[alexejb]

...and what has Russia to do with it? The Baltics wanted to be independent, they became independent and started getting rid of their industries in order to focus on service economy and EU integration.

All the propaganda I've heard tells me that they are prosperous rich countries now.../s

[Lapsa]

it's a neighboring country that is suffering along. apart from that - ethnic Russians are a huge minority here. economically - a majority. western world is incapable to tell the difference and sees everything Russian corrupted. it's a similar story in Ukraine but sharper cause of language similarities and much higher stakes (did you know that UA produced most if not all the helicopter engines for Russia?). Russian propaganda also compares their law enforcement mild compared to harsh one Belarus has. because there's like 30 different separatist groups in Russia.

[alexejb]

those neighbouring countries had the opportunity to develop themselves. they all wanted independence and sometimes started great efforts to promote russophobia in order to emancipate themselves (the baltics are champions in this regard). but as soon as everything went north they immediately started to blame the russians for their own inept politicians and choices. and yes, I know that there were good business relationships between rf and ua. so well indeed that even gas, stolen in transit to europe, was subsidised by russia ;)

[Lapsa]

sure. and the internet cable near Visby broke by itself

[alexejb]

or like all the russian drone sightings at european airports last year. the russians are everywhere, everywhere!!1

[Lapsa]

I was being sarcastic