Google translated and edited for clarity

Vladimir Putin's interpretation of globalization led to the war in Ukraine. This is what the Israeli Russia researcher Vera Michlin-Shapir says in an interview for Svenska Yle. For several years, Vladimir Putin was afraid that Ukraine, despite all its flaws, wanted to become a free society characterized by diversity, and a technologically progressive place with an open economy. So says Vera Michlin-Shapir, Russia researcher at King's College in London and expert on the impact of globalization in Russia.

Yes, that's the reason. That's literally the only reason, nothing else. You nailed it.

According to Michlin-Shapir, a Westernized Ukraine was not only a threat because of Ukraine's geographical proximity. It was also a threat that the Russian people could see a culturally related people choosing Europe over Putin's Russia.

Yes, choosing, by their own free will! Perhaps you don't get it, as the russian brainpan simply cannot comprehend superior Evropean freedom.

• Globalization has affected Russia very much. But the conclusions that Putin and the Russians have drawn do not fit together at all with the Western vision. In Russia, the global world is neither free nor democratic, but corrupt and hypocritical. What they experience is that everyone thinks only of themselves - leaders everywhere in the world want to get rich at the expense of others.

??? yes? where's the lie?

Michlin-Shapir, herself from Israel, does not dismiss these conclusions, but sees them as grossly simplistic.

• In the West, we also see equality, civil society, human rights and solidarity as essential parts of globalization. At least in principle, in practice globalization has not achieved what it should.

Ah yes, of course. Again, the Russian brainpan cannot comprehend such concepts. I also absolutely love that part about "in principle, but not in practice". A bug, not a feature, naturally. lol. lmao even.

In Russia, people appreciate a different freedom than that which the West offers A clear difference between Russia and the West, which is reinforced by globalization, is the view of what freedom means. This also applies to most Russians living abroad, says Michlin-Shapir.

• In Russia, freedom is something you can practice on your own. You can be against the war in your heart, in your home, around the kitchen table. Freedom is private. And maybe secret?
• Yes. As long as neither the state nor anyone else forces me to do anything, I am free. This is different from the West, where freedom is to leave the kitchen and go out and speak your mind.

Jesus fucking christ. I don't even know where to begin with this take. Sure, I'm fine with fascist death squads gunning down minorities in the streets, as long as I can leave my kitchen and go out and said "hey that's not very nice". The government really just lets me do that. Ah, sweet freedom.

It also contrasts with the democratic ideal where citizens are expected to act collectively when leaders do wrong.

A thing that happens regularly in the west and is effective at bringing about change. I'm sure the author is in full support of the palestinian people who act collectively when the leaders do wrong. or any other left-wing uprisings, for that matter. fuck off

Michlin-Shapir says that the Russian ideal of freedom simply stands in the way of an effective opposition. The regime has had no problem shoving aside the small minority that wants to bring it down.

That's right, here in the West we let small minorities of literal fascists do what they want, because Freedom.

On the other hand, for the same reason, the war is becoming a problem for Putin.

• The longer it goes on, and especially if there is another mobilization, the Kremlin has let it affect the freedom of Russians. Many Russians realize that things are not going well for the country.
• The Kremlin's authority is collapsing, but there is no one who can confirm to the people that it is happening.

Is it? Is it really?

Nor is there anyone who can offer an alternative that fits into the kind of isolationist and highly individualistic view of freedom that the Russians pursue.

• We see from the outside that Russia has already collapsed in many ways, but what holds the country together is the people's belief that the state still works. Russians feel that they are freer than people in the West despite the increasing repression, says Israeli Russia researcher Vera Michlin-Shapir from King's College in London.

Something something stones and glass houses, I can't remember the saying.