From the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Western leftists have invoked “peace” as a slogan — as if peace were not already at the heart of every Ukrainian’s daily prayer. They warn the world not to “provoke” the Kremlin, as if Ukraine’s restraint could halt Russian missiles. For Ukraine’s own leftists, though, the prospect of total annihilation has laid bare how hollow abstract pacifism sounds when survival itself is on the line. When Russian forces tried to take Kyiv in 2022, Ukrain
  • breecher@sh.itjust.works
    7·
    3 days ago

    The majority of Western leftists by far support Ukraine and their fight against the invaders. The few remaining ones who doesn’t are the tankies, who are a very vocal minority (some of whom are no doubt financially supported by Putin).

  • Tempus Fugit@midwest.socialEnglish
    8·
    4 days ago

    I can’t help but feel this is the pot calling the kettle black. What did Ukrainian leftists do about any of the conflicts they weren’t directly involved with? No shit people are pacifist or ignorant when they’re not directly involved. The majority of people only care about things that directly affect them.

    I get his frustration with how things are, but if the shoe were on the other foot I doubt he’d act much differently.

    • doo@sh.itjust.worksMEnglish
      8·
      3 days ago

      I believe your argument is an example of whataboutism. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whataboutism

      While you’re not wrong that people in general tend to care more about matters directly affecting them, this fact is simply not relevant to the original fact that peace for ruZZia can only mean their complete victory and genocide for Ukrainians.

  • lmdnw@lemmy.world
    6·
    4 days ago

    Justice for Ukraine looks only like one thing, a Russian military loss and criminal charges against Russia’s leadership.

  • Skiluros@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    2·
    4 days ago

    Western “leftists” are full of shit.

    The beginning of the full scale invasion was how I learned western “leftism” is performative.

    Mind you, I oppose oligarch regimes and support a humane social contract.

    From my perspective, anyone who is dumb enough to think that the russians (putin is a mere symptom) are capable of good faith actions cannot be trusted on any matters.

      • Skiluros@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        1·
        3 days ago

        I don’t know what qualifies as “Eastern” in your view, but support for things like a national healthcare system (social democratic policies) is pretty common in many countries.

          • Skiluros@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
            1·
            3 days ago

            When I say Western leftism, I am refering to people such as Jeremy Corbyn, Yanis Varoufakis or the people behind Jacobin in the US.

            Corbyn is a genocidal imperialist who has openly cheered for the occupation of Crimea and prosecution of Ukrainians and Crimean Tartars.

            Jacobin routinely hosts articles that include something along the lines of “I don’t support the invasion of Ukraine, but actually here are the reason the russian are justified in invading Ukraine. And aren’t all Ukrainian Nazis anyway?”

            Varoufakis is probably a more useful idiot type, but he has also supported some non sequitors about “peace based on Good Friday agreement”. This is so stupid.

            Academic leftists like Jeremy Morris routinely whitewash near universal support for genocidal imperialism among the russian public by claiming that it merely 10-12% of russians support imperialism.

            Does this help you understand why I think Western “leftists” are full shit and why I hope the malicious ones (like Corbyn) get a taste of their own medicine; them and their families get to experience what they wish on Ukrainians.

              • Skiluros@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
                1·
                3 days ago

                Thank you for proving my point about the shallow and performative nature of western leftism!

                I couldn’t have done a better job myself!

                Every person I mentioned by name is a European. Including the former (and very controversial) leader of Labour in the UK and a former Greek economy minister (anyone who actually bothers to stay informed should remember him, he played a very big role in Europe at one point).

                • fushuan [he/him]@piefed.blahaj.zoneEnglish
                  2·
                  3 days ago

                  I asked a question that you didn’t answer so I made an assumption because in no way I’m reading all that text when the question I asked could have been answered in 1 line. Then you insult me because you didn’t answer the question.

                  Yeah… Okay. I don’t hold an opinion on those people, I’m from Spain. They asked you about eastern leftists and you answered with support for national healthcare, which then I replied that Europe also has that.

                  It’s you who did the separation of western and Easter leftism by national healthcare. Please don’t lump all those opinions about those people on me, thanks.