There are many voices on this site who are critical of Russia, but in fairness to Russia, it has things to be envied, like a positively Russian culture and a strong sense of national identity, at least among the Russians I know. I'll wager that more Russians would be willing to fight to defend Mother Russia from an aggressor than 'Residents of Britain' would be in if in the same situation. I certainly wouldn't today, and neither would I advise my offspring to.
A daughter of my cousin emigrated to the USA (with her husband) and now lives in Houston. Sometimes I ask myself what if I did emigrate to the USA, the UK, Australia or Canada in turbulent 90's then many including me feared that Russia had no bright future. In this case I would not be just a resident but devoted citizen of my new Motherland. However in any case I would think in Russian. So my soul would remain Russian.
Would I fight to defend Russia? My answer is yes despite many negative features of modern Russia, despite the fact that Russian economy is owned by (frequently not ethnically Russian) oligarchs, despite corrupted nature of the ruling elites.
But ... Rulers come and go, Russia remains Russia.
On the streets of Moscow, you really could not believe you were anywhere else but Russia. More 'Progressive' countries are rapidly losing their national identities.
On many accounts Moscow is remarkable city with 12.6 mln. of permanent residents and millions of legal and illegal migrants. From the first glance it is a new Babylon. However, being asked about their ethnical self identification 91,65% called themself Russians. So Moscow is in fact mono ethnical city and it preserve its 'Russianness' if you understand what I do mean.
The Moldovan leader was on Radio 4 talking about her wish to join the EU because that is her people's right, and that she wants the 1500 Russian 'peacekeepers' in her country to leave.
Moldova is the poorest country in Europe and the EU aspirations have simple explanation. Ms. Marple would say in this case her famous - 'Money'. As for Russian peacekeepers then most of them are locals from separatist entity Transnistria who have also Russian citizenship. It is impossible to withdraw them as they live here.
She would join the EU in a belief that she will escape Russian domination and her country will be able to assert itself, yet in 20 years time it will be unrecognisable, just a collection of people from all over the EU who just happen to currently reside within the borders of what was once Moldova if it's in a good point on the prevailing wages : cost of living in a shed with beds cycle.
Moldova was not and is not an attractive country to reside in. It is a small copy of Romania but more poor. So for the EU Moldova would be just another beggar ... but with Russian troops on the EU territory that would be hardly acceptable.
On balance, if I was Russian I would want to keep Mr P and squeeze the EU until its eyes popped out with massive hikes in gas prices at the beginning of every winter.
Edited for duff spelling and Grammar Nazi wrath avoidance.
I don't support mr.Putin. Russia from my point of view deserves better leader. But indeed many sincerely support mr.Putin.
If I were English then whom would I support? Now probably Boris while he is not ideal leader. Though ideal is something that frequently can not be reached.
