Oh and FYI, I never advocated Ukraine to be ruled by Russia. But just pointed out a bit here and in several other places, Ukraine has been a much smaller nation than the artificial lines suggest, if it wasn't, then why would it be so easy for Russia to create and aid a rebellion? And why would people of the Ukrainian proper have so much...shall I say, adverse relations, towards eastern Ukraine? If we want to get technical, Crimea and a portion of southern current Ukraine belongs to the Tatars, something Russians, Ukrainians and the rest of Europe refuse to recognize.
If the borders were aligned to account for the Soviet manipulations....this problem wouldn't exist. The very territory Ukraine is trying to claim, has never been historically part of it. Don't get mad at me, get mad at the Soviet system, Khrushchev for transferring administrative jurisdiction, but not territory and leaving in international forums many would consider "limbo".
Oh and I need to correct you, Ukraine hasn't been under Moscow's rule for decades....but over a century and then some. And by the way, I believe Ukraine should be a nation, I haven't done the 23 and me DNA test, but, I suspect, given some of my family tree last names, I'm not as Russian as I think. My wife is Russian, but she knows that is probably a small part of her and Persian is the ethnicity she has most of. Just the way it is under an empire than expands over three centuries.
Nor am I an arbiter, just pointing out historical facts...that I often get flamed for. For example, I point out, outside this forum, that most US Bible maps show Israel under King David at its peak...when an actuality, its history shows it was about two thirds that...and if you want to get technical, Israel never had jurisdiction over Jerusalem, when the Kingdoms separated, Jerusalem was under Judah's control...and that nation has not been restored. And after its restoration from Babylon, Israel was much smaller than we think, boy oh boy, do I get heat for that.
Russia not being screwed by the west? Oh come on, did you write that with a straight face? I won't go into detail, but you know, even if you outwardly refuse to believe it, deep down know its true. I could make a long bullet point with examples in Powerpoint showing this.
As for joining the European family, good luck with that. Russia has been trying that for centuries. Lets look at the recent examples... Yeltsin stated he wanted Russia to join NATO.... crickets. Early in Putin's term, a reporter asked him if Russia would be willing to join NATO, he stated "I don't see why not". The response, more crickets. If you read Sebag Montefiore Romanovs, you will see an often effort to be considered "European"...even being hailed as heroes...but still kept out of the club.
The only reason Ukraine..or for that matter, Georgia was considered for NATO was the strategic positions. Want proof, Turkey is a long time NATO member...what's their chances of joining the EU?
Again, I'm just stating facts, you may not like them, I know how Slavic pride tends to over-ride that, but, it is what it is.
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