Couldn't the logic just as easily be that the USA tried to negotiate a reasonable solution but that it correctly read that Russia had territorial ambitions, which have now become apparent. If NATO and the USA had agreed to disarm Ukraine it would have rendered this invasion that much easier.On Sat, Feb 26, 2022 at 4:39 PM Chas Freeman via Salon <salon@listserve.com> wrote:Regrettably, the place of Ukraine in Europe, which might have been decided through negotiations between Moscow and Washington in consultation with Kyiv, will now be decided through interactions by Russian dictation to Ukrainians without reference to either the United States or NATO. Russia's coercive diplomacy failed to elicit an offer to address its longstanding, oft-expressed concerns about the possibility that Ukraine might become part of an American sphere of influence on its border under circumstances in which the United States has officially designated Russia as an adversary. So, Moscow made good on its ultimatum, and used force. As it did so, it moved the goalposts. Now Russia appears to seek the subordination of Ukraine to its domination rather than simply its denial to the United States. This is a tragedy that might have been avoided. Now we are left to hope for a resurrection of diplomacy when there is no clear path to it.Chas--On Sat, Feb 26, 2022 at 10:04 AM Helena Cobban <hcobban@gmail.com> wrote:Tom Pickering, wise as usual: "The end result [of a negotiated resolution] must be respectful, fair, and balanced for the people of Russia and for all other parties."
----------Helena CobbanShe/her/they | Honoring the lives & legacies of the Nacotchtanks & Piscataways in whose lands I liveFollow my writings hereCEO, Just World Books | President and CEO, Just World Educational
On Sat, Feb 26, 2022 at 9:08 AM Chas Freeman via Salon <salon@listserve.com> wrote:--
Salon mailing list
Salon@listserve.com
https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon
Salon mailing list
Salon@listserve.com
https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon