Useful idiots and cannon fodder

Leonid Ragozin, Jacobin:

The question that looms largest is whether, by helping Ukraine, the West is promoting its declared values, like democracy and human rights — or simply pursuing an imperialist geopolitical project in which members of the Russian opposition, but more importantly Ukrainians, must be satisfied with the role of useful idiots and cannon fodder while their countries are being destroyed. Does the West really see Putin and his oligarchs as its deadly enemies — or rather as partners in the lucrative and mutually beneficial business of fomenting wars?