The only things that matters in the end is that Russia sees NATO as a threat, and NATO has done absolutely nothing to change that perception. Simply repeating that NATO isn’t a threat while continuously expanding it towards the Russian border and attacking countries for past 30 years isn’t exactly helping make the case that it’s a benign entity.
The irony with Russia’s actions here is they may well backfire. Countries that were previously debating membership may finally decide that any downside of NATO membership is nothing compared to the threat of being the next country that Russia invades. Russia already has invaded two of its neighbors and holds the loyalties of Belarus under a dictator. Russia has openly threatened Finland and Sweden. The invasion of Ukraine has caused support for membership to surge in both of those countries.
Countries are joining NATO because they fear Russia. If Russia didn’t want countries joining NATO, maybe they shouldn’t threaten their neighbors? It’s not exactly making the case that it’s a benign entity.
I don’t think you understand what’s going to happen to western economies in the coming months. As energy prices shoot through the roof that means that costs for everything will as well. All the necessities, food, transport, are going to become unaffordable for the vast majority of the people. I wonder what will happen then…
I’m aware that there will be a severe cost, especially to Europe. I see it as that much more significant, that countries are willing to significantly impact their own economy to protect Ukraine. This is of course in the midst of existing supply chain issues. I’m sad that the people who are going to be hurt the most will ultimately be your everyday Russia person and not the richest Russians who have more power to strongarm Putin out of power. Any damage the West will feel with by felt many times over in Russia, given how much smaller their economy is.
These decisions were made in hysteria without any preparation or planning. The results will be horrific and most people in Europe are not prepared for this. Russia planned for this for nearly a decade and thinking that the damage Russia will feel will be greater than the damage the west feels is utterly delusional. Western bankers understand this and that’s precisely why they all begged not to do this.
Obviously, there’s nothing I can say to convince you, but we’ll all see what will be happening in the coming months.
The only things that matters in the end is that Russia sees NATO as a threat, and NATO has done absolutely nothing to change that perception. Simply repeating that NATO isn’t a threat while continuously expanding it towards the Russian border and attacking countries for past 30 years isn’t exactly helping make the case that it’s a benign entity.
The irony with Russia’s actions here is they may well backfire. Countries that were previously debating membership may finally decide that any downside of NATO membership is nothing compared to the threat of being the next country that Russia invades. Russia already has invaded two of its neighbors and holds the loyalties of Belarus under a dictator. Russia has openly threatened Finland and Sweden. The invasion of Ukraine has caused support for membership to surge in both of those countries.
Countries are joining NATO because they fear Russia. If Russia didn’t want countries joining NATO, maybe they shouldn’t threaten their neighbors? It’s not exactly making the case that it’s a benign entity.
I don’t think you understand what’s going to happen to western economies in the coming months. As energy prices shoot through the roof that means that costs for everything will as well. All the necessities, food, transport, are going to become unaffordable for the vast majority of the people. I wonder what will happen then…
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/european-gas-prices-trading-at-equivalent-of-over-500-per-barrel-11646660413
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Crude-Oil/Options-Traders-Are-Betting-On-300-Oil.html
I’m aware that there will be a severe cost, especially to Europe. I see it as that much more significant, that countries are willing to significantly impact their own economy to protect Ukraine. This is of course in the midst of existing supply chain issues. I’m sad that the people who are going to be hurt the most will ultimately be your everyday Russia person and not the richest Russians who have more power to strongarm Putin out of power. Any damage the West will feel with by felt many times over in Russia, given how much smaller their economy is.
These decisions were made in hysteria without any preparation or planning. The results will be horrific and most people in Europe are not prepared for this. Russia planned for this for nearly a decade and thinking that the damage Russia will feel will be greater than the damage the west feels is utterly delusional. Western bankers understand this and that’s precisely why they all begged not to do this.
Obviously, there’s nothing I can say to convince you, but we’ll all see what will be happening in the coming months.