Chapter 1: The Misinterpretation of Ukrainian Affairs

Recently, I engaged in a conversation with a fellow Medium writer who occasionally publishes misguided articles about Ukraine. While I believe he has good intentions, his academic background limits his understanding of real-world experiences. He often cites books and research by individuals who have never actually visited Ukraine or Russia—at least not the authentic Russia, beyond just Moscow's city center. He possesses grand ideas but struggles to grasp the finer details, blinded by a prevalent bias in the West. His narratives reflect the perspective of the colonizers rather than those of the colonized. This one-sided storytelling leads to flawed arguments that may sound nonsensical to anyone with a broader understanding.

“Hey, my truck won't start.”

“Did you check the carburetor?”

This advice might be suitable, albeit slightly outdated, but my advisor lacks the crucial context—he doesn’t realize it’s a Cybertruck. If he had known more, his suggestions would have been different.

“Zelensky should have accepted the peace agreement in 2022.”

Yet, what did this "peace agreement" entail? Would it truly have brought about peace? A deeper understanding of the situation would reveal that such an agreement would have been tantamount to a death sentence.

He continuously emphasized Ukrainian "nationalists," a term I find problematic. A patriot loves their country; a nationalist seeks to impose their will on others. By this definition, Ukrainians are patriots responding to Russian aggression. When Russians told Ukrainians they couldn’t speak their language, Ukrainians responded with a defiant pride. When Russians attempted to instill shame, Ukrainians doubled down on their identity. As Russia interfered with their government, Ukrainians sought to establish a new one.

He mentioned a supposed "affinity" that Russians feel toward Ukrainians, not realizing that such "love" mirrors that of an abusive partner—conditional upon submission and compliance, rather than a supportive sibling relationship. While Russians speak of Slavic brotherhood, other Slavic nations often wish to distance themselves, having fought wars to escape that narrative. Russia views itself not as a brother but as a father figure, demanding obedience from others.

He raised points about Western interventions and conspiracies, neglecting to acknowledge that Yanukovych was heavily influenced by Russian control, and his administration was rife with corruption. Ukrainians had ample reasons to desire his ousting, yet he framed it as a Western conspiracy, disregarding Ukrainian agency as mere pawns in a larger game.

If one only learns about Russians through Western literature and media, they miss the broader reality. They receive a curated version of self-representations, primarily from visits to central Moscow and St. Petersburg, often neglecting the rest of the country. Many Americans, and even some Russians, seldom venture beyond the Metro ring. Judging America solely by Manhattan would yield an incomplete understanding.

To truly comprehend Russians, one must explore places like Orsk, Mariupol, and Dagestan. These locales embody the harsh realities of Russia: violence, repression, and a profound lack of dignity. The people there seem resigned to a bleak existence, with little hope for improvement, believing that the past was better and the future holds no promise.

For centuries, narratives from the Russian Empire have been dominated by those in power. The Tsar, the Commissars, and propagandists have continually altered the story to obscure the voices of the victims. Scholars can identify the manipulations of Western agencies but often fail to recognize similar tactics employed by Russia. We listen to the tales of marginalized groups in our own histories, and it is crucial that we do the same for those under Russian influence.

Strangely, we are witnessing this narrative distortion in real-time, as Russia manipulates the truth to divert attention from its transgressions. They distract the youth with a relatively minor conflict in Israel, saturating platforms like TikTok and Twitter—both of which suppress Ukrainian content due to the interests of their owners. In the perspective of American leaders, Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilians are permissible, while Ukraine retaliating against Russian bases is not. This distortion of narratives only persists when we allow it.

Historically, Ukrainians have had minimal opportunities to share their stories with the world. Under Soviet rule, any semblance of Ukrainian identity was brutally suppressed, and narratives surrounding the Holodomor were eradicated. The deportations and repression faced by Ukrainian speakers in various regions were mere whispers in the face of Stalinist oppression.

Today, when news comes from Moscow correspondents, they claim to provide balanced journalism by presenting both the Russian perspective and a Western interpretation of it. However, what is often overlooked is the absence of Ukrainian voices. The focus remains on "ethnically Russian" issues, "Victoria Nuland," "NATO," and "spheres of influence," neglecting the stories of Ukrainians, Poles, Lithuanians, and others. Their narratives are rendered invisible within Western academia.

This lack of awareness does not stem from malice but can appear sociopathic to those who understand the true nature of Russian actions. Suggesting that a battered partner should simply submit to their abuser mirrors the sentiment behind the statement, “Zelensky should have signed the peace deal.” It amounts to telling Ukrainians to accept their subjugation.

Critics seem oblivious to the reality of abuse, focusing instead on abstract theories and their self-importance. It can come across as sociopathic behavior.

Thank you for allowing me to express these thoughts. It feels liberating to share.

Children, a "carburetor" is a component that mixes air and fuel in older vehicles. While they are no longer in common use, they were once intriguing to tinker with when repairs were more feasible.

Chapter 2: Recognizing the Complexity of the Situation

The video titled "Leadership Pitfalls You MUST Avoid" discusses common mistakes in leadership that can hinder progress. It emphasizes the importance of informed decision-making and understanding the context of situations, much like the complexities surrounding Ukraine and Russia.

The second video, "CNI: Linked Open Data: The Promises and the Pitfalls," explores the potential benefits and challenges of utilizing open data, paralleling the discussions about narratives and information access in the Ukraine-Russia context.