Russia basically annexes Belarus

[Salus Maior]

their language is similar (if not basically the same)

It very much isn't the same.

It's mutually intelligible with Russian. And even so, the majority of Belorussians don't even speak it, they instead speak Russian mostly.

[Aureumterra]

It very much isn't the same.

It's mutually intelligible with Russian. And even so, the majority of Belorussians don't even speak it, they instead speak Russian mostly.

It’s intelligible only one way, its like comparing Spanish to Portuguese or Catalan to French

[Psukhe]

It very much isn't the same.

It's mutually intelligible with Russian. And even so, the majority of Belorussians don't even speak it, they instead speak Russian mostly.

Although it barely is (which already beats the claim that they're the same). I can't understand Belarussian (practically at all), and if Belarussians can understand me, then it's due to their knowledge of Russian. Also relevant.

[CivitasDei]

If only we had a name for a parliamentary union of republics centered around Russia.

[Aureumterra]

If only we had a name for a parliamentary union of republics centered around Russia.

Union of Russian Capitalist-but-not-really-capitalist Republics (URCR)

[Greed and Death]

Belarus has been wanting to join with Russia for decades largely because independence has been extremely painful for them. The Soviets created interdependent economies among the Republics but unlike other former Soviet Republics Belarus has not been able to find its own niche in the global market and they were by and large an economy based on having Russian troops present during the cold war. With Poland growing hostile and some of Poland's eastern areas looking like tempting annexation targets Belarus looks to capitalize on being a Russian military base.

We all know how effective the EU is at defending its members and allies from Russia

Ukraine cries

Generally the west will allow Russia to annex what they desire.

[Nakena]

I don't actually care. Belarus is pro-Russia and its populace supports the union. Self-determination and stuff. The other former soviet states are more of a concern.

Agreed, Belarus makes sense and it doesn't change the balance of power but more solidifies it so it's not a big deal. Ukraine and the Baltic states is a different story.

The Baltic states are small, yet strong and safe.

Ukraine meanwhile is total mess.

[Aureumterra]

The Baltic states are small, yet strong and safe.

Ukraine meanwhile is total mess.

Yeah but I am not hypocritical. Besides it is a key strategic location we can't let fall.

A Russian Baltic coast would mean that, for the first time since the USSR, Russia will have a port that directly connects to the Atlantic that can be operated year-round, Kaliningrad is too small to bear all of Russia’s potential Atlantic trade

[Salus Maior]

Agreed, Belarus makes sense and it doesn't change the balance of power but more solidifies it so it's not a big deal. Ukraine and the Baltic states is a different story.

The Baltic states are small, yet strong and safe.

Ukraine meanwhile is total mess.

Well, not really "safe".

If Russia ever attacks them, they'll be overrun quickly. Even if they might be liberated by the rest of NATO eventually.

[Purpelia]

So basically Russia and Belarus have founded the equivalent of what the EU wants to achieve. And somehow this is evil because it's Russia and not Germany doing it. News.

I mean seriously. Common market, a joined parliament that has more power than the separate governments that give up some power. This is basically what the EU is today.

Except Russia will be overrepresented

Much like Germany. Seriously, this is nothing sinister or evil or anything like that. At least unless you are opposed to nations uniting in this way in general (which incidentally I actually am).

[Rojava Free State]

Yeah remember all that bullshit you've probably heard if you're American about Ronald Reagan freeing Eastern Europe from Orientalist Despotism? Yeah that was a lie

They teach it like that?! Word for word?

This is a translated version. The original saying is "yep ronuld raygun really freed them ruhshuns frum the commies." I can't tell you How many times I've heard that

[Greed and Death]

Agreed, Belarus makes sense and it doesn't change the balance of power but more solidifies it so it's not a big deal. Ukraine and the Baltic states is a different story.

The Baltic states are small, yet strong and safe.

Ukraine meanwhile is total mess.

Russian armed separatist and Russian sent motorcycle gangs tend to do that to a region.

[Rojava Free State]

Generally the west will allow Russia to annex what they desire.

Because of the brainwashed Pro-Russia useful idiots who don't understand politics beyond conspiracies and misinformation mainly.

is it really our job as Americans to be getting in a fight with russia? We came close to the apocalypse several times in the last century because we took up the fight, I think it's time we strengthen our own defenses and let Europe handle this one like big boys and girls

[Greed and Death]

Because of the brainwashed Pro-Russia useful idiots who don't understand politics beyond conspiracies and misinformation mainly.

is it really our job as Americans to be getting in a fight with russia? We came close to the apocalypse several times in the last century because we took up the fight, I think it's time we strengthen our own defenses and let Europe handle this one like big boys and girls

Russia just needs breathing room after all.

[Tobleste]

So basically Russia and Belarus have founded the equivalent of what the EU wants to achieve. And somehow this is evil because it's Russia and not Germany doing it. News.

I mean seriously. Common market, a joined parliament that has more power than the separate governments that give up some power. This is basically what the EU is today.

Except the EU isn't a dictatorship. If the two were equivalent, Nigel Farage would have been poisoned years ago. That's why one is different from the other.

[Vivolkha]

The Baltic states were smart, they immediately went and joined NATO, so they have a big bad Uncle Sam shielding them from the great bear

Which btw we promised Russia we would never do, which is part of the reason we aren't on the best of terms with them today. Russia probably feels the same way about NATO countries bordering them as we would about a Russian ally bordering us

This.

Also, does anybody have more sources for this?

[Rojava Free State]

is it really our job as Americans to be getting in a fight with russia? We came close to the apocalypse several times in the last century because we took up the fight, I think it's time we strengthen our own defenses and let Europe handle this one like big boys and girls

Russia just needs breathing room after all.

One argument I often see neocons pull is "if we don't fight them over there, they'll attack us here one day," which is bullshit. Russia has over 5000 reasons to not invade us and they're called nuclear bombs. As for our allies Britain and france, same deal. And even if they didn't have nukes, they still would probably be safe. Russia can't over extend itself. There's only so big an empire can grow before it starts tearing at the seams. Russia might be able to take over some countries around it but I think their direct control is limited to Eastern Europe and Central Asia. In short, if Europe has issues with russia, I don't see why America should be itching to start a potential conflict

[Vivolkha]

Russia just needs breathing room after all.

One argument I often see neocons pull is "if we don't fight them over there, they'll attack us here one day," which is bullshit. Russia has over 5000 reasons to not invade us and they're called nuclear bombs. As for our allies Britain and france, same deal. And even if they didn't have nukes, they still would probably be safe. Russia can't over extend itself. There's only so big an empire can grow before it starts tearing at the seams. Russia might be able to take over some countries around it but I think their direct control is limited to Eastern Europe and Central Asia. In short, if Europe has issues with russia, I don't see why America should be itching to start a potential conflict

Russia's military budget is just 6% that of NATO.
Neither side has any business attacking each other really.

[Rojava Free State]

One argument I often see neocons pull is "if we don't fight them over there, they'll attack us here one day," which is bullshit. Russia has over 5000 reasons to not invade us and they're called nuclear bombs. As for our allies Britain and france, same deal. And even if they didn't have nukes, they still would probably be safe. Russia can't over extend itself. There's only so big an empire can grow before it starts tearing at the seams. Russia might be able to take over some countries around it but I think their direct control is limited to Eastern Europe and Central Asia. In short, if Europe has issues with russia, I don't see why America should be itching to start a potential conflict

Russia's military budget is just 6% that of NATO.
Neither side has any business attacking each other really.

As long as nuclear bombs alone exist, Russia won't invade anyone West of the former berlin wall

[US-SSR]

Or form a joint parliament or wait for the little green men to come. Putin knows Trump won't lift a finger to stop him in Russia's near abroad, and the EU won't (yet) act without the US, so he struck while the iron was hot.

As for the Baltics, as NATO members any attack on any of them would trigger Article V collective defence. Yet with Trump running down NATO at every opportunity and forgetful of the fact that the only time Article V was invoked was by the US after 9/11...

[Christian Confederation]

Simple USSR 2 the electric boogaloo! This time without the communism.

[Gormwood]

Except Russia will be overrepresented

There's not much difference between Belarussians and Russians, their language is similar (if not basically the same), their traditional religion is the same (Eastern Orthodoxy), and Belarussians and Russians share most of the same history.

This is like Texas entering the U.S in terms of ethnic difference.

With London calling the shots.

[Rojava Free State]

Simple USSR 2 the electric boogaloo! This time without the communism.

What ideology is Russia even? I can't even tell what putin's overarching theme is besides "Russia awesome, dictators good, democracy and freedom bad"

[US-SSR]

Simple USSR 2 the electric boogaloo! This time without the communism.

What ideology is Russia even? I can't even tell what putin's overarching theme is besides "Russia awesome, dictators good, democracy and freedom bad"

It's an oligarchy, just like the US, the EU, Asia, Africa, South America, the Middle East, Oceana.....

[Anglia-Saxia]

Russia basically annexed an Russian puppet trying to don't look an Russian puppet. They are trying to reform the USSR,but only with their non-NATO member states. What nation is the next? Kazakhstan?