There was supposed to be a ‘peace dividend’ after the Cold War ended. But it didn’t end. Russia just took some time off and now they’re back.
After 2014, it was obvious that Russia was back as a major military threat.
But the “leadership” of the West huffed and puffed and did nothing.
All these NATO countries promised defence spending increases after 2014. None did.
The same countries promised defence spending increases in 2022. It’s not happening. In fact some are cutting (eg Canada).
People on here go on and on about Russia’s corruption and inefficiency.
Yeah, they are corrupt etc. and you are losing to these guys !
When Angela Merkel admits that the Minsk agreements were only ever meant to buy Ukraine time, and that Poroshenko and Zelensky never intended to implement the terms of those agreements, it's hard to blame the loss of the "peace dividend" on solely Russia.
But then again, it's hard to blame Russia for the West's collective decision to hollow out its own ability to build things. (For human nature is still the same as it always is.)