The previous moments of tension between both blocs could help to understand what can happen now between Russia and Ukraine. One of the most recent examples, Crimea, in 2014.”Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula and, in addition, he unofficially supported the separatists,” explains Álvaro de Argüelles, an analyst at ‘El Orden Mundial’.
In this sense, Jesús Núñez, co-director of the Institute for Conflict Studies and Humanitarian Action, indicated at that time there were “14,000 deadand yet, in no case did the US commit itself militarily, nor did NATO”.
2008, Georgia
Another key moment was in 2008, in Georgia. Russia sent troops to the country. “When Russia intervenes in Georgia, it does so in response to the attack by the Georgian army,” says Ruth Ferrero, professor of Political Science at the Complutense University of Madrid.
Álvaro de Argüelles points out in this regard that “Russia seized two territories from Georgia for trying to get closer to the environment of the EU and NATO”. “At that time, if Georgia thought that the US and NATO were going to support it, they were left with the desire, because there was no such response”, he affirms, for his part, Jesus Nunez.
The answer was more economic sanctions, since they were imposed with Crimea and, with them, Putin is now being threatened. “They’re telling Russia that below that level called ‘invasion,’ you can keep doing the same he has done so far with virtually no consequences.
1999, Yugoslavia
It was in 1999 when NATO made a move in Europe and bombed Yugoslavia, which, at the time, was an ally of Russia. “It was a unilateral action that violated all the articles of the transatlantic charter. The civilian population was bombed with the excuse of protecting another civilian population,” says Ruth Ferrero.
For his part, the co-director of the Institute for Conflict Studies and Humanitarian Action recalls that that action “was not answered militarily by Russiaalthough obviously it continued to maintain support, and maintains it today, for that Serbia that is fundamental”.
All these moments of tension help to understand what can happen now in Ukraine. Diplomacy so far has worked.
Source: Lasexta
Mario Twitchell is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his insightful and thought-provoking writing on a wide range of topics including general and opinion. He currently works as a writer at 247 news agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
