this post was submitted on 17 Feb 2025
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The whole dive back into religion after the fall of USSR was an absolutely terrible thing to happen to Russia. There's no question about that. I wouldn't be in a rush to pack my bags and move to Russia either.
However, what I'm saying is that Europe could have normal relations with Russia even if values differ. In my opinion, Europe could learn a lot from the way China approaches geopolitics. They don't try to impose their values on others or create camps over some supposed shared values. They try to find ways to have win-win relationships with other countries while having mutual respect.
Zhou Enlai was an interesting politician I agree. I still think sexual freedom and women’s rights and the right to openly criticise your government aren’t some niche western value though and I’m sure lots of Russian citizens would enjoy having some of the same freedoms I have.
The point here is that it's not up to you to impose your values on others. People in Europe can run things any way they like, but they have to learn to respect how other countries are run going forward. It's up to people of Russia to figure these things out for themselves.
I’m not in the position to impose anything on any one.
I'm not talking about you personally here obviously. However, it's clear that western countries very much do try to impose their values on others. This includes imposing values by force through coups, invasions, and economic warfare. Portrayal of liberal democracy as the sole legitimate form of governance amounts to nothing more than modern-day marketing for colonialism. It serves as a pretext for justifying Western atrocities masquerading as benevolent civilizing missions. I'm saying that Europe has to abandon this mindset going forward.
I’m aware of all of this.