I believe it was purely for reasons of expansion. I don’t know exactly what our response should have been, but we need to at least acknowledge that Ukraine is defending their sovereignty and Putin/Russia are the aggressors. We should support them at least minimally.

  • Bronzie@sh.itjust.works
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    5
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    2 months ago

    The only thing I disagree with is the last sentence. We should support majorly as the alternative, Ukraine actually losing, is going to potentially cost us so much more.

    If China knows we will send a little here and there, then abbandon it once it starts tickling our well filled wallets, it could very well motivate a hostile takeover of Taiwan. That would absolutely shock our way of life as practically all advanced silicone is produced there.

    That, and both China and Russia both not being particulary well known for their humane treatment of political and ideological enemies…

  • AA5B@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    2
    ·
    2 months ago

    As developed countries that previously engaged in imperialism and the massive human suffering that caused, how can our consciences allow modern imperialism without major effort to stop it?

  • neidu2@feddit.nl
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    edit-2
    2 months ago

    Not going to disagree with you there. I just want to hilight the fact that the totalitarian nature of russia means that they don’t need a justification, as putin is de facto a dictator and can decide anything he wants. So any claims of “justification” can be ignored as propaganda, and you can see this in the fact that this “justification” is in constant flux. It started with protecting Donbass, then denazification, via stopping a dirty bomb, and I think they’re going with antiterror nowadays.

    Same goes for threats coming from their propaganda apparatus about “consequences” regarding “crossing red lines”. No justification is needed. There’s nothing preventing them from making good on their threats tomorrow if they so wanted to.

  • Dragon@lemmy.ml
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    2
    arrow-down
    2
    ·
    2 months ago

    I won’t argue against the idea of sending aid to Ukraine on principle, but I will just mention a few considerations:

    1. Ukraine relies on conscription. Men are being arrested off the street to join the front lines. Millions of men have fled the country, and are now being hunted down in the places they fled to src. In supporting Ukraine’s military, the US and EU allies are inadvertently supporting military slavery.
    2. The Ukrainian government has a corruption issue, and it is likely that a lot of the aid being sent is being embezzled. src 1 src 2

    Point 1 could be rectified by conditioning aid on reversing the draft. Point 2 may be more difficult to address.

    • Rick@thelemmy.clubOP
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      2 months ago

      Of course Russia uses conscription as well. In fact don’t most countries that go to war use conscription? I don’t like it but, if we can stop it here then the next country that Russia might invade wouldn’t have to draft soldiers.

      • Dragon@lemmy.ml
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        edit-2
        2 months ago

        I mean it doesn’t seem like too big an ask to require the country you’re arming not to do slavery. If they want the weapons that badly I’m sure it will work.

  • Tohru@thelemmy.club
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    1
    arrow-down
    6
    ·
    2 months ago

    I agree with you but I do not think it is that simple. For instance, Putin/Russia are the aggressors but Biden/USA are too. The US has supported a proxy-war at the expense of the Ukrainian people. These people are not fighting for sovereignty on their own accord. They are being conscripted, forced against their will, having their bank accounts frozen and being kidnapped off the streets to fight for their “sovereignty”. So, when you say we should support them how should we support them? If your answer is to have peace talks I would agree but if it’s in military aid I disagree. This war is hurting the people of Ukraine, forcing many into a war they do not want to fight in. The US have been the aggressors for a long time, they are doing it now. But the US media says day after day that this war is for “the good of Ukraine”, it’s very 1984, all in all. Russia and the US are both equally to blame, this is their war, Ukraine just happens to be in the middle of it.

    • phdepressed@sh.itjust.works
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      4
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      2 months ago

      The US did not start this war. Putin/Russia started this war by an unprovoked attacks on Ukraine. It is a Ukrainian decision for conscription, the US and Europe are just helping arm and train them.

      Any peace deal requires a return of Ukrainian lands to Ukraine because the last time Ukraine accepted the loss of Crimea, Putin reneged on his word and attacked again.

    • BrokenGlepnir@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      2 months ago

      When my ex girlfriend broke up with me I saw her talking to my old enemy mark. What was I supposed to do? I had to start beating her. It was marks fault, he made me do it. He’s equally at fault here. Now I just want to cut off her fingers. This would be over and she’d stop fighting me if mark just would stop trying to help her up. I need her to give me some part of her, and promise to never talk to mark or any of his friends ever again. This is mark’s fault as much as it is mine. If he didn’t help her she’d have given up a part of her body to me and and agreed to never talk to anyone without my approval again. Otherwise she will suffer. Christ that is sick.

    • Rick@thelemmy.clubOP
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      2 months ago

      It is my understanding that Ukraine has been willing to talk about peace but not willing to give up any part of their country. Giving in to a demand like that seems like giving the mugger exactly what they wanted. IDK. What does Russia really have to negotiate with other than taking some of Ukraine’s freedom?