re: Russia is preparing for a full blown invasion of Ukraine.

quote:

---

We have no reason to pick fights with Russia. It doesn't do anything for us - we don't benefit, in any way.

If we had a good relationship with Russia though, it would come at Chinas expense, and it would strengthen us vs China.

---

Someone better tell the lib/progs that Russia is A-okay now ... now that Biden was "elected."

Putin's a good ole baw we need to warm up to. How about some European gas contracts and Ukraine?! That outta pump up those GDP numbers and help out their balance sheet.

This is on Europe. They have military

quote:

---

We do not have any agreement to do so.

---

Okay. I know we signed agreements in 2014, 2016, and just in September when Zelensky met Biden. Did we not?

I think you're wrong...

quote:

---

I think you're wrong...

---

Point to me in that agreement where the US is obligated to militarily defend Ukraine.

It isn't in there.

quote:

---

Point to me in that agreement where the US is obligated to militarily defend Ukraine.

It isn't in there.

---

And I quote:

The United States recognizes Ukraine’s unique contribution to nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament and reaffirms its commitments under the “Memorandum on Security Assurances in Connection with Ukraine’s Accession to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons” (the Budapest Memorandum) of December 5, 1994.

Now, you can fire up your google machine and look up the Budapest Memorandum as quickly and easily as I can. You may not want to see it, or admit it if you see it, but you are wrong.

quote:

---

The United States of America, the Russian Federation, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, reaffirm their commitment to Ukraine, in accordance with the principles of the CSCE Final Act, to respect the Independence and Sovereignty and the existing borders of Ukraine.

---

quote:

---

to respect the Independence and Sovereignty

---

We overthrew the government in Ukraine

quote:

---

to refrain from economic coercion designed to subordinate to their own interest the exercise by Ukraine of the rights inherent in its sovereignty and thus to secure advantages of any kind

---

We're in breach here as well.

quote:

---

The United States recognizes Ukraine’s unique contribution to nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament and reaffirms its commitments under the “Memorandum on Security Assurances in Connection with Ukraine’s Accession to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons” (the Budapest Memorandum) of December 5, 1994.

---

Nothing in the Budapest Memorandum obligates the US to intervene militarily in Ukraine's defense.

As I said on the last page re: the Budapest Memorandum:

quote:

---

The US, UK, and Russia merely committed to respect the territorial sovereignty of Belarus, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan, and refrain from using force against those three nations.

There are no defensive obligations for any party to the Memo beyond seeking UN Security Council assistance if an aggressor threatens Belarus, Ukraine, or Kazakhstan.

So no, we are not obligated to do anything other than introduce a UNSC resolution that will get veto'd by Russia and China.

---

Time for you to fire up your google machine and show me the text from the Memorandum (which is less than three pages long) that requires the United States to intervene militarily in defense of Ukraine.

quote:

---

We've pissed on the agreement and the commitments therein

---

The only nation that has violated its commitments under Budapest is Russia. Read the full Memorandum. People seem to have a greatly outsized understanding of the "commitments" made therein. The whole thing is toothless diplomatic nonsense with no enforcement mechanisms beyond appealing to the UNSC and negotiating amongst the signatories.

quote:

---

And Biden will not do a damn thing!

---

Of course not. Didn't cut a big enough check to Hunter and the Big guy.

quote:

---

So you're of a mind that it is perfectly fine for the US to sign multiple agreements, security and otherwise, and then just whistle on past when shite gets real?

---

What agreements are you referring to that require us to take any action that we have not taken?

Neither the agreement you linked on the last page, nor the Budapest Memorandum require the US to do anything beyond "cooperate" with the Ukraine regarding their defensive capabilities (which we do by selling them stuff) and/or appealing to the UN, which we have done.

quote:

---

but to make them and then knife people in the back

---

You have yet to specifically identify one commitment to Ukraine that the United States has broken, beyond obliquely referencing a Memorandum that does not say what you seem to think it says.