> why Putin would be under immense pressure to defend the Russians in the east This has approximately as much credibility as trying to argue that Hitler was de

> why Putin would be under immense pressure to defend the Russians in the east This has approximately as much credibility as trying to argue that Hitler was defending German citizens in Poland and France. Much like Germany with its concentration camps and Gestapo was a very dangerous place at the time for any German (and other people), Russia in 2024 is one of the most dangerous places for any Russian (and other people). Freedom indices place Russia near the end of global ranking[1]. The mere act of writing and performing an anti-war poem can get you raped by police and sentenced to years in a horrible penal colony[2], where poor conditions and lack of medical care slowly kill you[3]. If you insist on pursuing the "defense" narrative in either case, most people will rightfully label you severely misinformed, malicious, or braindead. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_freedom_indices#List_of_scores_by_country https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_freedom_indices#List_o... [2] https://www.euronews.com/culture/2023/12/28/russian-poet-sentenced-to-7-year-prison-for-reciting-verses-against-war-in-ukraine https://www.euronews.com/culture/2023/12/28/russian-poet-sen... [3] https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/eur46/8805/2024/en/ https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/eur46/8805/2024/en/