> For all his faults and crimes I do believe he's sincere on this. He merely wants us to keep out of "his" backyard.
Putin gave a three hour speech detailing precisely why he invaded, which is an old Russian claim that can be summed up with, the Ukrainians aren't a real people. The way he has fought this war (e.g. filtration camps) supports those the contents that speech.
If Putin's goal was to prevent Ukraine from joinig NATO, he got that done in 2014 after annexing Crimea. It would have been impossible for Ukraine to join NATO due to it's ongoing border dispute with the Russians. Territorial disputes are a virtual non-stater according to NATO application policies. Zelensky even offered to never join NATO, yet Putin attacked all the same. When speaking about the conquests of Peter the Great, Putin said, "It seems it has fallen to us, too, to reclaim and strengthen,", where he was clearly referring to Ukraine.
Can I ask you to read the actual treaty [0] and point where exactly "Territorial disputes are a virtual non-stater according to NATO application policies"?
Demonstrated a commitment to and respect for OSCE norms and principles, including the resolution of ethnic disputes, external territorial disputes including irredentist claims or internal jurisdictional disputes by peaceful means"
I first heard, the argument put forth General Patreaus. He has mentioned it several times on various television programs when asked what he thought about claims that Russia invaded to keep Ukraine out of NATO. That motivated me to look up the passage.
I'm not certaint what you mean about Cypress? It has not applied for NATO membership.
Edit: the ideas behind the above quote seems likely to be based on the langjage in Article 1 of the NATO Charter.
The Parties undertake, as set forth in the Charter of the United Nations, to settle any international dispute in which they may be involved by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security and justice are not endangered, and to refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force in any manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations."
There isn't any debate that this is NATO's policy. It is frequently discussed during the application process for many nations. However, the application process itself is even more explicit, since you still seem skeptical (despite what numerous foreign policy, military, political scientists indicate).
"Aspirants would also be expected:
...
to settle ethnic disputes or external territorial disputes including irredentist claims or internal jurisdictional disputes by peaceful means in accordance with OSCE principles and to pursue good neighbourly relations;"
Putin gave a three hour speech detailing precisely why he invaded, which is an old Russian claim that can be summed up with, the Ukrainians aren't a real people. The way he has fought this war (e.g. filtration camps) supports those the contents that speech.
If Putin's goal was to prevent Ukraine from joinig NATO, he got that done in 2014 after annexing Crimea. It would have been impossible for Ukraine to join NATO due to it's ongoing border dispute with the Russians. Territorial disputes are a virtual non-stater according to NATO application policies. Zelensky even offered to never join NATO, yet Putin attacked all the same. When speaking about the conquests of Peter the Great, Putin said, "It seems it has fallen to us, too, to reclaim and strengthen,", where he was clearly referring to Ukraine.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61767191