My Views on Ukraine/Russia Conflict
There are three main reasons, with perhaps a bonus one, why I was and still am interested in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. These below are in very broad terms and they have multitude of reasons which branch out from them:
1. Because of its potential effects on British interests. Those interests are not whether a foreign country should be democratic or not, or have the same values as Britain btw. Those interests include what America seems to be going for, tangible ones, yet we gave assistance and are still doing it without any such negotiations. Other interests also include security concerns, what happens in Europe has a direct blowback on us due to proximity and involvement in NATO.
2. Because of its potential effects on Polish interests. Both my brother in law and his wife are in Polish army, and our entire family from my wife's side are in Poland. From SuwaĆki to Szczecin. In fact, my brother in law, just returned from the border with Belarus. So, any escalation or faulty moves has potential for blowback on people very close to my heart. And I think any negotiations conducted by European interests should include the cession of Kaliningrad back to Poland - this has been my position from the start.
3. Avoidance of a conflict that spreads to the whole world and enters us into an age of nuclear warfare. I don't think I need to explain this much.
Bonus Reason. Because of my interest in the history of that region. Dating as far back as the time of Kievan Rus. This conflict between the Slavs has deeper roots than contemporary history would suggest. I intend to explore this more in the future.
A reason which goes without saying. The senseless loss of human lives. Whether those human lives are those who you ideologically align with or not.
Now. Three top reasons what doesn't interest me about this conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
1. Because of American interests. I don't care whether it is politically good or bad for Trump. And I don't care about them getting a minerals deal out of it. Actually I don't want them to because it weakens Britain's position here, that is something we should be going for. I would however be more interested in America having a minerals deal with Russia instead, locking them in trade agreements to avoid future warfare in much more effective than pointless treaties.
2. Because of the approval of internet people. Yeah. Sorry. I don't care. You can like me or dislike me. I am sure you have many other reasons anyway.
3. Because of some sort of solidarity with the Ukrainian government. No. I think I have said this from the start, you have the top most corrupt country in Europe invade the second most corrupt country in Europe. So yeah, I care about the lives of people, but I have no interest whether Ukraine becomes part of EU or NATO etc. I don't think it is a good idea to explore at this juncture anyway.
Apart from that. I will let you think whatever you want to think. I don't really care. Russia is an aggressor state, whether under Putin or not. It is in their nature. Their culture is build on a constant need for war and conflicts. There is a reason why all their neighbouring countries on the Eastern European front have so much anti-Russian sentiments. They are not just born out of nowhere. Those sentiments have roots sowed by Russia itself. However, it also doesn't mean you have to go to war with it. Tie them with trade agreements and business/travel exclusions within the rest of West. Do not let their interests take root. Build your forces more than theirs as a deterrent. And their bordering neighbours need to strengthen themselves - and be self sufficient in that defence.
This is the video I made 2 years ago, trying to recap the entangled history of Ukraine and Russia. I hope to make another one in the future, focusing on particular aspects of that history: