Slow Motion Trainwreck to the Ukraine War

Submitted by Xilodyne on Mon, 09/01/2025 - 01:04

An interesting, and long, article explaining in detail the US actions that led to the Ukraine war.

How Decades of Folly Led to War in Ukraine

https://www.compactmag.com/article/how-decades-of-folly-led-to-war-in-ukraine/

By Michael A. Reynolds

 

ChatGPT Summary

Here’s a summary of the major U.S. policy decisions described in the text and their consequences:

Overall: Each administration, in different ways, pursued policies that expanded U.S. influence eastward, disregarded Russian warnings, and deepened Ukraine’s ties to the West—contributing to confrontation and, ultimately, war.

  • Clinton Administration (1990s):

    • Pushed NATO expansion into Eastern Europe despite widespread expert opposition.

    • Used NATO for military interventions in Bosnia and Kosovo, transforming it from a defensive alliance into an interventionist one.

    • Ignored Russian objections, straining U.S.–Russia relations.

  • George W. Bush Administration (2001–2008):

    • Withdrew from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (2002).

    • Expanded NATO to include the Baltic states and pushed for Ukrainian and Georgian membership.

    • Invaded Iraq, further undermining trust with Russia.

    • Backed Georgia, whose 2008 war with Russia revealed the risks of NATO expansion.

  • Obama Administration (2009–2016):

    • Attempted a “reset” with Russia but pursued democratization policies that Moscow saw as interference.

    • Supported the 2014 Euromaidan protests in Ukraine, which led to Yanukovych’s ouster, Russia’s annexation of Crimea, and the war in Donbas.

    • Deepened U.S. intelligence and security cooperation with Ukraine.

  • Trump Administration (2017–2020):

    • Publicly questioned the wisdom of U.S. involvement in Ukraine and NATO’s role.

    • Despite skepticism, his administration expanded military and intelligence support for Ukraine, solidifying its status as a de facto NATO partner.

  • Biden Administration (2021–present in text):

    • Reaffirmed strong support for Ukraine, continuing military aid and NATO integration.

    • Responded to Russian invasion in 2022 with sweeping sanctions and large-scale military assistance.

    • Branded the invasion as “unprovoked,” though critics argue U.S. policy had long escalated tensions.

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