There is no doubt truth to this. The disturbing part is the extent to which what is called "world values" are different .......
The questions over who controls which branch of Orthodox, Russia or Ukraine is not so big a deal as Orthodox is generally controlled by the ruling government. The deeper question is who winds up ruling the Ukraine.
If we consider Western Civilization as it is today its moral relativistic, post-Christian form, Eastern Orthodoxy would be more than a small step up.
This is a silly analysis (that of this fellow Bildt).
There is no ideological component to Putins actions.
He and his government are plainly and simply after power, uncomplicated by any higher ideals.
To the extent the Russian media invokes “values” its just propaganda chatter.
Now, it may be that Bildt et al are themselves trying to create propaganda chatter, to rile up the socialist/libertine population of Europe.
To a degree this conflict is one of two amoral groups (Russian and European leadership) with no fixed principles or beliefs, pretending to have them for tactical purposes.
Caught in the middle are the Ukrainians, or most of them, who have a definite preference for self-determination.
As I noted on the earlier thread on this, Bildt did not say this. I’m amazed at how much credence Freepers give to a story that originated on a Russian “news” site.
-In the words of Mr Bildt, Vladimir Putin demonstrates attachment not to world but to Eastern Orthodox values, which becomes clear from a Twitter post of his [Bildt’s]. ”The new anti-west and anti-decadent line [of conduct] of Putin is based on the deep conservatism of Eastern Orthodox ideas,” Carl Bildt is convinced.-
So, in effect “how dare they challenge our decadence!”
If “western values” are what is being pushed down our throats by Obama, I am seriously ambivalent.
The other issue is the Ukrainian Catholic Church, which the Soviets tried to suppress. I don’t think Putin recognizes it either. There were some reports of harassment right after the Russian invasion of Crimea but haven’t heard anything lately. It won’t be good for Ukrainian Catholics if part or all of Ukraine is re-annexed by Russia.