Your review and more significantly your critique of Todd’s book tells me all I care to know about his perspective and scholarship- myopic and I would dare say auto-didactic to a fault. Largely thanks to your essays in the Saker and now here on Substack I would point to Ukraine’s nihilism and complete renunciation of socialism in its desire to “westernize” its lifestyle and aspirations. This would explain its Russophobia- the nazism is a relic of the eastern provinces (probably encouraged by the “five eyes Blob”). Your observation that the oligarchs were largely of the Russophone eastern regions makes me wonder- would that include the infamous Ihor Kolomoiski of Privat Bank fame? Legend has it that he took off for Israel (dual citizen) and is said to have emptied Ukraine’s sovereign gold deposits from a Privat Bank vault in the wake of the Maidan upheaval. Despite his yarmulke and supposed piety he bankrolled and encouraged Azov Battalion and Right Sector- a telling example of Ukraine’s dysfunctional aspirations. Thanks again for your tireless efforts!
It's an interesting book, and worth learning about, I think. I think that for many like us these "Ukraine-critical" ideas are nothing new, but for those in the mainstream it's like being against motherhood or apple pie? Ukraine's desire to Westernize (and de-socialize) is really seeking to completely reverse/overturn about a millennia of Eastern Europe, as Todd stresses in his next chapter, on Eastern Europe. It's really not authentic, and without authenticity you get nihilism, disorder, suicide, etc.
I checked Todd's list and Ihor Kolomoiski was part of his top 50. Kolomoiski is currently under arrest in Ukraine - "checked" as Todd would say.
I am honored by your thoughtful reply- I will give Todd the ‘benefit of the doubt’ then. I have to respect such a level of scholarship- I certainly don’t have that degree of commitment! I have to admit it’s encouraging to hear that Kolomoiski’s feet are being held to the fire- at least there’s some justice in this ‘civilization’ - thanks for that- definitely brightened my day! 🌞
Your review and more significantly your critique of Todd’s book tells me all I care to know about his perspective and scholarship- myopic and I would dare say auto-didactic to a fault. Largely thanks to your essays in the Saker and now here on Substack I would point to Ukraine’s nihilism and complete renunciation of socialism in its desire to “westernize” its lifestyle and aspirations. This would explain its Russophobia- the nazism is a relic of the eastern provinces (probably encouraged by the “five eyes Blob”). Your observation that the oligarchs were largely of the Russophone eastern regions makes me wonder- would that include the infamous Ihor Kolomoiski of Privat Bank fame? Legend has it that he took off for Israel (dual citizen) and is said to have emptied Ukraine’s sovereign gold deposits from a Privat Bank vault in the wake of the Maidan upheaval. Despite his yarmulke and supposed piety he bankrolled and encouraged Azov Battalion and Right Sector- a telling example of Ukraine’s dysfunctional aspirations. Thanks again for your tireless efforts!
Many thanks Cuz!
It's an interesting book, and worth learning about, I think. I think that for many like us these "Ukraine-critical" ideas are nothing new, but for those in the mainstream it's like being against motherhood or apple pie? Ukraine's desire to Westernize (and de-socialize) is really seeking to completely reverse/overturn about a millennia of Eastern Europe, as Todd stresses in his next chapter, on Eastern Europe. It's really not authentic, and without authenticity you get nihilism, disorder, suicide, etc.
I checked Todd's list and Ihor Kolomoiski was part of his top 50. Kolomoiski is currently under arrest in Ukraine - "checked" as Todd would say.
I am honored by your thoughtful reply- I will give Todd the ‘benefit of the doubt’ then. I have to respect such a level of scholarship- I certainly don’t have that degree of commitment! I have to admit it’s encouraging to hear that Kolomoiski’s feet are being held to the fire- at least there’s some justice in this ‘civilization’ - thanks for that- definitely brightened my day! 🌞
Very interesting review . I hope that we don't have to wait too long before this book is available in English .