Now That The Soviets Have Invaded Ukraine...

They were never truly allies.

You need to remember that Soviet Union was the only one out of three allies who fought on its own land and did the main fighting. I think the whole idea of these three countries being allies was political: US and Britain were investing resources trying to limit Soviet influence in Western Europe after the victory.

If Russia were intervening purely out of an interest in protecting the separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk and enforcing their claim of independence, the invasion would have been concentrated on Donetsk and Luhansk, and not the entire nation.

It is not possible to protect Donetsk and Lugansk staying within its borders.

Crimea was annexed by Russia in 2014

There is no point in repeating this propaganda cliché. Crimea was not annexed. People of Crimea had a vote and decided to be part of Russia, just as they used to be in the past.

It is not possible to protect Donetsk and Lugansk staying within its borders.

In 2014, Moscow used Russian troops to clear Crimea of the Ukrainian military and government, and eight years later its people have been completely 'protected' from any form of security threat from Ukraine. Why would that be impossible in Donetsk and Luhansk?

There is no point in repeating this propaganda cliché. Crimea was not annexed. People of Crimea had a vote and decided to be part of Russia, just as they used to be in the past.

It's important to put events in the right order.

First, Putin: "I said to my colleagues: we must start working on returning Crimea to Russia," then, a Russian military invasion of Crimea, then a new government installed by Russia, then a referendum organized and conducted by Russia, and then a 97% vote in favor of joining Russia.

US and Britain were investing resources trying to limit Soviet influence in Western Europe after the victory.

This may be because Hitler and Stalin had formed secret agreements giving Russia the 'right' to use its military to invade and keep Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Romania, eastern Poland, and most of Lithuania. Russia held staged elections in eastern Poland to make their annexation appear legitimate. The Lithuanian, Estonian, and Latvian governments were replaced with Soviet administrations who held elections for representatives to immediately request to join Russia. Russia violated the protocol with Germany by taking more territory than they agreed on. After the war, Russia didn't return these countries. I'm not surprised Europe was concerned about this.

Here we go again. This discussion is like a runaway truck that needs an emergency off ramp.

I for one have enjoyed this conversation. Has some interesting perspectives.

Here we go again. This discussion is like a runaway truck that needs an emergency off ramp.

I've been anxiously awaiting some thoughts from Todd on this one.

Donald Trump thinks very highly of Putin, as per news reports.

Umm Bruce you were the first to steer the conversation off into the political weeds back on page one, and now you want to complain about others?

You've been around long enough now to know that conversations sometimes go off in wildly different directions. No one is forcing you to read this or comment.

Donald Trump thinks very highly of Putin, as per news reports.

Umm Bruce you were the first to steer the conversation off into the political weeds back on page one, and now you want to complain about others?

You've been around long enough now to know that conversations sometimes go off in wildly different directions. No one is forcing you to read this or comment.

Turtle, like you I have enjoyed the conversation, I never said I didn’t. However, there is no way to form any consensus about the situation. Perhaps this is a good topic for truckers who are hard put to form a consensus about most topics except that the roads and bridges could be better.

We have one member here that I was hoping to hear more from since he has ties to the region in conflict. I always like to read Andrey’s comments. And I did bring up the connection between this war and higher fuel prices. I haven’t heard much from anyone about that issue directly affecting the the trucking industry and drivers.

I certainly didn’t intend to discourage anyone from voicing their opinions, but I believe the OP intended this to be more about trucking than Russian history . Please correct me if I’m wrong.

Like Turtle said Bruce….

You've been around long enough now to know that conversations sometimes go off in wildly different directions. No one is forcing you to read this or comment.

So sure op may of intended this to be more about trucking the Russian history but it evolved as topics usually do.

Here we go again. This discussion is like a runaway truck that needs an emergency off ramp.

This may help explain a few things; decent article, and a 'mini ramp,' Bruce:

In Wake of Invasion, Fuel Prices Expected to Shoot Up

I don't have much to contribute, otherwise. I follow, and .. 'learn.'

Thanks, guys!

~ Anne ~