Friendly country and unfriendly country
I live in Moscow for now. I'm not American, but I look quite foreigner / Western.
There are different opinions. I asked a WG recently about her opinion about the current military operation (don't use the term "war" if you are in Russia, it can bring you legal problems), she said that she has relatives in Donbass. These have been terrorized by the Neonazis of the Azov Regiment for almost 8 tears, so she is 100% pro Z.
Last summer the New York Yankees caps were Very Popular in Russia. Trendy. Last week was sunny, so I went to a grocery store with the cap. The cashier looked at my cap and then noticed my accent (it was a issue with card), then she behaved unfriendly. I didn't understand why. Some days later I went to the same grocery store. This time wearing no cap, 100% she didn't remember me, when she asked for "Paket nuzhno" I just nicked. No sound from my mouth, her behavior was much better. If it's connected to the current political situation I don't know.
The US Embassy posted this waring:
"Do not travel to Russia due to the unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces, the potential for harassment against USA Citizens by Russian government security officials, the singling out of USA Citizens in Russia by Russian government security officials including for detention, the arbitrary enforcement of local law, limited flights into and out of Russia, the Embassy's limited ability to assist USA Citizens in Russia, COVID-19 and related entry restrictions, and terrorism. USA Citizens residing or traveling in Russia should depart Russia immediately."
[URL]https://ru.usembassy.gov/travel-advisory-u-s-embassy-moscow-russia/[/URL]
The fact that the president's son (also a monger like us BTW) was 'allegedly' involved in financing biolabs in Ukraine, which could be used to produce bio weapons doesn't give the US a good name at the moment.
About to colllapse in ruins
Must be dismal in Moscow with the economy about to collapse in ruins, dunno how you would change money or get a meal, with shelves empty ans that's before you get there overland;;aircraft have no insurance or cert o airworthyness so you risk your life flying by Russian planes.
Opinions of WG in Russia on the war
[QUOTE=SanGaetano;2680608]I live in Moscow for now. I'm not American, but I look quite foreigner / Western.
There are different opinions. I asked a WG recently about her opinion about the current military operation (don't use the term "war" if you are in Russia, it can bring you legal problems), she said that she has relatives in Donbass. These have been terrorized by the Neonazis of the Azov Regiment for almost 8 tears, so she is 100% pro Z.
The fact that the president's son (also a monger like us BTW) was 'allegedly' involved in financing biolabs in Ukraine, which could be used to produce bio weapons doesn't give the US a good name at the moment.[/QUOTE]It is still not easy to get a visa to Russia. For many of you out there it is impossible. Stay away as long as the war rages. The American president's son is troubled, unwise and in some ways corrupted. As a father, honest Joe can do little about it. No father is proud of this kind of nepotism. Honest Joe (Biden) started in politics when he was 28 and was ranked the least wealthy among 100 senators for that very reason. (Ketchup Heinz Kerry was the richest, and Mitt Romney is also up there. I do not mind others being rich. But I mind if people do not see the nobility in Honest Joe's humility). Don't quote this biolabs-stuff-implying-weapons-nonsense. Disinformation. If Hunter Biden invested in farm seeds or other bio stuff in Ukraine, so be it. I have no idea whether he did.
When in Russia, call it a military operation. My lovers in Russia have varying opinions on the matter. I met them all when they were 18 or 19 yo, some through saloons, others through recommendation. The less priviledged, more ad hoc girls without university education are against the war. No loyalty to their president. 20/20 vision that this juvenile sado maso massacre costs them dearly at the shopping mall or the food store. They also like tourists and a little Western flair in their life, and be it that McDonald's experience, which has now vanished. The English speakers I know are all against the war, be they WG or be they just friends. The non-English speaking college educated ones see the matter more like their president. Quotes: "The Ukrainians bombed their own for 8 years". "I have relatives in Donbass and they were treated badly by Azov types". It is not wise to confront these Russians head-on with the facts. Better keep it general like "war is bad for all". Or "let us hope for peace soon". As for the facts: Neither the free elections in Ukraine nor the refugee flows suggest that Ukrainians wish Russian meddling in their country. Ukrainians are not waiting for Putin as their savior. 1. 1% of the Ukrainian population fled to Russia acc. To UNHCR. 11% fled to Western countries. 12% of the Ukrainian population is on the run within Ukraine. Russia baselessly inflated refugee-to-Russia figures, even though UNHCR is active in Russia. The Ukrainian pro-Russia opposition platform "Pro Life" has published a resolution against the war, condemning Russia's aggression. ("Pro Life" in Ukraine has nothing to do with a stance on fetal abortion.) "Pro Life's" leader was behind this resolution against Russia. Another of their leaders spoke out in favor of the Russian invasion and was voted out of office in early March. The Russian foreign secret service paid "Pro-Lifers" to rise against Selensky after the onset of the invasion. The Russians fully expected this to happen. It did not. Several heads of the Russian foreign secret service were placed under house arrest in March 2022 after their bluff was exposed. Russian money was likely syphoned off without getting any results. A third figure head of "Pro Life" is Mr Medvechuk, a rich man, a media tycoon, whose daughter is somehow godfathered by the Russian president. He was under house arrest in Ukraine for various acts of treason when the war broke out. Four days into the war he went into hiding and was recently captured by Ukraine's police. He is the guy shown on TV in handcuffs. Pro Life has been dissolved and has also dissolved itself. Native Russian speakers with grievances against Kiev are gathering in new political formations. But they are small and all against the Russian invasion. Do not buy Russian propaganda. Despite Russia's occupation of parts of Ukraine, the number of civilian casualties due to exchange of bullets / ordnance in Donbass has been on the decline for years. Since at least 2019 the level of civilian casualties had been on par with that along the Berlin wall / East / West German fence! Not entirely peaceful but mostly. This war is unprovoked and illegal under international law. It is also unwinnable for Russia, but certainly losable for Russia, because the West will supply Ukraine with potent weapons as long as Ukraine wants to put up a fight. The Ukrainians are Slavs and will not cede their territory by a stroke of the pen unless they are defeated on the battlefield. Will not happen. Russians on the other hand can be swayed. No civilized Russian man or boy wants to fight there. There are many Chechens, Syrians, mercenaries, conscripts and incel losers fighting for Russia. Poor young men. There are also career soldiers who know nothing else but obedience. But make no mistake: The vast majority of Russians fighting this travesty do not want to be there and their poor results prove it. The general Russian public will follow their leaders. To give civilized Russia a chance, this invasion must be beat back to the Russian border. I hope the Ukrainians are wise enough not to invade Crimea. That might end badly. All young WG in Russia are either disenfranchised, confused or unsure about their self esteem. Most speak no English. Among Russian non-English speakers, you will find more opponents to the war among the disenfranchised than among the enfranchised.
