Putin is portraying Russia as a victim. Not. Annexing the Crimean Peninsula is NOT being a victim, it IS breaking an international treaty. Let's get that much straight.
July 24, 2014
By Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber
The international attempts (click here) to isolate Russia over the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in Eastern Ukraine have not sheltered its citizens from the shock and anguish of last week's horrific event.
The reactions of ordinary Russians to the tragedy range from resentment of the West's incrimination of the pro-Russia separatists and Russia itself to feelings of guilt and responsibility.
But in the broad array of reactions, President Vladimir Putin's popularity — his approval rating exceeds 80 per cent, according to recent surveys — and the controlled coverage of the MH17 disaster in state-owned media appear to have led large portions of the Russian population to support the Kremlin's narrative....
By pointing fingers at The West and crying 'victim' Russia is playing 'The Cold War' card of the old Soviet Union. Shame on them.
"State-run media full of conspiracy theories aimed at the West"
There are 298 dead from 11 countries. The separatists have admitted their involvement. The separatists have obtained very dangerous weapons and have turned a so called civil war into an international tragedy. The separatists are acting on their own in that they have demonstrated they do not accept condemnation from Russia when they insisted on a vote for redrawing the lines with Ukraine. The question remains why did Russia break the treaty and what is Russia doing to mend those breaches in trust? This is not The West taking aim at Russia without the impetus to do so.
Total death toll: 298
- Netherlands: 189
- Malaysia: 44
- Australia: 28
- Indonesia: 12
- UK: 10
- Germany: 4
- Belgium: 4
- Philippines: 3
- Canada: 1
- Hong Kong: 1
- New Zealand: 1
- Unknown: 1
