Comments by "Grenade Tennis" (@hughjass1044) on "How Bulgaria Tricked Putin to Rescue Ukraine" video.

  1. I don't find it particularly surprising that some people, or even most people, in Bulgaria and elsewhere in Eastern Europe have a kind of fondness for Russia. After all, they lived under the umbrella, influence and shadow of the Russian / Soviet Empire for centuries. You don't erase that in 30 years; especially when you're as poor as Bulgaria is and they perceive that Russia has done at least something for them in recent memory. And it's not as though Western Europe is exactly doing very much to win their affections. If you want to shove Russia out of the picture, then start demonstrating what you have to offer that's better. If the EU (and the USA, for that matter) were smart they'd be investing heavily in places like Bulgaria and Hungary and bettering their economic prospects so they wouldn't continue to be tempted by, and look favorably upon, despots like Putin who only ever meant to exploit them. Instead of buying everything from China and feeding cash to the PRC war machine, why not build factories in Bulgaria? Shorter and much more stable supply lines, you'd be keeping the wealth in Europe and you'd be dealing with allies instead of enemies - win/win.
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  2. @@KnowHowTrainer The "almighty Russian propaganda" is definitely a thing but the larger point is that these countries have been in the Russian sphere of influence, the Russian "orbit" if you will, for generations and as such, that's what they understand and gravitate towards. It isn't necessarily a case that they like Russian influence and everything that comes with it, it's just that that's what they've lived with and what they're used to. I'm in Canada and the cultural, economic, political and military colossus that is the USA is butted right up against us and as such, that is what has shaped and continues to shape, our country. We don't always like it but it's the prevailing reality. We can't escape it. I've done some travelling and working in Eastern Europe and I've never met a single person under 50 who wants the communist system back but what they do want is a decent living and a future for their kids. Right now, they're not getting it. Under the communist system, the state controlled everything so people just sat around and waited to be told what to do. That's gone. Replacing it is the prevailing western attitude of "ok, you're free now; go be rich." This they cannot do because they don't know how. No one ever taught them. This is why they need assistance before they slip back into the clutches of the despots.
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  3. @@KnowHowTrainer Thank you. Greetings back from Canada. I'd love to visit your country some day. I know almost nothing about it but for some reason, I've always been fascinated by it.
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  4. @@KnowHowTrainer Thank you! And I welcome you to Canada!
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  5.  @vihrenshokarov5236  Well, I don't think I know more than the locals but I do try to observe, listen and learn. I also care a lot about the region and want to see it succeed.
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