The West should have been 'harder' on Putin after Russia’s annexation of Crimea | Lord Hague

“Western policy at that time, for years after that was to try to get Putin down the path of a reasonable peace.”

William Hague says that in hindsight, he would have responded ‘differently’ to Russia’s annexation of Crimea when he was foreign secretary.

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[Sralit]

Of course we knew enough then. It is completely unacceptable for one country to annex another countries territory. We should have responded much stronger!

[Rio.Motel.]

We all partied after 2014 in the 2016 winter Olympics and 2018 World Cup! Putin was given the impression even encouraged to press on with his fantasies!

[cnoyes]

The west should have been harder on Putin after the invasion of Georgia. That may have given Putin pause before considering invading and annexing Crimea.

[gwmoore]

The west should have been harder on the Putin regime after he and the FSB blew up the apartment buildings and blamed it on Chechen separatists.

[vihmake]

In my opinion UK has always had more reasonable approach to Russia than France or Germany. Germany has its WW2 psychological complexes. France has increadibly idealised, romantic image of Russia. They both are very permissive and understanding. At least this is how it looks like from were I live, close to the western borders of Russia.

[amandadonaghey]

Ukraine must be helped to WIN not just to defend themselves .

[PeterSedesse]

Anyone who thinks this war will go on for 3 years is only looking at the military aspect. The Dec5th and Feb5th sanctions on Russia were brutal and is crushing their economy. Their bank is dwindling fast, maybe a couple more months, and then they are going to have to either cut social spending on hospitals, schools and infrastructure, or cut military spending. Selling to China and India is not like people think, the price they have to sell at, and the shipping costs involved make it almost unprofitable. At the same time they have no market at all for natural gas, which they have simply been burning off for 6 months now. The Russian finance ministry releases monthly numbers, and since December they are absolutely abysmal. Tax Revenues are down 46% and spending is up 30%. And the war chest they had in Feb2022 is gone.

[steve-real]

It’s not just Putin. There are deep historical narratives every country has and Russian imperialism is ancient.

[Lew]

The USA sat back and did nothing. We knew better and we had the power to prevent this tragedy. We have a horrible combination of arrogance and cowardice.

[robplazzman]

At the time Russian multimillionaires we’re still getting visas for sticking a couple of million into U.K. bank accounts. The Investor Visa route closed down in the U.K. just a few days before Putin invaded in feb 2022. May have been a contributing factor to the lacklustre response.

[jchur]

Politicians should read YouTube comments. The general public know better, but current politicians seem not to possess insight or foresight.

[horseman]

We must show an expansionist dictator that we love freedoms for not only ourselves but also for our neighbours more that he loves to subjugate neighbours.

[andrewjacobson]

We played a role in liberating Europe twice we should consider the possibility that we might have to do it again?

[videomaniac]

She cannot see how learning from one's mistakes in the past can be beneficial in guiding one's behavior in the present to achieve a desired future? There's a good example of the kind of thinking that got Europe in this mess with Putin in the first place. Those who fail to learn from the mistakes of history are condemned to repeat those mistakes in the future.

[bobukwales]

They all got bought by Russian money (Londongrad).

[W_Bin]

UK should honour its treaty obligations under the Budapest Memorandum. It should have in 2014.
That doesn't mean lip service or dragging it out, handwringing that people might tell it not to if they drag it out long enough.
Nor does it mean people trading.
It means GUARANTEEING BORDERS.

[kalekold]

We need to help Ukraine WIN! Give them what they need because Putin will not stop at one country.

[dirtyharry]

Tsar under warrant arrest. Waiting for first opportunity to catch bstrd😁

[MainMan]

It is irrelevant to consider whether the response in 2014 was inadequate. Western countries are not providing Ukraine with adequate assistance NOW.

[keith]

Everything is easier in hindsight we should have been tougher with putin after he illegally annexed Crimea