1-19
There is a bizarre conviction among some journalists from Western Europe that we should all stand in awe of Russian anti-war protesters. And when questioned, they get personal - would you have the guts to risk arrest and being roughed up by the OMON?
There is a bizarre conviction among some journalists from Western Europe that we should all stand in awe of Russian anti-war protesters. And when questioned, they get personal - would you have the guts to risk arrest and being roughed up by the OMON?
2-19
So, first of all, I am very mindful of our Ukrainian friends and how they see this. Most Ukrainians are thoroughly unimpressed, and I respect their judgment. Bearing in mind everything we've seen, we're probably well over 100,000 Ukrainian lives lost.
So, first of all, I am very mindful of our Ukrainian friends and how they see this. Most Ukrainians are thoroughly unimpressed, and I respect their judgment. Bearing in mind everything we've seen, we're probably well over 100,000 Ukrainian lives lost.
3-19
There have been thousands of individual victims of war crimes and crimes against humanity - torture, rape, summary executions, and perverted forms of murder.
And we also know that many Russians know the truth about this.
There have been thousands of individual victims of war crimes and crimes against humanity - torture, rape, summary executions, and perverted forms of murder.
And we also know that many Russians know the truth about this.
4-19
There are the Russians who are in Ukraine doing these things. Then there are the conversations between soldiers and their family members back in Russia.
And then there are the multiple ways of plugging into international and Ukrainian sources of information.
There are the Russians who are in Ukraine doing these things. Then there are the conversations between soldiers and their family members back in Russia.
And then there are the multiple ways of plugging into international and Ukrainian sources of information.
5-19
So, there isn't really any excuse for mentally competent Russian adults to not know that their state and armed forces are waging a criminal war of aggression - it's clear Russia invaded, not the other way around - and that Russia is committing war crimes.
So, there isn't really any excuse for mentally competent Russian adults to not know that their state and armed forces are waging a criminal war of aggression - it's clear Russia invaded, not the other way around - and that Russia is committing war crimes.
6-19
We also know there's a fair number of Russians - and we've had the pleasure of encountering some of them in our own nations - who sport the Z symbol with aggressive pride. They know this is a war of aggression and they celebrate it. It is fascism in its purest form.
We also know there's a fair number of Russians - and we've had the pleasure of encountering some of them in our own nations - who sport the Z symbol with aggressive pride. They know this is a war of aggression and they celebrate it. It is fascism in its purest form.
7-19
Of course Russia also has millions of ordinary decent people who do not want war. And the small percentage of those millions who protest openly are accepting likely arrest, torture, imprisonment in crushing conditions. Those are principled stances that one should respect.
Of course Russia also has millions of ordinary decent people who do not want war. And the small percentage of those millions who protest openly are accepting likely arrest, torture, imprisonment in crushing conditions. Those are principled stances that one should respect.
8-19
But that's where we should draw the line. Those protests are not some kind of amazing bravery. They are respectable principled stances. But they are not bravery or courage in the same league as people who take up arms and risk not only pain, but are also ready to kill.
But that's where we should draw the line. Those protests are not some kind of amazing bravery. They are respectable principled stances. But they are not bravery or courage in the same league as people who take up arms and risk not only pain, but are also ready to kill.
9-19
Those who get judgmental about critics of the anti-war protests in Russia often get personal, viewing everything through a putative individual lens. But is that the most relevant frame of reference?
I say it is not.
Those who get judgmental about critics of the anti-war protests in Russia often get personal, viewing everything through a putative individual lens. But is that the most relevant frame of reference?
I say it is not.
10-19
Nobody who is fair-minded can realistically expect a majority, or even a large minority, of Russians to risk everything to stop the war. That is simply not within human nature. Most people in a modern atomised society will look to personal and family survival first.
Nobody who is fair-minded can realistically expect a majority, or even a large minority, of Russians to risk everything to stop the war. That is simply not within human nature. Most people in a modern atomised society will look to personal and family survival first.
11-19
There are plenty of good reasons for not taking significant risks. Family responsibilities, poor health, lack of confidence, or simply a sense that one wouldn't be good at it. Not everyone can be a fighter. That is indeed also true of nations under attack.
There are plenty of good reasons for not taking significant risks. Family responsibilities, poor health, lack of confidence, or simply a sense that one wouldn't be good at it. Not everyone can be a fighter. That is indeed also true of nations under attack.
12-19
So, the individual lens is irrelevant, and really an inappropriate device that tends to shut down the real debate. The real debate isn't whether an observer would be brave enough to take a particular action.
The real debate is about what a nation produces at its finest.
So, the individual lens is irrelevant, and really an inappropriate device that tends to shut down the real debate. The real debate isn't whether an observer would be brave enough to take a particular action.
The real debate is about what a nation produces at its finest.
13-19
Think again about our Ukrainian friends.
Is every Ukrainian a war hero? Is every Ukrainian on the frontline, weapon in hand? Of course not. But the Ukrainian nation has generated hundreds of thousands of war heroes out of a population of tens of millions.
Think again about our Ukrainian friends.
Is every Ukrainian a war hero? Is every Ukrainian on the frontline, weapon in hand? Of course not. But the Ukrainian nation has generated hundreds of thousands of war heroes out of a population of tens of millions.
14-19
So the challenge to the Russians is this. You are 140 million. Most of you will stay off the streets. But what the civilised world wants to see, given what is being done officially by your state and in the name of your nation, is a heroic reaction by a few thousand of you.
So the challenge to the Russians is this. You are 140 million. Most of you will stay off the streets. But what the civilised world wants to see, given what is being done officially by your state and in the name of your nation, is a heroic reaction by a few thousand of you.
15-19
And so now we come to the street protests. Sadly, this is an unintelligent use of the small number of people who could be potential heroes.
Let us be frank: Ukraine and Europe are not especially helped by people who get thrown in jail for 10 years for a 10 minute protest.
And so now we come to the street protests. Sadly, this is an unintelligent use of the small number of people who could be potential heroes.
Let us be frank: Ukraine and Europe are not especially helped by people who get thrown in jail for 10 years for a 10 minute protest.
16-19
In an era of war of aggression and crimes against humanity, it is important for Russians to understand that the eye of history is upon them. The small number of Russians who are ready to lose everything in order to derail the war must make efficient choices.
In an era of war of aggression and crimes against humanity, it is important for Russians to understand that the eye of history is upon them. The small number of Russians who are ready to lose everything in order to derail the war must make efficient choices.
17-19
The history books may give a passing reference to street protests and mass arrests.
But much more important, pivotal indeed, is those who will actually rise up, arms in hand, and kill the chekist structure of criminal cruelty and war.
The history books may give a passing reference to street protests and mass arrests.
But much more important, pivotal indeed, is those who will actually rise up, arms in hand, and kill the chekist structure of criminal cruelty and war.
18-19
At the current stage, the reality is that contemporary Russia is dishonoured among the nations of the world. It has proven itself to be cruel, callous, murderous, almost without limit in the perverse imagination to inflict harm of the criminal gang that rules it.
At the current stage, the reality is that contemporary Russia is dishonoured among the nations of the world. It has proven itself to be cruel, callous, murderous, almost without limit in the perverse imagination to inflict harm of the criminal gang that rules it.
19-19
The horrors inflicted by the hundreds of thousands who have marched into Ukraine, ordered by a regime that faces no violent domestic opposition of any kind, will blight Russia's name for decades.
The Russians who would derail this have yet to appear.
The horrors inflicted by the hundreds of thousands who have marched into Ukraine, ordered by a regime that faces no violent domestic opposition of any kind, will blight Russia's name for decades.
The Russians who would derail this have yet to appear.
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