I think the EU has some blame here. Talk of Ukraine joining NATO and eventually the EU will have sent shock waves through the Russian government.

I am no fan of Putin but the west has poked the bear I just hope it all calms down.

If you are wondering why the Russians feel threaten look at a map of Europe during the communist era, then after the fall of the Berlin wall. Now look at the same map of countries who have joined the EU and or NATO post Berlin wall..

What the Russian see is that they are now surrounded with more to come.

Edited by Badger11 (29 Jan 2022 4.50pm)

One more point

What's predictable is the dismissal of the argument from the usual few without any reasoning at all.

Do you seriously believe that Trump's treatment of Nato didn't weaken it and divide its membership? Do you seriously believe that wasn't exactly what Putin wanted and manipulated him into doing?

Those who continue to believe that Trump was anything less than a disaster for the USA and its allies are the "fruitcakes". Those who claim that Russia's involvement in the 2016 Presidential election is just an invention, the investigation into it a "witch-hunt" and Trump's escape from impeachment an "exoneration" are living in cloud-cuckoo-land.

Ignoring this, and just trying to heap the blame on his successor might be a convenience for those on the right. Finding a scapegoat is always easier than accepting unpleasant truths.

I would much rather we didn't have to talk about Trump, but all the time his shadow looms large over US politics and the world that's impossible. People have short memories and the news agenda moves on, but this man, and his disastrous Presidency needs to constantly be brought into the light. As is being done with the investigation into the Jan 6th events.

We don't forget the holocaust. Trump's deeds are not comparable, but they also mustn't be forgotten for exactly the same reason. We must make sure they are never repeated.

For the avoidance of doubt any comments in response to a previous post are directed to its ideas and not at any, or all, posters personally.

I don't see anyone poking the bear. I think Russia is using that as an excuse. What has it really got to fear from a democratic Ukraine, other than a loss of influence and pride?

Surely if Ukraine is a sovereign state it is free to determine its own course of action? The break-up of the Soviet Union is just one part of the history of the countries involved. It was formed in 1917, so was really quite a modern institution.

Allowing Putin to recreate the Soviet Union via a domino effect which starts in Ukraine could prove to be disastrous for the people involved, and for their neighbours in the EU.

Peaceful co-existence and respect is much to be preferred. Those states wanted their independence. We need them as a buffer. I don't detect any intention from the EU for them to try to have any involvement in Russia.

For the avoidance of doubt any comments in response to a previous post are directed to its ideas and not at any, or all, posters personally.

You don't have to be in power to have influence. Some lasts well beyond a Presidency, sometimes good, sometimes bad.

In Trump's case his influence with his support base, and the continuing lies he is spreading, is obvious.

A year later his closest allies are under investigation for the events of Jan 6th. He is influencing their responses.

Politics are like big ships. It takes a long time for course corrections to produce a change of direction. Thus, what Trump did in his disastrous term, and especially in the final months with all the lies over the "stolen" election, continue to have influence today.

It always amuses me to see the favourite insult of the indoctrinated Trump supporter, "Trump derangement syndrome" being parroted as though it has any validity. Does anyone seriously think those who see with their own eyes what Trump has done, and continues to do, are "deranged"? People like James Comey, Andrew MCCabe and Robert Mueller are "deranged"?

The strange thing is it probably does exist but, like so many things associated with Trump, whose frequent tactic is to accuse his opponents of that he is guilty of himself, it applies to his supporters, rather than the normal folk who oppose him. You surely need to be deranged to support such an obvious fraud as Trump.

For the avoidance of doubt any comments in response to a previous post are directed to its ideas and not at any, or all, posters personally.

That is literally insane.

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

A US state (Seattle) under Democratic governance.

[Link]

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)