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Can you describe how in your opinion the war was avoidable?

• raxxorraxor 4y ago
  The voices that predicted wars if NATO is extended were numerous. Even worse, those that ignored these voices and did push through the extension now blame the "appeasers". They should not be listened to in any capacity because they take part of the responsibility here. Maybe the opposition did not believe Putin would take that last step in this escalation and therefore were not adamant enough to oppose such steps. That could have been a mistake. Maybe also keep interventions within the political structure of Ukraine to a minimum. That would have shown convincing respect for the sovereignty of the country.
  • eveningcoffee 4y ago
    I think you are confusing the causation here. There was huge potential of friendly relations between Russia and countries it had occupied perilously or had been in alliance with. Except that Russia maintained hostile rhetoric against these countries but especially against Baltic states who tried to cope with the results of the extensive Russification Russia had forced upon them especially hard during last 10 years of the occupation. This was this continued hostile rhetoric that pushed Baltic states to join NATO in 2004. Finland, against what Russia had maintained better attitude, and what did not have recent memory of Russian occupation, didn't feel such urge. No, NATO did not push toward East, it was pulled there, like it was pulled toward Finland and Sweden right now. Would NATO not extending avoided Russian restored expansionist politics? Of course not, just the order of attacks would have been different. It would have started from Baltic states.