Hi Natylie,

You are plainly very pro-Russian, which is fine. Everyone is entitled to their point of view - well, at least in the West we are! I don't agree with the war either. I never have agreed with any war, but sometimes you have to fight to preserve your way of life.

You plainly accept the Russian point of view, even using the standard Russian propaganda terminology of the 'West using Ukraine as a battering ram.' Again, we can agree to disagree!

The Ukrainians have not always acted honourably or honestly. I have never said otherwise. The same with Western media, of which I have been highly critical of in the past. You seem to believe however, that everything the Russians spout is true...I'm afraid you can't have it both ways! Russian innocence is an illusion of their making!

The US state department have a long history of duplicity and cover ups - I have been highly critical of the US in Afghanistan, for example. There are no doubt hidden agendas and maybe even nefarious moves afoot that remain masked - but that is the nature of much of foreign policy. If everything was laid bare then you would be left open to those who mean you harm for whatever reason.

The difference is, however, that any democratic government is accountable for their actions and their lies, should they be found out. Putin, with his sham elections, locked up and dead opponents, is not. With any free media in Russia effectively ended the political technologists are free to peddle whatever story they wish. Whilst there may have been access to the internet before that has now been largely curtailed. The Russian people are at the mercy of the State Media.

I'm always willing to listen to opposing views, so I have ordered your book, but honestly I don't expect to find anything more than uniform Russian propaganda. Again the difference is that here in the West you and I are free to disagree and to say so publically. In Russia to come out against the State view is to endanger your freedom and perhaps even your life!

Thanks for your response though. Have a good day!