Russia-Ukraine week 17B: Clash of the capitalists

Here's a pretty good piece here reminding us all that, contra the Rainier Sheas and other alleged Socialists and Communists in Merika, it's capitalism — crony capitalism, of course, worse than America — that drives Russia. (It also drives Ukraine, but that's another story.) The story goes on to note that this may all backfire on Putin, though, and the Russian crony capitalist elite with him.

The news site does get European Parliament funding. It is partially honest about the Maidan, but does seem to have some omissions. It does note that the series of revolutions leading to the Maidan were ultimately flubbed in some way, but claims that Ukrainian crony capitalists of today aren't in the driver's seat the same way they are in Russia. Maybe not as much, but not at all? I reject that claim. Look at the oligarchs who helped get Volodymyr Zelenskyy elected.

It also pulls punches on connecting Western dots to the Maidan.

At the same time, it calls out Western media for labeling the anti-Western capitalism parties at the Maidan as "pro-Russian." And, notes how the West was exploiting the whole situation.

That said, it's good in noting that no ideology, even more than in Mother Russia, replaced that of the old USSR. That's why Putin uses Soviet symbols in conquered territory. The piece links to a poll a year ago that said almost 40 percent of Ukrainians thought the USSR was a good thing. Given that Ukraine is poorer, and arguably more corrupt, than Russia, this is understandable.

Can Ukraine find the center? The interview subject says full implementation of the Minsk agreements coupled with hands off by both the US and Russia offer at least a possibility. I have in the past blogged about how Ukrainian breaking of these agreements has been a factor in the ongoing tensions between the two nations.

Anyway, it's a fairly long piece; give it all a read.