My latest for the Atlantic Council reflects on the cost of appeasing Russian leaders for the crime of aggression: invasion, occupation, annexation.
What will be some of the costs if this policy is pursued? ⬇️🧵
https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/can-russia-be-held-accountable-for-the-crime-of-aggression-in-ukraine/
What will be some of the costs if this policy is pursued? ⬇️🧵
https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/can-russia-be-held-accountable-for-the-crime-of-aggression-in-ukraine/
Comments
Russia will argue it successfully deterred-even cowed-the US.
If an "economic mouse" is still seen as besting US tiger, many other vying powers will test boundaries.
It is therefore a direct referendum of US credibility on the world stage."
North Korea, Belarus, & Iran already testing & escalating...
If the US allows Russia to claim victory or hold ANY of Ukraine's recognized territory, Putin has won, demonstrating the new winning formula: Aggression + Atrocities.
New copycats will emerge. A global arms race will likely follow.
Moscow wants Ukraine's vast land, people, natural resources & ever-more powerful military industry + technology.
Hitler & Stalin knew this playbook. We must recognize it again.
Centuries-long pattern of Moscow doing this to raise expansionist armies. Russia does not intend to stay within its borders-or contained in Ukraine's.
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/05/03/opinions/russia-history-deporting-ukraine-children-hook-gaidai/index.html
In 2024, the House (incl Speaker Mike Johnson) overwhelmingly named Russia as committing "genocide" by 390-9 margin.
No one can claim they didn't see this coming.
https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/us-house-resolution-russian-abduction-of-ukrainian-children-is-genocide/