Why Russians like Trump

A disclaimer: I’m going to make a whole bunch of generalizations! But don’t we all do often? I’m noting my observations, based on my interactions with Russians in Russia and Russians in America.

Historical context

I wrote in detail in this story:

From poisonings to annexations: a timeline of Russia’s fallout with the West

It’s quite simple. Ever since the Crimea debacle of 2014 when it annexed the peninsula from Ukraine, Russia has had a confrontational relationship with the West. I don’t know how effective the sanctions imposed on Russia have been from the perspective of Western leaders, but they sure did impact many powerful and wealthy individuals in Russia; they impacted ordinary Russians too, indirectly. For example, Russia retaliated with its own sanctions, and many imported products were removed from the Russian market. The net effect — in my opinion — was that Russia, as a nation, got upset with having been isolated. Many Russians are upset with the country’s corrupt elite too, but the negative sentiment towards the West, America especially, is greater. The Russian state is certainly doing a good job with its propaganda. So it’s not so much Putin or Russia…