[nickcarraway]

It has nothing to do with being backwards, Afghanistan just can't be occupied.

But Ukrainians have hated Russians for a long time, not so with Afghanis.

[wildcard_redneck]

"But Ukrainians have hated Russians for a long time, not so with Afghanis."

I really want to like your theory but I have to ask you to please explain how Russia ruled the Ukraine for over 300 years.

[Drew68]

But Ukrainians have hated Russians for a long time...

No, not really.

They hate each other about as much as we hate the British.

[hanamizu]

“But Ukrainians have hated Russians for a long time, not so with Afghans.”

---

Afghans have a history of hating everyone who tries to take over Afghanistan. Afghanistan has a long history of being easily conquered, but impossible to control for very long.

The Ukraine? Their history and geography does not lend itself to optimism in the present circumstances. Russia/USSR controlled them for centuries.

[McGavin999]

They remember the Russians starved millions of them in order to feed the industrial base in Russia. That can never be forgotten or forgiven.

[JeanLM]

The Russians controlled all of eastern Europe for 50 years and the various soviet states for a few more. There was a lot of hate toward the Russians then but they kept the lid on quite effectively for most of that time. Hungary and the Czechs tried a break and were beaten down. They know how to repress and control a population.

Putin dies and maybe it all comes apart again.

We keep them in the energy business they will have the money no matter who’s in charge. Plenty of guns and caviar instead of butter.