Russian vassalization of Ukraine

[The Comrade]

[Spider]

[John Galt]

since peter the great russia has pretty much just expanded, something like a belgium territory in size yearly, until the collapse of the ussr. but as you can see above exploited it's a relatively new development, certainly newer than you were saying. when they declared independence they claimed they were victims of russian colonialism. im not sure about that but the point is, it's new

[broken robot]

[John Galt]

"After the Russian army invaded the nation of Georgia, Senator Obama's reaction was one of indecision and moral equivalence – the kind of response that would only encourage Russia's Putin to invade Ukraine next," Sarah Palin said in Reno, Nevada on October 21, 2008.

OH SHI

[broken robot]

Palin for World Leader.

[exploited]

I'm still not really certain what I'm supposed to be worried about here. So Russia absorbs these countries into an economic union. Ukrainian oligarchs become Russian oligarchs. Then it proceeds to... what? Jack up natural gas prices? Invade Europe?

It's as if the geopolitical game has value in and of itself, when the entire point of even playing is physical security. So Russia gains economic leverage - so what? It is the largest country in the world. Has been for centuries. You can't fight it having leverage. Gaining back the areas it controlled just thirty years ago means nothing. It didn't help them then and it won't help them now.

This is quite literally like arguing that if the US took over Canada, it would all of a sudden be more of a threat.

[John Galt]

[exploited]

So... Ukraine is important because it transports Russian gas. Therefore if we allow Russia to control Ukraine... What exactly does this change for Europe?

Ukraine is also important because it is between Russia and Europe. Of course a Russian invasion of Europe results in nuclear war, so again, I'm not seeing the big deal.

I mean, shit, Ukraine was virtually a client state under the deposed President. I don't recall this making Russia not a shit hole, or somehow being able to bring us or Europe to our knees. And even when it did have direct control... So what? A shitty economy isn't made better by adding more shit, and Russia has had access to the Black Sea for decades already.

Other than being upset at Russia for being big old' meanies, I don't see how what they are doing is going to alter their or our situations in the slightest.

[The Comrade]

just let russia take all of europe what does it even matter f**k it just let them have it we're still hella rich and powerful so just f**k it.

that's you. that's what you sound like.