Putin doesn't need Ukraine's oil and gas per se, he needs to prevent alternative sources to Europe. Just as he blocked the Qatar-Turkey pipeline through Syria, he is blocking Ukraine. Ukraine joining the EU and replacing Russia as a source of gas and oil to Europe would not just have an effect on Russia's economy, it would greatly reduce Russia's geopolitical influence. If anyone should be willing to fight for Ukraine, it's Europe. This is the 2nd time Putin has blocked them from alternative sources of gas. It's not just about oil and gas, it's about power and global influence.
If anyone should be willing to fight for Ukraine, it’s Europe. ... It’s not just about oil and gas, it’s about power and global influence.
***They’re wusses, looking for someone else to take up their fight. A lot like Taiwan.
Britain and Ireland signed the Budapest Agreement, and it is clearly violated by those 2 invasions. So the Brits & Irish should be sending boots on the ground. Oh, lookie here, WE signed that agreement as well. So... uhhh.... now all of a sudden the refuse-to-learn-Sudetenland-lesson appeasers are all about making this Europe’s problem.
Russia INVADING Ukraine twice is a clear violation of that agreement. They claim that it’s not an invasion, it’s a “special military exercises”. Then SO CAN WE claim a “special military exercise” to “respect the borders” of Ukraine as SIGNED in the Budapest agreement. What’s not-invasion sauce for the pootypoot goose is not-invasion sauce for the USA gander. In my view, as long as we put boots on the ground in any conflagration, we should insist on emBASEees.
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/4043681/posts