Indeed, one can simply work with the growing body of empirical evidence and base the assessment entirely on it—but that would also require listening to the societies that have been directly and for generations affected by Russian imperialist aggression, and that is what has too often been lacking
Tereza Hendl
It's common to talk about how in Europe Russia is "constructed" as expansionist and tyrannical. This view passes as insightful and nuanced but it is either a delusion or a manipulation. Russia just IS those things most of the time. No need to construct anything. Just observe.
