Interesting news in the world of big power politics:
The U.S. leaned on German Chancellor Angela Merkel last month to conduct a naval maneuver in Russia’s backyard aimed at provoking President Vladimir Putin, according to three people familiar with the talks.
Why would it be a provocation for Germany to sail a ship in waters that are not recognized by international law and a bilateral Ukrainian-Russian agreement as Russian territorial waters?
The Russian territorial claim is only possible for Russia to make because they invaded Ukraine, illegally annexed Crimea, and occupied portions of the Donbas on the Sea of Azov. It provokes Russia to deny the legitimacy of that?
But more importantly--contrary to all evidence--why would America believe Germany would be willing to defy Russian aggression with a symbol of opposition?
And indeed, why would America believe Germany could even successfully sail a warship to the Black Sea?
Shouldn't all the blame in this situation be on Russia? With a side issue of whatever happened to our once-solid NATO ally Germany?
#WhyRussiaCan'tHaveNiceThings
