:lol: that is certainly a viewpoint. It is the viewpoint of a paranoid, low-information Russian voter believing whatever Putin tells him on state-controlled media, but it is certainly a viewpoint.
No it is a viewpoint backed up by facts. The fact is, contrary to assurances made to Gorbhachev, NATO not only expanded inches eastward but hundreds of miles. And there is the very real possibility that it will expand into Ukraine. As we speak Ukraine is preparing for joint military exercises on Ukraine's eastern border with Russia. What do you think NATO was formed for? It was formed to contain Russia. There is nothing paranoid or low information about it.
Wait. Your case depends on the notion that Putin suddenly realized that Russia had been pursuing control of warm water access for centuries because Victoria Nuland is married to a writer?
No, it depends on the notion that there was no other reason for Nuland to take the steps that she did after Yanukovych rejected the EU association offer except to preempt the rise of Russia. Yeah, that little, inconsequential writer, happens to be a very influential thinker in the US foreign policy establishment. Preemption of Russia is exactly what Nuland was trying to accomplish through her activities. So yeah, the fact that she is married to a very prominent advocate of Russian preemption, is relevant.
Yep, directly fomenting protest against a democratically elected leader. She was passing out food to protesters right before she meet with Yanukovych, where she directly threatened him. Threatening a very influential oligarch, Akhmetov, that if he didn't put pressure on Yanukovych he would be exposed, were all heavy handed tactics.
As for pre-empting the expansion of Russian Influence - duh?
Yes sir! In fact Yanukovych had rejected the EU offer and was about to accept a Russian counteroffer. That's preempting the rise of Russian influence in Ukraine.
So it demonstrates her arrogance and disdain for the rest of the world as she went about pursuing her goal of preempting the rise of Russian influence in Ukraine. That's what's "so."
That is incorrect. Yanukovych's actions led to his own overthrow, when he became too obviously blatantly a tool of Putin. The lady you are accusing of fomenting this said mean things about the EU AFTER Yanukovych had fled.
No, Yanukovych would still be in office if Nuland had not put pressure on Akhmetov. Here's what Steven Pifer, former US ambassador to Ukraine and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State had to say right before Nuland issued the threats:
Rinat Akhmetov, the wealthiest oligarch, has been fairly close to Mr. Yanukovych
I think it would be useful if Mr. Akhmetov was using his influence with President Yanukovych to encourage him to negotiate in a serious way to find a solution.
If there was some threat that there might be financial or travel sanctions on Mr. Akhmetov, that could be a useful lever
Akhmetov also controlled a bloc of about 45 MPs in parliament that abandoned Yanukovych as a result of US pressure. So yeah, it lead to his overthrow
Ukraine was not about to join NATO, however, think about what you are saying - you are admitting that Russia was going to pursue it's national interests, which is precisely both the realist and neocon argument.
Although it is not likely that Ukraine will join NATO under the administration of Obama, Bush before him pushed for it. And there are influential people, some of whom are in the US senate that have called for it. So there is a very real possibility that Ukraine could join NATO.
No one is disputing that nations will pursue their interests and that is not an observation that is unique to the neocons. What I find disturbing about there position is the notion that we should preempt the rise of potential rivals. Preemption should be used in the case of preventing a clear and present danger. Otherwise it becomes a prescription for perpetual war because of the very fact that nations will always pursue their interests.
Incorrect. The warm water port wasn't put in jeopardy, but rather became a potential risk because Putin pushed his toady too far.
No, it was in jeopardy and was put in risk because Nuland decided to ram through the EU association agreement.