Putin isn’t simply a reactive and defensive actor on the world stage. His stated ambition is to restore the Russian empire. Moreover, he is arguably the foremost leader of a growing worldwide autocratic, fascist like movement. It isn’t a coincidence that Trump and other leaders of like mind here and abroad admire him. This isn’t an argument to turn the tempature up in an already explosive conflagration or step back from serious negotiations. Just the opposite. But it should figure into how we understand Putin – his actions and aims.

If you listen to some people and publications on the left, Ukraine is dominated by the extreme right and fascists. If there are democratic forces and a democratic movement, they are found on the margins – without influence or representation.

While the right wing in Ukraine is a matter of concern, it isn’t anywhere near as powerful as the right wing extremists led by Putin in Russia. In recent polling before scheduled elections in May, the right wing extremist parties – fascist if you like – were polling in single digits.

Today, the ALBA Board of Governors issued the following statement regarding the horrific events unfolding in Ukraine:

The Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives (ALBA) condemns the invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces. The resulting destruction, chaos, and loss of life is the sole responsibility of President Vladimir Putin, who has perverted the concept of anti-fascism to justify imperialism and these despicable violations of human rights. ALBA stands in complete solidarity with the Ukrainian people as they suffer these unprovoked and unjustified attacks.

Whenever the fog of war lifts, one conclusion that will be drawn is that much of the disinformation of Putin and his government was uncritically absorbed and repeated by some on the left. The latest example was the alleged “humanitarian crisis” in the Donbas area that was shopped by some on the left and became the rationale for Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine.

The right wing is a problem in Ukaine, but nowhere near as big a problem as some on the left suggest. Ukraine has democratic voices and movements, which seem to escape the attention of some writers on the left.