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[quote=Anonymous]I don't think the West really cares whether Russia is a functional liberal democracy or not. For decades, the West has been happily trading with autocracies around the world - from China to the Persian Gulf. In fact, until very recently, the EU was seeking closer economic ties to Russia. And most people understand why Russians or Chinese may prefer knowable order over unknowable chaos. The anarchy that followed the collapse of the Soviet Union and the terror of the Cultural Revolution are not that long ago.

The problem with Russia is imperialism. It's like the 19th Century never ended for them. Their invasion of Ukraine is incredibly destabilizing. It's completely changed the security situation in Europe. Poland and the Baltics - Nato countries - as well as the Caucusas are very much on edge. France is now openly discussing sending troops to Ukraine. Not to mention the carry-on effects of the invasion elsewhere in the world. Ukraine is effectively the breadbasket of Africa. Higher grain prices have a way of destabilizing underdeveloped countries.

What is perplexing is the Russian willingness to die. By US and UK estimates, Russia has suffered more than 350,000 casualties since its invasion of Ukraine. That is breathtaking. No nation on earth would tolerate such a catastrophe, particularly for an unwinnable war. And there's no end in sight. Even if they get to Kyiv, they're looking at decades of guerrilla warfare and international isolation. That's the mystifying thing about Russians. They are irrational and they clearly don't care about life - including the lives of their own countrymen. It makes them both pathetic and very dangerous.

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