[TrumpCard]

I suspect we underestimate the nationalism of average Russian citizens.  

Our, or at least my, main exposure to Russian citizens is framed by a very unrepresentative urban elite with access to international business and travel.  That's not the average Russian.  Outside of Moscow, St Petersburgh (combined population 18m) and a few others (and only a small subset of the folks living there) we have very little insight into how Russian citizens view the West.  My guess is it's not good.

You could say this about my knowledge of the average American.  I probably learned most of what I know about the political views of the average Russian from Borat (even though that's a parody about a Khazak man played by a British Jew).  All I know is that the statement I linked from Russian state controlled TV is scary as hell, and Ukrainians are not going to take well to it.

[TrumpCard]

I suspect we underestimate the nationalism of average Russian citizens.  

Our, or at least my, main exposure to Russian citizens is framed by a very unrepresentative urban elite with access to international business and travel.  That's not the average Russian.  Outside of Moscow, St Petersburgh (combined population 18m) and a few others (and only a small subset of the folks living there) we have very little insight into how Russian citizens view the West.  My guess is it's not good.

You could say this about my knowledge of the average American.  I probably learned most of what I know about the political views of the average Russian from Borat (even though that's a parody about a Khazak man played by a British Jew).  All I know is that the statement I linked from Russian state controlled TV is scary as hell, and Ukrainians are not going to take well to it.