I don't agree with Boris at all, at all. In this particular case, if I had the energy I would probably go through this point by point.
One item will do for now. Near the start he ignored the fact that OSCE itself (considered as NATO infiltrated by many) recorded 17x more shelling on Donetsk (some reported more) a week prior to 24th Feb. He considered the artillery duels between two entities same as before i.e. no change. Not credible. Presumably if RF military intelligence knew something (and they didn't tell Boris) it would be explained as government propaganda. I find MoA and others more credible sources. Not sure why Jay didn't question some of his claims. What is Jay doing here? ...
Yes I noticed that. Paul Jay also spoke of a far smaller number of deaths from the shelling of Donbass since 2014 than the 14,000 I've seen elesewhere. Towards the end, Jay brings up the issue of Ukraine's proposed membership of NATO being being a justification for the invasion and Kagarlitsky says it was irrelevant, that it was a propaganda justification, that the Russian government did nothing when Estonia which also borders Russia and is a short distance from St. Petersburg, joined Nato. Which is an interesting point.
Boris K is always a very interesting voice from within Russia who I've been reading on and off for many years. He's convinced Russia will lose this war. I might post links to one or two of the pieces he's published at Russia Dissident.
Towards the end, Jay brings up the issue of Ukraine's proposed membership of NATO being being a justification for the invasion and Kagarlitsky says it was irrelevant, that it was a propaganda justification, that the Russian government did nothing when Estonia which also borders Russia and is a short distance from St. Petersburg, joined NATO. Which is an interesting point.
Thanks for bringing that up. It was either Lavrov or Putin that commented recently on Finland and Sweden joining NATO and it was said RF does not like it, it will respond (as in treating it as unfriendly) but it does not have security concerns, unlike Ukraine where it does.
For example, I read elsewhere, that Finland was treated well, despite the fact that it participated in siege of Leningrad, where it was siding with the nazi Germany, for 872 days. Some described this siege as a genocide:
After WW2 and after signing neutrality treaty with USSR, Finland prospered in trading with them.
Now, I take Putin/Lavrov's word at face value that Ukraine is a different kettle of fish and Boris considers it as propaganda. From my readings, he is wrong. The annoying thing is that he doesn't qualify his reasoning.
>"...Now, I take Putin/Lavrov's word at face value that Ukraine is a different kettle of fish and Boris considers it as propaganda. From my readings, he is wrong. The annoying thing is that he doesn't qualify his reasoning..."
Myself, I wouldn't have any certainty either way. It would also be good to see what the strategic differences between Estonia and Ukraine would be from the Russian govt. official point of view - but they did make clear from about 2007 on, that membership of NATO was a no-no for Georgia and Ukraine. A more detailed explanation by Kagarlitsky on points like this would be helpful alright. Jay said he will interview him again soon. I suppose Boris' thinking may be biased by his deep and well-justified opposition and probably animosity towards the Putin govt. as well as a natural anti-war sensibility. Like him and as he says, many Russians, most of us thought there might be some justification for a Russian invasion of the Donbass alone in support of the population there. Generally I've always found his commentary to be insightful and worth pondering. He will certainly conflict with some of the sources posted on here.
" Like him and as he says, many Russians, most of us thought there might be some justification for a Russian invasion of the Donbass alone in support of the population there. "
I'm of the opinion that a deal could have been reached at the Kiev encirclement stage.
Russia would have backed off if given reassurance of an acceptance of a multi-ethnic Ukraine. No such was forthcoming: the Ukrainian ethos was everything becomes old Austro Hungarian Galicia or bust. Ethnic racism and thus Fascism. This is a war fought on ancient notions of racial purity that have no substance in scientific fact.
on July 2, 2022, 11:13 pm