Mark CobbThere are a lot of problems. If I let myself get outraged by all of them, I would be dizzy. Ukraine is one of these problems. With all the problems that affect us personally do we really need to add Ukraine? Ukraine used to be in Russia. They speak Russian. Is it really worth risking blowing up the world but things like patriotism or national identity which are just about the go anyway? Let Putin have the regions he wants and give the money we would give them to feed ourselves!
Elizabeth@markcobb Even if you take empathy for the Ukrainians out of the equation, which I firmly believe a person should not do, what you are describing is granting Putin carte blanche permission to eat Europe one bite at a time. The man is an imperialist. He isn't stopping at Ukraine.
@sentence The rest of Europe didn't used to be part of Russia and you act as if you already know the mind of Putin. Besides, we already know what he wants because he's told us so. He wants those four Ukrainian regions.
@markcobb I mean, first, that isn't even true. There are multiple other countries in Europe that were previously part of the USSR.
And as for Putin, honestly, I find your faith in his word surprising. He's a former KGB agent whose critics routinely end up dead in violent and suspicious circumstances.
He wants power and glory. To believe anything else is to be deeply, deeply naive, in my opinion.
@sentence Let him have all of Europe for all I care if it means avoiding nuclear war. Please, I'm not without compassion but see it from my point of view. I was a nuclear missile technician in the Air Force. I know clearer than most the destruction we're talking about. After one of these explosions and the world would never be the same again. No matter what you think of Putin, he's the only one that can end this.
@markcobb I see your perspective, but I see things differently.
IMO invading Ukraine was a mistake, but Putin's not a reckless man. He expected to win.
But now he needs to win. Otherwise he risks his position at home to say nothing of his ego.
Which is why all-out nuclear war is off the table. Because if Russia is ashes, if he is ashes, he doesn't win. He's a corpse.
Why destroy yourself when you can simply threaten nuclear war and reap the rewards without doing anything?
IMO, anyway.