[CCIP]

And just to clarify my position for the hundredth time: I'm not trying to excuse Russian involvement and Putin is very clearly wrong here. But he's not wrong because of some kind of pathological Russian badness or a master plan to take over the world. He's wrong because he's taking advantage of turmoil to shore up his own regime, disregarding principles of civil constitutional democracy, humanitarian values, and international law. Yes, he should be stopped, by adequate and reasonable response that respects civil principles and human rights. Escalating a war is not that response.

You know who else has taken advantage of turmoil, disrespected principles of civil constitutional democracy, has escalated violence, used extensive propaganda, and has lied through their teeth about much in this situation? The current Ukrainian regime.

Two rights don't make a wrong. Two lies don't make a truth. One doesn't have to be for something just because they're against its opposite. There are still better solutions to this conflict than escalating it. But the western rhetoric is increasingly turning into some sort of exercise in self-righteous BS about saving Ukraine. Yes, Ukraine it's pretty screwed up - thanks for noticing after two decades. Could've done something about it earlier.