@trueman2542

7 hours ago

Over the past 300 years, Russia’s territorial expansion has been unparalleled, often leaving a legacy of suffering and oppression for its neighbors—from Georgia to Ukraine and Crimea. This stands in sharp contrast to nations like the United Kingdom, which once held the title of the world’s most powerful empire but has since embraced devolution and scaled down significantly in favor of democratic governance.


Less than a century ago, Crimea was part of the Ottoman Empire, not Russia. Under Stalin’s regime, countless Crimeans faced execution, imprisonment, or forced exile in one of history's darker chapters. Today, while Russia remains the largest country in the world, it carries the weight of hidden crimes against more than 37 ethnic minorities within its borders.


The question arises: in the 21st century—an era increasingly defined by democratic values and the pursuit of equality—how would a leader like Peter the Great reconcile imperial ambitions with the principles of modern governance? Could expansionist ideals survive in a world striving for devolution and justice?


Should Putin seek to revise the old, dark pages of Peter the Great’s imperial legacy in the 21st century, when all Western empires relinquished their control after the Second World War? Shouldn't the focus now be on building a new democracy, grounded in empowering people, championing human rights, transparency, and global harmony, rather than returning to an era where the world was ruled by a few?....

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