I am Russian, she is Ukrainian, we were friends

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:and she is no longer talking to me. I am anti-Putin, I support humanitarian efforts. She was my friend for 20 years and now she blocked me, told her children not talk to mine. What can I do? What should I do? I am devastated and so are my children.

Are you clearly opposed to the war? One thing we have encountered with Russian friends is that they take an equivocal position regarding the war in which they place some blame on the Ukrainians (or NATO, etc). I can imagine Ukrainians not having a lot of patience with both-sidesing the war right now.

I place absolutely no blame on the Ukrainians. This is their land that is being raped. I do not support Russian position and if anything, I have called for a no fly zone over Ukraine.

It is not enough as a Russian to “call for” something and say you are opposed. What concretely are you doing? you and your family, including your kids? Are you raising money? Are you attending protests? Are you writing your rep and asking for support for a no fly zone? Have you asked how you can support, concretely, your friends family? Do they have relatives still in Ukraine? What concrete help have you offered to get them out or provide them with supies or contacts?

If you are just talk and no action, your friend sees that as a betrayal.

GTFOH. It’s rich to read this from an American. You think there isn’t blood on your hands because your country controls the narrative and dominates the world?

Seriously. People who have just started thinking about Russia and Ukraine in late February need to just stay out of this.

The unmitigated gall of Americans has me wishing they would start a war with Russia and get their comeuppance finally. That madman in Moscow will absolutely go nuclear, pun intended. It’s intolerable listening to Americans preen and bump their gums as if they’re not the world‘s most harmful and destructive villains. Africa says hello, you twits.

Indeed! Bravo for saying it so eloquently! And not just Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Serbs, Albanians whom they were "rescuing" by bombing my Albanian cousins!
Even when they think they are doing "good" they cause more harm than they can imagine! Free shirts for all... no jobs for any shirt makers that were providing perfectly fine shirts and jobs for thousands!

The USA is the only country that has shown true global leadership in the last 100 years. It still remains the only country that both steps up to the plate and does it competently. The US will turn inwards, because it can afford to, and it will be a painful experience for those who like to complain about its “interferences”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:and she is no longer talking to me. I am anti-Putin, I support humanitarian efforts. She was my friend for 20 years and now she blocked me, told her children not talk to mine. What can I do? What should I do? I am devastated and so are my children.

Are you clearly opposed to the war? One thing we have encountered with Russian friends is that they take an equivocal position regarding the war in which they place some blame on the Ukrainians (or NATO, etc). I can imagine Ukrainians not having a lot of patience with both-sidesing the war right now.

I place absolutely no blame on the Ukrainians. This is their land that is being raped. I do not support Russian position and if anything, I have called for a no fly zone over Ukraine.

It is not enough as a Russian to “call for” something and say you are opposed. What concretely are you doing? you and your family, including your kids? Are you raising money? Are you attending protests? Are you writing your rep and asking for support for a no fly zone? Have you asked how you can support, concretely, your friends family? Do they have relatives still in Ukraine? What concrete help have you offered to get them out or provide them with supies or contacts?

If you are just talk and no action, your friend sees that as a betrayal.

GTFOH. It’s rich to read this from an American. You think there isn’t blood on your hands because your country controls the narrative and dominates the world?

Seriously. People who have just started thinking about Russia and Ukraine in late February need to just stay out of this.

The unmitigated gall of Americans has me wishing they would start a war with Russia and get their comeuppance finally. That madman in Moscow will absolutely go nuclear, pun intended. It’s intolerable listening to Americans preen and bump their gums as if they’re not the world‘s most harmful and destructive villains. Africa says hello, you twits.

Indeed! Bravo for saying it so eloquently! And not just Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Serbs, Albanians whom they were "rescuing" by bombing my Albanian cousins!
Even when they think they are doing "good" they cause more harm than they can imagine! Free shirts for all... no jobs for any shirt makers that were providing perfectly fine shirts and jobs for thousands!

The USA is the only country that has shown true global leadership in the last 100 years. It still remains the only country that both steps up to the plate and does it competently. The US will turn inwards, because it can afford to, and it will be a painful experience for those who like to complain about its “interferences”.

Yeah yeah, whatever you say. Glad you war mongering baby boomers are losing relevande

[Anonymous]

I hate Putin and blame everyone who has supported his power and ideology. But. I'd like to remind you, my fellow Americans, that we are Americans first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:and she is no longer talking to me. I am anti-Putin, I support humanitarian efforts. She was my friend for 20 years and now she blocked me, told her children not talk to mine. What can I do? What should I do? I am devastated and so are my children.

Are you clearly opposed to the war? One thing we have encountered with Russian friends is that they take an equivocal position regarding the war in which they place some blame on the Ukrainians (or NATO, etc). I can imagine Ukrainians not having a lot of patience with both-sidesing the war right now.

I place absolutely no blame on the Ukrainians. This is their land that is being raped. I do not support Russian position and if anything, I have called for a no fly zone over Ukraine.

It is not enough as a Russian to “call for” something and say you are opposed. What concretely are you doing? you and your family, including your kids? Are you raising money? Are you attending protests? Are you writing your rep and asking for support for a no fly zone? Have you asked how you can support, concretely, your friends family? Do they have relatives still in Ukraine? What concrete help have you offered to get them out or provide them with supies or contacts?

If you are just talk and no action, your friend sees that as a betrayal.

GTFOH. It’s rich to read this from an American. You think there isn’t blood on your hands because your country controls the narrative and dominates the world?

Seriously. People who have just started thinking about Russia and Ukraine in late February need to just stay out of this.

The unmitigated gall of Americans has me wishing they would start a war with Russia and get their comeuppance finally. That madman in Moscow will absolutely go nuclear, pun intended. It’s intolerable listening to Americans preen and bump their gums as if they’re not the world‘s most harmful and destructive villains. Africa says hello, you twits.

Indeed! Bravo for saying it so eloquently! And not just Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Serbs, Albanians whom they were "rescuing" by bombing my Albanian cousins!
Even when they think they are doing "good" they cause more harm than they can imagine! Free shirts for all... no jobs for any shirt makers that were providing perfectly fine shirts and jobs for thousands!

The USA is the only country that has shown true global leadership in the last 100 years. It still remains the only country that both steps up to the plate and does it competently. The US will turn inwards, because it can afford to, and it will be a painful experience for those who like to complain about its “interferences”.

Yeah yeah, whatever you say. Glad you war mongering baby boomers are losing relevande

We’ll just let evolution take care of the Russian. They have been close to die out of starvation a few times in the last century.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I too have started to distance myself from a few Russian friends I have known 10+ years. I'm not rude, and it's not personal, but I just cut off communication and don't want them in my life any more based on what I've seen and heard from Ukraine. If one of them were to constantly protest against Putin very publicly, or join a very public resistance movement, then it would be a different story.

For better or for worse, sometimes people bear the shame of the actions of their leaders.

Are these Russian-Americans? I very much hope you aren’t indiscriminately distancing yourself from everyone with Russian heritage.

These are people who identify more with Russia than the US, whether by birth or extended family ties. It may not be fair in every case but Putin drew the battle lines and forced us all to pick sides. Every time I see or hear a Russian now the photos of dead Ukrainian children flash before my eyes.

As others have said there will doubtless be Russian heroes who are part of the resistance, but for any Russians who don't make resistance to Putin their #1 priority from now until he is dead, they are not welcome around me or my family.

How do you know they identify more with Russia than the US? Also, how are Russians who don’t live in Russia supposed to make resistance to Putin their #1 priority for the rest of Putin’s life, which could be another 20 years?

The answer to the first question is - I make my best judgment. Not perfect. Not fair. But again, that's the situation we are in.

To answer the second question - vocal, unequivocal, constant condemnation of Putin. Reach out to family members in Russia and try to send them facts. Raise money to support Ukraine. Renounce Russian citizenship and claim asylum in the US. And do it all very publicly. That may be too much "real talk" for you but that's the situation. If you don't realize it yet, you will soon. My opinion is shared by most of the family and friends I've spoken with the last week.

The situation we’re in is that we all should be judging whether Russian-Americans are loyal to Russia or the US?

They need to publicly renounce Russian citizenship? What if they need it in order to visit sick family members in Russia? It is not easy to get a visa to is it Russia.

And please don’t lecture me on what’s real or not. I am Russian and Ukrainian. I know this situation all too well — unlike you, who have decided to insert yourself into this situation.

Ask yourself, with the benefit of hindsight: if you were a German in Hitler's Germany when war broke out, what should you have done? Because it's the same story starting all over again. Putin is an existential threat to every life on the planet.

I'd imagine Hitler protestors were sent to death camps. It took a world war to stop Hitler. Like, U.S. soldiers fighting in Europe.

First, Germany had THE best army in the world at the time. Secondly, most Germans supported Hitler, blindly and to the death, which is why the army was so successful and it took a huge coalition and millions of lives lost to defeat them.

No one can do what Hitler did or what Putin does without implicit support by a large portion of the population.

There was a draft in Germany. It started in 1935.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:and she is no longer talking to me. I am anti-Putin, I support humanitarian efforts. She was my friend for 20 years and now she blocked me, told her children not talk to mine. What can I do? What should I do? I am devastated and so are my children.

Are you clearly opposed to the war? One thing we have encountered with Russian friends is that they take an equivocal position regarding the war in which they place some blame on the Ukrainians (or NATO, etc). I can imagine Ukrainians not having a lot of patience with both-sidesing the war right now.

I place absolutely no blame on the Ukrainians. This is their land that is being raped. I do not support Russian position and if anything, I have called for a no fly zone over Ukraine.

It is not enough as a Russian to “call for” something and say you are opposed. What concretely are you doing? you and your family, including your kids? Are you raising money? Are you attending protests? Are you writing your rep and asking for support for a no fly zone? Have you asked how you can support, concretely, your friends family? Do they have relatives still in Ukraine? What concrete help have you offered to get them out or provide them with supies or contacts?

If you are just talk and no action, your friend sees that as a betrayal.

GTFOH. It’s rich to read this from an American. You think there isn’t blood on your hands because your country controls the narrative and dominates the world?

Seriously. People who have just started thinking about Russia and Ukraine in late February need to just stay out of this.

The unmitigated gall of Americans has me wishing they would start a war with Russia and get their comeuppance finally. That madman in Moscow will absolutely go nuclear, pun intended. It’s intolerable listening to Americans preen and bump their gums as if they’re not the world‘s most harmful and destructive villains. Africa says hello, you twits.

Indeed! Bravo for saying it so eloquently! And not just Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Serbs, Albanians whom they were "rescuing" by bombing my Albanian cousins!
Even when they think they are doing "good" they cause more harm than they can imagine! Free shirts for all... no jobs for any shirt makers that were providing perfectly fine shirts and jobs for thousands!

The USA is the only country that has shown true global leadership in the last 100 years. It still remains the only country that both steps up to the plate and does it competently. The US will turn inwards, because it can afford to, and it will be a painful experience for those who like to complain about its “interferences”.

Yeah yeah, whatever you say. Glad you war mongering baby boomers are losing relevande

We’ll just let evolution take care of the Russian. They have been close to die out of starvation a few times in the last century.

Hoping for mass starvation. Psychotic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:and she is no longer talking to me. I am anti-Putin, I support humanitarian efforts. She was my friend for 20 years and now she blocked me, told her children not talk to mine. What can I do? What should I do? I am devastated and so are my children.

Are you clearly opposed to the war? One thing we have encountered with Russian friends is that they take an equivocal position regarding the war in which they place some blame on the Ukrainians (or NATO, etc). I can imagine Ukrainians not having a lot of patience with both-sidesing the war right now.

I place absolutely no blame on the Ukrainians. This is their land that is being raped. I do not support Russian position and if anything, I have called for a no fly zone over Ukraine.

It is not enough as a Russian to “call for” something and say you are opposed. What concretely are you doing? you and your family, including your kids? Are you raising money? Are you attending protests? Are you writing your rep and asking for support for a no fly zone? Have you asked how you can support, concretely, your friends family? Do they have relatives still in Ukraine? What concrete help have you offered to get them out or provide them with supies or contacts?

If you are just talk and no action, your friend sees that as a betrayal.

GTFOH. It’s rich to read this from an American. You think there isn’t blood on your hands because your country controls the narrative and dominates the world?

Seriously. People who have just started thinking about Russia and Ukraine in late February need to just stay out of this.

The unmitigated gall of Americans has me wishing they would start a war with Russia and get their comeuppance finally. That madman in Moscow will absolutely go nuclear, pun intended. It’s intolerable listening to Americans preen and bump their gums as if they’re not the world‘s most harmful and destructive villains. Africa says hello, you twits.

Indeed! Bravo for saying it so eloquently! And not just Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Serbs, Albanians whom they were "rescuing" by bombing my Albanian cousins!
Even when they think they are doing "good" they cause more harm than they can imagine! Free shirts for all... no jobs for any shirt makers that were providing perfectly fine shirts and jobs for thousands!

The USA is the only country that has shown true global leadership in the last 100 years. It still remains the only country that both steps up to the plate and does it competently. The US will turn inwards, because it can afford to, and it will be a painful experience for those who like to complain about its “interferences”.

Yeah yeah, whatever you say. Glad you war mongering baby boomers are losing relevande

We’ll just let evolution take care of the Russian. They have been close to die out of starvation a few times in the last century.

Hoping for mass starvation. Psychotic.

Interesting you would mention that. Are you aware of what is happening in Mariopul? Or what the Russians are doing to the Black Sea fisheries or the wheat fields of South Ukraine?

[Anonymous]

Give her time. I'm sure it's very painful for her right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve cut off the two Russians I was friendly with.


This is personal. Every single Russian needs to punished for this, not just Putin and the oligarchs.

I am Russian and I see this a lot from my friends’ friends or on social media.
Luckily I knew this was the trend since 2014 and never had close friends from Ukraine - just a sort of self preservation I guess?
I never supported Putin but I also couldn’t get behind many things the Ukrainian government said or did. So I knew I would be blamed if anything.
And now it is happening.
I express my condolences and support and then I let them decide. I also block those who “blame all Russians” or at least unfriend them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:and she is no longer talking to me. I am anti-Putin, I support humanitarian efforts. She was my friend for 20 years and now she blocked me, told her children not talk to mine. What can I do? What should I do? I am devastated and so are my children.

Are you clearly opposed to the war? One thing we have encountered with Russian friends is that they take an equivocal position regarding the war in which they place some blame on the Ukrainians (or NATO, etc). I can imagine Ukrainians not having a lot of patience with both-sidesing the war right now.

I place absolutely no blame on the Ukrainians. This is their land that is being raped. I do not support Russian position and if anything, I have called for a no fly zone over Ukraine.

It is not enough as a Russian to “call for” something and say you are opposed. What concretely are you doing? you and your family, including your kids? Are you raising money? Are you attending protests? Are you writing your rep and asking for support for a no fly zone? Have you asked how you can support, concretely, your friends family? Do they have relatives still in Ukraine? What concrete help have you offered to get them out or provide them with supies or contacts?

If you are just talk and no action, your friend sees that as a betrayal.

GTFOH. It’s rich to read this from an American. You think there isn’t blood on your hands because your country controls the narrative and dominates the world?

Seriously. People who have just started thinking about Russia and Ukraine in late February need to just stay out of this.

The unmitigated gall of Americans has me wishing they would start a war with Russia and get their comeuppance finally. That madman in Moscow will absolutely go nuclear, pun intended. It’s intolerable listening to Americans preen and bump their gums as if they’re not the world‘s most harmful and destructive villains. Africa says hello, you twits.

Indeed! Bravo for saying it so eloquently! And not just Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Serbs, Albanians whom they were "rescuing" by bombing my Albanian cousins!
Even when they think they are doing "good" they cause more harm than they can imagine! Free shirts for all... no jobs for any shirt makers that were providing perfectly fine shirts and jobs for thousands!

The USA is the only country that has shown true global leadership in the last 100 years. It still remains the only country that both steps up to the plate and does it competently. The US will turn inwards, because it can afford to, and it will be a painful experience for those who like to complain about its “interferences”.

THAT is YOUR opinion and your perception of things based on your extreme bias, conscious and unconscious, many call it indoctrination.
Many, most outside of the U.S. vehemently disagree with your OPINION.
https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2022/3/14/it-is-not-surprising-empire-stole-afghan-money

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:and she is no longer talking to me. I am anti-Putin, I support humanitarian efforts. She was my friend for 20 years and now she blocked me, told her children not talk to mine. What can I do? What should I do? I am devastated and so are my children.

Are you clearly opposed to the war? One thing we have encountered with Russian friends is that they take an equivocal position regarding the war in which they place some blame on the Ukrainians (or NATO, etc). I can imagine Ukrainians not having a lot of patience with both-sidesing the war right now.

I place absolutely no blame on the Ukrainians. This is their land that is being raped. I do not support Russian position and if anything, I have called for a no fly zone over Ukraine.

It is not enough as a Russian to “call for” something and say you are opposed. What concretely are you doing? you and your family, including your kids? Are you raising money? Are you attending protests? Are you writing your rep and asking for support for a no fly zone? Have you asked how you can support, concretely, your friends family? Do they have relatives still in Ukraine? What concrete help have you offered to get them out or provide them with supies or contacts?

If you are just talk and no action, your friend sees that as a betrayal.

GTFOH. It’s rich to read this from an American. You think there isn’t blood on your hands because your country controls the narrative and dominates the world?

Seriously. People who have just started thinking about Russia and Ukraine in late February need to just stay out of this.

The unmitigated gall of Americans has me wishing they would start a war with Russia and get their comeuppance finally. That madman in Moscow will absolutely go nuclear, pun intended. It’s intolerable listening to Americans preen and bump their gums as if they’re not the world‘s most harmful and destructive villains. Africa says hello, you twits.

Indeed! Bravo for saying it so eloquently! And not just Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Serbs, Albanians whom they were "rescuing" by bombing my Albanian cousins!
Even when they think they are doing "good" they cause more harm than they can imagine! Free shirts for all... no jobs for any shirt makers that were providing perfectly fine shirts and jobs for thousands!

The USA is the only country that has shown true global leadership in the last 100 years. It still remains the only country that both steps up to the plate and does it competently. The US will turn inwards, because it can afford to, and it will be a painful experience for those who like to complain about its “interferences”.

Yeah yeah, whatever you say. Glad you war mongering baby boomers are losing relevande

We’ll just let evolution take care of the Russian. They have been close to die out of starvation a few times in the last century.

Hoping for mass starvation. Psychotic.

Interesting you would mention that. Are you aware of what is happening in Mariopul? Or what the Russians are doing to the Black Sea fisheries or the wheat fields of South Ukraine?

Yeah, but I’m responding to what you want to happen to Russians.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve cut off the two Russians I was friendly with.


This is personal. Every single Russian needs to punished for this, not just Putin and the oligarchs.

Did they do anything at all to deserve that? Jeez.

I’m half Russian/half Ukrainian — what would you do with me?

The fact that you still choose to identify as half Russian tells me you’re not worth the time.

Excuse me, what? It’s not a choice — half my family is from St. Petersburg. Am I supposed to pretend that half of my family doesn’t exist?

This is typical Ukrainian level of expectation.
They want you to go and kill Putin or at least go to a protest and get jailed for 15 years while also denouncing your Russian-ness. Or it doesn’t count!
See how they behave at any council or assembly when they request, no, demand to be accepted into NATO or EU. It’s the same stuff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve cut off the two Russians I was friendly with.


This is personal. Every single Russian needs to punished for this, not just Putin and the oligarchs.

I am Russian and I see this a lot from my friends’ friends or on social media.
Luckily I knew this was the trend since 2014 and never had close friends from Ukraine - just a sort of self preservation I guess?
I never supported Putin but I also couldn’t get behind many things the Ukrainian government said or did. So I knew I would be blamed if anything.
And now it is happening.
I express my condolences and support and then I let them decide. I also block those who “blame all Russians” or at least unfriend them.

Enjoy social isolation in the US and Europe, because that is absolutely where we are headed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve cut off the two Russians I was friendly with.


This is personal. Every single Russian needs to punished for this, not just Putin and the oligarchs.

Did they do anything at all to deserve that? Jeez.

I’m half Russian/half Ukrainian — what would you do with me?

The fact that you still choose to identify as half Russian tells me you’re not worth the time.

Typical Ukrainian level of expectation. It’s all or nothing. i see it in all their government speeches. The west needs to do more more more!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve cut off the two Russians I was friendly with.


This is personal. Every single Russian needs to punished for this, not just Putin and the oligarchs.

Did they do anything at all to deserve that? Jeez.

I’m half Russian/half Ukrainian — what would you do with me?

The fact that you still choose to identify as half Russian tells me you’re not worth the time.

Excuse me, what? It’s not a choice — half my family is from St. Petersburg. Am I supposed to pretend that half of my family doesn’t exist?

This is typical Ukrainian level of expectation.
They want you to go and kill Putin or at least go to a protest and get jailed for 15 years while also denouncing your Russian-ness. Or it doesn’t count!
See how they behave at any council or assembly when they request, no, demand to be accepted into NATO or EU. It’s the same stuff.

How dare they demand to be let into NATO or join the EU...let's invade and fire mortar rockets at their children.