Understanding the War in Ukraine (5) - Russia

STG Director Prof Alexander Stubb sheds light on the war in Ukraine in a series of video lectures. Each lecture focuses on a different angle regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
After the first four lectures covering the general situation, Finland, Europe and "the world", the fifth lecture focuses on Russia.
In the video, Alexander Stubb refers to Martti J. Kari, former intelligence Colonel in the Finnish Defence Forces, and his lecture on "Russian strategic culture - Why Russia does things the way it does?": • Tiedustelueverstin arv...
This episode was recorded on 8 April 2022.
More on eui.eu/stg
#Ukraine #UkraineRussiaWar #Russia #Putin

[@randybradshaw7060]

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

[@shiroyashaz]

#WhereIsGonzaloLira

[@user-vl5qh7zq6z]

@@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.

[@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 !

[@emesejohn5367]

Stubb analysis at its best! Succinct and eloquent.

[@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.

[@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

[@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?

[@bitspieces3885]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@zacharydavis4398]

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

[@toddbilleci8563]

Started looking forward to these-thank you.

[@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.

[@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.

[@Illkacirma]

Thanks again Mr. Stubb for sharing your insights!

[@junerobertson4389]

Thank you, brilliant lecture series.

[@xiao-rongpeng9804]

Promote understanding, not hate! Great lecture!

[@farrier53]

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

[@jsvz9333]

Excellent overview. Thanks for sharing!

[@Mejuz]

Thank you for this great series!

[@ave248]

Fantastiskt bra, Alex!

[@leninha5549]

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

[@MrFactotum]

great clearly described history lesson for me!!

[@dotcom2528]

Stubb, keep up the good work.

[@martinwettmark1203]

Brilliant lecture!

[@avalon5638]

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

[@nickward4168]

Beyond grateful i found your channel. Truly a gem

[@meowmeowmeow1243]

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

[@coriolan1963]

Thank you for this lecture. Very well explained.

[@theH0UNDSofD00M]

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

[@stephaniewaters1777]

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

[@dumitrutulbure4473]

Extraordinary analysis....Thanks

[@TheLivirus]

This was excellent!

[@lindajoyner3370]

This series is excellent! 🇺🇸Thank you

[@saboorsaboor704]

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

[@saraivilla3076]

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

[@lothartries]

Appreciate your lecture.Share your views completely.

[@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.

[@albertklamt7622]

Pieces of great understanding!

[@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.

[@dmitrynikolaenko1562]

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

[@leothelion4192]

Such clarity, thank you.

[@leothelion4192]

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

[@ukr6392]

Very interesting and insightful👍🏼

[@user-vl5qh7zq6z]

Ухани сала

[@rozamb0239]

Thanks for giving us this great insight

[@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!

[@user-xi3cv9xj5b]

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.

[@m.walther6434]

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

[@danielessel420]

Bravo am amazed

[@pierrekiroule2827]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@olehk7318]

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

[@bighulkingwar_machine1123]

Great lec..WHAT ARE THE 6 BOOKS?

[@kolonyoni3458]

Excellect break down of facts.

[@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.

[@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.

[@user-qt3qm6ff6p]

As always impressive smart guy!

[@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.

[@user-vl5qh7zq6z]

@@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.

[@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..

[@mikeville66]

Thank you for this series of mini lectures. Very interesting and well summed up. On the West having problems understanding russian thinking & leadership: could the reverse also be the case? I.e. the Russians having a problem understanding western ideas & thinking? If so, maybe this could account for - what seems to be - the gross misprediction by the Russians of Europe's reaction to their invasion of Ukraine? How could they be so oblivious to the level of threat this would be percieved as by the rest of Europe?

[@jmolofsson]

You are certainly right here! There are two kinds of Russians who do understand Westerners better than the other. One kind is the "businessmen" (sometimes mafioso), the other kind is the intelligence agencies, particularly the contraspionage, which is Putin's background. But even *_their_* understanding is rather limited and skewed by their Russian worldview. For instance, it's often repeated that Putin doesn't "get" democracy. People like him literally *_believes_* there must be corruption and coercion behind popular movements like e.g. in Ukraine 2014. And when that's your conviction, then that's what you'll see.

[@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“.

[@eugenebastian8351]

Correct assessment.

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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!

[@user-vl5qh7zq6z]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@archbishopcorrinesheemaame2574]

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

[@basblijdorp6735]

Impressive mini-series, he could have been our European Commission leader. He would have my vote!

[@galimbertino4939]

Certainly not, otherwise we would be at war. This is a warmonger paid by USA to say what he say.

[@jmolofsson]

I fear he is seen as too much of a representative of the Frugal North, too close to Schäuble.

[@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.

[@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?

[@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.

[@user-wy1ne2fc5m]

can you list some boks about russia history? thanks

[@chrischicago6928]

Dear Alex, would you mind providing the LIST of the 6 History Books on Russia (from Furman University)? Looks like the Professor you mentioned is NO LONGER there ...

[@chrischicago6928]

Thank you. It is terrific 1/ reference to 6 layers and 2/ reference to lecture by Martti J. Kari

[@user-vl5qh7zq6z]

Я смогу предоставить списки книг по истории России Лев Толстой Достоевский

[@MatrixManagement2]

What are the six books on Russia you talked about?

[@Flokarl1]

Alexander ger svar på de svåra frågorna som folk undrar över!...Och en gnutta hopp om framtiden. Alexanders speaches is what you need to understand abit over how Russian diktator(s) is/are thinking!!! I have heard of this man (Alexander) "forever". But just , since this war started begun to follow him and his important knowledges as a former Prime Minster .

[@marcelblanchard3295]

Excelentes reflexiones! Quiero realizarle un par de preguntas que me acosan. No sé si este es el luugar adecuado. Ya me suscribí a vuestra cuenta. Muchas gracias. Marcel (Uruguay).

[@piecia66]

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

[@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.

[@afahmid]

Do you mind to provide name of those six books on Russia?

[@artmnk]

You need to make an episode on Ukraine.

[@ecelsozanato5603]

Excelent!🤩 But the volume of the “music” is more aggressive than the russian soldiers in Bucha. 🙈

[@francescacercadio2750]

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

[@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.

[@1Maklak]

What are the titles of those six books on Russia?

[@akilrl85]

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

[@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.

[@MegaWunna]

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.

[@user-qt3qm6ff6p]

Martti only lectures in finish with no subtitles in English :-) any way to translate it?

[@fanatlarge]

There is actually a pinned post with the English version.

[@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 😂

[@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.

[@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).

[@BlueHooloovoo]

I wish we could have Prime Minister's like this in Canada.

[@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.

[@philippedefechereux8740]

Very eloquently illuminating. Thank you. I dearly hope your country and Sweden join NATO this summer; you'll make it better and stronger. Separately, I am a Formula 1 fan, and "Kimi" is one of my favorite drivers.😊.

[@user-vl5qh7zq6z]

Вступление в НАТО для Швеции Финляндии Будет означать для них Не защиту А новые большие проблемы

[@pen7759]

@@user-vl5qh7zq6z could you take your words in English, to understand

[@user-vl5qh7zq6z]

@@pen7759 KZbin has the ability to automatically translate In order to use it , you need to go back to the original page in the upper right corner to find the desired message and click the Translate button under it ........Oddly enough, Europeans do not know how to use self-translation Unlike Hindus Chinese and others

[@pyatig]

@@pen7759 he said joining NATO will bring huge problems instead of security for Sweden and Finland

[@andermolk2428]

he is dolboeb

[@TNothingFree]

Important to learn from Russia's neighbors on how they perceive Russia.

[@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.