ujm brings a good point about Crimea. But the larger issue is Trump readily went along with Putin there. Just because some Texans argue Texas never became part of the US, you can’t just shrug it off if another country took it over. Taking over territories, especially in Europe, is some dangerous business. Note: Israel was also acknowledged as a sovereign nation too. End of story. We don’t care anymore who used to control it in the past. The world recognized Ukraine, and Ukraine wans to join NATO one day to protect its recognized sovereignty due to Russia’s aggression. I sympathize. Granted NATO might hesitate admitting them since they would then have to attack Russia if they go after Ukraine, but again, being wimpy is worse.
Smerel: Why blame NATO? Part of the purpose of NATO is to deter aggressors from invading sovereign countries. Just because we know Russia wants to take over eastern Europe again you say NATO has to stay far away? Sounds wimpy. Putin has nothing to worry about so far as he respects these eastern countries as sovereign nations, which he does not.