Anonymous wrote:I know it’s an unpopular opinion but Russia warned for years that the red line for them is further expansion of NATO to the East as of 2007-2008 I believe.
It never threatened the existing NATO members.
Ukraine didn’t listen.
Now it is trying to guilt trip western nations into making suicidal decisions just like the ukraine did for years
It’s all good and well to talk about freedom of choice for small countries dependent on their humongous neighbors, but realpolitik just doesn’t work that way!

Who cares what Putin wants, the only thing that’s relevant is what Ukrainians want. So you think Ukraine shouldn’t be allowed to determine it’s own future, because Putin says so, and you and Trump love Putin. OK. Screw democracy, if Putin doesn’t want it, amIright?

Anonymous wrote:I know it’s an unpopular opinion but Russia warned for years that the red line for them is further expansion of NATO to the East as of 2007-2008 I believe.
It never threatened the existing NATO members.
Ukraine didn’t listen.
Now it is trying to guilt trip western nations into making suicidal decisions just like the ukraine did for years
It’s all good and well to talk about freedom of choice for small countries dependent on their humongous neighbors, but realpolitik just doesn’t work that way!

Completely agree. John Mearsheimer has been warning about this for years and he was right.

I know it’s an unpopular opinion but Russia warned for years that the red line for them is further expansion of NATO to the East as of 2007-2008 I believe.
It never threatened the existing NATO members.
Ukraine didn’t listen.
Now it is trying to guilt trip western nations into making suicidal decisions just like the ukraine did for years
It’s all good and well to talk about freedom of choice for small countries dependent on their humongous neighbors, but realpolitik just doesn’t work that way!

This is a funny thread. Interesting how the Russia fanboys and Trumpers seem to be the same people. Why is that?

Anonymous wrote:These decisions, particularly by extremely wealthy Germany, are disgraceful. How will they feel if Russia invades Poland or Latvia? What then? They'll have their gas and their flourishing economy, but they'll be under threat of nuclear war and they'll be spending their money on arms. What a crazy choice the Europeans are making. Russia is part of Europe! Why do they think they're safe?

Germany Latvia Hungary Poland etc. are all nato members and enjoy the collective defense benefits of membership as well as being sheltered under the US, UK, and French nuclear umbrellas.
They are also independent countries that will make economic decisions on what’s best for their people. NATO is a military alliance (and to a lesser extent a diplomatic one. It is not an economic alliance though. Until a war with Russia and NATO looms large, some may not make the decisions that the Biden administration wants them to.

Anonymous wrote:Trump was right. Again.

He sure was. He was ridiculed and laughed at by the arrogant Germans just a few years ago.

These decisions, particularly by extremely wealthy Germany, are disgraceful. How will they feel if Russia invades Poland or Latvia? What then? They'll have their gas and their flourishing economy, but they'll be under threat of nuclear war and they'll be spending their money on arms. What a crazy choice the Europeans are making. Russia is part of Europe! Why do they think they're safe?

Trump was right. Again.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have read that Latvia also signed a contract until 2030.
Hungary stated from the very start they will be very pragmatic about it too.
And I think many countries with more resolve might change their minds closer to elections… or winter… or both

Hungary is openly pro-Putin so what’s the surprise there?

I didn’t say I was surprised
I said that people want gas…

Anonymous wrote:I have read that Latvia also signed a contract until 2030.
Hungary stated from the very start they will be very pragmatic about it too.
And I think many countries with more resolve might change their minds closer to elections… or winter… or both

Hungary is openly pro-Putin so what’s the surprise there?

I am shocked - absolutely SHOCKED - to hear an Austrian leader “…but…” an authoritarian genocide.

The EU has already smacked Moscow with four rounds of sanctions, and talks are underway to introduce a fifth package amid reports of Russian soldiers executing civilians in Ukrainian towns they hold.

Brunner described the reports as “extremely horrible” but said “you have to stay cool” when it comes to sanctions. But Vienna is happy to continue targeting Russian individuals, he said.

Austria shelters the head of the Russian mafia. Russia bought out Austrian politicians a loooooong time ago.

I have read that Latvia also signed a contract until 2030.
Hungary stated from the very start they will be very pragmatic about it too.
And I think many countries with more resolve might change their minds closer to elections… or winter… or both

Austria says NEIN!

https://www.politico.eu/article/austria-rejects-sanctions-against-russian-oil-gas/