Matt, I am impressed with your article; however, I think you are inaccurately placing the burden of diplomacy solely on the United States. Asserting that the United States government is approaching the crisis in Ukraine with less diplomacy and more fighting is without evidence or merit.
Our government's dance to promote peace without escalation is like a very complicated cranial surgery. If the United States wanted more fighting, I think the US military would go into Ukraine without hesitation. We would put troops on the ground and create a no-fly zone without regard for how Russia might respond. If America wanted to fight, I believe we would not care how badly this war would escalate.
As you know, Russia surrounded Ukraine with over 100,000 troops. Russia has reoccupied Georgia, Moldova, Chechnya, and Crimea within the last ten years under pretenses disregarding their independence. What indications have you seen that Russia wants to come to the peace table? Does continuing the bomb civilians and children support your claim that Russia wants peace?
Ukraine president Zelensky attempts to have a face-to-face meeting with Putin with no indications that Putin is receptive. In the meantime, Pres. Zelinski must maintain a strong stance and continue fighting. He would be going on Zoom asking other nations to pressure Russia to come to the table, Instead of asking for more weapons if he thought negotiations had a chance. I would assume that Pres. Zelinski is doing this through back channels. Since Putin is so set on reestablishing the old Russian Federation, I think he is not receptive to negotiations.
In my opinion, Pres. Biden carefully and methodically puts pressure on Russia to come to the table without escalating the war to other countries. What diplomatic approaches do you see Russia supporting your claim that all America wants is a fight and not diplomacy?
Frightening scenario indeed. Stupid to say, but I wish we could go back a ways in time and make it clear that Ukraine would never be in NATO. I understand Ukraine's security concerns, and I think they were drifting west (admittedly, I'm not basing that on any first-hand experience). But I always thought the expansion was too provocative, and Putin won't live forever. No sense thinking too much about any of that now. I fear, as you've pointed out, that there's not a lot of appetite in the US senior national security positions for possible face-saving ends.
I can understand the desire to help the Ukrainians defend themselves, and doing so might be a part of an effective response. But I'll never wrap my head around how Americans and the press never consider how the US would view the situation if our roles were reversed.
Great article Matt. Have been pondering the same exact thoughts after about one week into this war. Putin is a dangerous man, labeling him a war criminal pushes him more into that corner where he will feel he has nothing to lose or something to prove. The constant bombardment by US news ( well not really news , more opinion) outlets about how Putin is losing this war, or that Ukraine was underestimated by Putin only, in my opinion , makes a guy like Putin more resilient. The US and NATO need to push talks to end this, not to continue an unending convoy of “ defensive “ weapons.
I'm surprised to see such a lack of comments. Wish I had something substantial to add, but will instead just say thank you for your sound thinking and level-headed approach to this. I look forward to more.
Matt, I am impressed with your article; however, I think you are inaccurately placing the burden of diplomacy solely on the United States. Asserting that the United States government is approaching the crisis in Ukraine with less diplomacy and more fighting is without evidence or merit.
Our government's dance to promote peace without escalation is like a very complicated cranial surgery. If the United States wanted more fighting, I think the US military would go into Ukraine without hesitation. We would put troops on the ground and create a no-fly zone without regard for how Russia might respond. If America wanted to fight, I believe we would not care how badly this war would escalate.
As you know, Russia surrounded Ukraine with over 100,000 troops. Russia has reoccupied Georgia, Moldova, Chechnya, and Crimea within the last ten years under pretenses disregarding their independence. What indications have you seen that Russia wants to come to the peace table? Does continuing the bomb civilians and children support your claim that Russia wants peace?
Ukraine president Zelensky attempts to have a face-to-face meeting with Putin with no indications that Putin is receptive. In the meantime, Pres. Zelinski must maintain a strong stance and continue fighting. He would be going on Zoom asking other nations to pressure Russia to come to the table, Instead of asking for more weapons if he thought negotiations had a chance. I would assume that Pres. Zelinski is doing this through back channels. Since Putin is so set on reestablishing the old Russian Federation, I think he is not receptive to negotiations.
In my opinion, Pres. Biden carefully and methodically puts pressure on Russia to come to the table without escalating the war to other countries. What diplomatic approaches do you see Russia supporting your claim that all America wants is a fight and not diplomacy?
Frightening scenario indeed. Stupid to say, but I wish we could go back a ways in time and make it clear that Ukraine would never be in NATO. I understand Ukraine's security concerns, and I think they were drifting west (admittedly, I'm not basing that on any first-hand experience). But I always thought the expansion was too provocative, and Putin won't live forever. No sense thinking too much about any of that now. I fear, as you've pointed out, that there's not a lot of appetite in the US senior national security positions for possible face-saving ends.
I can understand the desire to help the Ukrainians defend themselves, and doing so might be a part of an effective response. But I'll never wrap my head around how Americans and the press never consider how the US would view the situation if our roles were reversed.
Great article Matt. Have been pondering the same exact thoughts after about one week into this war. Putin is a dangerous man, labeling him a war criminal pushes him more into that corner where he will feel he has nothing to lose or something to prove. The constant bombardment by US news ( well not really news , more opinion) outlets about how Putin is losing this war, or that Ukraine was underestimated by Putin only, in my opinion , makes a guy like Putin more resilient. The US and NATO need to push talks to end this, not to continue an unending convoy of “ defensive “ weapons.
More and more people realize that Joe Biden’s cabal and a bipartisan US War party are war criminals and killers.
In words of Patrick Lawrence, Russia's special operation in Ukraine is "Regrettable but necessary."
https://thescrum.substack.com/p/the-casualties-of-empire?s=r
I'm surprised to see such a lack of comments. Wish I had something substantial to add, but will instead just say thank you for your sound thinking and level-headed approach to this. I look forward to more.
Good article! The neocons finally have their long-sought proxy war with Russia.