The Russian war in Ukraine is a tragedy of historical proportions. And Vladimir Putin has become the embodiment of specific reactions to the ideas of democracy, as well as to globalization, the clash of cultures, the ability to contain anger. He represents the grievances associated with ethno-nationalist mythology.. And the war in Ukraine is the result of a toxic mixture of such thinking with autocratic rule, in which there is no accountability and no checks..

The 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, said this in an interview with The Atlantic.. He noted that the reaction of Europe to the invasion of Russia now inspires him. Because in 2014, when Russian troops occupied Crimea and started attacking Donbass, “I had to shout and make them respond in a way that befits Western democracies”. Obama also emphasized that Putin has always been cruel and ready to destroy anyone he considered a threat to himself.. At the same time, the ex-US president recalled the brutal wars in Chechnya. He believes that there is no reason to expect Putin to suddenly behave rationally.. Obama also does not believe that anti-regime protests or any kind of oligarchic resistance could flare up in Russia..

At the same time, according to Obama, many things in Ukraine are now happening not at all according to the plan of the Russian autocrat.

“This is both a high level of resistance and Volodymyr Zelensky’s reaction to the situation. What has changed since 2014, in my opinion, is that the sense of national identity has continued to be strengthened. And, ironically, the annexation of Crimea and part of the territory in the east helped the Ukrainians to clearly understand who they are and what they stand for.. I also think that Putin did not expect how much the nature of war would change.. Now everyone can see what's happening in real time. I won’t say that this will lead us to a happy solution, but it will potentially prevent Putin’s maximalist victory.. And in the long run, it will allow an independent Ukraine to exist,” Obama said..

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He declined to answer the question whether he considers Ukraine's victory in the war possible.. According to Obama, it would not be right to make such forecasts or say what Ukrainians should and should not do, and what compromises can be accepted or not.. But looking back at 2013-2014, Obama would like to change something in his reaction to the occupation of Crimea and part of Donbass?

“Actually, no, because the circumstances were different.. The population in Crimea, in particular, and its attitude towards Russia was different. That is why a full-scale invasion did not happen then. The East was a more difficult question. And we gave a rather harsh answer, which, as I said, required serious work with the Europeans. And Ukraine itself was different. It should be remembered that in fact, before that, there was an autocrat in power there who was favorable to Putin. And we had to intervene to prevent the massacre on the Maidan. There were still elements associated with the old regime in the Verkhovna Rada,” Obama said..

He also added that his administration tried to prevent the Kremlin from justifying an even greater invasion of Ukrainian territory..

“And many calls then concerned the arming of Ukraine, which could provide such an excuse. In addition, there was a problem of preparation,” Obama explained his position..

He admitted that during his presidency he greatly underestimated the influence of Russian propaganda and disinformation, which was "

" But I think I underestimated how vulnerable democracies, including ours, were to disinformation,” admitted the former US president..