Russia warns of 'horrible' conflict if Georgia joins NATO

[DonViejo]

Source: Associated Press



By VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV
Today

MOSCOW (AP) — An attempt by NATO to incorporate the former Soviet republic of Georgia could trigger a new, “horrible” conflict, Russia’s prime minister said Tuesday in a stern warning to the West marking 10 years since the Russia-Georgia war.

Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview with the Kommersant daily broadcast by Russian state television that NATO’s plans to eventually offer membership to Georgia are “absolutely irresponsible” and a “threat to peace.”

Medvedev was Russia’s president during the August 2008 war, which erupted when Georgian troops tried unsuccessfully to regain control over the Moscow-backed breakaway province of South Ossetia and Russia sent troops that routed the Georgian military in five days of fighting.

The Russian army was poised to advance on the Georgian capital, but Medvedev rolled it back, accepting a truce mediated by the European Union.

Read more: https://www.apnews.com/21036352495b4b4fa9802bd2d7c5ac86/Russia-warns-of-'horrible'-conflict-if-Georgia-joins-NATO

[DetlefK]

1. So, russian troops are allowed to enter Georgia? But NATO is not?

[Adrahil]

3. The Russians view Georgia as their property.

Putin wants the Soviet Union's empire back, under his rule.

[ChiTownDenny]

11. Clearly.

Too fukking bad.

[cstanleytech]

2. In other words Georgia is next on Putins list for invasion once he secures what he stole

from the Ukraine.

[The Liberal Lion]

4. Sounds like it's Russia making all the threats

NATO, sans the approval of the orange idiot, should call Putin's bluff. The last thing Putin wants is a war with NATO, even if NATO couldn't get the orange moron to go along.

[FakeNoose]

9. It would certainly be in Georgia's best interests to join, if they've been invited

Georgia seems to be at least TRYING to maintain a democracy, in spite of Putin's efforts to ruin them.
I don't think this would lead to war, as you suggest. However Putin really, really hates the Magnitsky laws (sanctions) that are cropping up in all the NATO countries lately. Georgia could be the next one to adopt a Magnitsky law. Wouldn't that be something?

[duforsure]

5. How long before putin threatens us

And he might, and remember he showed the bombs heading towards Florida. He's crazy enough to do it. Look at what he's already done. He and trump are both a threat to the world and their own countries.

[cstanleytech]

6. Hopefully someone removes him from power permanently before that happens.

[Bayard]

7. tRump will take care of that for Putin

No sweat.

[Wellstone ruled]

8. Coming to a

Georgian Coastal City near you,Castle by Trump,next to Vald's Retreat. Book early to get in on the Opening Offer. Free bottle of Trump Wine and a MAGA hat in your choice of color. Along with a autographed Photo of Donnie and Vald.

[eppur_se_muova]

10. Personally, I have always thought that NATO membership should not be offered to nations that

border *directly* on Russia. You don't have to like the Russians, or agree with them, to realize that's needlessly provocative. NATO is supposed to be a defensive alliance. If they establish a beachhead on Russia's border they start to look like potential invaders. I may believe, and you may too, that NATO would never invade, and never strike first. Heed Richelieu. It is capabilities that matter more than intentions. Intentions can change overnight when leadership changes, and a NATO ally on Russia's border introduces a disturbing capability.

Consider how provocative the US has always regarded Cuba, a Russian (formerly Soviet) ally 26 miles off its coast. How much more provocative if it had shared a land border ?

Putin may be a horrible dictator, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have a point in this case.

[Xolodno]

12. And how on earth would Georgia join NATO?

...given its current circumstances.

NATO requires complete territorial sovereignty, something Georgia does not have. Nor will likely have in the foreseeable future, Russia is more likely to join at this point...and that idea went away once Putin turned Russia around.

Furthermore, why are we championing GWB's ideas? It was him who decided to push for incorporating more nations with questionable backgrounds and some whose populace are split, including former Soviet Republics...whose borders have always been in question due to no thanks to mainly Joseph Stalin. As it is, you have nations in NATO that other members aren't exactly "comfortable" sticking their necks out for...no thanks to GWB. He weakened the alliance for political gain and Putin via his puppet is exploiting it.

The core members of NATO have never been warm to this idea...and given circumstances, can't join anyway.

Then you have the issue of Georgia quietly trying to repair relations with Moscow...and lets not forget, Sack-of-shit-villi...GWB's protege, is still a wanted man in Georgia.

And to head off the obvious "but what if the population wants to join NATO?" It doesn't matter. NATO has rules on membership and Georgia doesn't fulfill them. That was probably why Sack... launched the war to reunite the "recognized territory"...only problem, Russia saw it coming a mile away and were prepared. He could have gotten away with it if he simply wrote it off and declared new borders...but politically, it would be a death knell....but would have confounded Russia immensely....so figure that into the equation.

Seems to me, Moscow stated this as a distraction, prop up Medvedev of his eventual coronation, and/or something else we aren't seeing just yet.