Thread: "Russophobia" and "Russophilia" :)

I want to start a thread on this, because in certain European countries, it's getting completely out of hand. People are beginning to think that Putin is our time's Hitler, and that's media's work.

Obviously this thread is not relevant from the American perspective, since the USA has a larger population larger military and an ocean between themselves and Russia. So any Russophobia in the United States would be downright absurd.

However, in certain European nations, it's at least within the frame of the possible, to have a fear of Russia, because technically these countries are too small to stand up to Russia, should it be completely determined. Nevertheless, the thought is ludicrous from any economical, moral or political perspective.

Yet, open a paper in the Nordic countries, the Baltics, parts of Eastern Europe, and this is near hysteria.

An individual called Sergei Markov "Putin's deputy" said in preparation for a visit to Finland, that Russians are the new Jews, of Europe. It's fashionable to bash them, and no accusations are too far-fetched, insulting or proposterous.

Article here (can be translated from Swedish with automated translator - it's really good).
"Vill ni vara med och starta ett tredje världskrig?" | Hbl.fi

I was out of Scandinavia for 10 years when this extreme Russophobia apparently crept into the public consciousness via media (before that, it wasn't - during the Cold War media never took a stand - it was the golden rule then. During the 90s they were too busy writing about geographical changes, gangsters and criminality. Then came Putin and that's when it started.).

I started following Scandinavian press again some years ago, and Markov is right. It's insane:

One day it's belated Soviet bashing to make up for what they lost pre-91.
Then it's reporting about the RU army and its alleged plots on Europe.
Next its a full run down of everything that's wrong with Putin, including any similarities between him, and Hitler.
Then its politically correct stuff: Russians beat their wives! Russians are homophobic and racist! Russians booze! Last I read: Russian tourists are rude to European tourists in Turkey and Thailand. (well really! time to join nato...!)

You can prove anything you want with stats and subjective opionion.

On and on. New variations and repetition. Almost every day. Never anything positive. Just blackpainting, from any angle.

Open up an open forum and people will spew out insults and accusations about Russians. Usually completely unfounded in realit.

I understand how they turned people against the Jews in the 30s now. If you just read the same thing again and again, with no alternative perspective offered, most people will believe it. And if you say the others are hostile, people will get hostile back.
We see it from some on this forum here.

I really feel this is madness and it goes straight against Northern and Eastern European interests. Russia could be a great trading and cultural partner, and has very obviously left imperial aspirations behind. Russia has not attempted to throw its weight around in Europe, and is not stroppy about language, culture or its larger size (these are things that would make me annoyed). The criminality directly related to Russia has reduced to average levels. In REAL terms, there is no problem.

But to media - there will be a problem as long as there is a country called Russia. It should be split up into smaller parts and completely in US / EU reigns. A Russia that's not on its knees, like in its 90s, is a provocation....

For me, all this had the opposite effect. Russophilia. I always sort of liked Russia since childhood though. Had a gorgeous nested doll and watched lots of Ru kids programs on TV. LOL.

And lately: The more somebody tries to shove an opinion down my throat, the more liable I am to want to take the opposite views, to the extent that I have supported the annexation of Crimea, even though probably I would otherwise have been mildly against it. Watched RT, a channel I would probably never have bothered with had my interest in Russian language not suddenly awakened, and regular media lost its perspective on Russia.

Let's have a discussion about this - particularly relevant from other Euros if you read this.

Are you a Russophoble or a Russophile, or an interested observer? How did you reach your viewpoint?