Today, a Russian patriot is anyone who supports the annexation of Crimea and who believes that a “fascist junta” rules in Kiev, that the separatist forces fighting in the Donbass are composed exclusively of local volunteers, that President Vladimir Putin has gotten Russia up off its knees, that the West dreams of destroying Russia.
As for those who consider the annexation of Crimea illegal, who accuse the Kremlin of sending Russian troops and weapons to eastern Ukraine, who criticize Putin for his authoritarianism, who demand the peaceful transition of power through truly democratic elections, who openly discuss the corruption among members of Putin’s inner circle, who advocates friendly relations with the West and who insist that Russia leave Ukraine alone and immediately stop the war there — those are labeled national traitors and members of the “fifth column.”
Source: Kremlin Doesn’t Have Monopoly on Patriotism | Opinion | The Moscow Times
