Quite so, with a few caveats. The Kievan genocide against the Donbass Russians was too much to tolerate, so that tipped the scales in addition to the other concerns. And the 4 oblasts (now Novorossiya) and Crimea ARE Russian territory insofar as Moscow is concerned, so there will be no negotiation over that.
I have no idea how Putin could ever be assured that Ukraine would not be infested by NATO. That's what happened, despite all kinds of assurances. Perhaps if the U.S. left NATO and left it a weak shell, that might be a balance. Otherwise, I think the idea of a "Kiev Pact," in parallel with the Warsaw Pact, might be the only solution that would provide assurance.
The west has lost any "leverage" it might have had with Russia. Sanctions? Hilarious. Russia is selling petroleum to any buyer...including the EU. "Agree to this ceasefire, or we will say bad things about you." (Putin has a paroxysm from laughing too loud.) I admit to channeling the Russian outlook on this, and it is surprising how easily it comes to me.
I'm not sure which maps to believe, but I am not sure all of the Novorussyia is under Russian control currently.
I think if Russia gets to control any territory it would need to already be under their current control. I believe they control the Donbas, bit not sure about the rest.
Personally, I consider NATO a bigger threat to the US than Russia. I think most of Europe has been jealous of America for a very long time. Mainly because they are a bunch of control freaks (see modern censorship and lack of medical freedom and lack of freedom of speech as examples) that can't stand the American way of life, a government built on We The People being in charge and not kings, queens, or oligarchs. I know we have a lot to do to restore our Republic, but in principle, it's a much different government than European governments.
Russia is Nationalist. The US has become more Nationalist.
To me, nationalist simply means taking care of your own house before worrying about your neighbors. We have many things to fix before we need to worry about fixing the world.
America First is what it's all about.
If Russia wants to be Russia First, how can we blame them? It's what we are doing.
NATO and Europe are also America First, but in a bad way. They want US putting all the money in first. They want US to provide all the military equipment first. And yes, they want US to put military troops in Ukraine first.
We could very easily secure peace if NATO/UK/France/Ukraine weren't so determined to avoid peace and stay in war. They want war. It's obvious. It fuels their money laundering machine. Time to cut it all off.
The four southern oblasts comprise the Donbass and they had plebiscites overwhelmingly choosing to be part of Russia. This was accomplished officially by the Russian government. Now, the only question is to remove the Ukrainian troops that are still in the northern portions of the oblasts.
Quite so, with a few caveats. The Kievan genocide against the Donbass Russians was too much to tolerate, so that tipped the scales in addition to the other concerns. And the 4 oblasts (now Novorossiya) and Crimea ARE Russian territory insofar as Moscow is concerned, so there will be no negotiation over that.
I have no idea how Putin could ever be assured that Ukraine would not be infested by NATO. That's what happened, despite all kinds of assurances. Perhaps if the U.S. left NATO and left it a weak shell, that might be a balance. Otherwise, I think the idea of a "Kiev Pact," in parallel with the Warsaw Pact, might be the only solution that would provide assurance.
The west has lost any "leverage" it might have had with Russia. Sanctions? Hilarious. Russia is selling petroleum to any buyer...including the EU. "Agree to this ceasefire, or we will say bad things about you." (Putin has a paroxysm from laughing too loud.) I admit to channeling the Russian outlook on this, and it is surprising how easily it comes to me.
I'm not sure which maps to believe, but I am not sure all of the Novorussyia is under Russian control currently.
I think if Russia gets to control any territory it would need to already be under their current control. I believe they control the Donbas, bit not sure about the rest.
Personally, I consider NATO a bigger threat to the US than Russia. I think most of Europe has been jealous of America for a very long time. Mainly because they are a bunch of control freaks (see modern censorship and lack of medical freedom and lack of freedom of speech as examples) that can't stand the American way of life, a government built on We The People being in charge and not kings, queens, or oligarchs. I know we have a lot to do to restore our Republic, but in principle, it's a much different government than European governments.
Russia is Nationalist. The US has become more Nationalist.
To me, nationalist simply means taking care of your own house before worrying about your neighbors. We have many things to fix before we need to worry about fixing the world.
America First is what it's all about.
If Russia wants to be Russia First, how can we blame them? It's what we are doing.
NATO and Europe are also America First, but in a bad way. They want US putting all the money in first. They want US to provide all the military equipment first. And yes, they want US to put military troops in Ukraine first.
We could very easily secure peace if NATO/UK/France/Ukraine weren't so determined to avoid peace and stay in war. They want war. It's obvious. It fuels their money laundering machine. Time to cut it all off.
We are simpatico.
The four southern oblasts comprise the Donbass and they had plebiscites overwhelmingly choosing to be part of Russia. This was accomplished officially by the Russian government. Now, the only question is to remove the Ukrainian troops that are still in the northern portions of the oblasts.