@Stella123, I agree. I also agree that “it’s about saving Ukraine from being invaded by a hostile neighbor”
Imo these recent thread pages have revealed that nearly everyone agrees with your statement.
The only disagreement has been regarding:
1.) can it even be done?
2.) if it can be done, who should be the one to do it?
3.) what are the risks (in particular, what is the risk of a wider European theater conflict or a global world war three type conflict)?
4.) who would pay for it?
5a.) could a “lasting” peace even be achieved (this has not been achievable in the past),
5b.) if so, who would maintain it?
5c.) who would pay to maintain it?
If you (or anybody else) thinks they have a realistic solution, I think many (most) of us are open minded and would very much like to hear it. I for one am willing to consider any and all suggestions. How can this be accomplished? Please be very very (very) specific.
Jmo
I assume there are unanswerable questions like this in the middle of all wars.
1) Can it be done (protect Ukraine from invasion)? Some people think so. If Trump hadn't just knobbled Ukraine the other day, the situation was pretty much at a stalemate - except Russia is getting weaker and weaker in terms of resources, money and various other things. But beyond that there is a principle that you should not just roll over in front of an agressor - give an inch and they'll take a mile (or another country). Plus it it is what the UN and Nato was built for after WW2 - I quoted it earlier - can't remember the exact words. But that there should be no invasion of another country. Europe very much feels that Putin is a risk to all if he is allowed to occupy Ukraine. For the past three years, European countries have been aiding Ukraine - without stepping foot on their soil, to avoid becoming part of the war. As has the US been assisting from a distance.
2) Whether or not it can be done, the people to do it are allies of democracy. Of which the US used to be one. Ukraine is an independent, democratic country.
3) Good question - that has always been an issue, hence see the answer at no 1. Even now European countries are careful not to actively fight with or for Ukraine, but supply them from a distance. Putin was clear at the start that if any soldiers etc were in Ukraine from another country - he would consider that country at war. So obviously everyone has been avoiding it becoming WW3.
4) Until now, all allies were helping fund Ukraine. Now the US is out (or "paused") it is just Europe, who are in the process of raising billions. Unless you lived on the European continent or in Poland or France, you would not feel the very immediate risk they feel - that this could be ANY European country that Putin is invading. He has to be stopped. Sanctions against Russia have been going on for years.
5a - I doubt it. Not unless Russia wants peace and withdraws. Ukraine wants peace - ie for Russia to get out of their country and stick to their borders!
5b Depends on 5a
5c Likewise
Your number 5 questions are assuming some kind of deal can be done.
Whether or not this war would have continued much longer will now never be known, because Trump interfered and made things worse. Do you think if a peace settlement could have been reached, it couldn't have been done already, before Trump came along?
The problem also is that a peace settlement can only mean either
1) Russia going back to Russia
2) Ukraine compromising and losing the territories Russia has already gained.
All a peace settlement would do is enable Russia to regroup, get stronger, and then come back and do it again with more force.
Had Trump really wanted to achieve peace talks he should not have disadvantaged Ukraine and advantaged Russia. Because he has done that, Trump is not neutral. I suspect Trump just wants to stop the money going out from the US. Which is what he has done - leaving the rest of Europe to try and sort it out.
It was wrong to withdraw aid and intelligence from Ukraine - BEFORE a peace settlement was negotiated. Just as it was wrong to hold the press conference BEFORE any deal was signed.
I am just repeating my earlier posts now however. But your questions are looking at it from one point of view. The only person who can stop the war is Putin.
I do however, think, that if a negotiated ceasefire can be achieved, there will be space for talking. Putin has clearly shown he's not interested in a ceasefire after Trump withdrew aid and intelligence from Ukraine. He saw that as a big help to him to continue the war!
JMO MOO
Russia has been being sanctioned for years over their invasion of Ukraine.
www.nbcnews.com
apnews.com
