General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCan someone explain to me---in a way that makes sense---how Putin's announcement that
HE HAS CREATED AND RECOGNIZES TWO NEW COUNTRIES, Donetsk and Luhansk, is not just the first of a foreseeable series of "takeovers" that must collide with NATO?
Will his stooges in these two "new countries" not soon "invite" Russian forces across the border to "defend" their ethnic Russians against Ukrainian "genocide"?
If the Ukrainian border is not our "line in the sand", what is?
Do we really believe that any sanctions we impose will deter further invasions?
I believe we are at the point where there simply are no good choices as to how to proceed. We either concede Ukraine to Trump's pal or we act militarily to defend the embattled nation.
Or, maybe we could just pretend there's a middle ground that won't encourage both Russia and China to "reclaim" nations they want to occupy.
Ray Bruns
(4,071 posts)brooklynite
(94,294 posts)NATO entry requirements include having no territorial conflicts.
AntiFascist
(12,792 posts)Allow recognition of the regions that Russia already has under its control, but then NATO becomes tighter with the rest of Ukraine.
Ray Bruns
(4,071 posts)Much like Putin just did with the Minsk Agreements?
What is good for the goose is good for the gander.
brooklynite
(94,294 posts)Sigh
walkingman
(7,577 posts)Probably not so much. Why is it in US interest to include Ukraine into NATO? Less than 50% of Ukrainians want to join NATO.
ananda
(28,831 posts)That's why Putin is playing divide and conquer in Ukraine.
He already did it in Georgia, specifically to keep it out of
NATO.
However, with this approach, Russia will also have to
support the separatist regions with endless money and other
ways.
PortTack
(32,689 posts)The western Alliance and NATO countries did draw a line in the sand saying enough.
Grasswire2
(13,565 posts)I'm late to this party.
Conquest of territory is so OLD WORLD. Sigh.
Grasswire2
(13,565 posts)2naSalit
(86,307 posts)Was involved with that.
TomSlick
(11,083 posts)The question is whether those guarantees meant anything.
cilla4progress
(24,708 posts)Check out this cross-post.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100216378532
pecosbob
(7,533 posts)Unless Putin decides to invade Poland, NATO doesn't really come into play. All the rest is saber-rattling. Putin wants to play Stalin, but he doesn't have the iron grip on the country Stalin had.
https://www.justsecurity.org/80149/retired-russian-generals-criticize-putin-over-ukraine-renew-call-for-his-resignation/
maxrandb
(15,287 posts)They aren't Afghanistan. It will suck for them. A lot of people will die, but if this does anything, it will lead to the destruction of Putin and Russia.
Like Hitler, he will seal his defeat as soon as he fires the first shot.
It will take time, and things will get very ugly, but he won't win.
BTW - I spent 28 years in the Navy. Neither Russia, nor China's Navy would survive a month against the United States Navy.
Putin simply doesn't respect the will of the United States, or NATO.
He should.
Gore1FL
(21,091 posts)NightWatcher
(39,343 posts)Should be miserable for the entire World, like we haven't had a rough few years anywho.
Mr.Bill
(24,228 posts)Economies of countries are too interdependent. Russia can't afford being isolated.