Putin met with a sanctioned Xi Jinping aide, a middle finger to the US that could help Russia's invasion of Ukraine
Business InsiderJUL 2023
Putin Visits Troops in Russian-Controlled Regions of Ukraine
Image copyright: The Kremlin [via AP Photos]
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
This invasion is an egregious violation of international law. Putin's ultimate aim is to restore the Soviet empire, even if it takes massive bloodshed and false pretexts such as calling the 2014 Ukrainian revolution after an election a "coup." This unprovoked attack is the latest chapter in Putin's Orwellian attempt to rewrite history.
Pro-Russia narrative
NATO and the US have ignored Russia's security concerns by breaking its promise not to expand eastward in return for German reunification. These concerns are legitimate and taking them seriously would have avoided the Ukraine tragedy.