Russia has constantly threatened Finland and Sweden with "serious military and political repercussions" if they join NATO. For years now, actually. If Russia hadn't started a large scale invasion of Ukraine this year, both countries surely wouldn't be applying for NATO. Both have leftist administrations in power, who would have had no desire to join NATO and face the wrath of Russia otherwise. But things change.Why would Russia want to invade Finland and Sweden? Again, as far as we've seen, Russia's military has been quite bad at war. Why then go after these countries? — Manuel
Russia has constantly threatened Finland and Sweden with "serious military and political repercussions" if they join NATO. For years now, actually. — ssu
And sure, one should fear countries and organizations that have nukes, especially if they tend to be aggressive, as Russia and the US/Europe have shown.
Yep. Destroying Finland has always been Russia's dream. Right at the top of Putin's agenda. — Apollodorus
I asked why Finland would want to join NATO if it had no credible threat — Isaac
the actual discussion about what the Finns ought to do, not what they will do. — Isaac
Russia is a very very dangerous neighbour. Finns have excellent reasons to be concerned, therefore. — Olivier5
The answer to this question is in my view positive, which is why I do support my own nation's membership in NATO. Being part of it means that Russia cannot attack you without attacking the rest of NATO. It provides very strong security. — Olivier5
What exactly is the military threat to Finland? — Isaac
why hasn't every country in the world joined NATO? More specifically Finland and Sweden. If there are no downsides and only an increased security, then what's stopped them up to now? — Isaac
I was actually talking ethically — Isaac
Look at what the Russians did in Busha. Who in his right mind would want the same thing for their people? — Olivier5
Ought to do? From an ethical standpoint, or from a geopolitical, strategic planning standpoint? Let's assume the latter, as ethical considerations have limited applicability in politics.
From a strategic standpoint, the Russian attempted invasion of Ukraine and the extent of war crimes committed there by their troops is an objective reminder that Russia is a very very dangerous neighbour. Finns have excellent reasons to be concerned, therefore.
If this is agreeable, then the question becomes: is joining NATO likely to improve Finland's security from the obviously significant risk of a potential Russian military operation, or not?
The answer to this question is in my view positive, which is why I do support my own nation's membership in NATO. Being part of it means that Russia cannot attack you without attacking the rest of NATO. It provides very strong security. — Olivier5
It provides very strong security. — Olivier5
Look at what the Americans did in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan — Isaac
Did the US go through villages and towns to specifically loot, rape, execute and kill children? — Christoffer
If the rate of the atrocities Russia conducts were to be continued over the same time period, what do you think their numbers would be? — Christoffer
But what Russia is doing are war crimes, brutal acts of terror that's the worst you can think of. It's not even comparable in the way you're trying to do it. — Christoffer
The US won't kill us... — Christoffer
Did the US go through villages and towns to specifically loot, rape, execute and kill children? — Christoffer
There's no comparison between the US and Russia. Russia is a brutal militaristic fascist regime, the US is just a somewhat imperfect (sick) democracy. How many folks are fleeing the US to go live in Russia nowadays? Not very many, but quite a few are fleeing Russia right now to go pretty much wherever they can afford to go. — Olivier5
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