If you think that the Russians are the innocent party you are either hard at work in St. Petersburg or you really have no clue. Why are the Russians invading another nation in the first place?
To ensure the independance of the DPR and LPR republics: to prevent the current Ukranian regime from attacking them anymore.
FReepers - if taking up arms to ensure another country's independance is wrong, then please cast your minds back to Kosovo.
Kosovo wasn't US territory. It's independance was assured by US arms, including months of bombardment of Belgrade.
If Kosovo's independance can be assured by the might and valor of the US, why can't Russia step in to help Russophones literally on its border?
Not trying to trap anyone here, nor establish a 'gotcha'. Just want to see what arguments we can make either way. Fellow FReepers, why is one different from the other?
I suspect that Ukraine’s acquisition of Turkish drones and their overall improvements in military capability led Putin to conclude he faced a reversal in Donbas, and considerable difficulty, if not worse, in Crimea. All that with increasing chances the desire of most Ukrainians to join the EU* would finally be realized... Putin’s oft expressed desire to restore Russian glory and dominance would not be realized in his lifetime. In fact, given the proximity of Ukraine in more ways than just a border, the “cancer” of the West would likely grow in Russia. THAT, he and his corrupt pals could never countenance. So, flush with petro dollars and the confidence of observing a weak minded West that was actually bolstering him with every decision, he decided this was the time to attack. He probably figured the Ukes would fold in a few days at most.
Aside from the obvious and generally laughably clumsy trolls, it is important to note we have a large group here who are suicidally isolationist (it’s not 1823 any more, guys ‘n gals), and another large group has so much hatred of the EU and globalization that they are blind to the fact that to the majority in Ukraine (and some other Eastern European countries), the EU quite rationally is a heck of a lot better choice than being a vassal state of Russia.
The history of the two countries is complicated and long. I suggest you spend some time reviewing it before reaching your silly conclusion that Ukraine is the victim here and we should spill the blood of America’s sons and daughters defending them.