Did you notice the constant theme how Russia is never responsible for ANYTHING?

[DetlefK]

The relationship between the US and Russia is bad, because the US is accusing Russia of doing bad things.
Russia demands that the US repair the relationship by being nice to Russia.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/10028677125
The relationship between Norway and Russia is bad, because Norway is accusing Russia of doing bad things.
Russia demands that Norway repair the relationship by being nice to Russia.



Let's use a real-life example:
Somebody throws dog-shit over the fence into your garden.
You suspect your dog-owning neighbor who constantly badmouths you.
You accuse him of throwing dog-shit into your garden.
Your neighbor laments that you are destroying the peace of the neighborhood with your accusations and that makes YOU the bad guy here and if you really were interested in a good relationship with your neighbors, YOU should from now on be nice to HIM.

[dalton99a]

1. The bully never apologizes to you. It's you who must apologize to the bully.

[TubbersUK]

2. Yes, I've noticed,

and Trump has been encouraging that perspective.

The Telegraph published an interesting piece yesterday. It's long but worth a read, dealing with Russian meddling in European elections, Nato being reined in , Pence's recent statements etc.

This part, among others, caught my eye:

On Saturday, Mr Lavrov told US and European leaders gathered at the Munich Security Conference that Russia desired a "post-West world order."

He said Russia wants "pragmatic relations, mutual respect, understanding our special responsibility for global stability."

He added: "We have immense potential that has yet to be tapped into, and we're open for that in as much as the US is open for that as well."

Mr Lavrov said he hopes "responsible leaders" will choose to create a "just world order - if you want you can call it a post-West world order."

This sounds so much like like an articulate version of Trump's position to me (neither have been explicit about oil exploitation but it's a sub-text for both) - it's pretty clear what the Trump campaign/Russian contacts were carving out.