No, it really doesn't defend them at all. You're reading too much into what isn't there.
It really does. If not, then what's the point of saying it?
Russia only expands for defensive purposes and to create a buffer zone.
Doing something for defense rather than offense is a way of justifying it. You even said it's understandable that they do this. It's why there's a big difference between killing someone "offensively" vs. defensively. If you kill someone who's attacking you, it's not necessarily a crime. If you go attack and kill someone who didn't attack you, it's a crime (at least the vast majority of the time).
Don't you ever wonder how it happens? How do these rogue nations and evil governments inexplicably and suddenly pop up out of nowhere?
What is it with you guys and this "sudden" stuff? I guess it's an easy way to try to dismiss stuff you don't like, by using dishonest words to paint it as something it's not.
There's nothing inexplicable or sudden about Russia's actions. Putin has been working on this kind of stuff for decades. This particular invasion was not at all sudden. It came about over the course of years and started with their support for the tiny group who wanted Donbas to break away from Ukraine. I don't wonder how this one happened, because it's already clear. Putin puts in a lot of effort to undermine democracy around the world. He has annexed other lands in the recent past. He needed to drum up support. He saw an opportunity here where he could use his propaganda to do all of that.
The U.S. does seem to have to deal with this kind of situation on a regular basis.
Whether or not they do is irrelevant here. Stick to this situation.
I agree that what Russia is doing is wrong, but whether it's dangerous for the whole world is another question altogether.
So, a country doing something wrong by invading a sovereign country is not dangerous outside of that one situation? You don't understand that it has greater implications? Especially when Putin already annexed other territories and has used a vast campaign to undermine democracy throughout the world?
I don't see them as demons, nor do I believe that they're demonizing themselves. Putin's rise to power seems to coincide with a rise in xenophobia and a resurgence in nationalism which has taken place in Russia. One thing that keeps him in power is the Russians' fear of the West. That's how nationalism works, by stoking fear among the masses. Of course, it may contain a lot of BS propaganda and disinformation, but the long-term fear and mistrust of the West is very real - and that's why it works. In the West, there has also been a long-term fear and mistrust of the Russians, so the idea of Russians being an "enemy" is something that Westerners have grown accustomed to for generations.
So, Putin rises to power and becomes a dictator "coincided" with a rise in xenophobia, nationalism and bigotry? Rather than being intricately linked?
You're almost there here. Putin uses nationalism, xenophobia, bigotry and fear of the west to stay in power. That, plus underhanded tactics that make elections a sham. You admit that he uses a lot of propaganda and disinformation.
We've grown accustomed to Russians as the enemy, but that doesn't change the fact that they currently are, because of their actions, not because of history. Putin's actions are what makes them our enemy and the enemy of democracy.
But it's no longer the same world as it was during the Cold War. Not everyone buys in to the "Captain America" vs. "the evil empire" shtick.
Good thing no one here is talking about the Cold War or "Captain America vs. The Evil Empire". It's only you guys trying to pretend anyone pointing out the problems with your claims is automatically promoting the "Captain America" shtick.
