The 2nd Crimean War?

[ordnance11]

Never mind that you're forgetting one critical thing. Half of Ukraine is
quite happy to have the Russians there. These people elected a
president who chose to approach closer ties with Russia following an
electoral mandate. Then the other half of the country flipped its shit
and overthrew him - most of whom were more pissed off about how he
handled the pro-EU protests, than his policies as such. The whole thing
is such an utter readymade clusterfuck that touching it with anything
but kid gloves could lead to a massive explosion. Hardliners in the east
actually want to be close to Russia. While the West wants to move
closer to the EU, and most people are just stuck in the middle of it
all. The whole region is an utter mess left behind by the Soviet Union's
disassembly.

To my mind, the Russians can keep it. Small problem though. where are you going to get the water for 2 million citizens in an area like Los Angeles and with the same climate? 2 inches of rainfall in a year. There is no other nearby water supply. All the Ukraine has to do is either cut off the water supply or jack up the price.
Other problem..there's a sizable Tartar population in the Ukraine. And their Muslim. They're not going to be happy to be part of whatever stan is carved out of there. Expect the Chechens to be looking for another front to expand their activities.

Ukraine is just not worth the risk.

Gentlemen. War is wrong. It is always wrong. And it has not yet reached the point where it is necessary either.

Dartz, sometimes you do not have that luxury of staying out. There are times when you do have to fight. Afghanistan in 2001 was one such time. Bush II screwed up and did not finish that war though. So was Gulf War I. Korea.
I'm not a warmonger. If there is someone who is not found of war, it is veterans. I am not a fan of John Bolton. But it may be necessary that Putin be shown that what he is doing now cannot be tolerated. Like it or not.
BTW Dartz, you're Irish right? What did the de Valera's government do to returning veterans who decided to fight on the Allied side in WWII?
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