That's right, between American Ukraine and Russian, Putin chose the latter. Putin is not Gorbachev or Yeltsin to satisfy the interests of Western partners
Pardon me, but I don't think that Mr Putin has the right to determine Ukraine's choices as a nation.
His concerns about having a western puppet on the border to Russia may be understandable but his intentions were bad. Not seeing Ukrainians have the right to live is psychopathic.
Massacring civilians, looting houses and shops, bombing residential areas, raping, kidnapping, deporting to Siberia etc. etc.
I used to respect Putin and thought of him as a clever leader, even after annexing Crimea, and even after the Donbass theatre, until the stupid decision to invade Ukraine with the very funny title of "Special Operation".
Most of Turks here have nothing against Russians, but Russia has stabbed us in the back many times in Syria and Libya, It's also playing a dangerous game under the guise of "peacekeeping" in Karabagh, but most importantly, Russia's arrogance in its claims over Ukraine gives some of us the Schadenfrude when we see their army fail.
Also Russian bots and media have tried to ridicule our defence products at every chance (to no avail) and still yet do (see TB-2) although it made them bleed in al above mentioned conflicts in addition to Ukraine especially in the first weeks of the failed invasion.
Russians claimed they will take the entirety of Ukraine within a week and install a pro-Russian government but the reality is something the whole world watched with shock.
Russia showed us that they talk the talk bet they limp badly when it comes to the walk part.
I'm really sorry if you feel sometimes ostracised, and I would like to see your side of the medal too in the conflict.
I congratulate you on having a pretty thick skin and standing your ground but you should not support the killing of civilians, looting, raping and other atrocities committed by the Z army.
I hope Russians could be more humble and accept the shortcomings of their military and poor decisions of their leaders.
Mir!