Earlier quoted context omitted.
The problem of EU as I see it is that it is comprised of "normal" European countries - meaning, for all of their economic development, small-ish and not having direct military ambitions, or requirement to have those. These are countries living in their cute doll house. USA isn't "normal european country" - but it's far. Russia is not a normal european country and cannot be one, much as a hippo cannot be a horse. Turk…
> The problem of EU as I see it is that it is comprised of "normal" European countries - meaning, for all of their economic development, small-ish and not having direct military ambitions, or requirement to have those. If Russia were a member of the EU, it would not even make it to the top 3 of largest economies in the union. Nor will the military be anything remarkable after Soviet stockpiles run out or rot away wit…
The problem is that we were promised this "inevitable transformation" by various parties in 1994 and in 1999 and in 2004 and in 2009 and in 2014 (with more hysterical undertones) and in 2019. Here we are in 2024 and instead of that inevitable transformation we are in the midst of a big war, and not only ones at that.
> people really do live better, happier, safer and more fulfilling lives in Europe.
I don't think anybody ever argued with it; much like how living in LA or Barcelona is a vastly more superior option than living in North Dakota or Bucharest.
But the main question here is whether the EU magic dust can make life in Ukraine any better, in the amounts supplied and administred by Ukraine. Crimea bet against that and Donetsk/Lugansk population also bet against that. I do believe people live better, happier, safer and more fulfilling lives in Sevastopol these days than they do in Odessa on the other side of the front.
"Beating and raping her" applies to Ukraine's treatment of Donetsk, Lugansk and Crimea before you can apply it to Russia. Ukraine should realize they will have to part with those relations which now only exist in their heads.
And before you say most people in Crimea didn't really choose to be overrun by little green men: Most people in Ukraine didn't really choose to get rid of their president by the means of Maidan coup either. Sometimes we play the cards which were dealt.