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> Long before he invaded Ukraine, Vladimir Putin warned that NATO wanted to encircle Russia — a narrative he frequently leans on to blame Western powers for his

> Long before he invaded Ukraine, Vladimir Putin warned that NATO wanted to encircle Russia — a narrative he frequently leans on to blame Western powers for his attack. That rationale has more merit than Iraq's WMDs. That lie was costly. Putin, like UBL before him, is not comfortable with The West "encroaching on his area." He, again like UBL, openly expressed his concerns along with warnings, and was ignored. Eventually as they say, the rest is history. I'm not condoning the use of violence. Only wish the journalists would zoom out and be aware of context. At the end of the day, it takes two (or more) to tango.

JoeAltmaier 3y ago
What harm in NATO encircling Russia? That they wouldn't be able to attack neighbors with impunity? Isn't this concern and outright admission they had plans to murder their neighbors? Russia does whatever it wants to 'win' at an imaginary game of aggression chess. Then they say whatever it takes to 'explain' it.
- chiefalchemist 3y ago
  What harm? If you're Russia...plenty. Regardless, that's not my point. The point is, the USA was given fair warning and persisted until something happened, and then the propaganda machine makes it look otherwise. Let's not be so naive. It's costing lives. It's costing money. It's costing time.
  - JoeAltmaier 3y ago
    It's Russia murdering their neighbors, however you cloak it in "it was bound to happen" or whatever political smoke you want to blow.
squarefoot 3y ago
> He, again like UBL, openly expressed his concerns along with warnings, and was ignored. He didn't care about NATO, all he did was to use lies to manufacture the case for Ukraine invasion because Russia badly needs the resources in Donbas. Putin could withdraw from Crimea tomorrow (and he'll probably use that as leverage when the time comes) but will never leave the Donbas unless forced to by spectacular military defeats. Crimea is indeed strategically important, but the Donbas is also a very rich area that Russia wants to keep at any cost.
_kbh_ 3y ago
> Putin, like UBL before him, is not comfortable with The West "encroaching on his area." He, again like UBL, openly expressed his concerns along with warnings, and was ignored. Eventually as they say, the rest is history. If this is true it’s interesting that NATO was never mentioned in the accidentally posted “victory” article, that Russian state media posted a couple days into the war. The article was all about righting historical wrongs and how Ukraines independence in 1991 was a mistake. The acronym NATO isn’t even in it once.
qwytw 3y ago
Eastern European countries were generally much more eager to join NATO than US was to accept them. I'm not sure why are you trying to deny their right to sovereignty? > Putin, like UBL before him, is not comfortable with The West "encroaching on his area Well it's not his area. Is India or Kenya etc. Britains "area"? No? > . At the end of the day, it takes two (or more) to tango Or several dozen. Of course you unless you believe that there are no independent states in eastern Europe.

JoeAltmaier 3y ago

What harm in NATO encircling Russia? That they wouldn't be able to attack neighbors with impunity? Isn't this concern and outright admission they had plans to murder their neighbors? Russia does whatever it wants to 'win' at an imaginary game of aggression chess. Then they say whatever it takes to 'explain' it.

chiefalchemist 3y ago
What harm? If you're Russia...plenty. Regardless, that's not my point. The point is, the USA was given fair warning and persisted until something happened, and then the propaganda machine makes it look otherwise. Let's not be so naive. It's costing lives. It's costing money. It's costing time.
- JoeAltmaier 3y ago
  It's Russia murdering their neighbors, however you cloak it in "it was bound to happen" or whatever political smoke you want to blow.

squarefoot 3y ago

> He, again like UBL, openly expressed his concerns along with warnings, and was ignored. He didn't care about NATO, all he did was to use lies to manufacture the case for Ukraine invasion because Russia badly needs the resources in Donbas. Putin could withdraw from Crimea tomorrow (and he'll probably use that as leverage when the time comes) but will never leave the Donbas unless forced to by spectacular military defeats. Crimea is indeed strategically important, but the Donbas is also a very rich area that Russia wants to keep at any cost.

_kbh_ 3y ago

> Putin, like UBL before him, is not comfortable with The West "encroaching on his area." He, again like UBL, openly expressed his concerns along with warnings, and was ignored. Eventually as they say, the rest is history. If this is true it’s interesting that NATO was never mentioned in the accidentally posted “victory” article, that Russian state media posted a couple days into the war. The article was all about righting historical wrongs and how Ukraines independence in 1991 was a mistake. The acronym NATO isn’t even in it once.

qwytw 3y ago

Eastern European countries were generally much more eager to join NATO than US was to accept them. I'm not sure why are you trying to deny their right to sovereignty? > Putin, like UBL before him, is not comfortable with The West "encroaching on his area Well it's not his area. Is India or Kenya etc. Britains "area"? No? > . At the end of the day, it takes two (or more) to tango Or several dozen. Of course you unless you believe that there are no independent states in eastern Europe.