The Deep Causes of the Russia-Ukraine Conflict
The US and its European allies aim to peel Ukraine away from the Soviet orbit and incorporate it into the West. The US fundamental goal has been to make Ukraine a western bulwark on Russia’s border. Russia says this isn’t happening period end the story, and Russia will do everything to make sure it does not occur. This is the key strategy of the US. First, NATO expansion. Since the cold war ended, America moved NATO eastward toward Russia’s border starting with the Clinton administration. Second, EU Expansion is all about integrating Ukraine economically into the west, and third fostering an orange revolution by promoting democracy in Ukraine and other places. America runs around the world trying to topple regimes and put in their place democratically elected governments. For almost all people now, including me, it’s hard to be against promoting democracy. But if you are Vladimir Putin or part of leadership in Beijing when the US talks about democracy promotion, that means toppling y...
