Putin claimed NATO was such a threat that he had to conquer Ukraine to keep it from being a platform for a NATO invasion. Russia screwed the pooch so badly in the first couple months that NATO decided to rearm--even Germany!--and neutrals have gotten the message not to be the last one outside of NATO's protection.
The Pentagon spokesman said Russia doesn't have a veto over Sweden and Finland joining NATO. The Russians have long wanted that power:
The proto-thugs in Moscow actually have the nerve to be upset that joining NATO has become fairly popular amongst the formerly Soviet satellite nations and even parts of the old Soviet Union. Instead of wondering why the tender loving attention of Mother Russia scares the crap out of these people eager to join NATO, the Russians are busy whining and blustering even as their military continues to rot and their economy enjoys a temporary oil-fueled bubble that will leave Russia like any other Third World oil exporter--poorer and unfree.
That was my assessment in 2008. Before Russia invaded Georgia. It has taken time for Russia to finally provoke a reaction, and now Russia has with its broad invasion of Ukraine and serial nuclear threats.
So the European neutrals are now choosing sides:
Vladimir Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine has had the opposite effect of his desire to divide Europe. Former neutrals – Finland, Sweden, Austria and Switzerland – are evaluating their traditional non-alignment policy. Ireland might change, too, shifting from its longstanding "Neither King nor Kaiser" attitude that stretches back to the foundation of the Republic. And not only Ukraine, but Moldova as well as a clear popular majority in Belarus, want to join the European Union to institutionalise security cooperation.
Well, Russia invaded Ukraine and in one operation proved:
a) Russia could come for them if they remain isolated, and nobody wants to be the next Ukraine fighting alone with nothing but NATO logistics and intelligence support; and
b) Russia is too weak to bully neutrals into staying neutral. Their post-Georgia military reforms proved to be hollow.
I bet Lukashenko is regretting the Anschluss a year ago with Russia. How long before Belarus pushes Russia out?
Honestly, Russia spewed BS about the fake NATO threat so long that Putin started to believe it.
#WhyRussiaCan'tHaveNiceThings
NOTE: War coverage continues as this post.
