Comments by "David Elliott" (@davidelliott5843) on "Alexander Etkind - Putin is Propelling Russia Backwards in a Self-Destructive Civilisational Decline" video.

  1. The Ukraine borders to 1919 went over to River Don and around the Black Sea to Turkey. The language was spoken as far as Caspian Sea. However the Soviets replaced the indigenous people with Muscovite Russians. Ukraine today has no need to extend the war to take these areas because it’s highly likely they will eventually choose to join the successful state on their border. A bit like a post Soviet reunification.
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  2. Putin and his friends have removed anyone capable of opposing the regime. Then add the poor education and so many in a poor state of health leaves very few to care what happens.
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  3. Huge oil and gas reserves were discovered under Donbas and Crimea back in the 2000s. Putin sees them as competition so he’s stepping on them as a mafia Don would “whack” a new competitor setting up nearby.
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