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Someone on this board seems to....disapprove of my latest troll, and has asked that I express my true opinions. For a limited time only, I will do so 
Should this thread descend into trollery, I will end this experiment.
On Estonia: I don't really care about their removal of a statue. Moving the soldiers buried beneath it is kind of insulting, and somewhat inappropriate, and I don't see it as entirely unreasonable for Russians to take issue with it. At the same time, one can see why Estonia would choose to do such a thing.
Russia's behaviour may appear to be somewhat silly, but it's probably just another attempt at increasing domestic popularity and power. Ideally, Russia would simply ignore Estonia: If Estonians want to cling to the past, let them.
On Soviet occupation of the baltics: The Baltics are not Russian territory, and the Soviet invasion of the Baltic states was illegal and directly contravened the stated ideals of the Soviet Union. The people of these nations should be allowed to exercise sovereignty over themselves, and any association between the Baltic states and Russia should be based on free association, not coercion.
Russia should recognise tihs.
On the rights of Russians in the Baltic Republics: The rights of Russians in this area should be respected, and I condemn attempts by some Baltic politicians to form a communit of exclusion around them, for instance, by making language a divisive issue.
On the present Russian government: The atmosphere of notdemocracy that is being created by Putin is worrying, as is Russia's slide into fascism. Russia has the capability of serving as a friend to the people of the region, but it is instead choosing to embrace ultranationalism and and belligerence, which I condemn.
On Russian nationalism: Russia has a lot to be proud of, for the contributions of Russians to the world in such areas as art or science should not be underestimated. Still, using "nationalism" to simply ignore (or even endorse) the more negative aspects of Russia's past and present is irresponsible, and ultimately it would be best to move past nationalism altogether.
On Russia's energy and foreign policy: Gazprom is fully within its rights to control its own commodity. Surrounding states are fully within their rights to deny Gazprom transit through their territory. It is wholly unreasonable to expect Russia to subsidize gas for nonfriendly regiemes.
That being said, I would like to see Russia maintain a more open and friendly energy policy with its neighbours.
On the Georgia situation: This is silly. Russia should treat the Georgian people with respect and dignity, and should work with Georgia to benefit both countries.
On the Georgia situation, p2: The Georgian majority should not be allowed to oppress minorities in the state, and if various parts of Georgia wish their own self-determination, then internationally monitored elections should be held in the areas to determine their status.
On Ukraine: The "Orange Revolution" has been a failure. While Russian interference in the Ukrainian political process is not desired, neither is Western interference in order to bring about electoral results it desires.
On Finland: Both Finnish "cobelligerence" with the Nazi regieme and Russian attempts at dominating Finland should be condemned.
Anything else?
Should this thread descend into trollery, I will end this experiment.
On Estonia: I don't really care about their removal of a statue. Moving the soldiers buried beneath it is kind of insulting, and somewhat inappropriate, and I don't see it as entirely unreasonable for Russians to take issue with it. At the same time, one can see why Estonia would choose to do such a thing.
Russia's behaviour may appear to be somewhat silly, but it's probably just another attempt at increasing domestic popularity and power. Ideally, Russia would simply ignore Estonia: If Estonians want to cling to the past, let them.
On Soviet occupation of the baltics: The Baltics are not Russian territory, and the Soviet invasion of the Baltic states was illegal and directly contravened the stated ideals of the Soviet Union. The people of these nations should be allowed to exercise sovereignty over themselves, and any association between the Baltic states and Russia should be based on free association, not coercion.
Russia should recognise tihs.
On the rights of Russians in the Baltic Republics: The rights of Russians in this area should be respected, and I condemn attempts by some Baltic politicians to form a communit of exclusion around them, for instance, by making language a divisive issue.
On the present Russian government: The atmosphere of notdemocracy that is being created by Putin is worrying, as is Russia's slide into fascism. Russia has the capability of serving as a friend to the people of the region, but it is instead choosing to embrace ultranationalism and and belligerence, which I condemn.
On Russian nationalism: Russia has a lot to be proud of, for the contributions of Russians to the world in such areas as art or science should not be underestimated. Still, using "nationalism" to simply ignore (or even endorse) the more negative aspects of Russia's past and present is irresponsible, and ultimately it would be best to move past nationalism altogether.
On Russia's energy and foreign policy: Gazprom is fully within its rights to control its own commodity. Surrounding states are fully within their rights to deny Gazprom transit through their territory. It is wholly unreasonable to expect Russia to subsidize gas for nonfriendly regiemes.
That being said, I would like to see Russia maintain a more open and friendly energy policy with its neighbours.
On the Georgia situation: This is silly. Russia should treat the Georgian people with respect and dignity, and should work with Georgia to benefit both countries.
On the Georgia situation, p2: The Georgian majority should not be allowed to oppress minorities in the state, and if various parts of Georgia wish their own self-determination, then internationally monitored elections should be held in the areas to determine their status.
On Ukraine: The "Orange Revolution" has been a failure. While Russian interference in the Ukrainian political process is not desired, neither is Western interference in order to bring about electoral results it desires.
On Finland: Both Finnish "cobelligerence" with the Nazi regieme and Russian attempts at dominating Finland should be condemned.
Anything else?
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