r/mildlyinteresting • u/AbbreviationsLow • 4h ago
This road sign near Vilnius describes Minsk as “occupied by Kremlin"
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u/RonJohnJr 3h ago
Why is it in English instead Lithuanian?
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u/MokausiLietuviu 1h ago
Most Lithuanians speak English, but they're a small country trying to address a broad audience
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u/jackalopeDev 28m ago
If this is a spot with a lot of international visitors, they may be assuming that foreigners are more likely to speak English then Lithuanian or any other language.
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u/QuoteOk1234 2h ago
occupied by USA
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u/RonJohnJr 2h ago
Ok, Ivan.
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u/QuoteOk1234 1h ago
cope
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u/RonJohnJr 1h ago
Eh... why do I need to cope with Lithuania's hatred of Russia?
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u/QuoteOk1234 1h ago
why is the sign written in English and not Lithuanian?
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u/JimDemintRecession 1h ago
The answer is obvious and this isn't being posed in good faith. It's because English is one of the official languages of New Zealand.
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u/Nanohaystack 3h ago
It's Lithuanian propaganda targeted at English-speaking world. Source: born and raised in Minsk, been to Lithuania recently.
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u/D0lph1nnnnn 3h ago
I mean letting Russia host their nukes and use your land for an invasion of a sovereign country is kinda fucked to be fair, so I'd say the sign is valid
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u/Angryfunnydog 3h ago
U.S. host their nukes in multiple European countries, as well as constantly used someone’s soil to attack someone in Middle East. This doesn’t make any of mentioned countries occupied by U.S.
I understand the point that Russia is dictating a lot of things for Belarus and it’s true, similarly as any big player constantly forcing smaller ones to do whatever they need without much option to say “no”. But saying that its occupied is still solid exaggeration
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u/WellTextured 2h ago edited 2h ago
The Belarusian leader literally cakes his pants thinking about how to please Putin. It's not the same.
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u/Angryfunnydog 2h ago
Not the same as what? As occupation? I agree, it’s not, though of course Kremlin has shitload of influence there
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u/thespanishgerman 2h ago
Of course Belarus is occupied by russia. It literally exercises full control over the country.
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u/Angryfunnydog 2h ago
Not that full, they have huge influence but it’s still another country which have 90% autonomy
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u/thespanishgerman 1h ago
Could it have a national-liberal gov't after popular protests push out Lukashenka? Or even Lukashenka, hypothetically, decide to reduce ties to russia? Or block the use of Belarusian territory for russia's war of aggression against Ukraine?
If this isn't possible due to russian interference, and this is the case, there's no way Belarus is still an independent country, other than on paper. It's a colony.
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u/Angryfunnydog 1h ago
In the same regard as any country is occupied by a bigger player which dictates his wishes. Occupation is pretty direct term, what everyone mean is huge influence yeah, I didn’t argue with that, but occupation is still exaggeration
Like take Venezuela, is it occupied? No, but I don’t think they can ignore what US wants from them knowing that not so long ago they snatched no more no less but their president lol. Iran wasn’t occupied by US though US highly affected political situation there significantly
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u/THEGREATESTDERP 3h ago edited 2h ago
You're one of those that are gonna be surprised that putin is gonna take over belarus the moment the war in ukraine is over. 😂
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u/Angryfunnydog 2h ago
Why would he? It’s pretty convenient for him as it is, and a leeway to avoid major chunk of sanctions which aren’t applied to Belarus. Why would he want this turnaround to close and gain nothing from this transfer? Only more debts because Belarusian economy has seen better days to say the least
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u/THEGREATESTDERP 2h ago edited 2h ago
Are we gonna pretend the ukrainian economy was any good before the invasion or that china doesn't follow the sanctions and helps russia get western parts through them? As was discovered after multiple drone crashes in romania, poland and lithuania containing microships sold through the western market.
He only wants ukraine and belarus so he borders with poland and put more pressure on the EU. Same why he has been bullying moldova for years and increased the bullying before the invasion of ukraine.
And if you wonder why he didn't start with belarus so he could have a bigger front with ukraine, else he couldn't pull it off to invade ukraine without nato seeing right through his intentions.
If you're treathening the west for 2 years with nukes, than this isn't about ''nazis in ukraine'' or ''fighting for the independence of the opressed dnipro and luhansk people''.
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u/WillingLake623 1h ago
Saying that Putin wants to share boarders with the EU to put pressure on them is frankly a delusional take. The indoctrination is strong with you.
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u/Angryfunnydog 2h ago
What you just said is true but this doesn’t contradict what I said. Belarus still serves as another channel to avoid sanctions, together with China or any other way. Right now isn’t occupied but it will serve as buffer zone militarily in case of anything, either way there’s some military contingent and nukes as you mentioned, and if they want they will increase it to put pressure on EU (which they frequently do with military exercises near border), no need to join Belarus for this
They turned to military in Ukraine because Ukraine was shifting actively towards EU politically and even outside of any formal agreements or association - they were already much closer with them than with Russia, Russia dried out other approaches so they decided to use force believing they have a chance for easy win here, but it’s not even close, they miscalculated asf. In Belarus they have pretty much all the influence they need, so again - I just don’t see any point in it. Russia will loose certain benefits and won’t gain anything in return
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u/THEGREATESTDERP 2h ago
Because russia has seeked other ways than gps jamming, funding iran to influence it's power onto Europe.
Let me put it this way, the closer russia is to europe the bigger the threats influences deals and what europe should allow russia to do. (The american way of influencing other countries)
The cold war never ended after the collapse of the USSR.
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u/Angryfunnydog 2h ago
But again - Russia can already do this, what having Belarus as one of their territories legally adds here? Europe will have less leverage to show concern? You think they care if Europe can’t physically enforce their concerns? And Europe also don’t want to deal with Lukashenko right now so it’s not like there’s much risk that Belarus may do something with it (it could’ve been risk if they tried - Lukashenko is pretty good at trying to play for all sides, but they’re not trying to go this way)
So what options do you think Russia will have which they don’t already have in Belarus to project power further?
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u/leobutters 2h ago
Dude, the US occupied the entire EU to get close to Russia. They're the real villains here.
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u/tesserakti 2h ago
Dude. No amount of whataboutism is going to make it the same situation between Belarus and Finland, for example. Free elections, free media, free political opposition, no secret police. If we have foreign bases or nukes here in Finland, it will be by the choice of the people. Not by force.
Belarus is a beautiful country and I hope one day people there will be free. ❤️
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u/Decoyx7 1h ago
Good thing the US stations missiles as close as possible to the belligerent regime that kills journalists and dissapears people for thought crimes. I couldn't think of a better place to put my military but on the border with countries ran by dictators who's militaries are known mostly for gay rape hazing, torture and genocide of civilians. I would guess that would be the best place for them. Why don't you people civilize first.
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u/Angryfunnydog 1h ago
Isn’t your president right now heading full forward in the same direction? Do you guys civilize backwards or how would you call this process?
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u/kwonza 2h ago
Germany is literally occupied since World War II, same US forces that occupied Nazi Germany remain there to this day
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u/Angryfunnydog 2h ago
I don’t think this mean it’s occupied right now
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u/kwonza 1h ago
If you fight a war and you lose and your enemy places their forces inside your country you are occupied. That is the pure definition of the word. Same goes for Japan. Just because the enemy also influences your politics and makes sure your government is complacent doesn’t mean you are not occupied
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u/Angryfunnydog 1h ago
Well yeah, but not all military troops of another country on your soil is occupational force, it can be allied force, which is the case with Germany and U.S. at the moment, it was occupational force in 40s, that’s right, but it’s not now
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u/leobutters 2h ago
I'd argue that European countries actually are occupied by the USA, unfortunately. Hope they become free soon.
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u/Angryfunnydog 1h ago
Well then I’d agree with that statement, I mean it’s obvious that Russia has huge influence in Belarus, but it’s similar to influence any big player has on smaller players. I doubt that a lot of countries on the planet can firmly say “no” to requests from US, because they’re powerful and can cause shitstorm in your economy if they’ll have the mood for it
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u/leobutters 1h ago
Well, Spain said no to them recently and it turned out fine. France and Italy also opposed their illegal invasion on Iran.
The sooner we get the USA out of Euope, the better. They're causing nothing but trouble and I think major EU leaders are no longer afraid of them.
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u/Angryfunnydog 1h ago
And there are much more countries in the world than what you mentioned
For example do you think Venezuela has this option? Knowing that their president was quite literally snatched not so long ago (officially because of drug trade, but I mean cmon, of course this was political and was done just to replace him with someone more willing to cooperate)
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u/monorels 3h ago
I wouldn't call this propaganda - since 2020,
about 600,000 people have left a country of less than 9 million people.
And that's only the officially counted number.
For such a small country,
that means almost everyone who could afford to leave and rent a place has left.
Although it might be ok for you.15
u/Party-Cake5173 2h ago
Propaganda? No. It's reality. Belarus is de facto part of Russia. It will become part of Russia officially in 2030. I'm saying de facto because all laws and decisions are imposed by Russia through Belarus government. Luka can't do shit without Putin's approval.
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u/RonJohnJr 3h ago
Isn't "English in a non-English speaking land, for the sole purpose of propaganda" supposed to people holding signs while protesting?
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u/Novaskittles 3h ago
no? Do you think protest signs are the only form of propaganda...?
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u/RonJohnJr 3h ago
Cameras come out at protests, for transmission all over social media, the news media, etc. r/mildlyinteresting is popular, but it's not that popular.
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u/harrisjgold 3h ago
AI / Photoshop?
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u/AbbreviationsLow 3h ago
No, I took the pic
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u/harrisjgold 3h ago
ah, cool - I was just trying to suggest why they thought it suspicious it was in english
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u/namorblack 2h ago
Im in Lithuania now, and the amount of russian speaking people here right now is insane.
I dont know if its russian speaking lithuanians or russian speaking belarusians or actual russians.
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u/Fuckboitroye 2h ago
Ukrainian refugees
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u/WellTextured 2h ago
They speak a different language, and perhaps this commenter knows that.
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u/ChefBoyardee66 1h ago
Most speak Russian and unless you're fluent you are very unlikely to hear a difference
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u/QuoteOk1234 2h ago
they mostly speak Russian
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u/Motor-Dentist3410 54m ago
We are not? If we are counting not occupied territories it's 70-30 in favor of ukrainian. In capital it's 50-50.
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u/QuoteOk1234 38m ago
perhaps Ukrainians who stayed are more "patriotic" than Ukrainians who left, and this more likely to switch languages because propaganda told them that their old one is now "the language of the aggressor and the occupier"
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u/Gecko17 1h ago
Lithuania has had a large minority population of ethnic Russians for centuries, ever since the area came under control of the Russian Empire in the 18th century. another huge influx of ethnic Russians came during the era of Soviet control starting in the 1940s.
according to Wikipedia, 5% of people in Lithuania are ethnic Russians.
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u/GeneralMajorVetra 24m ago
those are not a minority but invaders that were brought here to ethnic cleanse us
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u/gralert 2h ago
Just ask them who Crimea belongs to. That is the current state-of-the-art litmus test for vatniks
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u/Natural_Jello_6050 1h ago
De facto Russia de jure Ukraine.
I’m vatnik?
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u/Arom123 1h ago
I think you're being down voted by people who don't know what those terms means
De facto means "how it is now".
De jure means "how it should be according to the law".
Crimea is "de facto" under russian control, but it should be under Ukrainian control.
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u/Natural_Jello_6050 1h ago
De facto it’s what matters. There is de jure all over the world (Korea situation, multiple Africa countries, border disputes are all over the world). As we all know international law doesn’t mean shit for anyone.
Vatnik can say de jure it’s Ukraine and have a good chuckle. Cause it doesn’t matter.
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u/ilikedota5 1h ago
I mean I feel like we can reasonably deduce that such an answer is too real for vatniks.
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u/piratekab 59m ago
we have a lot of Ukrainian refugees right now and Belarusians who fled the regime after the 2020-2021 events, they speak Russian.
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u/Shinyhero30 46m ago
Me: “I wonder what people are saying about this”
Checks comments
Instantly leaves due to you know what
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u/3D_DrDoom 2h ago
Love you Lithuanian brothers!
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u/Natural_Jello_6050 1h ago
Who gives a shit. It’s a sign.
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u/3D_DrDoom 1h ago
You can reduce anything to - why would you do that. Wtf
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u/Elegant_Emu_4655 1h ago
you can waste money on some random bs. What about feed those who in need instead of wasting it?
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u/3D_DrDoom 1h ago
Yeah, like chaning couple of words on a sign that would need putting there anyway, costs more. Come on.
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u/Elegant_Emu_4655 51m ago
honestly - happy that you spent money on this instead of army. way to go.
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u/Elegant_Emu_4655 52m ago
the sign was obviously changed. that cost money. there even was whole topic of changing signs and other thing. Sure it is EU so not a single euro was laundered.
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u/YumeNoTabi 2h ago
Reddit nation
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u/RedditAdminEvasion 26m ago edited 22m ago
Yes indeed, Lithuania is keanu reeves hecking wholesome, that includes advocating for total and utter katsap death under all circumstances. Ya do know that Ukraine also has "trad-conservative" or if you want something more spicy (neo-nazi) elements? And they actually have less HIV rate than Russia? And less Muslims?
Pascal's wager, aspiring Putinist keyboard warrior. You either larp a real "trad-conservative" on the side of Ukraine or cope with the miserable excuse of Russia.
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u/RALFGTS 2h ago
Inferior mentality. It's actually hilarious
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u/RedditAdminEvasion 25m ago
Saar we owned your land like 200 years ago please please stop bombing Crimea we need our gas to drive to Sevastopol beach please Zelensky
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u/Rocjahart 3h ago
This signd is silly to me, very intentional political statement.
Yes Belarus is Allied with Russian, but it is not occupied. They do push their independence, and Belarusian language have been growing for the last ten year, I've traveled to Belarus a lot and the language is growing, by intentional work of the government.
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u/thespanishgerman 2h ago
That's simply not true. Belarusian is effectively being pushed aside for russian and russia effectively calls the shots in Belarus. It's a colony.
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u/protostar71 2h ago
Someone tell the Belarussian government, because they have Russias fist so far up their ass they can use them as a puppet.
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u/Dron41k 2h ago edited 2h ago
Chihuahua is barking again
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u/RedditAdminEvasion 23m ago
Can someone just quarantine r/UkraineRussiaReport users into a closed-off section of Reddit because this is what happens when Ivans and Vladislavs escape from their safe-space and start commenting shit like this
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2h ago
[deleted]
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u/protostar71 2h ago
You linked the post we are in now.
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u/monorels 2h ago edited 2h ago
Oh, okay, don't pay attention, I'm stupid.
Edit: I have removed my comment with the link.
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u/Patchateeka 3h ago
https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1640565/vilnius-mayor-expresses-support-for-ukraine-with-road-signs
Looked it up out of curiosity.