The Jamestown Foundation’s Eurasian Daily Monitor looks at the sequelae of Russia’s invasion of Georgia 15 years ago. It suggests we apply to the current war in Ukraine lessons learned from how the hurried “settlement” in Georgia has turned out
Yes, the fighting stopped, but now what remains of Georgia is acting largely as a Russian client state and making nice with China. I’d guess Putin would settle for a Ukraine that acted like Georgia now acts. Particularly if he gets to keep the Donbas and Crimea.
We are left to draw our own conclusions. Is that how we’d prefer Ukraine - one of Europe’s largest nations - to act going forward? Likely it is not. Damn certain it isn't what the people of Ukraine prefer.
Unlike the Georgians, the Ukrainians want to fight for their nationhood. As long as they do, I believe they’re worth supporting.
Tying the Russian army down fighting Ukraine's relatively large population keeps it from invading other, smaller nations that were also formerly Russian colonies, thinly disguised as parts of the USSR. You know Putin would if he could, the term "realpolitik" seems to fit him. Hat tip to RealClearWorld for the link.
