“The Russians supposedly started this war to prevent any new members from joining NATO”
No, that is a big part, but that is far from the only reason.
When nazi elements seized the government, they attacked Russian speaking areas in the east with artillery, killing over 10,000. The Ukes were going to make Crimea into a NATO navy base. Russia has been based there longer than Ohio has been part of America. And in the 1940s there was a huge war over there, tens of millions died. The Ukes are run by the direct heirs to the nazis that attacked then. Same emblems, same rhetoric, same flags, same torchlight parades.
No way that was going to be allowed.
It isn’t all just “NATO” and it isn’t the other old saw “rebuilding the empire”.
Stop with the ‘nazi’ nonsense. Really. It’s just ignorant to accuse these people of being ‘racist nazis’ when they elected and freely take orders from a Jewish comedian.
As to what the Ukrainians want to do with their country that’s their business.
Also, I am noticing Russia supporters have a schizoid disconnect going with Russian history. When it suits them they claim that the Russian Federation has “absolutely nothing” to do with Imperial Russia and the USSR.
But when it comes to Crimea these same people will insist there’s a continuum between Imperial Russia, the USSR, and the Russian Federation...which I would agree with, the continuum part.
Interesting.