Are you ready to quit smoking? A little support can go a long way. Nicaret can

increase your chances of quitting by up to 60% versus willpower alone, because when

you're dealing with a stressful commute, it's tough to at work, or a night out with friends.

Your willpower could use a little help now and then. Nicaret gum fights cravings

fast to help give more power to your willpower. Find out more at nicaret.co.uk,

Nicaret 2 milligram gum contains nicotine. Stop smoking aid. Requires willpower. Always read the label.

How did Putin sell the war in Ukraine to his own people? Or did he sell it at all?

I'm Sean Elling and I'm your host for Vox Conversations.

To the outside world, Putin's decision to launch an unprovoked war doesn't make a ton

of strategic sense. It will be costly, protracted, and ruinous to the Russian economy,

and potentially tens of thousands of people will die. Putin has his own warped

rationales. He believes that Ukraine is an illegitimate country and that its mere

existence is in a front to Russia, and he's constantly spinning a twisted historical narrative

to justify his aggression towards Ukraine. But how does all of this look through the eyes

of the average Russian citizen? After all, they will suffer as much as anyone, so why would they

support a completely unnecessary war? Well, if you are an average Russian citizen,

it may not look so unnecessary. You might believe that Ukraine is trying to exterminate

the Russian population in its east, or that the government of Ukraine is run by Nazis

and drug addicts, or even that Ukraine is working clandestinely with America to develop nuclear

weapons. Or maybe you don't believe any of that, but aren't quite sure what's true.

Or maybe you've seen through the lies and you're already protesting on the streets.

To be clear, Ukraine does not want this war and has done nothing to incite it.

...