And let me reiterate that WWII didn't end in 1945, but in 1989, when its consequences were nullified and the former soviet colonies in Eastern Europe regained their freedom.

+100
The victory over fascism has nothing to do with Russia. Russia, as it was a fascist country, has remained so.
Therefore, now there is still no victory over fascism, the war is going on with fascist Russia. In Russia, May 9 is the day of cult and propaganda.
As for the dates, May 9th is Europe Day in the EU. May 8 is the day of remembrance and reconciliation.

More about May 9 in Russia. Putin in Russia made a cult of May 9 because the Russian people have nothing more to be proud of, nothing at all. But on May 9 (once a year) they are proud that their grandfathers fought and occupied foreign countries. A Russian person does not think about, or no longer remembers, that the fascist regime in the USSR did not think about the lives of these Russians themselves, and threw these Russians without weapons under tanks, machine guns, only in order to win back some territory by some date. Reclaim exactly by a certain date (that was the command). The question of normal preparation for an offensive and saving the lives of Russians never stood in the USSR. For Russia, May 9 should not be the day of victory, but the day of the end of the tragedy and their genocide. This day for Russians should be a day of remembrance and mourning.
The Russians never understood that they lived before and live now in a fascist country. As a result, the Russians have long since become fascists.
What is a source of pride for the Russians: the occupation of the Ukrainian Crimea, the occupation of the eastern regions of Ukraine, the murders of women and children in Ukraine. Everything, Russians are not proud of anything anymore. The Russians only want to occupy, kill and rob. They are a terrible nation.
I'm not talking about the fact that many peoples and countries fought in World War II. Much, if not all, the Ukrainians did to win. And without US military assistance, the war would not have ended with the defeat of the Nazi coalition. But only in Russia on May 9 they drink vodka and arrange a cult from a global tragedy.

In recent decades, anti-American sentiments have been very strong in the EU. As I understand it, France and Germany are promoting them. Obviously, they are being promoted not without the help of the KGB (FSB) and Russian trolls. The meaning of these sentiments is that allegedly: the EU should be independent of the United States (is the EU dependent?), the EU does not need multiculturalism, there should be some kind of second European "NATO". These are all very bad trends, as a result of these sentiments, many citizens of the eastern EU countries accuse the US of Russia attacking Ukraine and that the US is to blame for everything. What should be done with this crap. Because a position based on the fact that Russia is like a good country, and the US is a bad country, will not lead the EU to anything good.
Yes, the US is the guarantor of the Budapest Memorandum, and I don't understand why American soldiers are not fighting in Ukraine. Yes, the US should not have allowed the Russians to boost their economy, which led to the strengthening of their fascist regime. But, all this should be understood by the citizens of the EU, and not stupidly blame the United States.

To be honest the US made many mistakes (especially during the Trump administration, but not only) promoting an aggressive and arrogant "American exceptionalism" and isolationism.

When that gets combined with a Marxism resurgence, by a new generation who never experienced its absurdity, but believes that through Marxism they discovered the sliced bread and the hot water , you end up with anti-capitalism translated into anti-Americanism.

Of course, the state owned troll farm in sankt petersburg is exploiting and amplifying this sentiment to justify their sick revisionist, imperialist and colonial ambitions.

What matters is that in this matter the US (for now), UK, Canada, Australia and a large majority of the EU (bar Hungary and Austria) are on the right side of the history.

To be honest the US made many mistakes (especially during the Trump administration, but not only) promoting an aggressive and arrogant "American exceptionalism" and isolationism.

And you can write more details here. What do you specifically mean. The same Trump just demanded large deductions of money from the EU countries. The demands are fair, why should the US cover 70% of NATO's expenses? Who needs NATO the most - the US or European countries?
If there is no NATO, or the United States leaves it, the Russian occupation of Europe is a matter of several years.

What matters is that in this matter the US (for now), UK, Canada, Australia and a large majority of the EU (bar Hungary and Austria) are on the right side of the history.

At the expense of France and Germany, I'm not very sure. And I'm not sure about Italy either.

I had forgotten to write that Egon Krenz was also present at this meeting in the Russian Embassy. Krenz was the direct successor of Erich Honncker as Chairman of the Council of State of the GDR and Secretary General of the SED. Krenz advocated the bloody suppression of the student uprising in Beijing. He was sentenced to prison for firing on people fleeing the GDR to the FRG. Krenz called for an end to sanctions against Russia and spoke out against the supply of weapons to Ukraine.

This morning I also read an article about Gloria von Thurn und Taxis, a prominent millionaire German aristocrat who regrets that the monarchy was abolished in Germany.
She is very conservative, an ardent supporter of the Catholic Church, an opponent of abortion, a denier of man-made climate change, and thinks the Corona Crisis is the work of the devil.

She is a fan of Donald Trump as "one of the two people in the world today who give us clarity."

On the television program "Monitor" here in Germany in July 2022, she said, "It's the ideology that is directed against the natural life of people, against the family - the Western ideology is the danger." And, "We have to do something to stop the Russia-phobia in Europe. The Russian way of life is the one we need here in Europe."

I don't think that the statement of you, stocker2014, that anti-Americanism has been forming here for decades is correct. Unfortunately, however, I have to observe that especially since the beginning of the Corona pandemic tendencies in parts of the population develop in this direction, even if this - according to my knowledge - should apply only to a minority. And, yes, I also believe that this development is being fed by Russia, especially on social media platforms.

Quote from: stoker2014 on May 12, 2023, 02:18

Quote from: Wilm on May 11, 2023, 12:40

Yes, there are these tendencies in parts of the population here in Germany.

What percentage of the population in Germany has claims against the United States, wants to get away from the United States, and believes that the United States is to blame for the war in Ukraine?

All I can say about this is this:

A survey here in Germany in May 2022 showed:
Above all, the majority of supporters of the politically extreme left wing (56%) and extreme right wing (88%) were against the delivery of heavy weapons to Ukraine.

In general, fear of an expansion of the war is high in Germany. 70% thought a diplomatic solution was the right way to end the war, and only 24% believed in a military victory.

Regarding your question about anti-American tendencies in Germany:
In 2016, there was a representative survey that about 10% of Germans agreed with statements like these:
- "People in the U.S. are exceedingly selfish and egotistical."
- "U.S. culture is superficial."
- "The U.S. is to blame for the fact that we have so many world conflicts."
- "U.S. imperialism is the real threat to world peace."

The Federal Agency for Civic Education notes in this regard that a clear anti-U.S. attitude has emerged especially in the far-right milieu.

Well, that's what I write about all the time. Germany under the hood of Russian propaganda.
It remains only for Germany to leave NATO and meet Russian tanks with flowers, bread, salt, vodka.
Horror you have there.

Pope Francis is a supporter of the Russian world. How could he even be elected pope in the Vatican? It represents a type of global south, but what it is and how many countries are included in this south is not clear to anyone. Pope is pursuing a policy of surrendering Ukrainian territories to Russia. Pope supports the occupation of Ukraine and supports the Russian terrorist church. Pope represents Catholics around the world?

Oh guys, you really start to sound like a QAnon group here. Everything is Russia's fault or China. It's getting pretty hilarious by now.

I know I promised not respond anymore but I had to get this of my chest.

Have fun with the rest of your arguments/findings

Eager to see which people are now part of the dark side

What are you talking about?

Yesterday the armed forces of Ukraine shot down 2 Russian helicopters and 2 planes.

"The historic victory of the Air Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the sky over Russia! In one battle, in a brilliantly organized ambush, the Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile system destroyed four Russian combat vehicles at once! The latest Russian Su-35S fighter, Su-34 bomber and two Mi-8 helicopters were shot down! Judging by the published video, all these targets were traveling at a considerable height, and were suddenly destroyed by long-range anti-aircraft rockets before they had time to perform an anti-missile maneuver. Missiles hit Russian planes and helicopters from the nose, so the Russians spread the information that all the crews were destroyed, no one had time to jump out after a powerful hit in the cockpit area.

The cost of the most modern serial Russian Su-35S under the export contract with China is 104 million dollars for one aircraft, that is, at the available export prices, Russian military equipment worth approximately 200 million dollars was destroyed in the battle. Pilots were also destroyed, the training of which is not only expensive, but also requires many years.

The last time Russian aviation suffered such losses in one battle was on July 30, 1970. At that time, Israel's air force conducted Operation Rimon-20, during which in one battle 4 Russian MiG-21 fighters were destroyed at the same time, 3 pilots were eliminated, and another MiG was damaged. The Israelis had no losses in planes and pilots, one of their fighters was also damaged.

Now the Armed Forces have written their unique feat into world history.

Russian aircraft bombed Ukrainian cities, villages, bridges, and other civilian objects in the north of Ukraine with impunity, Russian aerial terrorists destroyed everything without resistance, indiscriminately attacked peaceful homes, killed old people and children.

But now a successful counterattack was carried out, and the enemy was suddenly struck in the air in the Bryansk region. Now the Russians have lost dominance in the air over Bryansk region. This battle will significantly limit the terrorist actions of the Russian aviation."

Glory to Ukraine !

According to official data, the Armed Forces of Ukraine liquidated almost 200 thousand Russian invaders. Actually I think around 300 thousand. Official statistics don't take much into account.

I just read in an article of the Washington post that Zelensky was thinking of attacking Russia on it's own soil a few months ago (I would, if I was being attacked) but he was lacking long distance missiles to do so. Fortunately England just supplied these long range missiles.
Even though Ukraine promised not to use them again Russia, I am getting popcorn and putting my Children in a nuclear shelter
Just kidding, but don't be saying, "that escalated quickly!" if the crap hits the fan.

Our NATO leader also expressed today that NATO countries will be delivering more weapons to Ukraine in the war against Russia and that Ukraine will become part of NATO as soon as the war is over. That is a statement of NATO being clearly part of this war (as obviously they were already).
You supply weapons, you train their military personel, you have boots on the ground (special operations). We are in fact at war with Russia. Rightfully so or not, it will have repercussions and can escalate to a point where much more is at stake then just Ukraine.
But hey, Slava Ukraini!

Slava Ukraini, indeed!

Just on remark: the idea was not to attack russia for the sake of attacking russia, but to surround the fortifications the invadors built on Ukrainian land (+cripple the invasion logistics)
See the map below:

With long-range missiles for Ukraine, the issue was resolved positively. Of course, American ATACMS would be better, but British Storm Shadows are also suitable, although their consumption will be higher.
The issue of F16 fighters began to be resolved. There is hope that in a few months Ukraine will receive them.

"Ukraine plans to receive up to 50 F-16 fighters, - Politico

According to Yuriy Sak, adviser to the head of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, this will allow the formation of 3-4 squadrons to protect the sky from the blows of the Rashists.

The publication writes that the need for modern aircraft has escalated since in March the invaders began to use guided bombs that are capable of hitting targets at long distances. According to Sak, Ukraine currently has "nothing to stop" Russian planes carrying such bombs.

He added that the president would like to see the topic of combat aircraft in the spotlight at the G7 summit in Hiroshima and after - the NATO summit in Lithuania. In addition, Zelensky received assurances from partners that the issue would be raised."