Quote (Leeevee @ 27 Feb 2022 07:14)
I'm not saying you're wrong in people believing wrong shit about the UKR-RUS situation. My personal stance is that Russia's hands were pretty much tied, UKR did not provide a way out for the seperatists and NATO would not have UKR join them. Had UKR joined, UKR would walk into the Crimea and Russia would be unable to respond because it will lead to a war with NATO, while if the UKR did not join and did not solve the seperatist situation Russia would sooner or later solve the situation for them and make sure the solution stays in place.
Article 5 doesn't automatically trigger on aggressive actions by NATO members, justified or not. Ukraine would have to have joined prior to annexation of Crimea to be guaranteed support in retaking Crimea. Joining after Crimea would provoke some internal discussion about it and perhaps spur more sanctions but not allow for Crimea to be invaded carte blanche. This is even recently demonstrated by the illegal war in Iraq by the US and some allied nations. NATO didn't follow the US in, even when American soldiers died. Russia would be completely free to defend Crimea without triggering article 5. It wouldn't be able to invade Ukraine proper, but it could certainly defend Crimea.