“They knew if NATO could be demilitarized, then they would be in a better position for concessions, some of which will likely go beyond Ukraine.”
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The concession beyond Ukraine which Russia wants and has always wanted is a new European Securities Agreement to replace the “rules based international order” that we put into effect (and which we make the rules for..:-) when we became the ONLY superpower.
“rules based international order”
I agree with what you’re saying, but what the hell is a “rules based international order” ??? Is it that we get to bomb the crap out of a innocent country like Serbia, but Russia doesn’t get to defend themselves against an OBVIOUS THREAT like Ukraine joining NATO and becoming nuclear?