Column: Russia has been warning about Ukraine for decades. The West should have listened
, which are shared by large parts of the population. These include the exclusion of hostile military alliances from Russia’s neighborhood and the protection of the political position and cultural rights of Russian minorities.
There is nothing mysterious, extreme, or Putinesque about this Russian attitude. In the first place, Western language about NATO expansion establishing a “Europe whole and free” implies the exclusion of Russia from Europe and from a role in Europe—a matter of deep offence to Russians, and Russian liberals in particular, especially since this Western rhetoric was imbued with the assumption that the word “European” equates to “civilized.” And that Russia isn’t part of that idea.
A woman walks past a Russian military personnel carrier outside a Ukrainian military base on March 18, 2014 in Simferopol, Ukraine. Voters on the autonomous Ukrainian peninsular of Crimea voted overwhelmingly yesterday to secede from their country and join Russia.None of this is intended to justify Russia’s actions, which have often been stupid as well as criminal—as with the annexation of Crimea in 2014.
In other words, while the terms of any compromise with Russia over Ukraine would involve some tough negotiation, we can seek such a compromise without fearing that this will open the way for further Russian moves to destroy NATO and subjugate eastern Europe—a ridiculous idea for anyone who knows either the goals of the Russian establishment or the character of Poles and Estonians. These nations are in NATO and are categorically committed to remaining so.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Volodymyr Zelensky compares Russia-Ukraine situation to movie Don’t Look UpPresident Volodymyr Zelensky compared the Russia-Ukraine situation to the Netflix movie Don’t Look Up during news conference.Zelensky said: “Managing the country it’s like your film Don’t Look up. We are looking up, but we are also looking on the ground and we may lose the economy.”Russia says it does not want war but has placed a “gun on the table” in its negotiations with the United States by massing troops on Ukraine’s borders, U.S. Ambassador to Moscow John Sullivan said on Friday.Sign up to our newsletters by clicking here
Read more »
Russia ‘moves blood supplies near Ukraine border’ fuelling invasion fearsRussia’s military buildup near Ukraine has reportedly expanded to include supplies of blood along with other medical materials that would allow it to treat casualties.
Read more »
Ukraine: What sanctions could be imposed on Russia?Western diplomats are refusing to be explicit about specific penalties to keep the Kremlin guessing.
Read more »
The energy weapon—what happens if Russia turns off the gas?Our podcast on markets, the economy and business. As tensions rise between Russia and Ukraine, we assess what a Russian invasion of Ukraine would mean for global energy markets
Read more »
Russia Tensions May Help Push Europe Towards a Cleaner Energy Future'Escalating tensions with Russia are forcing a confrontation with an uncomfortable reality for European leaders: Putin holds the cards when it comes to Europe’s energy needs,' writes ciaraCnugent
Read more »