Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-23 and Invasion

[Admiral Yi]

It's not an indefensible position.  Is this a war initiated by the will of the Russian people or has it been imposed on them?

[Crazy_Ivan80]

It's not an indefensible position.  Is this a war initiated by the will of the Russian people or has it been imposed on them?

The distinction didn't stop the allies from bombing the axis to smithereens...

[The Brain]

It's not an indefensible position.  Is this a war initiated by the will of the Russian people or has it been imposed on them?

It may or may not be indefensible, but it is incorrect.

[citizen k]

Well looks like a bunch of vatniks are running away from Crimea after Ukraine hit their base this morning...

[DGuller]

Why is the dude wearing an ushanka while on the beach?

[Admiral Yi]

What's a vatnik?

[DGuller]

What's a vatnik?

Slur for a brainwashed aggressively nationalistic Russian.

[Admiral Yi]

Slur for a brainwashed aggressively nationalistic Russian.

Ah, like an unarmed orc. 

What is the literal meaning?

[DGuller]

Slur for a brainwashed aggressively nationalistic Russian.

Ah, like an unarmed orc. 

What is the literal meaning?

Vata is a Russian word for cotton wool, and vatnik is a puffy jacket filled with cotton wool.  It's almost as iconic an article of clothing as ushanka, although it's associated with lower classes these days.

[grumbler]

It's not an indefensible position.  Is this a war initiated by the will of the Russian people or has it been imposed on them?

It is being waged with their active enthusiasm.  See:  widespread contemporary support for the idea that "the only good indian is a dead indian."

[celedhring]

I'm the first person appalled by the general apathy/passive callousness of the Russian public while their nation behaves so criminally, but a blanket visa ban seems a bit of a blunt instrument.

[Tamas]

I'm the first person appalled by the general apathy/passive callousness of the Russian public while their nation behaves so criminally, but a blanket visa ban seems a bit of a blunt instrument.

I am ok to grant visas to Russians who are being prosecuted for taking part in anti-war protests for example. Rest can be complacent back home.

[Josquius]

Its the old question though isn't it. If you were a citizen of France during the Nazi occupation what would you do?
From the safety of our armchairs its easy enough for us to say oh hell yeah, la resistance all the way.
But in practice...well. We saw what happened in practice. Most people just want to keep their heads down and hope their families get through the whole thing intact.
From much of what I've read its similar in Russia. Interviews with Russians on the street more often than not seem to follow a pattern of glancing around nervously before saying they're not involved or just giving a government official headline.
Huge kudos to those who do stand up against the government.
And similarly a pox on the genuine fully signed up flag waving nationalist shitbags.
But I do get the impression that the vast majority of the population are in the standard head down and hope it blows over mode.

[The Brain]

I don't know exactly how visas for Russians work, but granting visas for tourism seems like something you don't want to do at this point.

[The Larch]

Also Scholz seems to be promoting a big gas pipeline project from the Iberian peninsula towards Northern Europe. He seems to have engaged already with France, Spain and Portugal about it

It will take years, however.

Part of the infrastructure is already built, as there was a previous project that got cancelled during construction. Apparently the Spain - France connection could be operative next year already.