With Blinken's public affirmation for Ukraine to join NATO, we're closer to a greater power conflict than before. Technically Ukraine can't join NATO until a peace agreement is met. For diplomats who are trained to use muted phrasing, this is a big deal.
I can't say to what extent, but I'm sure the West doesn't want peace if it means Russia is in a position to do what they've been doing again. The threats to our Baltic NATO allies are very real. If you compare with the initial stages of the Ukraine invasion, Russia is already 4th and Goal to many of their capitals and our predicted response would be too little too late.
4. (a version of 2) Just standard / desparate "we've got your back" messaging when the US Congress doesn't have her back and Trump certainly will abandon her. 5. Ukrainians are losing hope and need a moral boost. 6. Finland and Sweden have made it clear that NATO is going to expand until Russia is part of it.
NATO membership was a red-line for Putin and his hardliners. This is like a check-reraise on fhe turn in a game of nuclear holdem...
Except Putin already invaded Ukraine and continues to press the conflict. also let’s remember that NATO membership isn’t a guarantee. As we saw with Sweden and Finland all it takes is one country to hold up membership.
How quickly positions shift... Pepperidge Farms Remembers State changed their explicit messaging that had been in place for two years, and it's a subtle pivot from Biden not directly antagonizing Putin that would fan fears of nuclear wars escalating. You don't need to remember anything except for Article 8 in the NATO charter. A full throated support for NATO ascension despite Article 8 is the issue here.
I hope the Ukrainians are building defenses similar to those Russia built and proved so effective during the Ukrainian offensive last year. Strong defensive works are a force multiplier and the Russians would have to pay a steep price to gain ground going through such works.
How in gods name do you think they are supposed to build those defenses? You think Israel got the defenses they have on their own?? Im sure you know this and you are just gaslighting but still. It’s insulting to our intelligence to make this point while ignoring how it fundamentally would even happen.
Except to actually become a NATO member it requires unanimity. That hasn’t changed and leaders in The US, Poland and etc. can say whatever but the fact remains that Hungary, Slovenia, or Any other country can prevent Ukraine from entering.
Ukraine canceled elections and murdered a U.S. journalist. They're rife with corruption which makes them perfect partners for our corrupt Washington Establishment.
Mostly with concrete, excavators, mines and engineering services. Just like the Russians did… I’m not talking about an iron dome you muppet. I’m talking about frontline defenses which prevent people and vehicles from advancing/advancing quickly and things which are, all things considered, pretty unsophisticated and cheap.
