Espreso. Global
OPINION

Causes of Russia's aggression against Ukraine

15 March, 2024 Friday
18:05

Social media is full of manipulations about which Ukrainians are wrong and which Ukrainians are to blame for the war. So once again, I will remind you that there are two fundamental reasons for Russia's war against Ukraine

client/title.list_title

1. Russia remained an empire, and the power in this empire was seized by a clique of KGB officers overwhelmed with resentment, led by a complexed asshole. Who had time to build a full-fledged dictatorship, abundantly paid for by revenues from oil, gas and other resources with Europe and the United States indifferent. And who at some point became so confident in their impunity that they decided to go to war in Europe. Of course, for the sake of the most tasty piece that had been torn away from the empire - Ukraine.

“Could it have been otherwise? It is difficult to answer objectively.”

2. Ukraine did not take advantage of the window of opportunity in the 1990s and lost time to integrate into the EU and NATO. Time was already lost in the early 00s. Could we have used that chance in the 1990s and was that window wide enough? It is difficult to answer objectively.

These are the two real fundamental reasons.

Everything else - language, culture, everything else you can think of - is either Russian self-justification or victimization in its purest form. We shouldn't care about Russian self-justifications. But victimization is an extremely harmful thing, so leave people alone. Thank you.

Source

About the author. Yuriy Bohdanov, publicist and strategic communications specialist in business, public administration and politics.

The editors don't always share the opinions expressed by the authors of the blogs.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Friday
10 January
10:20
Russian troops capture 3 settlements in Donetsk region, 3 in Kursk
10:03
Updated
Russian drone fragments hit high-rise building in Kyiv, damaging dozens apartments
09:46
Umerov reports on 25th Ramstein: 6 countries to provide military aid to Ukraine
09:24
Russia loses 1,830 soldiers, 3 air defense systems, 10 tanks in day of war in Ukraine
2025, Thursday
9 January
21:30
Russia's attack on Zaporizhzhia causes highest civilian casualties in two years - UN mission
21:15
Exclusive
Russia loses fuel for strategic aviation after drones damage Engels oil depot
20:58
Exclusive
Penalties, export bans kill Ukraine's defense industry - MP Yanchenko
20:41
Exclusive
War for Arctic, Antarctic: diplomat on Trump's statements on Greenland
20:25
OPINION
Zelenskyy explains civilizational difference between Ukraine and Russia
20:08
IRIS-T air defense system
Germany to donate 6 IRIS-T systems to Ukraine in 2025
19:51
United Kingdom, allies to provide Ukraine with 30,000 drones
19:34
Exclusive
Russia struggles to replenish resources despite limitless supplies of men
19:15
OPINION
Trump: realist who knows the world isn’t Hollywood movie
18:58
Russia steps up mobilization in occupied Zaporizhzhia, Kherson regions - intelligence
18:41
New law allows military reinstatement after AWOL until March 1
18:25
Exclusive
'Negotiating trick': expert on Trump's statements on Canada, Greenland, Panama
18:06
Ukraine recognizes genocide of Circassian people by Russian Empire
17:50
Updated
Zelenskyy calls for deployment of partner contingents in Ukraine
17:47
Biden ramps up Ukraine support with new sanctions, military aid ahead of Trump’s presidency
17:29
Exclusive
Ramstein 25: military analyst warns of potential shift in format
17:09
Ramstein meeting approves roadmaps defining Ukraine's strategic goals through 2027
16:50
Russian intel accused of funding Afghan terrorist groups to target U.S., coalition forces
16:32
Exclusive
Trump’s Greenland, Panama statements tied to countering China's ambitions — expert
16:20
Updated
Russia bombs Zaporizhzhia, killing at least 13, injuring over 100
16:15
Musk-Weidel interview: Rallying point for far-right supporters and pro-Kremlin messaging
15:56
Austin unveils last U.S. aid package for Ukraine under Biden
15:31
Ukraine's Armed Forces receive €538M in weapons via "Danish model" in 2024
15:16
Ukraine to receive AI-powered FDI FALCON 127M combat module for battlefield control
14:55
Russian airstrike on Ukraine's Kherson leaves civilians injured
14:33
Russian propaganda films to screen in Italy, Ukraine responds
14:15
Ukraine passes bill for women in military registry, easier registration for young men abroad
13:52
Romanian presidential elections rescheduled for May 4 after alleged foreign influence results canceled
13:32
Ukraine’s 47th Brigade repels massive Russian assault in Kursk: video
13:14
Exclusive
Aside from Pokrovsk, Russia eyes three other key directions — military expert
12:54
"Big work ahead": Umerov meets Austin ahead of Ramstein meeting
12:30
OPINION
As Russia revises borders, U.S. could reclaim Arctic sovereignty — but will Trump stand up to Putin?
12:07
North Korea gains war experience against neighbors by fighting Ukraine, U.S. warns
11:50
Russian oil spill may reach Ukrainian shores in Odesa, Mykolaiv — official
11:32
Review
Strikes on Engels oil depot, Trump's unexpected remarks, and last "Ramstein" under Biden. Serhiy Zgurets' column
11:12
OPINION
Nuclear weapons for Ukraine: How propaganda affects the grasp of reality
More news