The 24th of February is a milestone in the history of both Estonia and Ukraine. On this date Estonians mark the birth of a nation.
Vladimir Zelensky named the same day a “rebirth” of his nation. “A new nation was born at four in the morning. It wasn’t born, it was reborn. A people who didn’t weep, or wail or cower. They didn’t flee, capitulate. And they didn’t forget.”
Was this date chosen by Putin done from strictly military considerations or historical significance, i.e. Estonia’s Independence Declaration, which, according to Putin, Russia never recognized? (Putin claims that the current Russian Federation is not a successor state to Soviet Russia, a signatory to the Tartu Rahu.) The notion that the invasion date chosen was historically symbolic for him may be far-fetched but intriguing nevertheless.
In reality February 24th marks the second Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russia actually attacked in 2014, on February 20. Now after 365 days of an all-out assault, many in the West are anxious to see it end.
This was echoed by Pink Floyd frontman Roger Waters, who in one breath condemned Russia but also found justification for Russia’s attack and appealed for peace at the behest of the Russian delegation in the UN Security Council. And this adhered to a typically professional propaganda mode – mix some rhetoric with which the UN majority agrees (criticism of Russia) with appeals for an end to fighting (Russia’s on/off tactic). Moscow’s retaining of Roger Waters matches the Kremlin’s recruitment of Russian TV celebrities who forward its agenda.
Other entertainment industry notables in the West advancing Moscow’s narrative or ameliorating its image are Steven Seagal, Leonardo DiCaprio, Gérard Depardieu, Mickey Rourke. Celebrity endorsement is a common feature in Russia’s propaganda mix.
(Pikemalt saab lugeda Eesti Elu 24. veebruari 2023 paber- ja digilehest)
