[bellyfullofbac]

> I don't really understand why they view us and NATO as such a t[h]reat. We'd never invade Russia.. Nobody would ever want to.

I guess it's a paranoia which he's supported with cherry-picked info from history. Someone else better has written that world politics is about who has the most influence, e.g. USA and Europe used to be able to decide almost everything everywhere ("we'll give you development loans, in return you'll have to buy our products"). China is doing that in Africa now, and from Putin's perspective Eastern Europe now has "puppet" governments controlled by USA/Germany (in the guise of EU), I wouldn't be surprised if he thinks their democratic elections are as rigged as Russia's ones, with the media under control of the rulers.

I guess Putin is worried that Russia could fall under that sphere of influence, although I don't know how missiles pointed at Moscow would make the country more democratic... Maybe he sees them as a persuasion tools, after all that's also what he uses his forces for.

[GekkePrutser]

I don't think Russia would ever fall under our sphere of influence. Their media is much too tightly controlled and Russia itself is pretty much the master of social media influencing.

But it's a very interesting insight, that he might think we play the game like he does. And I wouldn't rule out that the EU had a hand in the political changes in Ukraine. There's been some rumblings about it. Not sure if it's another misdirection campaign or real. And I know we don't have an unblemished history either.

Most of the population in Western Ukraine seems to be pro EU though. And I don't think that's a result of influencing.

Ps Thanks for pointing out the typo. I know the difference but it must have been auto correct, I'm on my mobile.