Correction:
Legality = possession + might
See 'West Bank'.
I must have missed that bit. What conflict with 'The West' did Russia start/force?
Rubbish. You are naming those nations that do not follow the western play-book in some deluded attempt to make them out to be Russian enemies.
That this war doesn't make any sense (most wars don't) is obvious, but as the political situation on both sides want to settle things by combat, it will be settled by combat.Peter89 wrote: ↑13 Feb 2023 08:50
The complete occupation of Ukraine will not be a long term solution. If Ukrainians do not want to be part of Russia, then they'll 1. flee 2. resist. The Ukrainian infrastructure is already in ruins, and Russia simply does not have the money to repair it and elevate Ukraine's living standards to that of Russia. It might have been possible before the war, without the extensive damage, the mass exodus, and the unfavourable international relations.
There isn't a military solution for everything. Military should be a part of the state, not the other way around. What happens if the Russians "win" in their new offensive? Nothing, really. The chance for Ukraine being an integral part of the Russian Federation is close to zero. What happens if Ukraine deflects the Russian attack? Nothing, really. The chance for Ukraine being rebuilt and restored (not to mention its state elevated to Balkans standards at least) is also close to zero. Let's say the Ukrainians push out the Russians from Eastern Ukraine. What happens? Nothing, really; because there is the Crimea then, which again will be a casus belli, although the people who live there probably don't even favour the Ukrainian rule. So when will this war end?
It can practically drag on forever. And during all these years, the EU will be weaker, Russia will be weaker, and Ukraine will be devastated. Thus, again, isn't it time for peace talks?
Putin challenged the existing world order, and its cornerstone that war is the continuation of politics is unacceptable.Michael Kenny wrote: ↑15 Feb 2023 01:13I must have missed that bit. What conflict with 'The West' did Russia start/force?
The countries aren't Russian enemies, but they aren't Russian friends either.Michael Kenny wrote: ↑15 Feb 2023 01:13Rubbish. You are naming those nations that do not follow the western play-book in some deluded attempt to make them out to be Russian enemies.
So now its 'Putin challenged the existing World Order'? That is a huge step up from 'conflict with The West'. Why not go for the star prize and say Putin is a threat to the stability of the entire Universe. I bet you could link Putin to D B Cooper if you tried hard enough.
Nope. You are so desperate to portray a 'World v The Ruskies' that you are making things up. China will NEVER abandon Russia because it is simply not in China's interest to be the last man standing in the way of western domination. It is in China's vital interest to have Russia's back.
China and Russia continue to do business with each other, including business that supports Russia's war in Ukraine.
See Northern Ireland, Gibraltar, Ceuta, Melilla, Kaliningrad, Puerto Rico....
Of course there was zero FDR could do to stop Stalin from adding Poland to his ''zoo'', then. USA certainly could not declare war on the USSR since we already were fighting the Germans, Italians and Japanese.
LineDoggie wrote: ↑16 Feb 2023 00:37Of course there was zero FDR could do to stop Stalin from adding Poland to his ''zoo'', then. USA certainly could not declare war on the USSR since we already were fighting the Germans, Italians and Japanese.
that's reality