0 sats \ 7 replies \ @Bell_curve 8 Jul \ parent \ on: Lessons From the Cold War: Now Is the Time for De-Escalation - Antiwar.com history
Russia won't stop until everyone agrees no NATO membership for Ukraine
Ukraine has to remain a neutral state
IIRC it was exposed by Wikileaks that the Obama admin knew that Ukraine joining NATO was a red line for Russia. This was not the story we'd here in the media. The story is more of what Peter is saying.
Regardless of cultural judgments on intent NATO is a military alliance that was created to defend against the USSR. I can completely understand why Russians watching its membership expand would be concerned about being surrounded by hostile neighbors. Now, as we have seen from leaked documents the US manipulates leadership of nations all over the globe. As a Russian with the same distrust that Americans have for them one can see why NATO and the US breaking their promises about NATO expansion would see this as a threat.
Most American's do not see this. After all, we are the good guys. I'm not saying the people have ill will. Its the rulers. Evil men like Putin can use this propaganda just as the overlords in the US use it to gain support for war. The people have little to gain from war but those in power on all sides do.
It is telling how people respond when I seek to understand the "bad guys". Not referring to Peter here but in general.
reply
If Russia doesn't want to be surrounded by hostile neighbors all it needs to do is stop invading their neighbors... The hostility is entirely their own doing. And completely justified. Ukraine is just one of a long list of countries Russia has invaded.
reply
So Russia has nothing to fear from NATO and the US? Why would they believe that? I don't think you are right because we know the US/NATO start wars and pressure governments all over the place. It just seems like you are being rather one sided in your observations.
reply
NATO is a defensive alliance. Russia only has to fear them because Russia wants to invade their neighbors with impunity. NATO certainly isn't going to invade Russia without Russia giving them a damn good reason.
Hell, Putin reportedly asked about joining NATO back in 2000 or so.
reply
Yeah... remember when the US and Russia were getting along (Bush era I think)?
The war department is now called the defense department. Don't let the propaganda control your thinking. Whatever it is called its military with weapons of war. Defense can quickly become offense.
reply
Best defense is a good offense sometimes
This is not a call for an offensive
reply
That's already been tried. It didn't work.
Russia doesn't attack NATO because that's suicidal; if Ukraine had been allowed into NATO none or this would have happened.
reply