Thread

1. Kim_Bruning · 1790344641 · focus · HN ↗

   So currently europe is exposed to russia-ukraine, us-iran, and shortly china-taiwan. This is not a great place to be in.

   1. sajithdilshan · 1790346355 · focus · HN ↗

      [dead]

      1. bpodgursky · 1790346620 · focus · HN ↗

         Sorry this is a crazy interpretation of events.

         Europe has 15x the GDP of Russia. If they were "hell bent" on militarily defeating Russia, they could have made even tiny sacrifices to the social welfare system, diverted industrial production to military aid, and drowned Ukraine in help. That was a very achievable goal, and they didn't do it.

         Instead, the vacillated on importing US natural gas, continued shutting down nuclear power plants, and paid Russia MORE CASH FOR OIL than they ended up giving Ukraine in military aid! They did not in fact, dedicate themselves to this war in any way shape or form.

         1. sajithdilshan · 1790346993 · focus · HN ↗

            > If they were "hell bent" on militarily defeating Russia, they could have made even tiny sacrifices to the social welfare system, diverted industrial production to military aid, and drowned Ukraine in help

            Why do you think an entire continent with multiple and (sometimes even conflicting with each other) culture, priorities, national interest would do that? EU is an economic union. Not a federation like US

            1. HarHarVeryFunny · 1790353487 · focus · HN ↗

               Because NATO article 5 demands it.

               European support started out slow, but has ramped up as the US has backed away.

               Germany will spend 20% of it's federal budget on military in 2027, planning to increase that to 30% by 2030. "We cannot defend ourselves against Putin with a balanced budget".

               1. sajithdilshan · 1790355856 · focus · HN ↗

                  Ukraine is not a NATO member

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