One of the best reasons to hang around El Reg
So Linus pulls Russian maintainers off the MAINTAINERS list for whatever reasons. And the commentariate get together and we get a multi-perspective world history lesson in a discussion thread.
The single largest issue within this comment thread is perspective. I personally feel that there is substantial reason for Vlad to want to recoup Ukraine into Russia, both politically, economically and for reasons of personal self aggrandisement. I don't personally agree that it is in any way beneficial to either the peoples of Ukraine or the peoples of Russia, but almost purely for Vlad. However my perspective is coloured by a western upbringing, a classical education, and a study of history that includes periods prior to the 1940's.
Part and parcel of the process to reaching accord, or peaceful resolution of conflict, is comprehending perspective, and finding common cause. Sadly with the influence of social media over the last 20 odd years, polarization and extremism have taken over far far far too many people who will no longer be willing to, or possibly even capable of, comprehending other perspectives. They will be very unwilling to seek out the common ground.
I have Ukrainian neighbours. They arrived in my neighbourhood barely 6 months before the invasion. They have Russian relatives on both sides, and are very clear about their position on this issue. Their families are all convinced this is purely for Vlad's position in Russia. I'm willing to accept their perspective.