One of the funniest things I’ve read recently is: appearing alongside Zelensky in Brussels on Sunday, Commission chief von der Leyen reiterated the European stance that “international borders cannot be changed by force.” Excuse me. That is exactly how almost all borders are changed. Sure, things like Russia selling the US Alaska or France’s selling the US the Louisiana Purchase to fund their war in Europe were “peaceful transactions” – but last I checked, human nature is such that a person will not willingly give up his property or land without an act of force.
The part time comedian, part time President of Ukraine said definitively after the Putin-Trump meeting in Alaska – it is “impossible” for Kyiv to cede territory to Russia and reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire. Never say never. Russia already has three fourths of the Donbas region. I expect that at some point, Putin will get what he wants. The reality is that I do not see American or NATO soldiers boots on the ground to say otherwise, and if history is any indicator – I do not think Russia will simply comply with Zelensky’s initial position.
Zelensky has to say this. But the reality is that Russia should never be underestimated when it comes to their nationalism and what they are willing to sacrifice. Napoleon expected to have Moscow welcome him as conqueror and instead he lost over 400,000 men in defeat in the famous Russian winter retreat. France, England and the Ottoman Turks expected to easily take Crimea from Russia in the 19th Century – instead all they got out of it was Tennyson’s poem Charge of the Light Brigade – “ours is just to do and die”; and yes, Hitler invaded and 20 million Russians died, doing most of the heavy lifting to rid the world of German Nazis.
But it is also true that millions of Ukrainians were starved to death by Stalin when they refused to collectivize farms. So, Ukraine Russia animosity is not new. Ukraine having relative freedom is the best they can hope for at this point. Mother Russia will never allow them to join EU or NATO – note the words – the EU will provide NATO like protection…Z needs to take his millions perhaps billions in graft he undoubtedly skimmed off the top from the billions Biden and the West has sent Ukraine to fight this needless war, retire to say France, and stick to comedy, because the carnage needs to stop. Reality is that nothing will change unless the West is willing to risk WW3 with the country that has the largest stockpile of nuclear weapons on the planet and a history that doesn’t indicate a willingness to cave to forces from Europe. Putin will indeed take as much land as he can get – but NATO and EU eastern Europe is safe as long as their members pony up their fair share and America has a strong leader.
I have another suggestion. Spain for example – should lose it’s NATO standing since it refuses to give it’s fair share in defense spending – so, perhaps Russia should consider annexing Spain before they look to Poland…Just a thought.