A senseless conflict Flashcards
Efforts to de-escalate pre-invasion.
December 2021, Russia took the initiative of proposing 2 draft mutual security treaties. One B/W Russia and USA, the other B/W Russia and NATO. Both for negotiation.
The US and NATO summarily dismissed Russia’s proposals.
That is, no negotiation on:
1. Nuclear-capable weapons on Russia’s borders,
2. Arming Ukraine,
3. NATO expansion,
4. Withdrawal from the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF)
NATO military exercises
NATO/US regularly host military exercises with Ukraine:
July 2021, Operation Sea Breeze in the Black Sea, involved 32 countries (including Australia).
Warships, Warplanes etc.
September 2021, Joint military exercises in western Ukraine involved 15 NATO nations.
British PM Boris Johnson and negotiated agreement.
April 9 2022, Johnson made surprise visit to Kyiv.
Johnson reportedly told Zelenskyy to stop talking to the Russians and concentrate on defeating them militarily.
Senior advisers to Zelenskyy said that Johnson told him the UK would NOT be party to any agreement B/W Ukraine and Russia.
Cease-fire negotiations in early stages
Russian and Ukrainian negotiators met on 28 Feb 2022.
Again, on 3 and 7 March.
10 March in Antalya, Turkey (Turkey mediating),
14-17 March video calls.
Resulted in a 15-point plan that Zelenskyy called “more realistic” that previous proposals.
US Nuclear weapons in NATO countries.
Two NATO nations choose to produce their own.
- Belgium,
- Germany,
- Italy,
- Netherlands,
- Turkey.
The UK and France have their own nuclear arsenals.
US “Missile defense” systems.
These systems can be converted to fire offensive nuclear missiles. Situated in Romania and Poland.
Warsaw to Moscow = approx 1000km,
Bucharest to Moscow = approx 1500km.
