Eastsplaining

Eastsplaining

@eastsplaining.bsky.social

POV: You live in Eastern Europe, next door to Russia https://eastsplaining.substack.com

1.5K followers50 following14.7K posts

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You can't understand Russia if you don't know the "Third Rome" doctrine. It says that due to the royal marriage of the first tzar with a Byzantine princess, Russia is the legal heir to the Roman empire and as such, it's just entitled to everything, also the town you live in (even if it's in USA).

Majority of Ukrainians reject the idea of giving up the Donbas fortress belt. It can be only surprising to clueless Westerners brainwashed by Russian propaganda in Western media.

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I'm happy to pay more at the pump if it makes Trump impeachment more likely. And I'm not even American. The whole planet is hoping for you guys to do the right thing.

Simple data explaining Ukrainian resistance. They saw that the post-Soviet countries that broke with Russia saw rapid increase of living standards and they wanted to pursue the same way. Why deny it to them?

World Economics@worldeconomics.bsky.social

Poland and the Baltic states lifted living standards by 150% to 265% after escaping the USSR. Russia's governance score is 13.8, and its average citizen has seen little progress since 2008. https://www.worldeconomics.com/Thoughts/Russian-Living-Standards-Growth-Held-Back-by-Irredentist-Putin.aspx

Some ask: what's wrong with US buying Russian oil if some EU countries do it? The excuse for these countries is that by logic of the Cold War pipelines, they have no other viable option. It's lame, but US doesn't have even this: by logic of pipelines, US should trade oil with Canada and Mexico.

For those of you excited by the "breaking news" that Trump announced energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, let me remind you he already declared it a month ago. It was complete lie in September. Do you think he's truthful for a change?

Some people believe that CIA has the power to overthrow the president of Ukraine. Apparently, it takes is a phone call from Nuland, some cookies, photo with John McCain, and presto. Trump clearly hates Zelensky. Why all he can do are these pathetic appeals? Why can't he just make another coup?

If Zelensky steps down, he would be replaced by Stefanchuk (next in line by constitution). He would continue the same policy, bombing the same refineries. In hypothetical elections (actually impossible) maybe Poroshenko or Budanov win, also the same policy. There's no "surrender party" in Ukraine.

I have 3 bottles of sparkling wine reserved for the 3 obituaries

Anonymous@youranoncentral.bsky.social

Trump’s attack on ICC is aimed at protecting the US, Israel and Russia from legal accountability. Meanwhile, US, Israeli and Russian disinformation and influence networks are undermining democracy & justice globally, from South America to Europe, Mexico, Canada, and beyond.

How demented #trump #donaldtrup must be to think he was ever standing next to a chance of getting Nobel Prize? Maybe if he had helped Ukraine and not attacked Iran - but that ship sailed long ago. Long long long ago. #dementia #alzheimer #uspolitics

Russian propagandists entered Montenegro illegally and he bragged about it on live tv, without a care than someone in Montenegro can watch it too. This is very Russian - they like to violate the law as as status symbol, but they forget they are no longer "above it all" outside their sheethole.

ChrisO_wiki@chriso-wiki.bsky.social

8/ He boasted on Telegram that he was able to enter Montenegro due to understaffing at the border service, saying, "You can always run into a border guard who is an idiot, who will turn out all your pockets, but forget to check the database (as happened in my case)."

How is it possible such disgusting creep like this one can make a career in American Media? Is it still the classic "but at least he owns the libs!" thing or something else?

So, in Russia we have an outbreak of The Plague. Not just any plague, it's the The. Cancel their visas. Doesn't matter why they come. "Afraid of mobilizaiton?" Back to your sheethole. "Want to sell Lukoil to Trump family?" Back to your sheethole. "Trump family themselves?" Well, actually...

I'm from Eastern Europe. We saw a lot of democracies fall. There was always "last chance" election, when evil things could still have been stopped. EG the last elections to Romanian parliament was 1937. Everybody hated the two mainstream parties, so the fascists won. The next election was in 1990.

This is something I genuinely cannot comprehend. How is it possible NOT to hate Tucker Carlson? Everything about this creep is disgusting.

The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social

Tucker: “I never understood why 🇬🇧 fought World War 2?” 😕 Rees-Mogg: “It was good vs. evil…We did the right thing…” Tucker: “Has 🇬🇧 benefitted?” RM: “We defeated Hitler… We’d all be speaking German…” Tucker: “Who cares?” 🤔

Dear Americans - how can you vote for this kind of people? Is "owning the libs" really worth having child predators roaming free? Yours in astonishment, Europe.

Headquarters@headquartersnews.bsky.social

Ken Paxton: The criticism has been that I let a child predator out after one day. Well guess what? They served 60 days.

Dear Westerner. There is a reason why you never used anything made or invented in Russia or Soviet Union. The reason is that it all suck(ed). We know that in the post communist countries. Unlike you, we drove Ladas, not because they were good, but unlike you, we had no choice.

While Ukraine is hitting only military or dual use targets in Russia, Russia purposedly target civilian objects - and they brag about it (but in Russian). Here, they are very happy about bombing McDonald's warehouse. "No burgers, no fries, no nuggets for you!".

In 1962, Jack Kirby and Stan Lee had one of their best ideas: what if there's a villain who is also a dictator, so no American hero can touch him because of his diplomatic immunity? At the time, it was considered far fetched and improbable. And here we are in our glorious next century...

To understand Russia, you need to think of it as organized crime. So if you ask "what would they benefit by attacking Europe" is - imagine mafia enforcer saying "remember that last arson? it wasn't us, but if you don't pay racket, the next one will be bigger (and also not us)".

It seems that our Stable Genius really thinks that if he bans CNN at the White House, this ban will magically extend to all the locations everywhere. But it's not how the world works. It's like his "cognitive tests" he is "acing", "can you tell a giraffe from an elephant".

Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com

Trump: “All of the SLEAZEBAGS, like Third Rate ‘Reporter,’ Kaitlyn Collins, of Fake News CNN, a truly unhappy person, said they weren’t going to be covering me. Then why were they ranting and raving like Lunatics at the UN? She’s got a ‘TRUMP’ addiction. They’re all sick, treasonous, and demented!”

Because Trump banned most of the media, there is no microphone at a press event. Newsmax "reporter" is surprised: "Maybe... it is backfiring... just a little bit", she says courageously.

Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com

LMFAO -- Trump is holding an event at the White House right now but there's no audio because the press pool isn't there. The Newsmax host notes that this is an example of Trump's attacks on the press "backfiring just a little bit"

Many ppl ask "why would Russia attack Estonia?" To understand them, you need to think the way they do. The believe NATO is a top-down organization ruled by USA. They think if Trump says "don't defend Estonia" (which he probably would), Estonia will be left defenseless.

Angry@angrystaffer.bsky.social

They’re likely trying to prevent defections, but I understand why everyone thinks this is ominous - there’s a lot of intel out there that Putin is planning a major escalation, likely in the Baltic States. Which would be an absolutely moronic thing for him to do, but here we are.

Another proof John Mearsheimer is an idiot who knows nothing about Russia, while pretending to be an expert. He expected his credit cards to work in Russia.

Baltic Takes@baltictakes.com

The world’s wrongest man, John Mearsheimer, says he was effectively penniless during his recent visit to Russia because the “Russia expert” didn’t know his US credit card wouldn’t work there.

Dude changed his name to Kremlev ("of Kremlin"). If someone says without a "background check" it's impossible to discover said dude connection to Kremlin, they are either an idiot or another asset "of Kremlin".

If you want to understand Russia, you need to think of them exactly like of organized crime. So: don't let them pay for you son's wedding, they will think they own you. Don't roll the red carpet for them, they will think you are stupid coward. Don't try to be friends with mafia, it's impossible.

From the same study: Ukrainian answer to simple question, "do you consider yourself a happy person"? Ukraine is now back to its historical peak (December 2021). Notice the temporary bottom in 2017, when they fought Russia completely alone, and the West was still deluded with the "civil war" nonsense

Kyiv International Institute of Sociology ran a pool - "Russia will intensify attacks on Ukrainian energy during winter, what to do?" "Keep resisting Russian aggression no matter what" - 77% "Yield to Russian demands even if it leads to Ukrainian defeat" - 12%, "hard to say" - 11%

If you heard of Russian "friend" and sponsor of Donald Jr and you thought "Kremlev? What an odd name!", you're right. He changed it in 2010, possibly to make clear he's representing Kremlin (because that's all that he is ever since he was promoted from petty crime to oligarchy).

Russian army claimed to capture Svyatohirsk, which was refuted by Ukrainian commander filming himself in the city. Russian blogger Rybar confirms it was a lie - and admits the entire salient on the top right map is now gone, along with all the Russian soldiers who were there.

The only part of this "plan" that matters if for Ukraine to give up the fortresses Russia cannot conquer after 12 years of trying. If Ukraine does it, Russia would easily take the rest. It would be suicidal to agree to this.

Colleen@collburns.bsky.social

This is for the PP and the Conservatives and for anyone that thinks Carney was not being truthful on why he backed away from trade talks with the US. Just look at the demands they expect from Ukraine. I hope they send the same message as Canada did! 🇨🇦

This is funny (at least to me). Nepo Jared wore white sneakers when he arrived to Moscow. At least he wore proper dress shoes to meet Zelensky. Zelensky, on the other hand (or foot?)...

Dear Americans. Why do you elect such people? If his own staffers hate him, you should not vote for him. His staffers just know him better than you. And yes, sure, in EU we also have our share of elected villains but... this guy? He is below the CE security mark, like an obsolete light bulb.

Of course he did. It's obvious to anyone who read Dostoyevsky, if you are kind to Russians, they will think you are an idiot. And yet all American politicians repeat the same mistake: "Hey Mr Putin, let's be friends again, I have this reset button for you". They just don't understand Russian soul.

Dear Americans - do you know what country loved renaming geography to praise their dear leaders and themselves? Soviet Union loved to put its name ("Soyuz"), and Lenin, Stalin and Communism to various places, even mountain peaks. Thank you for your attention, comrades.

MAKS 26 👀🇺🇦@maks23.bsky.social

🤔🤔🤔

I never thought I would praise #ICE for anything, but deportation of #Milo #Yiannopoulos was certainly a good deed. Although that fokker deserved it to have a bit more humiliating, frightening and degrading.

Two months ago, pro-Russian propagandists were drawing arrows"proving" Donbas will fall by the end of summer. By the end of summer, the front line is still where it was, neithier Konstantinivka nor Lyman are under Russian control. Next deadline for Donbas is "by end of 2027".

Eastsplaining@eastsplaining.bsky.social

Glenn Diesen draws arrows to prove Russian victory is near - when Konstantinivka and Lyman fall, it's easy. But arrow (1) goes through cities. When Russians capture Konstantinivka, they will crawl through Druzhkivka for another year. Arrow (2) goes through Holy Mountains. That's just impossible.

Hasan Piker and Andrew Tate both have very dedicated fandom who always respond "you can't judge him by one clip, watch 100 hours to get the context". Well, I can. Whoever says "Crimea is Russian, bitch" or "women belong to men" is a bad person, no matter the remaining 100 hours.

There are many accounts on this app speaking on behalf of "The Global South". I can't shake this feeling that most of them are based either in Northern California or Northern London.

If Soviet Union was not "real communism", North Korea is not "real communism" and of course China is not "real communism"... then how real is it, if it was not really tried for real in any real country?

People saying now "Putin will not attack Baltics because it would be an attack on whole NATO" will turn overnight into "NATO shouldn't defend Latvia, why die for Riga, they deserve it" when it happens. Just like they turned overnight from "Russia will never invade Ukraine" into "Ukraine deserve it"

Russian blogger Romanov claims this is the second day since Russia stopped attacking ships coming to/from port of Odesa. He speculates that Turkey managed to enforce an informal cease-fire on Black Sea (and is super angry about it). If he's right: so much about "landlocked Ukraine".