Europeans generated their wealth by robbing it from the colonies, by subjugating the local indiginous population, forcing their religion on them, destroying their culture, enslaving them to extract ressources. But they didn‘t bother to bring any of their achievements for the locals to enjoy, just extraction, sucking them dry under brute force.

Apart from that, progressive policies such as same-sex marriage didn‘t just come into fruition, because Europeans are such a cool bunch, this kind of progress had to be fought for by the minorities themselves. And it will be taken away again the further capitalism falls into it’s natural crisis named fascism; see trans rights / DEI in the US or just have a look at far right talking points surging in Europe also.

Every-fucking-thing is the fault of Europeans. You really don‘t have to take it personally, tho. You as an individual are not at fault. But the level of your own ignorance lies in your own hands.

The point is, comparing European cultural progress with that of their plundered colonies is one of the most disingeniuous and chauvinist things you can do. Don‘t be that guy.

Here you go, fishing for trigger words. I‘m certain you know some of the accusations already, but for a myriad of reasons never seriously engaged with them. But you do seem to like making fun of the people bringing them up.

So, tell me, where are your doubts or holes in your own narrative and I might be willing to provide you with a vantage point from my perspective, so as a result we actually can have a sincere exchange.

Until now, tho, I haven‘t gotten the impression, that you are asking in good faith and I‘m unwilling to enter debate bro territory.

Anyway, I answered OPs (rhetorical) question with well enough key words for you to start your own little reading endeavor. You don‘t need to be scared to become a tankie for actually reading stuff that‘s not western mainstream, since that „angle“ is supported by actual American scholars and journalists, already (if that makes it more approachable for you).

Alright, there‘s no „questioning Ukraine‘s sovereignty“ by deadnaming it from my side. I already started leaving the „the“ out from other comments, so thanks for the English lesson, I appreciate it.

I forgot nothing, tho, I was rather describing a valid political analysis that offers an answer to OP‘s question, and the only one as it stands. It‘s a starting point, of course not the complete story.

There‘s also no gotcha to be had. Concluding with „Russia bad“, because they invaded Ukraine is, although true as a statement of fact, dishonest and overly simplistic. Downplaying or downright whitewashing the role of the USA is … lacking, at best.

It‘s nice that you want that kind of explanation, but that‘s not what I offered. You can argue strawmen all day, but your question wasn‘t asked.

What I’m saying is, that what Ukraine wants is just wholly irrelevant, as two nuclear powers have to figure out some stuff between themselves.

What’s up, smelling some conspiracy?  OMG, you might just be on to something!

Or, go figure, my native language could just use definitive articles for what is just „Ukraine“ in the English language and I just made a grammatical mistake, which has nothing to do with the content of what has been said. How about you engage with that instead.

One angle of analysis is, that this war is a proxy war between the world‘s hegemon and a state that does not want to be subjugated to their rule, but rather insists on their own sovereignty.

The power balance in the world tipped in the (now) hegemons favor with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since then the US further increased the pressure on the remnants of the old world power, Russia, through their military alliances they have with other, subjugated, western states.

The US works to stay the only power in the whole world, which is right now a so-called unipolar world, but lots of other countries aim for a multipolar world, because they don‘t want to suffer under the heavy boot of the US. Some might even strive to do things differently, but if they try, the bully of the world comes knocking.

The Ukraine, which also wants sovereignty, only has a marginal voice in all of this.