Ukraine-Russia crisis: What’s Russia’s problem with NATO?

“If Ukraine is in NATO, then it is not just at Russia's doorstep, it literally is on the threshold.” We asked a Russian expert to explain the country’s main issues with NATO’s expansion eastwards.

[alanbailey]

A very famous man once said "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" Remember how we felt about Cuba?

[adamrfu]

- Let's BE HONEST TOWARDS RUSSIAN & US/NATO SECURITY POLICY:
1). Russia asked security guarantee from US/NATO, bacause:
Even if russia didn't invade ukraine & didn't invade georgia.., NATO would still expanding to the eastern europe. Because NATO expanding east itself started since the 90', Long before russia invade georgia (2008) & ukraine (2014).
.
2). Why russia won't allow NATO expanding to eastern europe?
Because NATO expanding east, means there will be potential US bases, missile & nuclear weapons deployment near russian border (eastern europe)

Let's BE HONEST towards US & RUSSIAN SECURITY POLICY TOWARDS EACH OTHERS:
.
3). Russia won't allow more eastern european (including ukraine) and caucasian countries to join NATO.
JUST like the US won't allow central/latin american countries (including cuba/venezuela) to join russian led alliances (CSTO/ SCO)
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4). Russia won't allow US missile & nuclear weapons deployment near russian border (eastern europe)
JUST like US won't allow russian missile & nuclear weapons deployment near US border (central america)o

[LegionnaireGaming]

I fully believe that the US should stay out of this issue. There is no business to be held there for the country. Gotta stop sticking noses in to problems that have nothing to do with the US. Gotta worry about the country first before the rest of the world.

[ActuallyWally]

How would nato react if asian bloc were to deploy their troops, bases, and military weapons on the european border or in Mexico?

[bnlbnl]

The problem is that nato targets Russia. NATO is not defensive … what was defensive weapons were 5000 helmets and a field hospital given by Germany to Ukraine. Good choice of message ! Well done Berlin.

[bongbonglelina]

Russia is a country. NATO is not a country, It is MILITARIZED ORGANIZATION to serve its individual politicians

[ChesnokOrNot]

Russia was open to improving relations with NATO after the soviet union fell, but they kinda got snubbed. They wanted the west out of their sphere of influence, since NATO is still kinda anti-russia. Eventually, when Ukraine (and Georgia) got too close to joining NATO, Russia stepped in and invaded. Was that necessary?
No.
Did the west need to keep expanding onto Russia despite possibility for good relations?
No.

[hockeystick]

NATO was formed in 1949 at the Pentagon, to stop a Soviet invasion of Europe, it was a military alliance led by the US. Even though at the time, a devastated Russia was an ally and not remotely interested in expansion - Russia was so not interested in conflict, it even prevented Communist Revolutions in European countries such as Greece, and China, so as to avoid more war. In 1954 Russia even asked to join NATO and reunify East and West Germany but both were refused by the US who wanted to maintain the militarization of the area.

So, a Russian invasion never materialised, the Soviet Union collapsed, but NATO carried on existing, and finally got into its first war in 1995, where it began its trademark tactic of saving people by dropping tens of thousands of bombs on them.

But in terms of Ukraine...

Russia has deployed 100K troops near Ukraine several times over recent years, and its hasn't been an issue.

However, Ukraine is strategically important for any invasion of Russia from the west, as demonstrated during WW2, which is why the US is interested.

And more recently it was the US who pulled out of a key nuclear treaty with Russia, aimed at preventing the proliferation of missiles. It is also, the only NATO country that engages in 'nuclear sharing' which it obviously will not admit with Ukraine until after the fact.

And following its defeat in Afganistan, its record defence budget, and disastrous domestic policy, its not hard to see where this is going...

As usual the people who will suffer most if this conflict develops will be the ones the US is claiming to want to save, while it engages in its imperial efforts to prevent Russian self determination in order to maintain its position as a global empire.

[lamhasai]

its same problem what US had during cuba crisis

[DgurlSunshine]

"What’s NATO's problem with Russia?" is the better question

[tugful]

I am from Ukraine. Until 2014 idea of joining NATO wasn't popular here. But annexation of Crimea and War in Donbass are changing everything.

[knightfury]

Or should I ask, "What is NATO's problem with Russia?"

[DavyRo]

I can't believe your asking this question. If any NATO nation had the missiles on its borders pointing at it like Russia has what do you think their reaction would be?

[thyscott]

Took me so many years to understand, why Russia does not want to border NATO countries. Russia is afraid they might be dragged into a war because of some border skirmish.

[kenfu]

beeing an american asset for americas imperialism in the world

[joshuacondell]

NATO expanding and encircling Russia is the problem.

[MeatVision]

I guess Ukraine should drop NATO alignment for now, as proof of good faith and to end this standoff. I mean, I understand that Russia is not an innocent political power, but Ukraine is trying to install a new NATO member in their doorstep

[adithenes]

Where is the UN soldiers? Will they are participate to bring the peace for both side in the borders???? Are they still useful? But unfortunately UN members also the part of Nato and US allies.. how hypocrite for this side

[lemuria]

I see now with the research I have done one the topic

The facts are
Nato was warned not to make allies of gerogia and Ukraine or Russia would have no choice but to most likely start a war

And nato recently made Georgia a nato member and started moving closer to Ukraine

So naturally Russia took crimea as a response to Georgia joining nato

So yes the fault is with nato Russia is simply making good on things they already promised if nato crossed the line in the sand

[marti_abernathey]

It's absurd that this is even a question that needs to be explained. The USA threatened global thermonuclear war when Russia tried something similar in Cuba.