I am Russian, she is Ukrainian, we were friends

[Anonymous]

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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.

Why do you care so much? We all have our own ways of coping, and PP isn't hurting anyone by distancing herself from them.

Because it’s an instance of indiscriminate hatred.

Maybe you should be scolding Putin instead.

Stop assuming what I do and don’t do.

Listen: the COVID pandemic was in part the result of neglect by the Chinese government to regulate certain types of markets. Then the Chinese government hid the severity of the disease, making it that much harder for countries to prepare. Does that mean we should hate all Chinese Americans or all Chinese people who live in China? Of course not. Likewise, we should not be hating all Russians for the evils of Putin.

After all these previous images of Ukranian destruction at the bloody hands of the Russian government, you really have some nerve to turn around and lecutre people about hating Russians indiscriminately. Did you see all those empty strollers representing dead children, killed by Russia? And then you have the nerve to tell people they shouldn't hate Russia? Get real.

Yes I do, because the regular people of Russia have nothing to do with that. But I have a different question: Are you from this part of the world? Do you have anyone there? I doubt it. In contrast, I do. And I know that the only way we are going to get past this horrific type of nationalism/fascism is to see people as separate from the totalitarian government that oppresses them. That is more important now than ever.

Oh, so you want people to embrace the people who have slaughtered their children? Not gonna happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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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.

Why do you care so much? We all have our own ways of coping, and PP isn't hurting anyone by distancing herself from them.

Because it’s an instance of indiscriminate hatred.

Maybe you should be scolding Putin instead.

Stop assuming what I do and don’t do.

Listen: the COVID pandemic was in part the result of neglect by the Chinese government to regulate certain types of markets. Then the Chinese government hid the severity of the disease, making it that much harder for countries to prepare. Does that mean we should hate all Chinese Americans or all Chinese people who live in China? Of course not. Likewise, we should not be hating all Russians for the evils of Putin.

After all these previous images of Ukranian destruction at the bloody hands of the Russian government, you really have some nerve to turn around and lecutre people about hating Russians indiscriminately. Did you see all those empty strollers representing dead children, killed by Russia? And then you have the nerve to tell people they shouldn't hate Russia? Get real.

Yes I do, because the regular people of Russia have nothing to do with that. But I have a different question: Are you from this part of the world? Do you have anyone there? I doubt it. In contrast, I do. And I know that the only way we are going to get past this horrific type of nationalism/fascism is to see people as separate from the totalitarian government that oppresses them. That is more important now than ever.

Oh, so you want people to embrace the people who have slaughtered their children? Not gonna happen.

Regular, non-military Russians did not slaughter anyone. If we refuse to engage with the entire population, we will be guaranteed to have them become a true pariah state, and this situation will only get worse. Building people to people ties is one of many ways to help bring Russia back into the fold as a responsible, non-fascist country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Why do you care so much? We all have our own ways of coping, and PP isn't hurting anyone by distancing herself from them.

Because it’s an instance of indiscriminate hatred.

Maybe you should be scolding Putin instead.

Stop assuming what I do and don’t do.

Listen: the COVID pandemic was in part the result of neglect by the Chinese government to regulate certain types of markets. Then the Chinese government hid the severity of the disease, making it that much harder for countries to prepare. Does that mean we should hate all Chinese Americans or all Chinese people who live in China? Of course not. Likewise, we should not be hating all Russians for the evils of Putin.

After all these previous images of Ukranian destruction at the bloody hands of the Russian government, you really have some nerve to turn around and lecutre people about hating Russians indiscriminately. Did you see all those empty strollers representing dead children, killed by Russia? And then you have the nerve to tell people they shouldn't hate Russia? Get real.

Yes I do, because the regular people of Russia have nothing to do with that. But I have a different question: Are you from this part of the world? Do you have anyone there? I doubt it. In contrast, I do. And I know that the only way we are going to get past this horrific type of nationalism/fascism is to see people as separate from the totalitarian government that oppresses them. That is more important now than ever.

Oh, so you want people to embrace the people who have slaughtered their children? Not gonna happen.

Regular, non-military Russians did not slaughter anyone. If we refuse to engage with the entire population, we will be guaranteed to have them become a true pariah state, and this situation will only get worse. Building people to people ties is one of many ways to help bring Russia back into the fold as a responsible, non-fascist country.

Very good point pp. go ahead, build it. But do not expect OP’s friend to “build people to people relationship” while her native country and people are being slaughtered.

[Anonymous]

I would not want to be friend with anybody who can't tell a government from a person. Your friend is confused and hardline.

[Anonymous]

Let it go, OP. I’m half Russian with family still in Russia and all my Ukrainian friends with family in Ukraine are still friends with me. You have other friends, I’m sure. She needs to deal the way she wants to deal, you can’t change it.

[Anonymous]

I am from Ukraine and I am still friends with my oldest friend, who is from Russia (we are both American citizens by now.) Some of the other Ukrainians I know have cut off their Russian friends. It varies.

But OP, that's not helpful to you because your friend feels how she feels and the fact that other people in her circumstances may or may not feel the same is not gonna help you.

Oh, and PP who says every time you hear Russian you flash back to dead Ukrainian children - do you realize that these Russian speakers could very well be from the Russian speaking part of Ukraine themselves? In case you don't know, Ukraine has a large Russian-speaking minority (including in both Kharkiv and Mariupol, both of which are currently fighting to the death against Russia and are being obliterated) and those Russian speakers are as against Russia as the rest of the country. So think before you jump to conclusions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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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.

Why do you care so much? We all have our own ways of coping, and PP isn't hurting anyone by distancing herself from them.

Because it’s an instance of indiscriminate hatred.

Maybe you should be scolding Putin instead.

Stop assuming what I do and don’t do.

Listen: the COVID pandemic was in part the result of neglect by the Chinese government to regulate certain types of markets. Then the Chinese government hid the severity of the disease, making it that much harder for countries to prepare. Does that mean we should hate all Chinese Americans or all Chinese people who live in China? Of course not. Likewise, we should not be hating all Russians for the evils of Putin.

After all these previous images of Ukranian destruction at the bloody hands of the Russian government, you really have some nerve to turn around and lecutre people about hating Russians indiscriminately. Did you see all those empty strollers representing dead children, killed by Russia? And then you have the nerve to tell people they shouldn't hate Russia? Get real.

Yes I do, because the regular people of Russia have nothing to do with that. But I have a different question: Are you from this part of the world? Do you have anyone there? I doubt it. In contrast, I do. And I know that the only way we are going to get past this horrific type of nationalism/fascism is to see people as separate from the totalitarian government that oppresses them. That is more important now than ever.

Oh, so you want people to embrace the people who have slaughtered their children? Not gonna happen.

Regular, non-military Russians did not slaughter anyone. If we refuse to engage with the entire population, we will be guaranteed to have them become a true pariah state, and this situation will only get worse. Building people to people ties is one of many ways to help bring Russia back into the fold as a responsible, non-fascist country.

Very good point pp. go ahead, build it. But do not expect OP’s friend to “build people to people relationship” while her native country and people are being slaughtered.

I don’t have to expect her to want to do it. As someone who is half-Ukrainian, I am prepared for it, but I understand and respect that not all Ukrainians are. I have less tolerance for people who have no ties to either country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am from Ukraine and I am still friends with my oldest friend, who is from Russia (we are both American citizens by now.) Some of the other Ukrainians I know have cut off their Russian friends. It varies.

But OP, that's not helpful to you because your friend feels how she feels and the fact that other people in her circumstances may or may not feel the same is not gonna help you.

Oh, and PP who says every time you hear Russian you flash back to dead Ukrainian children - do you realize that these Russian speakers could very well be from the Russian speaking part of Ukraine themselves? In case you don't know, Ukraine has a large Russian-speaking minority (including in both Kharkiv and Mariupol, both of which are currently fighting to the death against Russia and are being obliterated) and those Russian speakers are as against Russia as the rest of the country. So think before you jump to conclusions.

Don’t bother with these people, PP. They know nothing about either country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let it go, OP. I’m half Russian with family still in Russia and all my Ukrainian friends with family in Ukraine are still friends with me. You have other friends, I’m sure. She needs to deal the way she wants to deal, you can’t change it.

I am half-Russian half-Ukrainian, but grew up in Russia and identify as such. I sent my entire paycheck to a (Russian) friend who picks up Ukrainian refugees from the border and drives them to a country in Western Europe. I went to several protests, but I did not take pictures. My Ukrainian friends have no idea I've done those things, but they are smart people with big hearts. I am lucky to have them.

I am sorry you've lost a friend, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not want to be friend with anybody who can't tell a government from a person. Your friend is confused and hardline.

Way to punch someone while they're down.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

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.

You’re not engaging with what I’m saying at all.

[Anonymous]

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.

You’re not engaging with what I’m saying at all.

I am, you just don't want to hear it.

I'm saying that the Russian people bear responsibility for Putin. Not guilt, but responsibility. The #1 priority of every Russian on planet Earth should be the elimination of Putin and the restoration of their country. Maybe after he carpet bombs Kyiv or drops a couple tactical nukes in western Ukraine you will wake up.

I have the utmost respect for Russians engaged in active resistance to the regime. They are heroes. Russians supporting the regime are modern day Nazis and SS. Russians shrugging their shoulders and saying "war is bad" with half-hearted outrage are the "good germans" who ignored the Nazi death camps burning the bodies of jews a few km away from their towns.

[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.

You’re not engaging with what I’m saying at all.

I am, you just don't want to hear it.

I'm saying that the Russian people bear responsibility for Putin. Not guilt, but responsibility. The #1 priority of every Russian on planet Earth should be the elimination of Putin and the restoration of their country. Maybe after he carpet bombs Kyiv or drops a couple tactical nukes in western Ukraine you will wake up.

I have the utmost respect for Russians engaged in active resistance to the regime. They are heroes. Russians supporting the regime are modern day Nazis and SS. Russians shrugging their shoulders and saying "war is bad" with half-hearted outrage are the "good germans" who ignored the Nazi death camps burning the bodies of jews a few km away from their towns.

Explain to me how the Russian people bear responsibility for Putin. Be specific.

Also, keep in mind that you are speaking to a Russian-Ukrainian Jew. So when you tell me to “wake up” about these things, you come across as pretty rich.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

You’re not engaging with what I’m saying at all.

I am, you just don't want to hear it.

I'm saying that the Russian people bear responsibility for Putin. Not guilt, but responsibility. The #1 priority of every Russian on planet Earth should be the elimination of Putin and the restoration of their country. Maybe after he carpet bombs Kyiv or drops a couple tactical nukes in western Ukraine you will wake up.

I have the utmost respect for Russians engaged in active resistance to the regime. They are heroes. Russians supporting the regime are modern day Nazis and SS. Russians shrugging their shoulders and saying "war is bad" with half-hearted outrage are the "good germans" who ignored the Nazi death camps burning the bodies of jews a few km away from their towns.

Explain to me how the Russian people bear responsibility for Putin. Be specific.

Also, keep in mind that you are speaking to a Russian-Ukrainian Jew. So when you tell me to “wake up” about these things, you come across as pretty rich.

Ot sou ds lile you're saying that the only evil greater than the Russian army murdering Ukrainians is Ukrainians who don't want to associate with Russians anymore.