I remember in college, back somewhere 2009-2013, I worked with a Russian student. We had a lot of foreign students, so it was common for people to explain why they were at the school, their backgrounds, etc. I encountered some fascinating stories in my time there, especially by a Croatian, but none were as fascinating as this Russian. His father apparently was on the run because he spoke out against Putin back in Russia. His son didn't even know where he was, or at least that's what he told me. I used to think it was just fascinating, but in retrospect I wonder how many Russians live in that kind of fear. I mean, the son was talking about Putin in such fear, and our school was in Missouri of all places, which is over 8,000 KM away.

Oh he cares about nato. Nato in ukraine would mean usa at his door. Imagine a future war between usa/russia, that would automatically make ukraine involved and fight against russia.  What would the usa do if canada and russia had strong relations and russia made a presence in that territory? What makes you think putin cares about the lifestyles and cultures of ukraine?  The people of russia have access to all sorts of social media, they know what goes on around the world. Has there been some kind of revolt? 

A no nato guarantee and being neutral would have been a start, and possibly prevented an invasion

My point being, usa wouldn't let russia set foot, just as russia wouldn't let any presense of nato set foot anywhere near russia. They all have their own security concerns and believe they are in the right. And terrible shit has been done from all sides in the past. You can't say one is better than the other.

Yes we are doing ok in australia, but it's not all perfect . There are problems here that russians don't have, and same for them.

I've met russians who have come here on holidays for certain major events, over the last 15 years, and no one was complaining about life there. But you can go to any country and find bad stuff going on there.

What would the usa do if canada and russia had strong relations and russia made a presence in that territory? Canada with strong relation to Russia would mean Russia would be very different than that it is today. Canada have very strong relation with many country and you don't see USA going nuts at any of them. Soviet Union had a foot in Cuba and all U.S. did was a failed operation using native Cuban, they never invaded with their troops, never shelled Cuban cities, never shelled civil house, never shelled hospital and maternity ward. 

What makes you think putin cares about the lifestyles and cultures of Ukraine?  Because this very culture is one that overthrown high level of governement corruption in 2014. Russia is literally the most corrupt country in the world with the highest inequality https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAMz5kgb7V4 if ever this very culture takes root in Russia he is literally done for.

The people of russia have access to all sorts of social media, they know what goes on around the world. They clearly don't. To the point where Russian relatives to Ukrainians don't even believe them when they tell literally what's happening right now. Why do you think Russia shutdown there last independent media?

Has there been some kind of revolt? Recent action taken by Putin clearly point that he is afraid of one. Thousands of illegal arrest of peaceful protester. New law that forbid anyone referring to the current situation in Ukraine as a war, punishable with up 15 years in jail. 

I remember seeing what the Russians did to Alexander Litvinenko while he was living in Britain, without repercussions. That was absolutely ghastly. If that's how Russia treats people they view as traitors, I definitely don't blame them for being afraid of retaliation.

This won't resolve anything the next guy would only take it's place and might be worse. The only way to stop it is to educate Russian on what's truly happening in Ukraine. Provide an access to internet which cannot be controlled by the government could be a great first step.

Not everything is as black and white. The very lands we are living on and communicating to each other has been taken over and conquered unjustly in the past. Now ofcourse i'm not suggesting it's fine , especially today, that anyone take over anyone's land. We live in modern times and have learned the errors of the past. 

Regarding nato and what putin was asking for you, it's not a simple matter of saying it's not their right to onterfere or care what ukraine does. You need to understand the history of russia/ukraine/soviet, nate , history of past political events , actions of their past events, the right to concerns etc

Then what about punishing Putin and his followers? that's exactly what the current sanction is aiming to achieve.

They've gone a whole decade without even a slap on the wrist for years of murder, terrorism and colluding with Trump, and we're just supposed to accept that they won't be punished? Punishments must comes from Russian themselves to be more effective Mussolini can attest to that. 

What kind of bullshit world are we living in? A world where self-centeredness too often rewards those who commit it, I'm afraid.