Russia - General Discussion.

[Feanor]

Somewhat off-topic, random find rom 2001

HS Foreign 4.9.2001 - Tones of reconciliation during Putin visit

I guess he changed his stance on that.

Did he? Is Russia's position that the current annexations are the best way to solve the problem they have? Or would they take the stance that this is far from the best way, but the best way didn't work or wasn't an option? One could argue that the best way for Putin would be to have someone like Lukashenko in charge. But if that's not possible, then other options are on the table. In general of course Putin & Co. have come a long way since the early 2000's and their view on Russia's relationship with the west and on the international order today are very different from what they were back then.

 

[personaldesas]

Did he? Is Russia's position that the current annexations are the best way to solve the problem they have? Or would they take the stance that this is far from the best way, but the best way didn't work or wasn't an option? One could argue that the best way for Putin would be to have someone like Lukashenko in charge. But if that's not possible, then other options are on the table.

that reading turns it into "i wouldnt do it if i had a better option", which is true of literally every decision anyone ever makes. which means the statement would have not meant anything at all. which is a plausible reading.

but it also assumes there was a problem that needed solving urgently. ukraine not having a lukashenko isnt urgent, its just something they didnt like. living with that was always an option.

 

[Feanor]

that reading turns it into "i wouldnt do it if i had a better option", which is true of literally every decision anyone ever makes. which means the statement would have not meant anything at all. which is a plausible reading.

Remember what Russia was dealing with in 2001 - a Chechen separatist insurgency. Of course you don't want borders to change. And this was before Kosovo. It's always interesting to see how opinions change over time, and I don't think this is a statement Putin would have made today.

but it also assumes there was a problem that needed solving urgently. ukraine not having a lukashenko isnt urgent, its just something they didnt like. living with that was always an option.

So if we take that 25 year old statement in today's context it would mean "it was a worse option then having Lukashenko in charge but a better option than simply living with a western-oriented Ukraine".

 

[personaldesas]

Yeah, 100%, saying borders shouldn't change was clearly just a useful thing to say given the circumstances, and not a principle. Which I guess is pretty normal for a politician.

And honestly I don't think anyone should be held to something they said 25 years ago as some eternal yardstick. I mostly just thought it was a curiosity.