russia is presently the problem not NATO.
However this still does not excuse the separate issue of Russia invading a sovereign nation that was no threat. I think we can only conclude this is an attempt to rebuild the old Russian empire. Again the issue here is Russia's aggression and not NATO. What country has NATO invaded lately? You opinion is interesting but I think it is a distraction from the real problem.

[Opinion Owner]

I knew you have absolutely no knowledge and you'd be too stubborn to understand and yes my efforts were in vain.

What country has NATO invaded? Afghanistan and Iraq were both invaded by the USA and it's NATO allies. And you only harmed the world with both your invasions.

You gave birth to Al Queda and Taliban from your Afghanistan invasion and then you invaded Iraq for NO REASON at all. Your country itself admits this. You invaded Iraq through your claim that there are WMDs in Iraq. It's been 20 years and still no WMDs have been ever found.

Now if you really want me to believe the USA is the good guy here then explain those two invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq to me.

[Opinion Owner]

And even if you are no threat to Russia, so wasn't Russia in the Cuban missile crisis. Didn't you start invading Cuba to make Russia retreat even though it had done nothing to harm you.

Why can't Russia do the same to you? If you have the right to expel Russia from Cuba then why doesn't Russia have the right to expel you from it's neighbouring countries?

Explain that to me

[Opinion Owner]

And why don't you just agree to their demands? They are only demanding you to remove your nukes from their neighbouring countries and not put Ukraine into NATO. Why don't you agree with that?

[Opinion Owner]

You killed countless innocent civilians in Iraq, Libya, Japan, Iran, Afghanistan, Vietnam and COUNTLESS other countries. You have commited the most atrocities on a global scale since the end of world war ii and invaded countless sovereign nations.

What is your excuse for that?

[Asker]

We could discuss both conflicts. I have many thoughts about if both were justified. But again what happened in Afghanistan and Iraq is a distraction. This invasion is a desperate issue. NATO is not to blame for what has happened. Instead of negotiation Russia unilaterally chose to invade another nation. Period.
I do think though we will agree to disagree on this one. (but not be disagreeable lol) Many people (not without some justification) always want to blame the USA on all the worlds troubles. But in this case this one is totally on Putin.
Thanks for the opinion. I have enjoyed it.

[Opinion Owner]

Russia has CLEARLY stated that if you agree to remove your nukes from Russia's neighbouring countries and remove all the threats to Russia's security, they would leave Ukraine alone.

Why don't you just agree to that? Is your ego more important than all those innocent lives?

And you're talking about negotiating? Seriously? Russia has been trying to negotiate with you since 2015. This was a desperate attempt from them to make you listen.

[Opinion Owner]

And why is it a distraction? Whatever you did in those countries were atrocities! You can't judge Russia when you've done countless more crimes yourself.

If you commited so many atrocities without ever facing any consequences till this day then you have no right to judge any other country.

[Asker]

OK now I may be wrong but I recall Biden saying that the USA was willing to negotiate and talk about anything if Russia deescalated and moved their armies away from the Ukraine border. Am I missing something? Despite this Russia still chose to invade. Putin had the worlds attention. NATO the USA and Ukraine were open to talks. Instead like most strong men he refused to back down and invaded. He alone choose to cause the deaths of 1000s of soldiers on both sides, 1000s of civilians in the Ukraine and also destroy his own economy. He is bogged down in a war he will never truly win. He has committed a huge strategic error... for what? Ego? Wanting to rebuild the Soviet Union? Fact is he had already won. He had the worlds attention. But he chose to lose. The USA had nothing to do with his choice. He made that all by himself.
Oh and by the way I am not an American.
Have a great day.

[Anonymous]

It’s very easy to pass Blame under the comfort of our own relaxed conditions. Maybe if we took a walk in their shoes, things would not be as simple or straightforward.
I truly believe that there are many who feel stuck between a rock and a hard place, and those who have already spoken against It are probably living in fear for having done so.
People are probably worried about their families and their livelihoods being affected (which is essential for putting food on the table for their kids) A lot of factors come into play here.
Unless you have lived someone else’s experiences, you just will never know the struggles they faced.
Pray this awful war ends soon. Brothers killing brothers is never good.

[Aurora1010]

I don't know why some you guys hate Russians so much that you are glad that they're getting their lives getting completely ruined when they didn't ask for any war and don't have freedom of speech, it's not as easy as you think. You grew up in a free country, you don't know what its like to live in Russia for you to say that.

[God_of_Thunder]

The problem is that a lot of Russian citizens don't fully understand what is happening in Ukraine.

Many news organizations and websites have been blocked via government order, and those news programs that are still functioning are state owned, and they are required to report only what the Russian government tells them to.

It is impossible to completely isolate the flow of information, however, and something like 14,000 people have been arrested for anti war protesting, so far. Many Russians don't want this war, but unfortunately, Putin doesn't hesitate to violently quell discord.

It is dangerous for them to speak out against the government, or try to affect change, but they are still trying, and paying the price for doing so. It's difficult to apply our society, and our freedom of expression, to a group of people living under an authoritarian system.

[Asker]

This is a very well thought out answer. This may be the only reason to cut the Russian people some slack. Yet the more the people of Russia are effected will this not make them ask more questions? Why is the most of the world against us? Is our government not telling us what is really going on?

[God_of_Thunder]

Thank you, and I agree; it's unfortunate that they are being punished, but without sanctions to hurt the entire Russian economy, the government doesn't really suffer any consequences at all.

Maybe it will make more people stand up to their leaders, and result in positive changes, or maybe the costs will be enough to forestall Putin's aggression in time to save the innocent Russians that don't want this war.

[Asker]

Sanctions are showing how interconnected the world is now too. No nation is an island. Perhaps war as we know it is maybe becoming a thing of the past? Any larger nation cannot go invading another country without cause and not expect there will not be possible ramifications. One can only hope.

[MCheetah]

No. And the people WEREN'T silent! They protested fiercely and Putin had them all arrested as if he had doned Blackface and called them a "loud minority." Your post is really ignorant to the reality of what's going on. It's like asking why don't Americans just shoot Biden and nuke China to solve all our problems. What's extra ironic is, you're a woman saying this. Women almost never take risky action against anything, especially politically. If anything were to happen, it'd be guaranteed that a man would be the one putting his neck on the line and probably getting executed by risking assassination on Putin. Someone prove me wrong.

[NamerOfStars]

The people of Russia who DID try to stop it are in jail now- or worse. The country's not a full-blown despotism anymore, but it's a mistake to think of it as a real democracy.

The entire reason the invasion is happening is because of a lack of checks on the President's power; holding the people accountable for that is just victim-blaming.

[Asker]

Are they accountable? So far no. But its has been proven many times... even in the United States for example that people can over throw despots (or Kings) who are doing terrible things in their name. The British tried to hang on to power and not share the resources fairly but American still revolted. I think the Russian people can do the same. Thus they hold responsibility for what is happening. The biggest fear any dictator ever has is that the population will finally wake up.

[NamerOfStars]

Americans revolted because the British brought in outsiders (the Hessians) to what was seen as a family squabble; the number who were for independence before that were a relative handful. If George had just created some more seats in Parliament, the crisis would've fizzled away. The Russian people do not have distance or slow communication or misreading of national will on their side. They DO have a history of despots slaughtering people who even LOOK like they might not do as they're told, and are being lead by a guy who took lessons from those despots. He also might be going senile, and commands the world's second-largest nuclear arsenal. Defying him could mean seeing your entire town disintegrated.

And given how long he's been in power, the people of Russia might not have any better an idea of who will follow him then you or I do.

[Asker]

Interesting. There are cultural differences in play. Russians may indeed be happy living under a strong man given their history. Scary that you think he would turn nukes on his own people. But anything is possible with despots. Still no matter what form of government the people eventually can rise up and change things in my opinion. They do have power if they chose to take it. They have done it before. Thus they are also responsible. Thanks for you insights. Enjoyed them.

[Lionman95]

There have over 2000 been arrested in Russia for protesting against the war in the past two weeks. Journalists that report about the military operation in a way the Russian government that doesn't see as suitable can go to prison for up 15 years. There are people that are protesting and later getting beaten up by the police and arrested. Even if they didn't vote for Putin do you think he cares? He stayed because he systematically put everybody in prison that wants to organise something against. It's simply not comparable to the Anerican civil war because the Russian government is way better organised than the British colony government in the 18th century. Plus times have changed the government could take over your electronic devices, could take over your bank account, arrest your loved ones for no reason. The ability to frighten and threaten people has grown by far compared to 250 years ago.

[Lionman95]

No they can't. I don't think it's fair to punish because there's not much they can do.
If you protest against the war in Russia and even call it a war that gets you into prison already.
People are more concerned to survive over there than with international politics.

[IMuser]

What do you think the people can do? If you were to protest, you will be jailed and maybe even tortured.

Let's assume America is ruled by a dictator (assuming Putin's role as a dictator in Russia) and they start a war. What can you do as a common citizen when protesting puts your family and loved ones in danger?

[jshm2]

By that logic, you are fair game for terrorists blowing you up for what your government does elsewhere.

[Asker]

Some truth to that. If Canada invaded another country illegally and spat in the face of international law and i did nothing I should expect terrorism.

[Texas2stepper]

Those people are under the heel of a dictator that will stop at nothing to get his way. Those poor people don’t have a 2nd amendment to bear arms like we do in the USA 🇺🇸 Semper Fi

[MountAverage]

Hundreds of thousands of Russians are currently risking their lives protesting Putin and his war. Tens of thousands of protesters have already been arrested. So what the fuck are you talking about?

[Massageman]

Most of them are "silent" because if they speak their true opinion (wars suck), they will be shot!

[Asker]

I agree. Its the nature of a totalitarian state. However if enough people rise up at the same time the authorities will not be able to jail or punish them all. There is power and safety in numbers. 1000 people protest is controllable. 1000000 people protest and thats a revolution.

[Massageman]

Yup. oil producers in the US should all start pumping again- can't toss all of them in the can either.

[DyingLately]

From what I've seen a lot of them are against the war. There are people protesting that are being thrown in jail or potentially executed.

[jahaims]

Unless you're gonna pick up a rifle and go fight you a hypocrite

[Asker]

I will fight Russia by happily paying more to fill up my gas tank and walking more. Do not have to carry a rifle to do your part.

[Sabretooth]

many have been arrested. others just have lies. an interview that was had on the Last Word was about a father in Russia who doesn't believe his son and his family are being attacked by Russia.

[OddBeMe]

They’re responsible for voting or not resisting. Like we were for Iraq.

[joeldalton]

No. How stupid can you be?

[Asker]

Wow thats a very well thought out reply. Well done.