Russia imperialistic dreams cloud reality, says expert

Russian President Vladimir Putin is pulling on the imperialistic heartstrings of the Russian people, the head of the Ukrainian National Memory Institute, Volodymyr Viatrovyc said during a conference dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Baltic Way that took place in Riga on Aug. 21 and 22, reports LETA.

The majority of Russian citizens want to live in an internationally prominent country and this idea has replaced the true history and normal perception of events. Russian historian Nikita Petrov indicated that the Russian nation is currently gripped by imperialist fervor.

The Kremlin pays money to brainwash people, which is especially targeted at Russian and Baltic residents. This process has not been very successful in the Baltics, whereas in Russia it has left a huge impact, Petrov said.

When asked why Russians are so prone to the Kremlin's "brainwashing," Petrov said that unlike Russia, the Baltic States have a collective memory about the totalitarian period, Soviet occupation. The nation shares a common experience, therefore, everything that was written in the USSR history books was perceived as lies.

Russia, on the other hand, while allegedly giving the people opportunity to be free and make own conclusions about the totalitarian period, is clinging to an idea of an empire.

Viatrovyc said that Russians living in Russia are not at all interested in acquiring alternative information from other sources that are available in Russia, they thus deny themselves access to truth. They wish to live in a prominent country which is feared and respected by all.

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