Western politicians like Donald Trump and Nigel Farage are amplifying Vladimir Putin’s claims that NATO is responsible for the war in Ukraine, risking the legitimization of Russian imperialism. However, various analysts and commentators, including Peter Dickinson writing for Politico, argue that Putin's invasion of Ukraine is driven by imperial ambitions rooted in Russian history, not by NATO expansion. Evidence suggests that if NATO posed a genuine threat to Russia, Putin would have reacted strongly to Finland’s recent accession to NATO. Instead, he showed indifference, even withdrawing troops from the Finnish border. This indicates that Putin’s issue is with Ukrainian independence, not NATO.
"Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine was the product of imperial ambitions deeply rooted in Russian history. He wasn’t provoked into waging war because of NATO enlargement, which he sees as posing no discernible threat." https://t.co/hKFwSpItLU
If Putin invaded Ukraine to prevent NATO expansion, why did he then react with such indifference to the NATO accession of neighbouring Finland and withdraw most of his troops from the Finnish border? Clearly, Putin’s problem is with Ukraine not NATO READ MORE ⬇️ https://t.co/DV15IeG2mF
If Putin invaded Ukraine to prevent NATO expansion, why did he then react with such indifference to the NATO accession of neighbouring Finland and withdraw most of his troops from the Finnish border? READ MORE ⬇️ https://t.co/EMLd7O0b12
"[Putin's] evident indifference toward Finnish and Swedish #NATO membership makes a mockery of his claims of feeling existentially threatened by Ukraine’s far weaker ties to the alliance." https://t.co/Zvj3pgNhxf
Putin says he invaded Ukraine to prevent closer ties with NATO, but when neighbouring Finland actually joined the alliance, Putin was silent and even withdrew most Russian troops from the Finnish border. Putin uses NATO as an excuse to disguise Russian imperialism READ MORE ⬇️ https://t.co/rutBb75iHt
Putin's indifference to Finnish NATO membership proves he does not view NATO as a threat to Russia. He blames NATO to disguise his own imperial ambitions. Politicians like Trump and Farage who echo the Kremlin risk legitimizing Russian imperialism LINK: https://t.co/vm2bd3Mydx https://t.co/LVn9MpzFcT
"If Putin genuinely felt NATO posed any threat to Russia, he would have vigorously protested Finland’s decision to join and taken steps to strengthen Russia’s military presence along the country’s new border with NATO. Instead, he did the exact opposite." https://t.co/vm2bd3Mydx
Sorry Farage, Putin is provoked by Ukrainian independence — not NATO https://t.co/Vw8ow1xlqK
Putin was provoked by Ukrainian independence not NATO expansion, writes Peter Dickinson for @politico https://t.co/Iaxh51vyLh
Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine was the product of imperial ambitions deeply rooted in Russian history that predate NATO’s foundation by centuries. He was provoked by Ukrainian statehood not NATO expansion https://t.co/vm2bd3Mydx
'By amplifying Putin’s bogus claims of @NATO’s responsibility for today’s war, Western politicians like Trump and @Nigel_Farage risk legitimizing Russian imperialism, while obscuring the true causes behind the invasion. This will only embolden the Kremlin and lead to... (1/3) https://t.co/uk1s2Dc8GN
OPINION: Sorry Nigel Farage, Vladimir Putin is provoked by Ukrainian independence — not NATO. https://t.co/6USV8lL5p7
By amplifying Putin’s bogus claims of NATO’s responsibility for today’s war, Western politicians like Trump and Farage risk legitimizing Russian imperialism, writes Business Ukraine publisher Peter Dickinson in @politico https://t.co/vm2bd3Mydx