When exactly should NATO have extended membership to Ukraine post 2008 discussion? (Not a guarantee, by the way)
Under the Yanukovych pro-Russia government and vote rigging scandals? (Yanukovych renounced NATO and pursuit of membership repeatedly). During the brief period after the Euro Maidan revolt and prior to the Crimean seizure? (Ukrainian polling showed a rejection of NATO membership with opposition to joining hovering around 70%) After the Crimea Seizure with a belligerent Russia and an uncertain leadership in Ukraine? Most of this happening in the context of see-sawing governments that vacillated between pro-Russia and Pro-Europe positions, an on-going pro-Russia revolt in the Donbas, a faltering economy, and an uncertain commitment to Democracy?
Arguments that only look at the current war and then wave an index finger at "bad NATO" for raising poor Ukraine's hopes ignore the reality on the ground prior to the Russian Invasion. Ukraine did not show they could meet very important milestones even with the tantalizing promise of NATO membership as an incentive. Personally, I would have been extremely critical of any President that looked at Ukraine and said THAT'S a country I want to give NATO Article 5 protection.
It is reasonable to set hurdles of a stable economy, commitment to Democratic processes, and commitment to a Western outlook as the minimum for NATO membership. Remember any NATO member has a rock solid promise that we'll send our young men to die on their soil should the need arise. That should only come with great deliberation.
I say this as someone who is 100% pro-Ukraine in the current war and supports the ongoing Biden and NATO policies.
Yanukovych declares Joining NATO off the table during 2010 visit to Russia
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldne...rsuit.html
Wikipedia Entry on Ukraine and Nato - Note polling charts showing a widespread disinterest in NATO membership (and the change in polling after the Crimea seizure)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukraine%E2...te_note-77
Under the Yanukovych pro-Russia government and vote rigging scandals? (Yanukovych renounced NATO and pursuit of membership repeatedly). During the brief period after the Euro Maidan revolt and prior to the Crimean seizure? (Ukrainian polling showed a rejection of NATO membership with opposition to joining hovering around 70%) After the Crimea Seizure with a belligerent Russia and an uncertain leadership in Ukraine? Most of this happening in the context of see-sawing governments that vacillated between pro-Russia and Pro-Europe positions, an on-going pro-Russia revolt in the Donbas, a faltering economy, and an uncertain commitment to Democracy?
Arguments that only look at the current war and then wave an index finger at "bad NATO" for raising poor Ukraine's hopes ignore the reality on the ground prior to the Russian Invasion. Ukraine did not show they could meet very important milestones even with the tantalizing promise of NATO membership as an incentive. Personally, I would have been extremely critical of any President that looked at Ukraine and said THAT'S a country I want to give NATO Article 5 protection.
It is reasonable to set hurdles of a stable economy, commitment to Democratic processes, and commitment to a Western outlook as the minimum for NATO membership. Remember any NATO member has a rock solid promise that we'll send our young men to die on their soil should the need arise. That should only come with great deliberation.
I say this as someone who is 100% pro-Ukraine in the current war and supports the ongoing Biden and NATO policies.
Yanukovych declares Joining NATO off the table during 2010 visit to Russia
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldne...rsuit.html
Wikipedia Entry on Ukraine and Nato - Note polling charts showing a widespread disinterest in NATO membership (and the change in polling after the Crimea seizure)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukraine%E2...te_note-77
In 1938 Neville Chamberlain declared "Peace in our time", Superman first appeared in Action Comics, Seabiscuit beat War Admiral ....... and C.a.l last won the Rose Bowl.