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| Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia |
| Ukraine crisis: Who expanded NATO? |
| 2022-02-26 |
| [Jpost] Western leaders’ ignorance contributed to the Ukrainian conflict no less than Russian President Vladimir Putin’s, but his, unlike theirs, is self-destructive. Ignorance, the weapon no spy can map and no bunker can hide – is the Ukrainian conflict’s ultimate victor. Much has been said this week about Vladimir Putin’s version of Ukrainian history, and his dismissal of its right for self-determination. |
| Posted by:Skidmark |
| #9 Kievan Rus, man! It is totally old-school. |
| Posted by: SteveS 2022-02-26 22:10 |
| #8 Oh, I like that thought. I wonder out loud Badanov's opinion on that. I have nothing to say on that subject. |
| Posted by: badanov 2022-02-26 22:08 |
| #7 For the sake of argument, stipulate that Putin is correct and Ukraine and Russia were once one nation and should be again. This would be satisfied if the joint nation were ruled from Kiev, right? |
| Posted by: james 2022-02-26 21:11 |
| #6 Don't buy the "NATO expansion frightened Putin" line for a minute. The issue is pure imperialism. And if you think because Russia once ruled the Ukraine it should legitimately do so again, try telling the Irish they should be under British rule again. |
| Posted by: Rob Crawford 2022-02-26 20:06 |
| #5 yeah, and Putin threatened Finland and Sweden for (smartly) considering NATO membership after his attempt to gobble Ukraine |
| Posted by: Frank G 2022-02-26 18:47 |
| #4 " I think the best solution would be for Ukraine to achieve a status similar to Finland, wary of the bear and careful not to provoke him but maintaining their independence. Might be too late for that now." Oh, I like that thought. I wonder out loud Badanov's opinion on that. |
| Posted by: Dale 2022-02-26 17:49 |
| #3 Much has been said this week about Vladimir Putin’s version of Ukrainian history, and his dismissal of its right for self-determination. Without having gone yet to Page 49, I can acknowledge that Ukraine and Russia have historically been the same country. However, there were so many horrible things that happened in the time of Stalin's collectivization of Ukrainian farms and in WWII that it might be better for everyone if they are divorced. At the same time, I can understand Putin's paranoia when it comes to NATO troops in Ukraine. Now imagine the sense of betrayal that Zelensky and other Ukrainians must feel. People like McCain and Obama encouraged them to believe they could become full-fledged members of the European Union and NATO but, now that push has come to shove, Brandon takes a nap in Delaware. McCain should have known better than to make promises he could not keep. But then, Ukrainians should have known better than to believe him. I think the best solution would be for Ukraine to achieve a status similar to Finland, wary of the bear and careful not to provoke him but maintaining their independence. Might be too late for that now. |
| Posted by: Abu Uluque 2022-02-26 14:40 |
| #2 That's crazy talk, Rob. |
| Posted by: Matt 2022-02-26 08:34 |
| #1 *Yawn* Putin's a big boy, and his imperialist dreams are his own. They weren't put in his head by anyone else. Just once I'd like to see people admit that non-Americans have free will, and aren't just dancing to a mysterious tune we're playing but can't hear. |
| Posted by: Rob Crawford 2022-02-26 02:31 |