Because he was a psychotic despot with delusions of grandeur? He was a sneaky bitch, too. He promised Stalin that he would not attack Russia. And then, well, he reneged and went all Barbarossa. Hitler was a true dickhead.
MELBOURNE, Australia—The U.S. warned that Russian aggression against Ukraine risked spreading instability to the Indo-Pacific if it wasn’t opposed and deepened ties to three allies that aim to counter threats to the region, including from China. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking alongside the foreign ministers of Australia, India and Japan, told reporters that the Ukraine crisis is a challenge to the basic principles that have upheld global prosperity and stability since World War II, saying countries shouldn’t be allowed to unilaterally change borders, dictate choices to their neighbors or exert a sphere of influence. This is something that I do not fully understand. After WW II, it was the cold war between NATO and Warsaw Pact. The Warsaw Pact ceased to exist. Even Soviet Union collapsed. Russia became really weak. Why NATO still exists and even expands to almost double its size? What is its military opponent? Or just anyone who does not agree with them? China was not even any threat at that time. Both WW I and WW II were caused by military alliances. Now in this era of nuclear powers, military alliances do not carry much meaning than it was 100 or 50 years ago. Now Ukraine knows so well that NATO will never come here to fight for them. Everyone knows that it is Russia's redline. But no one wants to admit it. Clearly Ukraine does not want to be in that position. But it is squeezed by both US and Russia. This is really bad for its people and its economy. I also do not fully understand Blinken's comment on China. There is never any military conflict between Australia and China. It seems there will be another military alliance against China in the Asia-Pacific. Who can win? No one. Both get nukes.
Russia always was and still is the military opponent. NATO prevented that Putin would take back: Latvia Lithuania Poland Czech republic Slovakia Hungary Romania Bulgaria What happens with Ukraine shows what the intentions of Putin are: rebuild a Russian empire wiht a lot of slave countries to serve them. He was able to catch Crimea already, and Belarus is close to be annexed too. A good strategist looks into the future before he makes his plan. Strategists look to the future, never to the past as the past cannot be changed anymore. The future can.
Some say, why offend Russia? Why not agree to no NATO on its border? The answer is simple. Because Russia isn't trying to protect Russians from western democracy, it's trying to protect its oligarchy of military brass and industrial barons, Russia's 1% who stand to lose their power when Russia finally joins the rest of civilized nations.
Sanctions are useless when, it triggers retaliation from Russia. A war in Ukraine will spike oil prices, making oil more expensive for American consumers. Higher oil prices means more monies going into Russian coffers. And natural gas prices to Europe? You bet it is going much higher because Putin knows the soy boys of NATO will look like the idiots they are. Fomenting wars and nothing more. When Putin increases the price of natural gas to Europe, UK, France, Germany and others will know who really has the power---and they will pay such a heavy price.
All you non interventionists have very good arguments but you need to be realistic about the fact that everyone will have to go nuclear if you are not there.
So you really believe that Putin will risk a nuclear war for Ukraine? He will ruin his own life and go in history as the Russian President who destroyed his country completely instead of making it great again.
Do not think so. Russia considered the breakup of Soviet Union as the plan of USA and the work of CIA. Look back at the all the "color revolutions". In Mid East too. All backed, supported and financed by the West. Even the Hong Kong demonstration was related to US money through Taiwan. Part of the same strategy. Soviet leader was weak, not as strong as China's Xi now. Or China would have been broken up into pieces. Now Russia sees itself is surrounded by increasing numbers of NATO members. This has been growing over the past 20-30 years. Russia still have the memory of Hilter in WW II. It does not want to see that happen again. Unfortunately Ukraine is at the center of this struggle between the two super powers. Sad for the Ukraine people. The NATO expansion states very clearly that NATO always considers Russia as its main threat. Or there would not have been any need for NATO to exist, and even grow stronger now. NATO's role in the breakup of Yugoslavia and Libya were not pretty. How can a military alliance decided to break up a nation or topple another government?? Who gave them the power?
No, in any nuclear war, there would be no winner or loser. All get destroyed. All are losers. Human being will be slaughtered. Look back at the Hiroshima and Nagasaki. To the end, I see NATO and US will have to back down and give Russia the written guarantee that Ukraine will not be allowed to join NATO. That would save Ukraine and other European nations. Of course US won't be happy. US just gets nothing to lose in facing Russians. This is the reason that North Korean is untouchable. US can continue to flex military muscles along Taiwan Strait. But to the end, US won't send military personnel to Taiwan if or when China decides to attach. Internationally, Taiwan is still part of PR China.