Russophobia

[Jopo1980]

Ok, I am a Finn and as just about all other Finns, I dislike the Russians either openly or in secret. Officially the relations between our governments are good, but for the army the enemy can always come from only one direction, from Russia. During our history we have fought numerous wars with Russia and been under Russian rule for over a 100 years and tasted oppression and russification policies, aimed at annexing Finland to Mother Russia completely and permanently. Hence Russia has been and can still be viewed as an existential threat to the Finnish nation. If Stalin had had his way, the whole Finnish population, along with the Poles would have been shipped to Siberia and our lands populated with ethnic Russians.

 

One American professor who was lecturing in our university told us that Russia has always been expansionistic. It was the sworn duty of every Czar to leave Russia larger for successor. As Czar Nicholas I said; "Where the Russian flag is once raised, it must never be lowered." The Russians conquered Siberia, parts of China, the Caucasus, Kazakhstan and parts of Persia and the list goes on. And as a result of WW-2 the allies gave the Soviets the green light to annex even more territories, which they claimed they needed for security purposes, including eastern parts of Poland, Finnish Karelia and Petsamo, the Kuril Islands of Japan and the southern part of Sakhalin island from Japan. These territories were stolen by Russia and they will remain a subject of contest and dispute and a reason for hatred between the peoples. The Russians of course view that these lands were "bought" with Russian blood and are NOT going to consider ceding them back, not without the use of force.

 

It is hence no wonder that people of many countries view the Russians in a less than friendly fashion and since the Cold War, that includes many Americans, Brits, French, Germans etc. etc. While the official relations between governments may be all smiles and civility, the attitudes among the people remain unchanged. And the hatred may be mutual, as many Russians may view the west as an enemy.

 

The question is, will this hatred ever subside or are the east and the west doomed to be eternal enemies?

 

Also, will we have to fight the Russians in this century and what will be the results of that war, should it occur?

 

Also, will Russia develop towards democracy or authoritarianism?

 

I believe that a confrontation between Russia and the West is inevitable in the long run (possibly including China) and I hope that the west will win the confrontation.

Also, Russia has a long history of authoritarian rule, but very little tradition in democracy. THis does not bode well for the development of democracy in Russia as they may trend towards a strong rule as in the past.

 

So, how many confess to be Russophobes? How many Americans still harbor Cold War views about the Russkies?

[buddah]

Nope, not going to happen.

 

This is nothing but flame bait.

 

Buddah