- Security Concerns and Potential for Escalation:
Russia views NATO expansion as a threat, believing it undermines its security and could lead to a military confrontation. The prospect of Ukraine joining NATO is seen as a violation of promises made during the end of the Cold War regarding NATO expansion eastward, according to some sources.
Russia agreed in the 1990s that sovereign countries could choose their alliances. No formal treaty bars NATO expansion. This is a Kremlin propaganda claim. Ukraine wanted NATO because Russia invaded Crimea in 2014. Not the other way around. It’s not aggression to seek allies when you’ve been attacked. Every sovereign nation has the right to choose its alliances, especially after being lied to and invaded repeatedly. Perhaps you would prefer the US exit NATO and join BRICS instead?
- Costs and Risks:
Defending Ukraine, a NATO member, would place a significant burden on the alliance, particularly the United States, which already faces substantial costs associated with the ongoing war in Ukraine. Furthermore, some argue that Ukraine's security does not directly affect the security of NATO members, making the risks outweigh the benefits.
Supporting Ukraine now helps avoid a bigger war later or at least delays it. Their defense directly protects NATO by keeping Russian aggression in check. Its also a great source of military intelligence. This isn’t poking the bear, the bear already attacked and it’s got rabies. It needs to be put down.
Russia has openly said they want to see the US fall, do you think that's changed? Do you really see Russia as the good guy? Standing by and doing nothing isn’t an option. As an american are you really defending a country that literally put bounties on US soldiers ?
- Ukraine's Democratic Stability:
While Ukraine has made strides in democratization, some argue that it still faces challenges in terms of corruption, political instability, and adherence to democratic norms, making it less than ideal for NATO membership.
Imagine the U.S. judging corruption, especially under this current administration. Ukraine’s under invasion and still passed anti-corruption reforms. It’s not perfect, but it’s progressing under fire, but perhaps they have more important things going on?
- NATO's Internal Divisions:
Even within NATO, there are differing views on whether to admit Ukraine, with some countries, like Germany, being more cautious about potentially escalating tensions with Russia.
Most of the pushback comes from countries historically cozy with Russia or economically tied. NATO is a democratic process and still showing support to Ukraine.
Guess that makes me an ungrateful, leeching Canadian eh?
www.bbc.com
