Given the consistent position the Russians have had on border states neutrality I don't see how any Russian leader would have behaved differently than Putin. They have clear strategic reasons for not wanting Ukraine in nato. If we don't acknowledge that we can't do peace talks.
There are 4 NATO states that do have borders with Russia: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. If, as you appear to claim, Russia finds it intolerable that there are states on its borders in NATO, why hasn't Russia invaded these countries? I submit it is precisely because they are in NATO, which Russia realises it it too weak to beat.
Those states were inducted at a time of Russian weakness and they were livid. By stopping Ukraine joining they are limiting the border through which they can be quickly attacked. The Americans would do no less.
> Those states were inducted at a time of Russian weakness and they were livid
States joined NATO because Russia is a big scary country with a very long and continuing record of serious human rights abuses, and people (very sensibly) don't want to be dominated by such a country.
So while I'm sure Russia was livid, that's their problem. If they don't want states to join NATO, maybe they could, I don't know, just stop being evil?
Consider Ukraine. The West offers them freedom, prosperity and a better life. All Russia has to offer it is oppression and death. So of course Ukraine prefers the West. Anyone would.
> By stopping Ukraine joining they are limiting the border through which they can be quickly attacked.
NATO isn't going to attack Russia, as Putin and everyone else knows full well.
Given the consistent position the Russians have had on border states neutrality I don't see how any Russian leader would have behaved differently than Putin. They have clear strategic reasons for not wanting Ukraine in nato. If we don't acknowledge that we can't do peace talks.
There are 4 NATO states that do have borders with Russia: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. If, as you appear to claim, Russia finds it intolerable that there are states on its borders in NATO, why hasn't Russia invaded these countries? I submit it is precisely because they are in NATO, which Russia realises it it too weak to beat.
Those states were inducted at a time of Russian weakness and they were livid. By stopping Ukraine joining they are limiting the border through which they can be quickly attacked. The Americans would do no less.
> Those states were inducted at a time of Russian weakness and they were livid
States joined NATO because Russia is a big scary country with a very long and continuing record of serious human rights abuses, and people (very sensibly) don't want to be dominated by such a country.
So while I'm sure Russia was livid, that's their problem. If they don't want states to join NATO, maybe they could, I don't know, just stop being evil?
Consider Ukraine. The West offers them freedom, prosperity and a better life. All Russia has to offer it is oppression and death. So of course Ukraine prefers the West. Anyone would.
> By stopping Ukraine joining they are limiting the border through which they can be quickly attacked.
NATO isn't going to attack Russia, as Putin and everyone else knows full well.