they are expansionist; they started a classic land war against a (perhaps significantly weaker) peaceful neighbor
their politics are regressive instead of progressive
the people seem to overwhelmingly support the government despite these serious shortcomings

[–] balsoft@lemmy.ml 2 points 3 days ago

the people seem to overwhelmingly support the government despite these serious shortcomings

BTW, few people actually support the government. The best way to confirm this is to look at the public reaction to the attempted coup by Prigozhin in summer 2023. It ranged from apathy to amusement, the same kind you would have if you were watching Fast&Furious 21 (or whatever number they're up to). However most people don't oppose the government either and just go about their daily lives. It's similar to what most Americans are doing right now despite their country turning to mask-off fascism, dismantling all their all social safety nets and flaunting a world war.

[+] marathon01@lemmy.ml -8 points 3 days ago (3 children)

4th largest economy in the World, sanctions are having little effect. That's not the metrics of a backward country. Expansionist? No. The largest country in the world by landmass, which has the largest resources of minerals and metals. You're confusing the Soviet regimes of the past with the current country. One can easily argue with facts that the West is far more repressive, especially in current circumstances. Of course, the people support their government, that usually happens when they are under attack by outside forces! Look at where progressive policies have gotten the west thus far! The majority of people in the west don't support much of the neoliberal, globalist agenda and our economies are in ruin. Most of which were self created.

[–] balsoft@lemmy.ml 3 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Expansionist? No.

Putin literally started an imperialist land war to expand the territory and capture resources (and stay in power for a while longer).

You’re confusing the Soviet regimes of the past with the current country.

No, you have it backwards.

The Soviet government at least had some noble goals for their expansion, and measurable improvements to the lives of people on the captured territories.

Russia is an oligarchy and the only goals are territorial gains, resource exploitation and enriching the richest at the expense of the poor under the pretext of wartime nationalism. Same as the US, really, but with less power and resources.

Look at where progressive policies have gotten the west thus far!

You seriously think that the current state of the west is due to "progressive policies" and not capitalism and nationalism? If anything, progressive policies (women's rights, LGBT inclusion, secularization, education for all, universal medical care (in places where it exist), and some limited labor rights) are one of rare good things that's been happening in the west.

[–] Fluke@lemm.ee 1 points 3 days ago (1 children)

The current country is a highly corrupt oligarchy that keeps it's citizens ignorant, imprisons those that dare speak out, and ensures there is zero internal political resistance to the regime continuing it's brutal and bloody status quo.

The US is rapidly heading the same way, the wannabe Oligarchs in the US seeing Russia as an example to follow.

Get your head out of your arse.

[–] marathon01@lemmy.ml -1 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Ukraine is the most corrupt country in the world. That's where your head is at and supporting. Too much of our treasure has been spent on a fruitless objective that won't be achieved. Full stop! Most of us in the West don't support this. So whose head is in their arse?! Not mine, my eyes are wide open. LOL

[–] Fluke@lemm.ee 1 points 3 days ago

"Treasure"?

Your Russian terminology gives you away comrade.

Off you fuck.