Is this a conspiracy theory or is there something in it?

I've never seen such heavy russian propaganda on MN as in the last few days, it's unbearable

@Circularmadness I'm sorry but I can't see where that paper - put together by a self-described "modern think tank that helps advance the modernization of Ukraine" - contradicts what Sachs is saying. It disagrees with his interpretation of events and views them from different contexts - sometimes wider, sometimes narrower.

But, nowhere does it say he is lying and it doesn't "debunk his claims ". That's not even what they say they're setting out to do. They themselves state that the purpose is to "address some of the historical misrepresentations and logical fallacies in your line of argument." Have you even read it? It's very interesting, drawing on history as far back as 1783 to examine the political conflict around nationality and ethnicism. But it isn't an exercise in debunking anything. Unlike you, these guys are debating.

voxukraine.org/en/open-letter-to-jeffrey-sachs

Which bits are wrong?

All true. Hope it has made a few on here look at things a bit differently.

Sachs is a lying Russian asset. He is absolutely NOT correct in what he says

The following is a link to an open letter signed by a large group of economists to Jeffrey Sachs, a Columbia University economist who is pushing the Putin's line on Ukraine. Sachs is a conspiracy loon and this letter debunks his claims

https://voxukraine.org/en/open-letter-to-jeffrey-sachs/

It's just a speech to the EU parliament by a US economic policy analyst. The full text is here.

https://johnmenadue.com/jeffrey-sachs-explosive-address-at-the-eu-parliament-sends-shockwaves-across-europe/

All the twitter user has done is add some graphics.

The speech is a (very) quick potted history of events leading to the Ukraine conflict and ideas about what to do next. It's not a conspiracy theory.

Google Jeffrey Sachs European Parliament and there are loads of links to his speech that aren’t x

The username is neither here nor there, it’s a real speech to the EU parliament by Jeffrey Sachs. It was broadcast at the time, and this is an accurate repost

I'm not going to click on the link. Can anyone explain quickly what it is?

I'd agree with that and also add that for Russia, NATO is the USA. And the USA is the only country in history that has used atomic bombs on civilians, before aiming nuclear weapons at Russia, and keeping them aimed at Russia for over 70 years. From that point of view it isn't even a question of good and bad, but about protecting your country.

I do think it's generally safest just to avoid the political conversations with friends at the moment. I've tried to give a reasoned response to a couple of people who were raging about Trump's actions along the lines of 'Well, the outcome could be this or that, an alternate view is x, but ultimately we have no choice but to sit and wait it out.'

And had angry text diatribes back, with the anger aimed at me for daring to suggest we wait it out.

I also have a family member who is suddenly, out of nowhere, convinced that Putin is a really nice guy. All I can do is question where their sudden change in view came from, encourage them to self reflect on what influences them, not to go down internet rabbit holes and to read from a range of objective sources.

Like everyone I have many concerns but there is a lot going on behind closed doors of governments we know nothing about.

True, but it's difficult, no matter how batshit. Good luck 😄 🤞

Indeed! 😂

I listened to about half the video, most of what is said up to that point I believe to be generally true.

However I think the guy portrayed as speaking is being lip synced so who knows if it is what he actually said or not.

I think Russia's view of what has been happening is very different to the West's view of what has been happening. How the west looks from where Russia sits is very different to how Russia looks from there the west sits.
We see NATO as a good thing, but if you are in Russia with the US/Russian arms race history and hostility, it is not going to be seen as a good thing.

As with anything to do with international politics, there are many complexities and nuances.

Ukraine were not snow white in the lead up to the war.

However, a brutal invasion is a brutal invasion, that much IS black and white.

Seriously. You don't even have to click on the link to see that any post from username "BGatesisaPsycho" is going to be ridiculous.

So just say ‘Do put a sock in it, Doreen — we’re just trying to have a nice time here, not be subjected to the rundown on your latest tin-hattery’.

I’m well informed and sure OP is.
i would still like to know more about the situation posted

So why fuel a nutter’s delusions?

I have already replied to her. However, it's true to say that being continuously engaged in current affairs and well informed is a good thing.
However, I think she's on to a loser with such a person who will not understand facts and logic.

OP is looking for a specific answer to a question about the history of NATO’s growth east and Putin/ US reactions.

how will downloading the bbc app answer this question? I agree you have identified a wealth of information but you can’t immerse your self in massive irrelevant data when she only wants to know about one specific situation