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I don't believe I justified any of Russia's actions. It's a complicated situation and there are lots of questionable actors... For example, there is credible s

I don't believe I justified any of Russia's actions. It's a complicated situation and there are lots of questionable actors... For example, there is credible speculation that the US funded anti-Russian neonazis in Ukraine http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/07/04/is-the-u-s-training-neo-nazis-in-ukraine.html http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/07/04/is-the-u-s-... Am I saying the US is "bad"? Am I saying that Russia is "good"? No, I'm saying proxy conflicts like this are gray and complicated and it's not a typical "good guy" "bad guy" situation.

lern_too_spel 10y ago
Betteridge's law of headlines applies to your linked article. > The House unanimously adopted bipartisan amendments to H.R. 2685, the “Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2015.” And one of them specifically blocks training of the “Ukrainian neo-Nazi paramilitary militia ‘Azov Battalion.’” > This is in addition to criteria established in an amendment to the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, originally sponsored by Sen. Patrick Leahy, known as “the Leahy Vetting Process.” The Leahy process consists of screening foreign forces applying for U.S. Government training and support to certify that they haven’t committed any “gross human rights violations.” If they are found to have done so, support is withheld. So, no, the US is not intentionally funding neonazis and in fact, is trying very hard not to. They are providing training requested by the Ukrainian Ministry of Interior against a Russian aggressor that has shot down a civilian passenger aircraft, among many other crimes.
- saynsedit 10y ago
  It's undeniable that the euromaidan protests had a strong right-wing nationalist component. They were violent and essentially terrorized the country. This essentially led the president of Ukraine to resign. That right-wing faction then controlled Ukraine's government, and is still very strong in Ukraine. We immediately recognized that new government and provided them with aid. That is insane! In the west, their only saving grace was that they were anti-Russian.

lern_too_spel 10y ago

Betteridge's law of headlines applies to your linked article. > The House unanimously adopted bipartisan amendments to H.R. 2685, the “Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2015.” And one of them specifically blocks training of the “Ukrainian neo-Nazi paramilitary militia ‘Azov Battalion.’” > This is in addition to criteria established in an amendment to the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, originally sponsored by Sen. Patrick Leahy, known as “the Leahy Vetting Process.” The Leahy process consists of screening foreign forces applying for U.S. Government training and support to certify that they haven’t committed any “gross human rights violations.” If they are found to have done so, support is withheld. So, no, the US is not intentionally funding neonazis and in fact, is trying very hard not to. They are providing training requested by the Ukrainian Ministry of Interior against a Russian aggressor that has shot down a civilian passenger aircraft, among many other crimes.

saynsedit 10y ago
It's undeniable that the euromaidan protests had a strong right-wing nationalist component. They were violent and essentially terrorized the country. This essentially led the president of Ukraine to resign. That right-wing faction then controlled Ukraine's government, and is still very strong in Ukraine. We immediately recognized that new government and provided them with aid. That is insane! In the west, their only saving grace was that they were anti-Russian.