2 ms·

As JP Morgan said, a person always has two reasons for doing something: a good reason and the real reason. I think the sympathy for Ukrainians is a bit of a pr

by cm2187 5y ago

As JP Morgan said, a person always has two reasons for doing something: a good reason and the real reason. I think the sympathy for Ukrainians is a bit of a pretext. It's not just a pretext, there is clearly a lot of sympathy in Europe for Ukraine, not the least because of the geographical and cultural proximity, and we all know ukrainians personally. But the real reason for Europe to be tough on Russia is because Russia is now directly threatening EU countries (Baltic states, Poland, etc). And I do not understand how we can justify financing what has become a direct enemy. Which is why an equivalence with Yemen or any other conflict, no matter how violent it is, isn't really convincing.

aksss 5y ago
I think we need to acknowledge that no “red line” implied by NATO’s mutual defense pact has been crossed yet (to my knowledge). I think there are instincts and interests champing at the bit for any pretext to engage with Russia using the lives of their neighbors kids to do so, but for now, I think it’s wise to keep that impulse in check and talk about what the red line really is in a practical sense.
- cm2187 5y ago
  Naturally, and I think Putin will stay clear of that red line. But there are many other means to be tough with Russia without triggering an all-out war. Not giving him money or trading with him is a start. Providing an unlimited supply of weapons, intelligence and humanitarian aid to Ukraine is another. We should also be mindful that staying clear of a direct confrontation with Russia doesn't mean Russia should be allowed to set up all sorts of arbitrary red lines in term of what they claim constitutes an act of war. Providing planes to Ukraine for instance isn't an act of war by any standard. Biden's veto on the transfer of the Migs was really an act of weakness that will call for Putin to define more red lines. I heard general McMaster recently mentioning Russian pilots were shooting at US troops in Korea and Vietnam.

by cm2187 5y ago

aksss 5y ago

I think we need to acknowledge that no “red line” implied by NATO’s mutual defense pact has been crossed yet (to my knowledge). I think there are instincts and interests champing at the bit for any pretext to engage with Russia using the lives of their neighbors kids to do so, but for now, I think it’s wise to keep that impulse in check and talk about what the red line really is in a practical sense.

cm2187 5y ago
Naturally, and I think Putin will stay clear of that red line. But there are many other means to be tough with Russia without triggering an all-out war. Not giving him money or trading with him is a start. Providing an unlimited supply of weapons, intelligence and humanitarian aid to Ukraine is another. We should also be mindful that staying clear of a direct confrontation with Russia doesn't mean Russia should be allowed to set up all sorts of arbitrary red lines in term of what they claim constitutes an act of war. Providing planes to Ukraine for instance isn't an act of war by any standard. Biden's veto on the transfer of the Migs was really an act of weakness that will call for Putin to define more red lines. I heard general McMaster recently mentioning Russian pilots were shooting at US troops in Korea and Vietnam.