Fortunately, OP, people closer to this situation have a far more sophisticated and nuanced view than do you. This gives you some time to actually read some history, perhaps talk to an actual Ukrainian.

So let Russia re-establish the USSR sans -who exactly?

Who would you condemn to live behind the new Iron Curtain based on your perception of a Russian sphere of influence?

And how would you feel about us re-implementing the Monroe doctrine?

Anonymous wrote:The Ukranians I know vehemently disagree with you.

Oh well. I'm not risking war over them.

Anonymous wrote:I feel the same about Canadians in relation to the Americans

you can have everything east of the Ontario/Quebec border.

And they're not Slavic!

You are breathtakingly, exhaustingly uninformed. "I do consider the Baltic states within their sphere of influence"??????? Ok..lets give the Russian Bear back the CR, Slovakia, former Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Poland, Romania....
Are you blooming kidding me??????????
The Baltic states are small, but they were different kingdoms, different people, different ethnic groups, different languages (Lithuanian is one of the oldest indo European languages related to Sanskrit).
They were overrun by Nazis, then by the Soviets, subjugated, denied language rights, denied identity, hung on through fierce peaceful resistance and finally gained freedom.and self determination with the fall of the wall.
Somehow they have worked with, not slaughtered the Russians who moved there over fifty years and who had held the upper hand socially and politically for so long. somehow they rebuilt into vibrant little countries aligned with Europe because for fifty years all they dreamed of was what the best of democracy represents - freedom and self - determination.
They not only have little in common with Russia, they have more in common with Scandinavia culturally and Europe ideologically.
They are former animists/ currently Catholics...
Pick up a book! Get informed.

Anonymous wrote:The Baltic countries are a whole different ball of wax because they are part of NATO. Ukraine is not.

nato should've never been expanded to the baltics in the first place.

silly western fp planners - over extending themselves. there are plenty of realist thinkers who could've told you that it would be a disaster.

I don't consider finland part of russia.

i do consider the baltics as in the russian sphere of influence.

im not russian - i do support some sort of pan slavic zone of free trade, and movement.

Then, OP must think that Northern Japan is also Russian.

The Ukranians I know vehemently disagree with you.

Anonymous wrote:I feel the same about Canadians in relation to the Americans

Agreed. Monroe Doctrine

I'm sure the State Department will strongly consider your opinions.

I feel the same about Canadians in relation to the Americans

The Baltic countries are a whole different ball of wax because they are part of NATO. Ukraine is not.

Are you Ukrainian?

historically, culturally, you name it. At the very least, those areas are 100% within an appropriate sphere of influence that should be respected. Yes, Russia is a screwed up state with a bad economy and horrible demographics. But it also is the largest country in the world, an ex superpower, and has 140 million people and lots of nukes. We need to respect them if possible.

Definitely not worth picking a battle over Ukraine.

Finland or the Baltic States - different issues 100%. So the only reason I would change my mind would be if caving on the Ukraine meant more issues down the road.