‘I Stand With Putin’ hashtags have taken over the dialogue around Russia’s invasion on Ukraine, on social media, sparking debate on the forces behind the polarising subject.
Who started ‘I Stand With Putin’ trend?
It has been a week since President Vladimir Putin waged war against Ukraine, in an effort to destabilise the sovereignty of the neighbouring country that was once part of the Soviet Union.
Thus far, hundreds of innocent lives have been taken and, as things stand, peace talks between the two nations have not yielded any fruitful results, with Russian forces still making headway in Ukrainian cities, like Kyiv, where much of the conflict is concentrated.
On social media, messages of support for Putin, a man despised by Western media for his brazen assault on a sovereign nation, popped up seemingly out of nowhere.
Gotta love how #IStandWithPutin has begun trending in the United States in the middle of the night, just as the business day is getting started in Moscow. These Russian bots are always so obvious with their antics.
— Palmer Report (@PalmerReport) March 3, 2022
While speculation is rife on the forces behind this ‘intrusive’ rhetoric, especially at a time when Russia faces global condemnation for its despicable assault on Ukraine, there is a growing belief that what started out as a bot campaign has morphed into debate on the hypocrisy of the United States (US) in its stance against Putin’s invasion.
Nelson Mandela was right United States of America is the greatest beneficiary of Ukraine Russia war Africans stands with President Putin #IStandWithPutin pic.twitter.com/DCQdauTfcV
— Mutugogi (@mutugogi) March 3, 2022
President Joe Biden: ‘Putin will pay the price for invasion’
Despite the widespread criticism the United States has faced on its failure to act decisively against Russia, President Joe Biden has reiterated his stance on the work done by Western alliances in slowing down Putin’s plans.
Political pundits have indicated that, if there is one thing that could end the war, it’s Biden’s reassurance to Putin that Ukraine will not join NATO.
However, this statement has yet to come from the United State or its allies. Instead, severe sanctions were used to hurt Russia and her people, and Ukraine has received military support from European nations in the form of weapons supply.
Biden confirmed, in his State of the Union address, that US troops have been deployed to strategic points in NATO territory to prepare for a ‘decisive’ response if, for instance, Putin advances his plans and targets Poland, and other alliance regions.
“Throughout our history we’ve learned this lesson — when dictators do not pay a price for their aggression, they cause more chaos… We are joining with our European allies to find and seize your yachts, your luxury apartments, your private jets.
“We are coming for your ill-begotten gains,” Biden warned.
Putin, however, has not yielded to pressures brought by the severe sanctions placed against Russia. Instead, the 69-year-old military veteran has placed his nuclear forces on high alert, warning the West of a possible catastrophe that could mimic the devastating bombings of Hiroshima which, ironically, were perpetrated by the US.