Yep, in my experience Russians are very direct and often blunt, which is often interpreted as rudeness by western society. I'm a very forthright person myself, which is probably why I "get" them more than some of my American friends do. On the other hand, Americans may smile a lot to your face but its hard to know what they really think of you.
I heard about the split with the rebels and I'm glad. If the US truly wanted to help the people of Syria, it would send medical aid, food, etc, to the 2 million plus refugees who are starting to eat dogs because they are starving to death. In all of the discussions I've heard about whether/whether not to drop "humanitarian" bombs on Syria, I have not heard anyone saying that the money would be better spent just helping the refugees. And America calls itself a "christian nation." Apparently the christians forgot to read what Jesus actually said:
Matthew 25:37-40 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’