The russian aid-convoy in Ukraine will become the next "Dolchstosslegende".
The original one: We would have won, but the politicians let us down.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stab-in-the-back_myth
No matter whether the convoy really transported aid or weapons, the damage to Russia's reputation is already done: Russians entered Ukraine without permission, at a time when it was suspected of supporting the rebels fighting Ukraine. No matter how this war ends, Russia has already provided all the material needed for anti-russian propaganda:
* Russia will never be able to shake off the rumor that it used humanitarian help as a cover for military action. Russia will no longer be able to claim the mantle of being an impartial peace-negotiator, like it did in Syria. From now on, every russian action, no matter how innocent, will be regarded as a part of a grander scheme of military aggression.
* That "betrayal" by Russia will deliver the fodder for anti-russian propaganda in Ukraine. "The war would have been over quickly and with far less dead people, if Russia hadn't provided the rebels with arms." Nationalism and anti-russian-sentiment in Ukraine will increase. And no convoy full of food and drinking-water and generators will convince people that Russia just meant it good. "There must have been weapons somewhere in there. Because everybody knows there is no other explanation."
Russia still thinks that all the neighboring countries are merely vassals. Russia is Big Daddy and knows what's best, that's why they didn't care for the consequences of sending a convoy. Russia thinks, it is just hurting the feelings of some unruly children.
= new reply since forum marked as read
