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What are all these comments about not _necessarily_ returning Crimea to Ukraine? Is HN being spammed by Russians?
by jcmontx 5y ago
What are all these comments about not _necessarily_ returning Crimea to Ukraine? Is HN being spammed by Russians?
- ceejayoz 5y agoUkraine's been unable to take it back in eight years of conflict. Formally ceding it might be the sort of concession that lets Putin claim enough of a win to end the conflict. Right now, he's got no ability to save face, and that risks continued escalation.
- TMWNN 5y agoIt's a fact that Russia's military is still superior to Ukraine's. A plausible outcome of the current war is * Ukraine formally acknowledging its loss of Crimea and the Russian-heavy east, all under Russian occupation since 2014 * Ukraine formally declaring neutrality (i.e., no joining NATO) * Rump Ukraine's borders formally guaranteed by Russia/US/NATO This gives Putin something that he can plausibly sell to Russians as a win, and codifies US/Western military intervention on Ukraine's behalf (not just the current flow of supplies) from further Russian revanchism, while not losing any/much territory that wasn't already out of Ukrainian hands before the invasion began. Now, if the indications that Russian logistics have broken down and Russia's losses are unsustainable are true, that's a different story. But I am not ready to conclude that yet.
- MaxBarraclough 5y agoFrom https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html > Please don't post insinuations about astroturfing, shilling, bots, brigading, foreign agents and the like. It degrades discussion and is usually mistaken. If you're worried about abuse, email hn@ycombinator.com and we'll look at the data.