"what I don't understand is why you believe the Russian argument and completely reject the US?"
Because the US is the aggressor imperialist power which is instigating this crisis and is prepared to go to war for the reasons I have outlined. The US started this back in 2014 when they orchestrated a coup and overthrew the elected government of Ukraine.
Russia is not an Imperialist country and does not want a war, Russia is only preparing for a war which is being foisted upon it.
After the Vietnam war, two wars against Iraq, the destruction of Afghanistan, Libya, Syria and Yemen why do you believe anything at all that comes from the White House, CIA or Pentagon ?.
"anyway, the chess pieces are in place on the Russian side with Ukraine the bait..... just waiting for the victim to turn up in force."
This depiction of Putin as some sort of global mastermind orchestrating world events, some evil genius chess grand puppet master toying with world leaders is an absurd fabrication. Russia is a basket case with one base in Syria. But they are good at defending themselves.
