LogFAQs > #974772931

thronedfire2 posted...

but that is literally the only way they can join, countries aren't allowed in if they have active territorial disputes. so they would have to give up Crimea to get Russia out of the rest of Ukraine

There is no such thing as a rule that is absolutely unchangeable, especially when we are talking about a construct like a security pact. And one nation, America, has such an overdue influence over the nature of the pact that they could very easily have it changed if they pushed for it. If they really wanted Ukraine to join, they'd find a way to have them join.

And in fact, NATO has already changed immensely from its original forming anyways because its entire purpose was as security for Europe against the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact, which no longer exists. Notably, when the Soviet Union dissolved and the Warsaw Pact was no more, no one helplessly said, "Oh, well, I can't NATO can't exist anymore!".

Accepting that circumstances can change and that nations must adapt to them rather than inflexibly adhering to frameworks that no longer work is incredibly important, and in this case, necessary for preventing the misery being forced upon Ukraine right now. NATO should commit to enforcing Ukraine's border integrity, including Crimea, because if there is never a line in the sand, Russia will just keep trying this with nation after nation, over and over again.