Earlier quoted context omitted.
Ukraine a working democracy ? Before the war it was one of the most corrupt countries in the European continent. And by applying just a tiny bit of realism, is it feasible for a country right next to a colossal power to have independence ? Do all the small countries south of the US enjoy independence ?
> Ukraine a working democracy ? Straw man. Moscow is ruled by idiots. The war in Ukraine was perhaps the largest own goal of the millennium, ahead of Brexit and possibly right behind—worst case—the Iraq War. > is it feasible for a country right next to a colossal power to have independence ? Yes. Literally how alliances have worked since the Bronze Age.
Nope. Challenge to presuppositions. The argument would be valid only if Ukraine was a threat of a "working democracy"
> Yes. Literally how alliances have worked since the Bronze Age.
Since we are now past the Bronze age could you give me a contemporary example of a small country close to the US that is practically independent and is not meddled with ?
> Moscow is ruled by idiots.
Putin might be a power hungry lunatic — like most leaders — but there is one thing that he certainly isn't, an idiot. Neither is Lavrov.