I fully accept the big issues at stake for us all in the Russian attack on Ukraine, but I have always felt the force of the criticism that the NATO/US (and Australian) approach was to “fight until the last Ukrainian”. Better policies from Biden might have prevented Russia from invading, but that is futile to worry about at this stage.
As Trump has done in a few other areas (Gaza, trade), he has reasonably concluded there is no future for Ukraine in the approach he inherited.
So we are left with a dilemma. Putin has Trump’s measure: the US will not commit its and NATO’s resources to war against Russia. Still less would the UK and France put their capitals in Russia’s targeting. It is hard to envisage any stepped-up military actions against Russia that Putin would not meet by ‘escalating to de-escalate’.
I have no better idea than the long grind of Kennan-like containment, but directed against both Russia and China. But there’s no joy for Ukraine in that, nor any appetite in the West. Regrettably, the deal at the fatal White House meeting was probably the best Ukraine could have hoped for, if Putin would have accepted it (however briefly).
The scenario assessment processes of the world have become so complex for even the most learned diplomat through to tyrant.
The only difference we have seen on so very many occasions, is that a tyrant’s turn often is a bloody ending whereas most diplomats retire.
As for the prols of this world that get led by the nose, conscripted, are in surveillance incarceration or are not prepared to take notice, it’s the luck of the draw where you reside.
Australian population take for granted being in an unbelievably unique country… for how much longer with short term opportunistic politicians, selling us down the river?
Zelensky was elected on a platform of peace, yet has extended the war to the last Ukrainian on behalf of NATO. Between 2000 and 2010 Ukraine took part in more NATO exercises than many NATO countries. Would the US tolerate Mexico or Canada doing the same with China or Russia?
Likewise on a rumour that Russia may have a presence in Indonesia we here in Australia start jumping up and down. Now put yourself in Russian shoes knowing if Ukraine goes you have NATO missiles with less than 5 min to respond. Add the call for the balkanisation of Russia from NATO and the EU and you begin to understand why Ukraine is existential to Russia too.
This is a NATO v Russia war that if continues becomes a hot WW3 rather than the proxy war it is now.
A poignant reflection, thanks Chris.
I fully accept the big issues at stake for us all in the Russian attack on Ukraine, but I have always felt the force of the criticism that the NATO/US (and Australian) approach was to “fight until the last Ukrainian”. Better policies from Biden might have prevented Russia from invading, but that is futile to worry about at this stage.
As Trump has done in a few other areas (Gaza, trade), he has reasonably concluded there is no future for Ukraine in the approach he inherited.
So we are left with a dilemma. Putin has Trump’s measure: the US will not commit its and NATO’s resources to war against Russia. Still less would the UK and France put their capitals in Russia’s targeting. It is hard to envisage any stepped-up military actions against Russia that Putin would not meet by ‘escalating to de-escalate’.
I have no better idea than the long grind of Kennan-like containment, but directed against both Russia and China. But there’s no joy for Ukraine in that, nor any appetite in the West. Regrettably, the deal at the fatal White House meeting was probably the best Ukraine could have hoped for, if Putin would have accepted it (however briefly).
The scenario assessment processes of the world have become so complex for even the most learned diplomat through to tyrant.
The only difference we have seen on so very many occasions, is that a tyrant’s turn often is a bloody ending whereas most diplomats retire.
As for the prols of this world that get led by the nose, conscripted, are in surveillance incarceration or are not prepared to take notice, it’s the luck of the draw where you reside.
Australian population take for granted being in an unbelievably unique country… for how much longer with short term opportunistic politicians, selling us down the river?
Zelensky was elected on a platform of peace, yet has extended the war to the last Ukrainian on behalf of NATO. Between 2000 and 2010 Ukraine took part in more NATO exercises than many NATO countries. Would the US tolerate Mexico or Canada doing the same with China or Russia?
Likewise on a rumour that Russia may have a presence in Indonesia we here in Australia start jumping up and down. Now put yourself in Russian shoes knowing if Ukraine goes you have NATO missiles with less than 5 min to respond. Add the call for the balkanisation of Russia from NATO and the EU and you begin to understand why Ukraine is existential to Russia too.
This is a NATO v Russia war that if continues becomes a hot WW3 rather than the proxy war it is now.