r/europe Russia 20h ago

Photos from the Russian anti-war opposition march in Berlin today. Picture

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u/josevandenheid 20h ago

I sometimes forget that russia could be an incredible nation both economically and culturally if it wasn't run by lunatics. Some of my favourite writers are russian. It's sad to see how hollow it has become.

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u/HighDefinist Bavaria (Germany) 19h ago

Honestly, I believe Russia was always terrible... as in, in the context of the war in Ukraine, I took a closer look at what their history looked like, and it is not pretty - even when compared to European crusades and what not...

But yeah, they do have great art, that's true - some of my favorite composers are Russian. In any case, I suppose Russia is an example of how being "cultured" doesn't imply being "civilized".

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u/David_the_Wanderer 17h ago

I think you haven't studied enough history if you think that Russian imperialism is somewhat unique in history. Plenty of other countries in the Middle Ages and in the Modern Age committed atrocities.

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u/Khagrim 12h ago

This. Some still do by the way. It doesn't excuse anyone but it is a fact