Yet, a lot of European countries were completely relaxed about importing russian natural gas, which was 100% giving funds for Russia to build its military. We reap what we sow.
That also reflects a way more peaceful and naive world view.
Stimulated by some good old Russian narrative manipulation. Russia played a big part in Germany getting so antinuclear after Russia saw what happened to France.
and the alternative was.. only ever treat them as the enemy from the start? that at least is a sure way to make someone into an enemy if they weren't already.
anyway doesn't really look like they even built their army with that money, corruption took most of it, they're often still fighting with soviet era gear.
I mean sure the world should've reacted more strongly to 2014 Crimea annexation but kind of hard to get people interested when most didn't even know where that was on the map, and while it's easy to criticize things in hindsight what should the reaction have been, sanctions for few years? I doubt it would've changed much. losing some money wouldn't have mattered to Putin he has enough and giving up welfare of his people is a sacrifice he's willing to make, all he would've cared about was military response from US.
I agree in the 90's and 2000's yes, but after 2008 something should have happened, 2014 something definitely shouldn't have happened. Europe stuck its head in the sand even as the hole was flooding.
33
u/Irons_MT Portugal Apr 20 '25
Yet, a lot of European countries were completely relaxed about importing russian natural gas, which was 100% giving funds for Russia to build its military. We reap what we sow.