Sh3Rm4n

Europe can no longer complain that Russia is retaliating against Europe economically.

But it can, the same as Russia can complain that NATO members are supporting Ukraine.

This is a fight Europe chose and these are the consequences.

True. But this fight was chosen in response to Russias agression. Diplomatic solutions before the war failed because of Russias maximalist claims.

But what should this context tell us? At the very least this is in no way any justification for russia starting a war against the whole Ukraine.

Thank you. It's frightening how many propaganda led conspiracy theories are thrown around here without for once taking other perspectives into consideration.

Oh it does. And also it does matter because Russia started the war. The sanctions where the response.

So Russia was the face puncher while Europe the ball kicker to stay in your analogy.

But this is where we disagree. The EU sanctioned Russia which did exclude things like gas.

It is very much Russias fault that those prices are going up now as it stopped the delivery of gas.

But that is not to say that the EU could've known better.

This meme is pretty inaccurate IMO.

First I think most Russians who are speaking like this would like to (and probably are) stay(ing) in Russia.

Second the EU is blocking most russians to enter it. Which is bad, as those who flee Russia mostly are not in favor of the Russian government. And I worry that closing the borders for Russians just strengthens the anti-russian sentiment in EU countries, while Russians (the people, not the government) are not fault of the current situation.

Great. Finally a sane, almost friendly answer of yours. Very rare occasion.

Russia was perfectly fine trading with the west while fighting a war in Ukraine.

Yes of course, why wouldn't Russia be fine? But you also have to acknowledge that Russia prepared for that economic war well before the current conflict. And even though EU might have started the economic war, Russia started the decrease of delivery of gas to pressure the EU.

But of course it is mostly the EUs fault to so heavily rely on Russia gas in the first place. In hindsight the signals of the geopolitical shift Russia took where clear even before 2014 but the EU ignored them.

Okay. Let's test that. Who started the war?

What lie are you talking about?

Are you speaking of yourself?

Factually no.

Okay?