Russian Expansionism

[it means no worries]

As i presume you all know, Russia has continued to be extremely agressive Eastern Europe. They have annexed Crimea and staged war games and military manouvres on the borders of Lithuania and Estonia. Even RAF fighters were forced to "escort" Russian military planes from UK airspace a few months ago.

The quesiton is: Will Russia stop where they are in face of the EU sanctions or will they try to expand into western Ukraine and the Baltic states? Personally i think they will stop where they are, but what do you guys think?

[Simbaholikov]

I think the Western World will forever be blinded by propaganda of the perceived 'Russian Aggression'.

[Iberian]

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[DGFone]

Simbaholic go it right in one sentence.

Keep in mind the Russian perspective here: They think they are the ones being invaded.

Or to put it this way:

Napoleonic France was supposed to be the heart of Western Civilization. What did they do? Invade Russia.
Nazi Germany was supposed to be the heart of Western Civilization. Invaded Russia.
The US is supposed to be the heart of Western Civilization. We have nukes pointed at Moscow.
The EU is supposed to be the heart of Western Civilization. Que sanctions on Russia and more and more Eastern European nations joining the EU. Also nukes pointed at Moscow.

The annexation of Crimea was the reaction of Ukraine wanting to join the EU if you remember that far back. From Russia's POV, it is simply defending itself in any way it can from Western economic imperialism.

Russian Aggression from the Western point of view, Western Aggression from theirs. I highly doubt (and hope) that this will devolve into a war, since both sides don't want that to happen - both Europe and Russia depend on one another economically. Just keep in mind that both sides perceive themselves as the good guys and and the other as the aggressor. This is why Putin is very popular at the moment: Russians see him as a courageous leader able and willing to stand up to Western demands and sanctions.

[Regulus]

^ For once I actually agree with you on something. That's the most reasonable response I ever would have expected to read in a thread like this.

Considering that this has gone on for decades already, and we *still* haven't nuked each other, I'd say things probably won't get too heated. Sure, there's rising tension again, but that could be said in almost any diplomatic circumstance and you'd have a convincing argument.

If it comes to that, though, we'll all be instantly dead from a nuclear war and so it won't matter. Still nothing to get too worked up about, really.

[SlayerOfLight]

[quote="Simbaholic"]I think the Western World will forever be blinded by propaganda of the perceived 'Russian Aggression'.[/quote]

lol I can say the same about people in Russia, blinded by anti-western propagenda. Putin is no saint neither, he has no right to enter Ukrain. Both the West and Russia are doing things wrong, none are on the ''good'' side.

[it means no worries]

^yep, i agree, there are good and bad sides to this. Westeners see it as a clear threat to the Ukraine's sovereignty, whereas the Russians see it as taking back a former soviet country that in their opinion should still be theirs

[SlayerOfLight]

And if Russia is proven to be responsible for delivering anti aircraft rockets to those Ukrainian rebels that shot the Dutch airplane down, then Putin has alot to answer for. But yea, being the sneaky scumbag he can be, he'll probably come up with whatever silly excuses to ''justify'' the taking down of an airplane filled with innocent people.

Don't get me wrong, I dont hate Russia and they did some good things as well, but in this case I'm definately not on their side.

[it means no worries]

speaking of the Russian military...my brother might join the russian army. He's in the Royal marines, but jobs in the British army are being cut alarmingly fast and the Russians are one of the rare EU countries that accpet forgein people in their army. Plus they peay well

[VitanisMate]

[quote="Nicholas"]And if Russia is proven to be responsible for delivering anti aircraft rockets to those Ukrainian rebels that shot the Dutch airplane down, then Putin has alot to answer for. But yea, being the sneaky scumbag he can be, he'll probably come up with whatever silly excuses to ''justify'' the taking down of an airplane filled with innocent people.

Don't get me wrong, I dont hate Russia and they did some good things as well, but in this case I'm definately not on their side.[/quote]

You mean like America propping up anti-Russian governments in Ukraine and Georgia? Oh yeah the American Imperium has never interfered in anyone's affairs. *sarcasm*

As for innocent people, I remember back in 2008 everyone was crying crocodile tears over Saakashvilli over his stupid decision which made Russia retalitate, and the need to help him and the Georgian government. Thank goodness Russia called our bluff and made us back down.

Don't forget both Georgia and Ukraine were traditionally under the Russian Empire and under Soviet commissars so Russia sees those lands as belonging to her. Hell, Georgia even has the honor of being the birthplace of Stalin.