When Ukraine agreed to give up the third largest nuclear stockpile, in the world, in exchange for its freedoms and borders being respected, it was seen as a peaceful way forward. Russia agreed (<a href="https://theconversation.com/ukraine-war-what-is-the-budapest-memorandum-and-why-has-russias-invasion-torn-it-up-178184" target="_blank">https://theconversation.com/ukraine-war-what-is-the-budapest-memorandum-and-why-has-russias-invasion-torn-it-up-178184</a>).Russia's effort to obliterate Ukraine sends several clear messages to the world:1. The international order and the UN will not do anything to protect you. 2. Your borders are not secure, even when treaties are signed.3. You must make substantial investment in your military - and become a porcupine.4. This military investment should include a nuclear deterrent to truly be effective long term (consider North Korea's survival)5. Dictators and authoritarians everywhere will come to understand that you get to keep what you can take because there is no consequence for actions.Do we want to encourage more nuclear proliferation?Do freedom loving peoples have the opportunity to choose the type of life they wish to lead?Do we let the international order, which has guaranteed peace in Europe for the longest period in its history, to be destroyed?Do we want despots to learn they can do whatever they want?If the West fails to decisively defeat Russia, these lessons will be learned by peoples across the globe. For the sake of all peaceful, freedom loving people, nothing less than a full victory is required.

When Ukraine agreed to give up the third largest nuclear stockpile, in the world, in exchange for its freedoms and borders being respected, it was seen as a peaceful way forward. Russia agreed (<a href="https://theconversation.com/ukraine-war-what-is-the-budapest-memorandum-and-why-has-russias-invasion-torn-it-up-178184" target="_blank">https://theconversation.com/ukraine-war-what-is-the-budapest-memorandum-and-why-has-russias-invasion-torn-it-up-178184</a>).Russia's effort to obliterate Ukraine sends several clear messages to the world:1. The international order and the UN will not do anything to protect you. 2. Your borders are not secure, even when treaties are signed.3. You must make substantial investment in your military - and become a porcupine.4. This military investment should include a nuclear deterrent to truly be effective long term (consider North Korea's survival)5. Dictators and authoritarians everywhere will come to understand that you get to keep what you can take because there is no consequence for actions.Do we want to encourage more nuclear proliferation?Do freedom loving peoples have the opportunity to choose the type of life they wish to lead?Do we let the international order, which has guaranteed peace in Europe for the longest period in its history, to be destroyed?Do we want despots to learn they can do whatever they want?If the West fails to decisively defeat Russia, these lessons will be learned by peoples across the globe. For the sake of all peaceful, freedom loving people, nothing less than a full victory is required.

user
no
assistant