The idea that the West (its states, institutions, political culture, values) are Russia's main enemy and an existential threat is now built in to Putin's presidency. There's no way back from that as long as post-Feb 2022 Putinism is the structuring principle of the Russian state.
— Ruth Deyermond (@ruth_deyermond) May 13, 2024
As I've said before, and will no doubt say again, at this point Western states don't have any choice about whether they and Russia are enemies - the Russian govt has decided that for them. The only choice is whether they resist or capitulate.
— Ruth Deyermond (@ruth_deyermond) May 13, 2024
The current attacks and the very strong likelihood that they will worsen in the future need to be made clear to citizens in the context of tough discussions about spending choices. Defence isn't a luxury, it's the precondition for everything else we want to do as a society.
— Ruth Deyermond (@ruth_deyermond) May 13, 2024
