“Has” is a bit strong at the start of the war (2014). The revolution of dignity built actual sovereignty by slowly ousting the puppeteers. At the start of the major conflict (2022), the Ukrainian identity was only a fraction of how strong it is now.

In the end, there is perhaps some conspirational truth to what he said. Heavy hints that Russia invaded exactly after Maidan (2014), “separatists super unhappy with less ties with Russia and revolted too”, in the same week, is the weakest shit I have ever seen. Happy for 25 years, suddenly revolted. And Russia brought a whole occupational army to help the poor peacefully seceding citizens. Doesnt take a genius to see it’s just an already planned out show of force, “You don’t suckle on great big Russia’s teet, so we can slowly eat you? Then I will take your lands”

The aggression is warranted because you contested his facts without any evidence on your part, especially on a likely emotionally loaded situation. Just abstract “what if not”. Any debate would laugh you out of the room.

Not only is any sane person declaring that it’s fact that the current conflict is unprovoked and military expansion, but it’s also clearly labelled so in ICJ, which is, as much as you would want to believe otherwise, impartial as possible and extremely reserved to truly proven guilty verdicts.