Quote:
Originally Posted by Pointman
Everyone in Russia knows Putin is a power junkie. He also does not care too much on whether he breaks the law or not. Yet, he's quite a competent leader. I would take Putin over having a choice between Trump and Biden. While Putin's lust for power is real, his corruption level is overrated. Think of how many in the west thought that Russia would bribe referees to ensure our hockey victory in 2014 Olympics. Or how KHL allegedly was fixed to let Putin's favorite team to win. That didn't age well.
|
How can you really say his corruption level is overrated? It’s been reported by multiple sources (both inside and outside of Russia), that he is worth billions of dollars. This was not an in individual who assumed a position of power, already being wealthy. Corruption and high-up political figures go hand in hand in Russia, and there can be no debate about that.
I find it interesting that you mentioned that your cross country trip through Canada yielded no major observational differences between Canada and Russia. Step outside Moscow and St. Petersburg, and the majority of the rest of Russia is quite literally 2nd world.
I have a unique viewpoint on all of this. My parents immigrated from the USSR (Ukraine) to Canada when the USSR fell apart. Even though my family is from Kyiv, like most, we spoke Russian at home, and growing up and well into my mid-twenties, I just identified myself as Russian, based on the mother tongue. I never really differentiated between Ukraine/Russia. That all changed in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea and started its proxy war in the East.
Those events strangely gave me Ukrainian nationalistic pride, and opened my eyes as to what a piece of #### Putin and the government was.
I do understand why Putin does not want NATO at his doorstep. However, if Russia actually does invade Ukraine, then does it not entirely validate Ukraine’s concerns. At this point, Russia is a pariah nation and I hope they get taken to task for the escalating rhetoric, if nothing else comes of this.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk