Why Putin Invaded Ukraine featuring Michael McFaul | Policy Stories

Why did Putin invade Ukraine? Putin, like all dictators, is threatened by democratic ideas, governments, and peoples. Putin fears democratic expansion, not an expansion of NATO.

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[csterling]

Everyone just needs to stay in their own damn country. Stop invading others.

[stringX]

No way. The US has done enough to fund this proxy war. We have our own problems and our own national security you worry about. We need to promote for a DIPLOMATIC end to the war -- not doubling down on weapons and more financial aid.

[scottadams]

Why did the US and NATO push Russia to this position. Keep your weapons in your own country and we dont need to see this

[jimmysun]

Highlight the shamelessness and double standard of Americans

[darkdevlink]

this isnt even half the story and its mostly half truths or lies

[boomerang]

Since the fall of the Soviet Union @ 30 years ago and NATO's promise not to annex any former Soviet republics in Eastern Europe, NATO has been doing just that. In 2014, the CIA help oust a pro-Moscow president who was freely elected by Ukraine's people. They installed one who was pro-West, wanted Ukraine to become part of the EU and part of NATO. Up until 1954, The Crimea was part of Russia. It's ethnically Russian, not Ukrainian. Also, in the Soviet Union era, The Crimea was home to the Southwest Bomber Command who was tasked with the defense of the fatherland's eastern frontier. Putin has been quite consistent in his rhetoric regarding his displeasure with NATO (who's the lapdog for the US military). Russia will never ever accept NATO missiles on the Ukraine border and the US Navy docking in The Crimea during the 6th Fleet training maneuvers. Putin warned Zelensky to negotiate: The Crimea goes back to Russia and Ukraine promises never to join NATO. Biden insisted they not negotiate. Biden wants regime change in Russia. Thus, Biden supports his proxy war with Russia, regardless of human cost.

[Szminsky]

I agree with this sentiment. Eastern Europe wants nothing of the “Russkiy Mir”.

[mitkapetkova]

Everyone who is following the situation in Ukraine /since 2014 and before/ and knows some history, understands why Putin invaded Ukraine. I do not need someone to put thoughts in my mind and to tell me what to think.

[vituk]

I really don’t understand the character. Ex ambassador of US in Russia. And always bashes Russia. Dude, please, just focus on your democratic USA. Wtf

[gen_music]

Nonsense zero knowledge of politics and history

[alexa.davronov]

McFoul's voice sounds like an intro into an epic strategy telling prelude to what we are going through. Such a captivating voice.

[walterfijn]

Newscaster: "Restoring democracy in Ukraine"
Me: 🤨

[JuanCarlosRF]

Although I don’t agree with the war but this video sounds very one sided

[timcasady]

Ideas are more powerful than guns.We would not let our enemies have guns, why should we let them have ideas -Joseph Stalin quote. Putin fears democracy just as Stalin did.

[ubermalice]

I mean... In a way Putin's actions aren't entirely without merit. Before Putin Russia was in big trouble, much of that "trouble" a result of some rather obvious imperfections regarding democracy, in that it allows for and makes room for corruption. Of course when it comes to corruption it's a game of "pick your poison". A common fallacy with respect to America is that the U.S. is a democratic nation; we're not. The U.S. is a constitutional republic. Now, this by no means I condone Putin's actions but it also means I'm not oblivious to the why. From Putin's perspective it's a matter of minimizing variables and uncertainty. Fact of the matter is; America meddles. Rather, have been known to meddle and from the perspective of foreign nations; that's unacceptable. If America always conducted such affairs above board, I seriously doubt there'd be so many issues in the world with American stink on them. Nonetheless and for better or worse, this is in part Americas problem to fix. If we don't, we're looking at serious and unforeseen consequences that will affect everyone, including Americans.

Sadly this guy in this video, whoever he is, is woefully myopic on this subject.

[walterfijn]

How Zenlensky came into power wasn't a free and open election.

[mooooooooooomooooooooooomo]

haha just wanted to check if its propaganda and it is lol

[giselapfeifer]

The Ukraine was a free and neutral country until the US armed the nationaists in Ukraine who opposed Russia. That's how the conflict started..

[nikolagrigorov]

And I think it's pure vanity, because they didn't reciprocate his gifts, they didn't even say "thank you" to him. And, that is without the consent of my family, he forgave them for the crimes committed, and gave them the property of my ancestors, i.e. home and land.

[claytongrandstaff]

One should not force someone in union with you. Like a forced marriage. Ukraine no longer wants to be in a union with Russia.