Understanding the War in Ukraine (5) - Russia

[@randybradshaw7060]

These lectures are a gift. Thank you for promoting understanding.

[@shiroyashaz]

#WhereIsGonzaloLira

[@ГеннадийКаа́кк]

@@shiroyashaz его выпустили

[@robertwilson214]

Haha

[@Lekamaukka]

Hello i'm from Finland and this Alexander Stubb guy is a fraud. Sold Finland to globalists.

[@lloydchew6320]

Bn

[@zita-lein]

Excellent! Please keep these lectures coming.

[@davidkobuladze2776]

Could you please let us know what were those 6 books you mention at 0:47 ? Thank you for an amazing lecture!

[@annarasmus8737]

Google those man!

[@davidkobuladze2776]

@@annarasmus8737 I tried :( couldnt find

[@brittanyjohnson5138]

O

[@brittanyjohnson5138]

Pp

[@jackellsworthsavage5384]

This guy should be Prime Minister of Everything in the World - and I'm not being sarvastic - I'm writing with full conviction. He's unpretentious, level-headed and fair - and he never lets an ego interfere with the important message at hand. 100% the OBVERSE of America's Orange Toddler !

[@jeffsalat9775]

Actually he is a CIA shill. Most pathologicals are fairly good at impression management, however.

[@1000kennedydk]

I am glad to have found you. Thank you for creating this. Many in America think that different is not good. But in a long life, I have discovered what you emphasize, different is different, nor necessarily wrong or right.

[@daniellarson3068]

Not allowing dissenting voices or opinions sounds pretty wrong to me. Two heads are very often better than one. The absolute power quote comes to mind rather quickly too. It seems like it's not just different, they have a lot of corruption.

[@voskreglavincevska3651]

When something is diferent you know it , and there isn't real competition ! Likely the competition is about the same comodities , and when you are the same you are jelows !

[@helenlozinski3072]

I would like to hear a lecture on Ukrainian history because I don't think people will ever understand this war without understanding the history of Ukraine as well.

[@Alex_Kuzin]

Excellent lecture! I, as a citizen of Russia, want to change our values, but the country is led by people who have lived in the USSR all their lives. I'm afraid if the Putin regime does not fall from losing the war, then my homeland will become even more totalitarian for many years to come.

[@emesejohn5367]

Stubb analysis at its best! Succinct and eloquent.

[@territhomas8792]

These lectures are a breath of fresh air. I love the formats and find it easy to follow the info. Thank you so much.

[@c.augustedupin8860]

link?

[@robertvanslooten9475]

It stinks here and there.

[@alextaylor2551]

This is so important to help understand the dissonance between the beauty and intelligence of Russian culture and what is happening today. I worked and fell in love with Russia in the mid 90s and this war has been heartbreaking. My Russian friends here are very silent on the war still and this helps me understand why. I’ve watched the series and want to thank you.

[@gdbalck]

Kari's presentation was superb, watched it back in late February right after the Russian invasion commenced. Worth watching.

[@jam99]

What annoys me is that these historians read their books and talk of 'Russians' having all these complexities and history when, really, it is just the few narcissistic ideological people who have the power at the top that perpetuate these corrupt schemes. Is it fair that when we talk of 'Russians' we are only talking about this minority? In authoritarian countries, there is the biggest disconnect between the leaders and the populace. Putin does not represent Russians, he just rules them. The masses are influenced by how they are treated by the leadership system, not the country's factual history. Listening to a lot of youngsters on YT, many of them do not even seem very aware what it was like during USSR times; unsurprisingly it seems their parents have not wanted to tell them much. Perhaps this is just an artifact of naive Russian YTers. Recently, the babushkas have panic bought sugar, and these young Russians are just looking on and thinking they are nuts. Absolutely right though that many in the west keep calling Putin mad when it is simply that they do not understand his game. The manner in which the western leaders communicate when talking of Putin often appears pitiful to me and I only hope they know better than I. He is a very intelligent man, a psychopath and skillful actor, and I can only guess at the contempt he has for them, not so much for their decisions, but for what he sees as their 'unprofessional' behavior and inability or unwillingness to play his game. Who knows, a little intellectual gaming may give him the respect he needs to rediscover a little humanity. Maybe not. I certainly hope Prof Stubb's conclusion to this video is correct.

[@tlmoller]

Wonderfull analytic and insightful. I have been traveling in Russia for many years in the 1980-2000. Russin married etc. Complex country and people. But not bad people in general. Actual very nice. But a very different perspective on the world than us in the nordic countries.

[@bitspieces3885]

From my American perspective this is a great educational lecture that answers a lot of important questions. Many thanks.

[@cindybogart6062]

Thank you, Professor for this wonderful series on this war. I finally understand it all.

[@dawidj.vanhuffel8217]

We wish to get it in the heads of the politicians

[@jeffsalat9775]

He is not a professor. He is a CIA plant and a shill, twists things, and would turn Finland into a USA vassal state in a heartbeat.

[@xiao-rongpeng9804]

Promote understanding, not hate! Great lecture!

[@pjeng1]

Very good analysis about the mentality of Russia and its history. I'd like to add that this analysis can also be applied to the current communist China.

[@bighulkingwar_machine1123]

@@annarock8966 uumm... ok

[@rolandscales9380]

@@annarock8966 Would you care to be more specific please? What do you mean by "west"? The West is not one single, monolithic unit.

[@monkeysezbegood]

I like the closing comments on Russia being 20 now 40 years behind. It does seem like that and also with the USA feels like it's 10 to 20 years behind.

[@chrischicago6928]

Communist Mafia Party of China ...

[@gracybotha1791]

The communists whants to hit Western world and (Europeans) But they will never never get it right.. History repeats it

[@zacharydavis4398]

Thank you for spending the time to create this series 🙏🏾

[@inhocsignovinces8061]

I've always said that Russia and Brazil should be two of the most prosperous countries on planet earth, and people in both should be farting through silk, yet both countries always find ways to not make that happen.

[@effexon]

surprisingly same is said of Mexico.... afaik mexico doesnt have oil but brazil has even that. But who are we to decide? western people are indoctrinated to only value fast, shiny, expensive material things, not even education unless it costs your lifetime savings like in US. I agree it is weird people in brazil especially cities live in starvation while they export dirt cheap meat to europe in huge amounts.

[@rodneycooperLMSCoach]

Their elite are. The people in both are expected to go to hell in handcarts.

[@djnorth2020]

Moscow and St. Petersburg are modern cities with luxury items by companies around the world. Few hundred kilometers away.... You go back 50 to 70 years in time. Further off it's rural like you wouldn't believe.

[@ГеннадийКаа́кк]

@@djnorth2020 cогласен

[@valentynderkach8834]

russians were "farting through silk" and that is the reason why war happened. they lost their mind of all the profit they made during last two decades.

[@salassian3162]

0:50 Oh, now you can't not tell us the titles and authors of these 6 very informative books. Even if they're dated, I'm sure they still contain very good foundational information. Structures that we can benefit from. Please, list them for us here. Please.

[@doncotton3638]

I agree! What are the books Bill Lavery recommended?

[@learningbird9940]

I'm another one interested to know the titles of those 6 books.

[@MrFactotum]

great clearly described history lesson for me!!

[@stefanb6539]

Btw, to other people interested in good analysis of the ongoing war, check out Perun youtube channel. He made excellent Powerpoint representations, well researched, cautious in his claims, and thoughtful in his results.

[@ericcook7622]

His subscription count has gone up something like tenfold.

[@bighulkingwar_machine1123]

Perun.....what a game! (Genius)

[@shiroyashaz]

#WhereIsGonzaloLira

[@lembergnative7731]

@@shiroyashaz Russians killed him. Saw something he wasn't supposed to

[@DiStitt]

Thanks. I wondered about that one when it started appearing in my feed.

[@kathrynpark626]

So glad I came across these lectures, so easy to follow and understand. Thankyou

[@Raykibb1]

I have found this historical series to be absolutely helpful in understanding the situation so much better. Thank you.

[@avalon5638]

Thank you Prof. Stubb I'm excited for your clarity video series

[@dotcom2528]

Stubb, keep up the good work.

[@dumitrutulbure4473]

Extraordinary analysis....Thanks

[@nickward4168]

Beyond grateful i found your channel. Truly a gem

[@SerendipityChild]

Thank you for your lecture, and for the link to Kari's lecture also

[@markusnurminen2103]

Kiitos Alex tästä videosarjasta. Opin itsekkin näin suomalaisena pieniä juttuja lisää tästä koko kuviosta. Suomessa on aika selkeä kokonaiskuva näistä kuvioista, joten minusta Suomella ja suomalaisilla on kyllä paljon annettavaa eurooppalaisille ja jenkeille. Kiitos työstäsi.

[@markusnurminen2103]

tän videon vois suomalaisittain lyhentää yhteen todellisuuttahivelevään hokemaan, jonka valtaosa suomalaisista ymmärtää: ryssä on ryssä, vaikka voissa paistaisi..

[@saboorsaboor704]

This war created a lot of experts. Thank you for your opinion.

[@olehk7318]

Another wonderful video. Nevertheless, will there be a video with explanation Ukrainian perspective?

[@anastasiialucykyv3960]

Please prepare the separate video about Ukraine itself, about its history, culture and mentality. Ukraine is not an object in this war, but a subject.

[@rogerterry5013]

If you study the organisation of gangsters in the USA, The Sopranos, The Godfather, you see it paralleled in Russia and Putinism and in fact in all dictators. The is was an excellent talk but missed the point about the willingness to use violence to gain an end.

[@jmolofsson]

Mentioned (or hinted at) in the context of the heritage from the Mongols.

[@imnotanalien7839]

That was an interesting lecture on Russia. It’s also interesting to listen to a European viewpoint of Russia… mainly because there is so much history between Russia and Europe. Most people in the US have no idea what those relationships are about…. so thank you for your perspective…..

[@miroslavdusin4325]

Finland especially has very good knowledge of Russia. Not exactly the same as Eastern Europe since they were not fully occupied by Russia and/or USSR but still very valuable.

[@neverknowsbest2879]

You won't understand Russia watching Finnish lectures. I am Russian myself. Up to 13:20 everything the guy said was reasonable. That's the part where he referenced Kari. Seems like that Kari actually knows Russia to some extent. Even though judging from Karis lecture he views Russia as an enemy but at least he tries to understand his enemy. He is extremely biased but at least he did his research. And after 13:20 the guy starts to make completely wrong conclusions. If you want to understand someone just watch their analysts or lecturers. Recently I have watched some Indians on KZbin and I have got a very deep insight on Chinese-Indian territorial disputes from Indian perspective. If you came to learn European perspective on Russia, you came to the right place. If you came to learn Russian perspective this place is horrible. It is as practical as learning about USSR from USA during Cold War or learning about USA from USSR. And btw neither Finland nor Eastern Europe understand Russia better than US or Western Europe. They are just even more biased.

[@AB-ys4yn]

@@neverknowsbest2879 So at the end this gentleman is respectfully saying same old narrative: Russia is a backward country with authoritarian leader and suppressed population. He ruined his otherwise great presentation by this conclusion. In the context of Russia-Ukraine war not a single word about US and UK role in Ukraine political disarray since 2014 that led the country into civil war and Russia's strategic interests seeing NATO aggressive expansion as existential threat.

[@miroslavdusin4325]

@@neverknowsbest2879 There is a difference between understanding Russian people and their system. Which are two things which seem to be in quite a harsh contrast but after some thinking it makes sense. To be invaded by Russia (or USSR) provides some experience which Western Europe and the US lacks. Eastern Europe does not, unfortunately. Still I would not underestimate the view from outside. Might be more precise than self evaluation.

[@marilenaganea6578]

@@neverknowsbest2879 yeah..we in Eastern Europe are really biased. You know what made us biased? Having Russians as neighbours for centuries, having Russian tanks on our streets, having our families raped by Russian soldiers, having parts of our families deported in Siberia.

[@Illkacirma]

Thanks again Mr. Stubb for sharing your insights!

[@albertklamt7622]

Pieces of great understanding!

[@piushalg8175]

To use the term "conservative" regarding Russia seems to be prone to mislead people to think of censervatism as bad which it is abslutely not in itself when understood properly. But one has to acknowledge what conservatism can mean, because it is such a broad term. For instance you can be a conservative communist at the same time. Therefore Professor Stubb should have given a satisfactory definition of his understanding of the term.

[@leninha5549]

Fantastic leasure professor.. Great to meet you here... Thanks a lot for giving a peak into this all.. Greetings from Portugal!

[@eduardomondarte]

Very educational and formative lectures on Russia and its people. and it was also the same culture of northwestern Ukraine and southern Belarus. No wonder why President Putin invaded Ukraine with the dreamed of taking it back to the Union. I've listened to your series of presentation and intellectually appetizing. In my conclusion, Putin doesn't want a "decadent capitalism to destroy Russia in the current context of Ukraine and Russian war. Thank you sir!

[@TheLivirus]

This was excellent!

[@junerobertson4389]

Thank you, brilliant lecture series.

[@pierrekiroule2827]

@ 0:56. We'd like to have this book list. It will be very insightful for sure.

[@tundeojutiku4281]

Nice lecture. Thank you for the effort. I would like to comment on the young Russian, as the hope for future international integration. One thing I noticed is their love for mother land. I have met, worked with lovely Russians who proudly remind me that they are the last bloodline of UDSSR jokingly. Furthermore, among the young lads in various international schools, and universities in Germany and Austria, fascinatingly tends to displays strong identity pride despite receiving over 15 years of schooling in Europe. Lastly, the young Russians loves the outward show of western lifestyle but they don’t like to be westernized inwardly. I always like to say, the „The west should not be over western“.

[@toddbilleci8563]

Started looking forward to these-thank you.

[@margusgrenzmann3977]

I have to say that he's a better lecturer than politician.

[@TurreTuntematon]

Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach.

[@mouluc9969]

​@@TurreTuntematon Yeah, and the best of both worlds can also be: those who can teach teach, those who can do do. Never knew what he did (I'm not from a Nordic country, neither interested in EU policy) as a politician. But he surely teaches interesting stuff. And he does it well. Other than that, I think being a Finn, as Mr Stubb, is a real plus for having a deep (neutral? ^^) insight when it comes to this war.

[@jmolofsson]

@@mouluc9969 Not neutral, of course! Since the occupation 1714-21, Finns aren't able to have a "neutral" view of Russia.

[@vredacted3125]

7:14 The mongols Attacked the Kievan Rus not Russia, in fact they sort of created Russia or rather made way for Muscovy and left them with the Mongl like mentality after 400 years of having it as their vassal. Muscovy later renamed itself, as Russia. A name which they stole from what is now known as Ukraine.

[@samuraijack7295]

I have to say that I find this analysis to be less analysis and more "narrative creation". I noticed the sleight of hand at 13:40 btw.

[@parlamedia]

Dear Alex, I would like to hear your thoughts on how much of a influence Alexandr Dukin and his thoughts on Western hegemony and the inevitability of a great war, has on Putin? Kiitos!

[@m.walther6434]

Can You name the books about Russia, please? Great lessons, thank You very much.

[@theH0UNDSofD00M]

Thank Prof Stubb for your lectures/ videos. Really interesting points of view.

[@ave248]

Fantastiskt bra, Alex!

[@jsvz9333]

Excellent overview. Thanks for sharing!

[@stasa-X]

Always interesting the topic you analyze, I completely agree with what you say and I am glad that I discovered you from an interview you gave. I agree that there is a new generation of Russians who have lived the difference between Russia and the West, traveled, studied abroad and do not agree with Putin's policies, as well as many from the past who were finally able to take advantage of the freedom to come into contact with other peoples. and cultures. Yes the war will end at some point and I hope in the next phase of this proud people. Also stocks will run out at some point, Europe's dependence will decrease and Russia's economy will be smaller than the USA, EU and of course China. Thank you very much M.Stubb.

[@rozamb0239]

Thanks for giving us this great insight

[@martinwettmark1203]

Brilliant lecture!

[@coriolan1963]

Thank you for this lecture. Very well explained.

[@HannahHäggAutisticTransWoman]

I am Swedish and russia has been a threat and we have fought like 11 wars against russia. It could gave been more since we almost got into war with russia during the crimean war 1853 to 1856 and also during world war one it was close to war against russia. Sweden and russia has been historicaly enimies. Russia still see us as an unfriendly country.

[@farrier53]

So well presented & informative !! Know & understand your enemy as best you can...

[@lindajoyner3370]

This series is excellent! 🇺🇸Thank you

[@vladimirmeltzer1475]

I lived in Soviet Russia and Belarus from 1959 to 1991 and know Soviet mentality 1st hand as well as history. Russia had never had stability ever. Brutality and corruption has been dominating for 1000 years with no exception

[@johnstaley6337]

Thank you for your views on our world. I really began to follow Russia/USSR during a class in Oslo taught by the husband of Gro Bruntland. Plus living with Norwegians who’d served on the border.

[@johnstaley6337]

Interesting parallels to Mexican society- racked with revolution & corruption, people rush for stability where & from who they can find it - in the moment.

[@meowmeowmeow1243]

I love these series. Thank you so much Alex! Best regards from Romania

[@rockflowerful]

Cannot thank you enough for your overview here, much of what you said confirms my instinctive impressions. Still great to have my impression’s confirmed and set out in your usual clear and succinct manner. One can only hope that younger Russians can interact with the larger world and not have the automatic default position of extreme suspicion. However Putin has made that unlikely for a number of years in the future, perhaps that was part of his masterplan? Sad that the spiritual wing of Russia seems to support this ….all in the name of power and position,other spiritual institutions have done the same in the past so they are not alone in this, However this is another rabbit hole we do not want to enter. Many thanks for your insights.

[@igorseaman1105]

By default nobody has an "extreme suspicion". This is something they learn by interaction and what they gain as experience. They guy was trying to be neutral although his wish to see youngsters thinking in the 'right' (from his point of view) way shows that his is a bit engaged and knows what is better for Russians. And as a general comment - he is wrong about general mentality of Russians (meaning citizens of the RF, not just ethnical Russians). Russians are very sensitive to hypocricy and manipulations and do not tolerate it on any level (of course all people around the World are absolutely the same with the same percentage of any kind of personalities, Russia has them as much as others). EU/US are sanctioning RU oligarchs, what Russians say - EU/US are miserable hypocritical creatures who do not follow their own laws and promises. Nobody cares about oligarchs' wealth, but all remember US/EU behaviour. EU/US have stolen Russian cash reserves - you may guess that learning experience is the same. Such examples accumulated during a certain period of time make people suspicious against so-called 'collective West'. What is funny, Russians mentally allow 'collective East' to be cheaters and liars 'by their nature'. Such a statement moves us to a conclusion that mentally Russians want to be a part of 'collective West' but idealisation of it and high expectations about fairness and openness of it, in turn, create a lot of frustration when they see the reality. In other words, Russians always point on painful areas of western society and arguing like 'when you become ideal, you may advise what myself should do in my home, until when go and continue cleaning your own bullshit'. And it is not because they hate western world but because they wish to see a bacon of ideal to which they want to strive.

[@habibilee4607]

@@igorseaman1105 sensitive to what? Hypocricy and manipulation??? Talking like Russia has never been under manipulative and hypocrite leaders. 🤡🤡

[@igorseaman1105]

@@habibilee4607 This is just a thought of you which is not 100% clear. Do you have any example or could you clarify your comment? If you really want to know, of course, and your comment is not just a rhetoric cancellation of all Russian.

[@rockflowerful]

@@igorseaman1105Igor,thank you for taking the time to reply to me, my comment was written in the spirit of trying to work out something approaching a truth that I could understand. So I am glad to have your opinion. I am in my eighties, have never had the opportunity to visit Russia,so I have often been puzzled by what has happened between between Russia and the West. Politicians are politicians no matter what country they are in. The average citizen in the West knows that politicians play with the truth. We too are often disgusted with our own elites of the political world and that of big business. It takes a lot of citizen power to change things but now and again we do effect change. We do know that any state has a tendency to have secrets that the public are not privy to and it is only when the rights of the individual are not respected and laws bent that citizens get very excited. Don’t think for an instant that the people of the West necessarily go along with what they are told.. there has been much condemnation for instance of very wealthy Russians buying their way into society, when we too believed Western banking was getting fat on doing business with people who had in some cases stolen this money from the Russian people. That is the thing about money it has no loyalty to anyone. So thank you for your reply……this is what we all need…. Talk!

[@ГеннадийКаа́кк]

@@igorseaman1105 полностью согласен с вашим оппонентом.( Igor ) Спросить у меня можете Я нахожусь внутри событий Возможно смогу вам кое что разъяснить

[@saraivilla3076]

Thank you for the eloquent way to explain. Regards from Mexico & Texas USA

[@gestaltmoldova]

There's one crucial point missing in this lecture and in the linked lecture of the person from the intelligence services. Modern Russian government has deep criminal roots and it's not just about being corrupt. It's the way of thinking. Modern Russia was formed during the time of the 90-s, where almost every part of your life had roots in organised crime to the point where local kids lived by the rules of prison hierarchy. I to this day remember these times and it wasn't just my local area, it was totally everywhere. The real law was just a facade, but the de facto law was the one that was forged in soviet jail system. And the people who saw that and lived by these standards are the ones that rule most of the post-socoet countries. And that's what the "global West" I guess is missing. And the simplest way to understand that is to look at the Italian mafia. I guess that's why Belrusconi became one of the Putin's friends. I assume there were some similarities. Besides that Putin likes to bost about being "street wise" and "tough" during his teenage years and even if that's not true - that already speaks about something.

[@francescacercadio2750]

In 1985 in Russia the only thing that prospered was the Black Market. Corruption was wide. Fruit and veg shops were huge but inside there was only a half full carbon box with a few small no n ripe and ugly upper. If you wanted the apples you had to pay extra or go to the black Market. The same was for meat and all other goods and it was not ordered at all aside from the ranks within the organised corruption.

[@dmitrynikolaenko1562]

Very good analysis. Really useful for understanding what's going on.

[@hermione6834]

I don't think that future of the next generations in Russia is the thing that what we should worry about right now, but the lives of innocent people in Ukraine that die every day.

[@anniebooo]

Thank you for insightful analysis, a lot of food for thought. What I am missing from your analysis and many commentators is the economics and needs of a Russia and its crumbling financial situation riddled with corruption. As a hypothesis, could it not be that russian cronies want and need to control the resources of Ukraine, another region to such dry to cover up for the failures at home? I mean they are the worlds largest wheat exporters and are sitting on production of key resources like neon for electronics manufacturing. Is all the nationalistic etc. posturing just part of the story or a smokescreen? Is the whole war maybe a smokescreen to cover up for failings at home in russia? It's just a thought, only asking. Best regards, Annie

[@slavaefremov473]

I would say, that yes, this whole war is a cover up, but not only of Russian failings, but the world's failings. During the pandemic trillions and trillions of dollars and euros (and yens for that matter) were "printed" by the USA, EU and other developed countries. The inflation that would be caused by these actions seemed not to worry anyone. Now I see why. They knew they would not be held accountable for the economic crisis their actions would cause because there would be someone to blame. Now we see that there is Russia. It has become a scapegoat for all the economic problems in all the countries (USA, Germany, China, Japan, etc.). Just check the headlines. I am not on the conspiracy theories' side but it all seems too convenient and too big of a coincidence.

[@anniebooo]

@@slavaefremov473 sorry, that is a barely covered excuse for the Russian regime and its atrocities.

[@slavaefremov473]

​@@anniebooo in what place was it an excuse? I just shared with you a piece of my thinking when trying to figure out what is going on. You can take it into consideration or discard completely, totally up to you.

[@lothartries]

Appreciate your lecture.Share your views completely.

[@Mejuz]

Thank you for this great series!

[@leothelion4192]

Such clarity, thank you.

[@leothelion4192]

Such clarity. Watched Lecture 1, 2 , 3, 4. Thank you

[@martinwest2538]

Yes, Mr. Stubb, you have thoroughly studied the American vision of Russia and quite probably inherited a uncongenial picture of the Russian which is quite common still in Finland.

[@ScrapKing73]

I’m surprised he didn’t list Canada and Japan as neighbours. Canada via the arctic, and Japan via the Kuril islands et al).

[@piecia66]

Would be nice to have a similar lecture about Ukrainians. How the identity was created.

[@dawidj.vanhuffel8217]

One of the best lectures/videos on Russia I've watched. Just a new and better perspective and understanding of a great country and nation. May God grant us understanding, peace and unity as a human race towards each other

[@闫纯朴纯朴的空间]

can you list some boks about russia history? thanks

[@stevenkraft8070]

I would say that the imperialist, "superpower" Russia dates back to the czarist Russian Empire, which I would say dates from the Congress of Vienna and predates the Soviet Union by 100 years. It was actually larger than the Soviet Union, because it contained Finland and most of Poland, as well as all the future Soviet territories.

[@romanstehling6329]

Thanks for your great insights into the nature of that war. It would be great if you could share the titles of the six books about understanding Russia.

[@1948LWE]

Great presentation. It only lacked the nuisances that made Putin jump after waiting for so long for the west to respect and address his security concerns which they did not provide. Also, the fact that why is it OK for the USA to have its Monroe Doctrine (not allowing any foreign forces into the Western Hemisphere - remember the Cuban Crisis?) and not grant the fact the Russia feels threatened by NATO moving eastward towards Russia's borders. Also, there is the internal Neo-Nazi powerful groups who are driving the cart for Zelensky and who have committed war crimes in Donbas. Even in global discourse, such seemingly small nuisances are crucial. I regret that professor Stubb did not address them at all.

[@jmolofsson]

Who says the Monroe Doctrine is OK? This is a European perspective, maybe even a Northern European perspective. It's presented in English, but it's not the Anglophone perspective.

[@antoineraffoul9137]

@@jmolofsson America says and believes so. And America runs the show in Europe.

[@jmolofsson]

@@antoineraffoul9137 Europeans, like e.g. Stubb, do not necessarily agree with you. Particularly not after the campaign for the invasion of Iraq.

[@ukr6392]

Very interesting and insightful👍🏼

[@ГеннадийКаа́кк]

Ухани сала

[@ElenaRadu33]

2:15- you forgot about Moldova...and nowadays even Romania in your list

[@francescacercadio2750]

They are nostalgic of when they were serfs bound to the land.

[@rdelrosso2001]

I think I remember Prof Stubb before the War, but I have seen a lot of him after Feb 24, 2022, on youtube and I am very impressed with his intelligence. Prof was also President of Finland and it is a shame that his talents are not fully used now. I am an American who voted for Obama with confidence and for Hillary Clinton, but only as the "lesser of 2 evils." If it were possible, I'd vote for Alex Stubb for American President. At some point, Professor Stubb should be President of the EU. Or he should be UN Secretary General.

[@talideon]

He was the prime minister of Finland, not its president. These are two different offices.

[@pyatig]

American politics have sunk so low that mere presence of intelligence is enough to get a vote for President 😂

[@archbishopcorrinesheemaame2574]

I LOVE YOUR EYES...THANKS FOR SHARING THESE VIDEOS WITH ME....ALL PRAISE TO THE MOST HIGH YAHWEH

[@simonlooker6000]

I was enlightened by the analysis. Thank you. Then you jumped to 'when the war is over'. But you didn't articulate how you think we should handle the current situation we face right now?

[@bighulkingwar_machine1123]

Great lec..WHAT ARE THE 6 BOOKS?

[@dragon2695]

Nice to hear this lectures on China and Russia. We will be waiting on lecture on USA.

[@galimbertino4939]

their won't be one as this guy is appointed by USA to say what he says.

[@dragon2695]

@@galimbertino4939 I know!!! Still it would be interesting to see what he would say about USA history and plans for the future.

[@galimbertino4939]

@@dragon2695 libéral trans-Atlantique plans, check out the videos before the war. Always good to check the subjects they trente-deux before, so you know who they are and what they want

[@markymark7247]

Very good, but I have a niggle over saying that the 1900s was the start of Russian imperialism, it's more accurate to say it was the zenith of Russian imperialism. The imperial ambition of Russia began at its formation in the 17th century when Muscovy declared itself the kingdom of all the Rus. At that point there were many Russian principalities that considered themselves independent both culturally and politically. They were conquered and assimilated, more or less successfully, into "Russia Proper." The difference in the 1900s was that Russia felt compelled to take their imperialism global to keep up with other European powers and check growing European influence in Asia.

[@jmolofsson]

I'm pretty sure Alexander Stubb agrees with you. There are a couple of similar points in the other lectures, where one can't decide whether he misspoke, simplified for pedagogical reasons, or just is wrong. It's annoying, but one has to live with that.

[@maciejrudzinski8216]

I've watched all episodes. Great stuff. How about episode about diplomacy. I have problem with understanding why Russian diplomats are twisting reality so badly without any shame, and are still treated with respect. I hope that behind closed doors talks are somehow reality based.

[@twisterli9177]

Who told you to think that?

[@upnorth2421]

@@twisterli9177 well you only have tp listen to them. They do openly. Think of Lavrov: we have not attacked Ukraine..

[@mouluc9969]

Interesting question, actually (being serious, here).

[@akilrl85]

Please don't expect that we Finns all have this good accent when we speak english :D

[@artmnk]

You need to make an episode on Ukraine.

[@1Maklak]

What are the titles of those six books on Russia?

[@MatrixManagement2]

What are the six books on Russia you talked about?

[@rickemmet1104]

As to the mentality of Russians, Bill Browder told a story in his book "Red Notice:" A peasant finds a magic lamp, rubs it and out pops a genie. The genie tells the peasant that he'll grant just one wish. The peasant thinks about maybe having a castle, or a ship to sail around the world. Or even better, 1,000 bars of gold. Then the genie says that there is one stipulation: whatever you get, all your neighbors get two of. The peasant says, "F@#k that! Poke out one of my eyes." And a joke was posted on Reddit yesterday that goes: Putin visits a wounded general on his deathbed, there's no way this guy's going to make it. Given how badly the invasion of Ukraine is going, the General looks over to the President and says, "Are you sure the public will follow you?" To which Putin answers, "50% will follow me, 50% will follow you."

[@yevheniisliesariev]

Would be wonderful if you can record an episode about Ukraine itself, if we are talking about "the war in Ukraine".

[@jmolofsson]

So far, Alexander Stubb has made lecture videos on topics he masters, topics like the EU, Russia and Finland. Lectures on topics he has no expertise on are not necessarily a good idea. For a similar perspective, though not as pedagogical, put "Carl Bildt Ukraine" in KZbin's search field. Stubb has been FM and PM for Finland, Bildt has been PM and FM for Sweden.

[@yevheniisliesariev]

​@@jmolofsson Absolutely agree with the thesis that one should speak about what one understands. But how possibly you can speak about Russia-Ukraine war without understanding of Ukrainian background? I am just not sure if such an expertise can be objective. Such series of lectures puts Ukraine outside of the narrative and showcase the importance of all the other parties (even China), diminishing the role of Ukraine in Ukrainian (!) war. Thanks for the recommendation!

[@henkdevries5042]

Thank you so much!! Very good and explains a lot! My biggest concern is: with a different Russia as the rest of (western) world, how can we live together in groups as the views are unequal in such basic rules? These differences can only lead to full separation with closed borders? We are too different to find common ground ever..???

[@Invizive]

As a Russian, I think most of the critical conflicts come from the government institutions (by that I pretty much mean the culture within the state), not from social differences. The regimes changed, the habits within the regimes remained pretty much the same. Russia definitely needs to create its own way of governance and offer it to the world, but it should come out as a result of internal self-reflection and another bloody period. Unfortunately, it is just a wishful thinking and I don't think there would be an outcome with Russia still existing. The only structured opposition nowadays is busy hating the rest of Russians for being too passive and calling for mass punishment of ordinary citizens, so they won't be welcomed. The establishment is busy selling as many of available assets as they can to maintain the illusion of strength among the populace and beat (or eventually bomb) into a pulp any citizens who aren't convinced. Eventually, the only thing to sell would be the country itself, in exchange of peaceful and wealthy lives for them and their families. Russia would be no more.

[@henkdevries5042]

@@Invizive I can see your point. Do you think there are ways to live side-by-side together in an understanding way? Or is it best to close borders? The difference in vision seems too far stretched, right?

[@Invizive]

@@henkdevries5042 depends on what you mean by "closed borders" - we already needed visas to get anywhere in the West besides South America. Business and scientific cooperation was already happening, it's just that most of Russians within those spheres prefer to migrate to avoid dealing with the state and rampant racketeering by police and FSB. Russians were attempting to offer also cultural products, but besides t.A.T.u. in 00s there were not many successes - again, the state with its gerontocracy and late Soviet ways of regulating artists kicked in as soon as something good happened in that sphere. The overwhelming majority of ordinary Russians integrate seamlessly as migrants in the West, the loud ones are just attracted to the image of strong Russia the state-owned media transmitted abroad, combined with the deeper feeling of doubt about such a huge life decision as migration. There is a way to live side-by-side, if the institutions were rebuilt by anyone actually loving Russia and its people, without giving up Russian identity. The major thing that should be changed for cooperation is that Russia needs to offer its people's ideas to the world, not try to enforce a state-warped concept of them. That's it.

[@henkdevries5042]

@@Invizive okay. Clear. The news shows that many people from Russia are fleeing to Turkey, Israel, Finland and likely more places. Is that something possible still? I am curious because people are now limited in their options and news gathering unless you get a VPN or proxy working. I live in a country not born in, always thought that your achievements would be gone like pension, savings, contacts, etc. Not knowing after the move I was mistaken: have much more openings in my new destination, it looked like fear for unknown and not well informed kept me. Wish I did this when young. I am not proud of the country where I was born, so easy to leave. Not sure what your balance of push and pull is to leave (if you still can)?

[@Invizive]

@@henkdevries5042 I study and live in Finland currently, so it's not a new decision, but it's hard to see all the bridges burning. My parents will definitely be living much worse than before, but better than being potentially imprisoned for protesting and "spreading misinformation about the special operation". The family was hit repeatedly by the Soviets during their time, so the fear of staying is much stronger than the fear of unknown in all of us. You can still travel to and from Finland, it's just more stressful on the borders and it's not possible to renew your travel visa anymore. Wanted to visit Russia sometime, but doesn't seem like a wise decision anymore, with all the tensions of the Finnish border. Started buying canned food, just in case.

[@mildabaravykaite4065]

Lithuania and Poland are also neighbours of Russia. Please remember Kaliningrad.

[@lordkorner]

Oh you mean Königsberg, we'll be back .

[@pjeng1]

@@lordkorner I think he was talking about the Kaliningrad forest massacre occurred in Poland during WW2 .

[@ГеннадийКаа́кк]

@@lordkorner думаю вас огорчю.если вы очень скоро узнаете об образовании новой страны, DDR 2,0

[@Huva34]

I feel like it’s important to note that Russian conservatism is not the same as American conservatism especially if your going to invoke the recent campaign slogan of one of our most conservative Presidents of all time. Make America Great Again did not mean expanding American influence through military might in fact we had a draw down of troops in Afghanistan and Iraq and was even criticized for not defending the Kurds in Syria. Trump was the first president in a long time to not get involved militarily in a new conflict. American Conservatism is more about getting government out of the way so businesses and individuals are not taxed into oblivion. Russia has an imperialist mindset that whatever Putin says is Golden and carried out without question. This mindset is actually closer aligned with the American Democrat government first party or a Macaron of France, which means France got tricked.

[@eveningabused5123]

Forgot that Lithuania is neighbor (unless you dont count kaliningrad)

[@jmolofsson]

That's the point here. Kaliningrad (East Prussia) is a *_very_* recent addition.