holdover
.475 A&M Magnum
What specifically were they "concerned about NATO" doing ?
Ukraine joins NATO and the only difference that makes is the Russian window to annex Ukraine has ended.
I agree that is a major concern for Russia, but that doesn't mean their desire to annex Ukraine against their will justifies the invasion.
Or would NATO now be justified in invading Ukraine because they are concerned about Russia ?
Geography is one main concern. The Ukrainian border is less than 400 miles to Moscow . NATO forces have the ability to cross that distance in 1 day .By extending the border to say the Dnipro river or the other side of Ukraine , it buys Moscow reaction time in the event of an attack . . it can blow bridges it can mobilize forces and most importantly it has the ability engage NATO forces in the former Ukraine, Not on Russian soil , which is extremely important as can be seen in Ukraine right now.
I believe the invasion of Ukraine is justified for several reasons , the first being the loss of the entire Black sea fleet and shipping lanes . Ukraine was discussing the turning over of the Russian ports at Sevastopol to NATO. Crimea and Sevastopol are the crown jewels of this entire conflict which is why Russia stepped in and took the Crimea . It did not invade Ukraine proper, with the intent to over throw the government. It clearly stated that the NATO take over of Russian Naval bases is not going to happen . In other words We are forced to use the military if we cant come to an agreement. Its unacceptable and were going to fight for it if you do. I know your argument is they cant tell a sovereign nation how to conduct policy , and your correct. However they felt the loss of the Black sea fleet was to much and they were willing to fight for it . so thier choices were lose the entire fleet and shipping lanes or fight. So they took it. and only took Crimea. If they wanted to invade they could have used that as an excuse . They could have taken the CIA backed Maidan revolution as an excuse also. they didnt . In 2014 the Ukrainian goverment began shelling and killing Russian people in the breakaway republics of Donbas Luhansk in attempt to push those people back to Russia as those regions were Russian dominant and would not recognize the new government.
From 2014 to 2022 the US and NATO armed and Trained the Ukrainian army . The largest in Europe at the time 800,000 man standing army . Ukraine began moving forces towards the Crimea . Moscow did not like what it was seeing on the ground there was a real threat Ukraine was going to try to take back the Crimea .Which they could have never done without the help of the US and NATO , which establishes the fact they were a threat to Moscow . The Kremlin wanted talks with Kiev concerning Nato membership. Ukraine wouldn't talk. They were amendment that were going to join . The US made it clear to Ukraine and Russia that they and NATO would fully back Ukraine in the event of an invasion . This is also more evidence that the Russian invasion was not an attempt to invade Europe .
the mentality of the Russians was that the last two times they were invaded it came from the West . 20 million Russians were killed , and property destroyed .The last time they were allied with the invaders who stabbed them in the back .
And of course there are other things at play in this conflict that dont get a lot of attention, like the gas lines running from Russia through Ukraine to Europe . and the Chinese new silk road from China to Europe and who controls them . And then theres the fact if Ukraine did join Russia , NATO bases would be established along the entire border region with Russia . So you have NATO controlling the gas pipelines the entire Black sea and the new silk road and armies on Russias border, and economic sanctions. with the threat of breaking up Russia into several nations . so theres your justifications. Russia is fighting this war because it believes it is being threatened , and I agree with it . I know you dont but its what Russia thinks that matters ,not us .
I know you think Putin is hell bent on European conquest. LOL, For what? they have no need of natural resources , they are resource rich , They didnt invade Ukraine for the resources . This bullshit story is from the state department, the same ones that lie to us every day