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even if Russia retreated back to 1991 borders where they should be, they will never be accepted into NATO....simply because they will never be uncorrupt enough, long enough to measure up to NATO standards..let's shove 'em back down in the rat hole where they belong and watch them slowly try to climb back out..
lol - And Ukraine is Mayberry RFD? Before they became staunch allies and hero’s, Ukraine was known as a den of gangsters, hackers, and money launderers. It was the piggy bank for the likes of Nancy Pelosi, Joe Biden, John McCain, Mitt Romney, and their families.
lol - And Ukraine is Mayberry RFD? Before they became staunch allies and hero’s, Ukraine was known as a den of gangsters, hackers, and money launderers. It was the piggy bank for the likes of Nancy Pelosi, Joe Biden, John McCain, Mitt Romney, and their families.
The reason Ukraine's corruption went down was that the EU set some requirements to reduce corruption back in 2013-2014.
That, among other things, resulted in the Russian stooges getting kicked out of government. That's what improved Ukraine's corruption rating.
As for Romney money laundering through Ukraine, I'm dubious. Got anything to back that up?
A HUGE part of Russian foreign policy and political ideology is based on the fear of invasion and threats from the west. This fear is not unwarranted, as Russia HAS been attacked from the west at several times in its history, resulting in the deaths of millions and massive destruction. It is this fear that has formed the basis for many Russian policies that seem inexplicable to the west. Despite our support of Ukraine in the face of external aggression, Ukraine has not historically been on "the right side of history". Ukraine had engaged in genocide and ethnic cleansing of Poles and Jews in its past, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands. Ukranians were, in many instances, supporters of less than benevolent forces, in embracing Nazi Germany and supplying hundreds of thousands of troops in that effort, including two SS divisions.
The conflict in Ukraine is partially a result of this continued fear of the west and partially based on OIL. Ukraine sits on vast amounts of untapped oil and gas reserves which Russia desires.
A shrewd political move would be to offer NATO membership to both Russia and Ukraine. NATO members not only cannot attack each other, but have a mutual defense pact, in which an attack on one NATO member is an attack on all. Such a proposal would be a radical departure from the traditional approach of assuming that Russian policy and agendas will ALWAYS be in opposition to those of NATO, thus a policy of seeking measures to isolate and oppose any Russian policies.
A "long shot", but one that could radically change the world geo-political situation and pry China's biggest ally from them. Russia is a dying nation that has a falling population and is a shadow of its former self, yet still a threat to western nations, given its huge nuclear arsenal and tremendous natural resources. A different approach to seek common ground may be a route to consider.
PS- I am NOT a Russia apologist and feel as though we SHOULD support Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression in the current political situation. This is in recognition of all the "warts" of the current Ukranian government and its checkered history.
Russia tried to be a good player on standing. Bill Clinton and Bush Jr squandered Russia chances of being in Nato. Russia in nato would have been a huge counter balance in places like central Asia and the far east.
I would be fine with Russia and Ukraine joining NATO if it brings peace. I agree Russia and Putin should pay Ukraine something for this latest misadventure but even that I would compromise on to get a long term peace.
President Clinton and Putin discussed Russian NATO membership when Clinton attended the funeral of Boris Yeltsin in 1999. Clinton told Putin he had no objections, but later reneged after his “policy team” told him it was a no-go.
It's still not a credible option, and I don't think all NATO members would be in agreement in relation to Russian membership of NATO and I don't think Russia would be interested in such membership.
Furthermore why would the US and West allow a regime wanted by the International Courts for Crimes Against Humanity even apply for NATO membership in the first place.
Article 42 of the Treaty on European Union forms the basis of the Union’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). While most of its clauses focus on improving the military capability of the member states and implementing the CSDP, Article 42(7) is more ambitious. This is a mutual defence clause that obliges all member states to render aid to any other member state that becomes a victim of armed aggression on its territory. In this regard, it is very similar to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which establishes the principle of collective defence and the idea that an attack against one member state in Europe or North America is an attack against all.
The Europeans could strengthen/mirror NATO before NATO is formally dissolved. Further, the EU could make an exception for the US as member. There are currently 31 NATO members vs 27 EU members. NATO is military. EU is economic and military. There is nothing to prevent this from being real.
Agreed. Funny, almost all those other NATO members love to brag about all of the social attributes they provide for their citizens such as 2 years maternity leave, full health care, etc, but it's all possible because they can rely on the US's military power to protect them from bigger threats. Maybe the US could provide such services if we weren't taxed to death to provide the huge military that protects the rest of the world at our expense.
European countries had such social programs during the Cold War when there were very high levels of GDP expenditure coupled with compulsory military conscription in many countries.
As for the US, there is no stipulation that demands the US maintain bases in Europe, and Europe accounts for around 5% of the US Military budget.
Finally in terms of the remaining US bases and US personnel in Europe, many support US operations globally and the defence of the US itself.
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....Putin would love that....
