Possible expansion of NATO

[Exfarmer]

But NATO exists for precisely the reason I mentioned and is backed by states who have nuclear weapons.

If NATO already exists and has done so, ensuring the peace for 50 odd years, what then does the EU want with an army?

Much criticism has been directed at NATO but it has clearly worked and has cooperated closely on a few missions which were not within the Soviet/Russian sphere- i.e. Kosovo/Bosnia, USA (9/11 attack counter terror effort), Somalia, Afghanistan, etc.

I don't see the need for an EU army and I think the very existence of one would be inflammatory toward the Russians. NATO does not really serve any political master, and a member state might not take part in every operation (some of them can't as they have limited assets). I'm very dubious about what an EU army would be for and who would command it.

I can assure you NATO has had no part in Somalia. The Russians yes, the US yes, possibly a range of Moslem states yes.

 

[ollie989898]

I can assure you NATO has had no part in Somalia. The Russians yes, the US yes, possibly a range of Moslem states yes.

Sorry, I meant the Gulf of Aden/Somali piracy part was a NATO mission.

 

[nivilla1982]

German navy chief resigns over Ukraine comments

Kay-Achim Schönbach said the idea that Russia wanted to invade Ukraine was nonsense.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[robs1]

German navy chief resigns over Ukraine comments

Kay-Achim Schönbach said the idea that Russia wanted to invade Ukraine was nonsense.

www.bbc.co.uk

I dont have problems with putin wanting respect, however sending agents over to foreign countries with poison to kill political opponents is hardly the way to achieve it, neither is using cyber attacks or interference in elections ( I have no proof the later has happened)
Surely all it needs is to say the Ukraine wont be admitted to NATO but if you attack it for any reason the response willbe very hard and not economic, sanctions have never stopped a country yet

 

[Danllan]

German navy chief resigns over Ukraine comments

Kay-Achim Schönbach said the idea that Russia wanted to invade Ukraine was nonsense.

www.bbc.co.uk

Yep, daft really. I find it very hard to follow Germany's reasoning if I take at face value its claims to be a defender of democracy. Leaving aside EU matters, it tries to sidestep its inactions in re Russian interference by claiming that energy supplies are entirely separate from any security / diplomatic matters. It also remained deafeningly silent when the CCP started bullying Lithuania last year. And yet... it says Russia needs to be stood up to - who do they thing they're kidding?

I dont have problems with putin wanting respect, however sending agents over to foreign countries with poison to kill political opponents is hardly the way to achieve it, neither is using cyber attacks or interference in elections ( I have no proof the later has happened)
Surely all it needs is to say the Ukraine wont be admitted to NATO but if you attack it for any reason the response willbe very hard and not economic, sanctions have never stopped a country yet

No. We can't allow Russia - or any other country - to decide who may and may not join NATO, it must solely be for an applicant and the member states to decide.