NATO was created to respond to threats like Putin. Finland shares a long border with Russia, and Sweden is just beyond Finland. Along with.Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia, Finland would make it four NATO members bordering Russia. Eastern Europe is looking very unfriendly to old Vlad these days.
Putin is a neurotic nut. Call his bluff. I would like to see Finland, Sweden, AND Ukraine join NATO. Last I remember NATO has never attacked any country. But it looks like Putin needs to be taught a lesson.
Putin has nukes. You don’t call the bluff of a desperate, failing dictator who has nukes and has threatened to use them.
You got all day? Could be it's contrary to the 1997 NATO-Russia Treaty. Could be that NATO promised to "not move one inch East of Germany" in exchange for Germany's reunification. Could be the Treaty between Russia and Finland that would be broken and result in a defacto declaration of war against Russia. You ever hear of that Cuban missile thing from the '60's? Yeah, you're right, what the hell is Russia thinking?
That isn't accurate. https://www.heritage.org/europe/rep...oes-not-prohibit-permanent-nato-bases-eastern What you stated is "... a myth that has been perpetuated by the Kremlin’s propaganda machine, as well as by the lack of diligent research and basic knowledge among commentators, politicians, and policymakers in the West. The U.S. should publicly clarify its position on this matter and then take the appropriate steps to ensure that Central and Eastern Europe are properly defended." I don't know your source, but the Heritage Foundation is established and respected, even if a bit too conservative for me, personally.
Mafialand would be that much more f@cked....would require gazillion $$$ more on defense spending....since their "military" is currently getting ....de militarized....de Nazified...in Ukraine right now. Their Defense sector will probably suffer major layoffs soon since no one will buy $hit equipment for a hot war....and their conscripts are incompetent zhradniks used for cannonfodder.
Russia's multi warhead nukes are all liquid fueled. Takes 60 - 90 minutes to fuel them. They wouldn't get one off the pad before a sub based tomahawk took it out. We have birds looking down on every launch pad in Russia. Not to mention everyone in Russian command knows this. I doubt Putin would survive giving a launch order on the US.