Did you know that Putin asked ca. 5 times to join NATO, but that NATO refused?

[Subduction Zone]

Snap! (see post 22)

My old eyes missed that since I am using a tablet that is eight inches instead of my desktop. But yes, Putin didn't ask to join. He thought NATO should come to him and make a special deal for him.

 

[stvdv]

In any case, NATO has some rules about entry into the club (as does every club). These are:

• New members must uphold democracy, including tolerating diversity.
• New members must be making progress toward a market economy.
• Their military forces must be under firm civilian control.
• They must be good neighbors and respect sovereignty outside their borders.
• They must be working toward compatibility with NATO forces.

Do you think that Russia meets all of these requirements (I think they meet precisely none of them)? And if they don't, why should NATO waive the rules and allow them to join?

I don't think Russia meets all criteria
But if they were willing to work towards it...

On the other hand people usually don't change, but then they could be kicked out, having had their chance

 

[Subduction Zone]

I don't think Russia meets all criteria
But if they were willing to work towards it...

On the other hand people usually don't change, but then they could be kicked out, having had their chance

Did you read the article that both @exchemist and I linked? Putin is not willing to do that.

 

[stvdv]

I knew that Putin had broached the subject of joining NATO (from various news sources), and possibly more than once, but I don't know how genuine he was (given he's a lying *******), and perhaps he was just looking for an excuse to promote his agenda (to his own mob) - 'look, these Western fascists hate Russia so why shouldn't we do everything in our power to subvert them, and get what we want' (whatever that is).

Thanks

I didn't know about it till 2 days ago

Head of KGB can be trusted to "not be trustworthy" imo. And usually people won't give up bad habits.

But some do advise to "keep our enemies close"

 

[stvdv]

Did you read the article that both @exchemist and I linked? Putin is not willing to do that.

Yes, I read it

Did you read the OP?

 

[Revoltingest]

MH17...got "my" brothers and sisters killed. Should give you a clue how much I love Putin...and all the innocent Ukrainians

Putin is no Saint, nor did the USA acted always saintly (Dutches created heaps of 'bad' karma too)

This was all info you needed

Because I never heard of Putin wanting to join NATO, I was curious if others heard about it before. That was all

And seeing people having problems answering even this simple question I think you get it why I kept it simple

OK.
You just stepped into an issue that's
more complex than a couple RF
posters have presented.

 

[Revoltingest]

No, not really. I am not anti-USA. Closest would be "I am anti-rich elite", who play war games making normal people suffer. And those we have in Holland too, though less, being a smaller country

There really is no "rich elite" in the sense that some
shadowy figures conspire to reap rewards from war.
It's a single thug, Vlad Putin, who caused & continues
to cause it all.

 

[stvdv]

It's a single thug, Vlad Putin, who caused & continues to cause it all.

Would be great if there is only 1 thug responsible

 

[Subduction Zone]

Would be great if there is only 1 thug responsible

That appears to be the case this time.

 

[Revoltingest]

Would be great if there is only 1 thug responsible

"If"?
Who, other than Putin (Russia's all powerful leader)
could've started this war? Zelensky? Sorso?