Ukrainians wanted European membership, but are they willing to sacrifice tens (or hundreds) of thousands of dead and wounded for that ? Even if maybe that same Europe doesn't even want them on account of the extremely high level of corruption ? Are they willing to risk their sovereignty for that ? Because it sure seems that Ukrain was no match for Russia (without foreign aid).
I understand wanting EU or NATO membership, but I also understand Ukrain is neighbor to a dictatorial regime with the second strongest military in the world. A regime that doesn't want NATO next to them. In that context, you should tread very carefully as a country.
Compare this to e.g. Poor Little Belgium in WW1. Belgium was neutral and got invaded nevertheless, with lots of foreign support as a result. Today, Ukrain was not a neutral country. They challenged the Russian bear by flirting with the EU and NATO. I can understand you want to join these, but then they should also understand the major risks involved.
In this context, I think it's only reasonable to question further aid and aim for a diplomatic resolution to end this senseless war.
Ukrain leadership gambled and lost against a ruthless dictator, with a tremendous loss of life as a result.
this territory is moderated
A regime that doesn't want NATO next to them.
They already have NATO next to them. Two years ago it was short borders with Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, now it's also long border with Finland.
Ukrain leadership gambled and lost,
Only alternative would have been to end existence of Ukraine as sovereign nation and contuniation of hudreds years long Russification policy. And war isn't lost. What are recent gains for Russia? Captured city (Avdiivka) which had 30K pre-war popullation with 16K casualities?
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Ah yes, since NATO is already surrounding them, it doesn't matter if a very big neighbor also joins NATO and almost completes the encirclement. Is this your argument?
Don't you see this is all an escalation of the tensions with Russia ? We are isolating them completely, so better be prepared for some resistance.
I am not an expert in Ukrain-Russia relations. But more efforts to remain neutral would have been a better move, in hindsight.
Russia can continue playing this game more than the West.
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NATO is defensive alliance, nobody should be afraid their neighbours joining, unless you plan to attack them.
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Sure, tell that to the one they are encircling.
It's a Western military alliance, encircling its old opponent.
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Exactly
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If you really believe that Ukraine and its NATO partners can win this war against Russia, then you probably also believe that Epstein Island was a kind of Robinson Crusoe Club
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well observed. but please always bear in mind that the Ukraine was armed by England and the United States and positioned as a pseudo NATO army against Russia. as a background, always bear in mind the Maidan coup and the attacks on the Russian population in the Donbass.
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