If Ukraine or NATO promise that Ukraine won’t join and Putin doesn’t invade again, he wouldn’t have anyway. The urge to find some way to compromise, a normal human instinct, isn’t something dictators possess. Conceding to a bully only encourages him.
Appeasers from Tucker and Gabbard to UK Labour, to French far right and left to Orban say—some as Putin sycophants, some in good faith stupidity—that Putin cares about NATO expansion when it has never been a factor in his 8-yr war on Ukraine and Europe.
It’s pathetic and self-destructive to run around to find some way to appease Putin when the only thing that changes his behavior is deterrence based targeting his money and his grip on power. Lavishing attention and groveling about NATO only emboldens him.
Stop trying to meet evil halfway. This isn’t a normal political negotiation with sincere concerns or saving face. It’s a brutal dictator waging war on innocent people. It’s not only wrong to give an inch, it’s a doomed policy. Deterrence is based on strength alone.
Add that Putin’s promises are worth nothing. Like any dictator, he will do what he likes as soon as he thinks he can get away with it, never less, never more. Making voluntary concessions only convinces him you’re too weak to stop him, or you would.
This desperation to give something to Putin so he won't attack again is a victim mentality, the attitude of helpless prey toward a predator. Not only does this fail, but the West holds every advantage except the will to use them.
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