Dear Caitlin, and pardon the "dear" but it's because I'm feeling a little lonesome these days, what with even the German Linke stepping up to the Putin-bashing plate to denounce his Ukraine moves "in the strongest possible terms" as a "war of aggression, which is contrary to international law and cannot possibly be justified." They have pinned this brave statement, agreeing with virtually every MSM and official narrative outlet in the world, on their Facebook page. I fully agree with you. This is sickening.

The Linke ("Left," a German political party for those who don't know) think they are being "consistent" by denouncing any and all violations of international law, but the real reason is that they fear that if they don't they will be accused of being Putin stooges. As you have pointed out, many much worse "violations of international law" have gone virtually unnoticed by all those who are now screaming about Ukraine, and Ukraine and its Western supporters are more to blame for the current situation than Russia. This is what the Linke should be saying, but they are not.

Putin has explained this at length in recent speeches and press conferences -- but who reads them, and who can read them, since they are not made available via the Western MSM? It is not "necessary" to condemn the Russian actions. It IS necessary to understand how the US and its European allies have been systematically driving Russia into this corner for the past 20 years, until they have finally decided that the only way to get out of it is what they are doing now.

That doesn't mean it's good and it doesn't mean we have to approve of it or join the chorus of condemnation. It does mean that it is perfectly understandable and that we in the West bear the responsibility for it. If we listen to what Putin says we will understand this. It's not complicated.

What Die Linke et al. should do now, instead of jumping on the "condemn Putin" bandwagon, is -- as you also rightly say -- force the US et al. and Ukraine to finally deal substantively with the Russian demands re their national security. They are clear: no nuclear weapons (or infrastructure for them, i.e. convertible "ABM" sites) in Ukraine OR in Eastern Europe. It's bad enough that the Brits, French and Germany have them, especially since everyone knows that Washington has its fat finger on all the buttons, but that would be the next step.

Yes, even little Germany has options. We should say: Denuclearize Ukraine and Eastern Europe -- with clear and binding agreements -- or we will drop all economic sanctions, resume NordStream 2, and even drop out of NATO. We should do this anyway, but we could use the threat first to get a response.

But Germany and all the other US vassals are quite ill with Stockholm syndrome so it won't be easy.