Putin claims Ukraine isn't a real nation. Has anyone in the media pointed out

[thucythucy]

that back in the days of the USSR, Ukraine--and Belarus--both had their own votes and seats at the United Nations?

This was done at the insistence of the Soviets, who at that time evidently wanted Ukraine counted as an independent nation in "union" with the USSR.

Just an interesting historical side note I thought might be worth mentioning.

[Wicked Blue]

1. The rashists lie with both sides of their mouths

[sanatanadharma]

2. Thank you. It is an important talking counter-point to Russia apologists

Russian apologists as in the Republican Party 'zampolit's.

[lark2]

3. Nice, thank you, I didn't remember that.

But of course, you are right.

[ITAL]

4. Putin is an irredentist

But he's using the days of the Czarist Russian Empire, not the USSR.

[thucythucy]

5. True, but I still think it's a valid point to make.

The Czarist empire at its height also included Poland and Finland, as well as the Baltic states and the predominately Muslim areas of Central Asia.

I'm sure all of these nations are watching what's happening in Ukraine, and some of them might be wondering if they're next.

[roamer65]

6. Russia isn't a real country.

Long live Siberian independence!

[DavidDvorkin]

7. There are no real countries

They're all artificial human constructs, and those contstructs have changed dramatically throughout history.

[Brother Buzz]

8. A historical side note

While Ukraine was building glorious structures, Muscovites were huddling in log cabins