https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Map_of_NATO_chronological.gif 
Posted on 08/11/2023 10:09:13 PM PDT by Cronos
To understand Russia’s current obsession with Ukraine, it is important to recognize that Russia was never a state in the common usage of the term. Unlike the modern Turkish state that emerged from the Ottoman Empire, or Great Britain, which acquired and lost an empire, Russia never had an identity separate from empire. As British historian Geoffrey Hosking observed, “Britain had an empire, but Russia was an empire.”
The Kremlin’s preferred narrative of Russia rising from present-day Ukraine (“Kyivan Rus”) is a Moscow-concocted fairy tale. The officially endorsed 1000-year history of Russia is a self-created and self-perpetuated myth that generations of Russian dictators have promoted to justify their external expansion and internal repression.
Instead, what we think of today as Russia started out as a loose collection of independent city states that included Novgorod, Pskov, Smolensk, Tver, and Moscow, the last of which attained particular significance toward the end of Mongol rule a little over 500 years ago. Kyiv was no more a part of Russia then than it is now. There was no common language, no common administration, and no joint identity. Indeed, it would be centuries before the rulers of Muscovy attempted to assert their dominance over Kyiv and the lands of today’s Ukraine.
...Under Ivan III (“The Great”), Muscovy established itself as the strongest of the city states to emerge from the Mongol period. Ivan called himself “Tsar of all Rus,” but he was actually more like the mayor of Greater Moscow. It was Ivan who started the expansion of Muscovy, initiating the so-called “gathering of Russian lands.”
...Expansion demands inward Russification and repression, and further outward expansion. As Catherine the Great famously said, “I have no way to defend my borders but to extend them.”
...Russia and its apologists will complain that containment ignores Russia’s legitimate security concerns. This is a canard because Russia’s security concerns constantly expand. In reality, Russian leaders have absolutely nothing to worry about if they return to their country’s internationally recognized 1991 borders."
.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Map_of_NATO_chronological.gif
If you take the 2020 Russian population numbers....of the top ten cities, that makes up around 20-percent of the total population of the country. If you count up war losses and young men who exited the country? That’s probably approaching 1-million missing from the 2020 population numbers.
They want control of the landscape, but they don’t have the population to achieve that.
Yes, Russia does have a need for expanding borders. I learned that at university, before Boris Yektsin. And my professor was from Hungary.
I think we as Americans would be better off if we left Nato . Let russia have all of Europe they wouldn’t want it. Western Europe and the United States have more evil and corrupt governments than Russia . Our vaunted surface navy would last 10 minutes against Russia or China . We should stick to worrying about our country let Europe and Russia deal with Europe and Russia.
I don't think Russia is inherently evil, but like most all nations it is a machine that has a function. In Russia's case, if it isn't expanding, its dying.
You do it because it allows your elites to dominate the economies of the countries you protect. If Russia takes them over, it would be in its interest to neutralize you as quick as possible, first by economic and then by military means.
With its 11 local times, Russia is one of the countries with the most time zones worldwide.
Disband NATO now !
BTW, as I noticed you’re Canadian, you have no business dictating the affairs of American foreign policy. You literally have no skin in the game. I suggest you work on removing your Castroite Communist totalitarian faggot Turd Dough before you continue your ignorant attacks on American FReeper Conservatives.
I think your president pooped himself in the Vatican. Enjoy cleaning up the mess. People like you are the reason people think American conservatives are ignorant, loudmouth, closet homosexuals.
Not my President. My President is Donald Trump. You can have the Pedophile-in-cheat and his fake 81 million votes (not voters).
Remember the prophetic vision of Moscow as the Third Rome. God had stated Russia must return Europe to Christ. When Europe has lost there way, Russia must act to save Europe for Jesus. It is Gods will. But first they must retake Constantinople and turn Hagia Sophia into the Cathedral of Christ it was built to be. Looks like Russia is planning to save Africa and Ukraine.
They believe they are on a Mission from God. Holy Warriors are hard to beat.
Keep your fingers crossed for Brics in a few weeks.
Maybe Mexico will be accepted.
If so, I plan to celebrate.
Also Brics and SCO may be merging.
Hope Biden has lots of extra diapers handy.
Cronos is a Pole.
Bayura is a Spaniard.
Only God knows what USA France is...it types in English, we know that much.
Lots of the Russophobe clan here on FR are not even Americans.
They just hate Russia. And that is the only thing they contribute. Hate.
How’s that eyebrow guy with a closet full of costumes?
People like you are why most Americans feel sorry for Canucks.
That'll be a great day ! ;-D
Yup. And more than a few nutters here support the absolute extermination of 150,000,000 Russians, many of whom are Christians. Sick, evil, genocidal Malthusian loons.
What bible verse is that? Maybe I have this Russia thing all wrong. If God has commanded it, who am I to object?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
