For the last wee while I have been elbows deep in debate with various folk on the comments section of the YouTube version of the Conspicuous Gallantry video on the Ukraine. It is interesting, and a great example of why open debate is so necessary, you often don’t know what you really think yourself until you express it in writing or speech. My thoughts on the Russian claims about their need for security and buffer states have clarified, and hardened somewhat. I’ve just posted this comment summarising those thoughts. For those who, understandably, have no wish to paddle in the mucky YouTube pool I have reproduced it here.
1. Russia has nuclear weapons, what other protection against invasion does a country need?
2. Buffer states don’t work, as Belgium, the original buffer state, found out in 1914 and 1940.
3. The Ukraine was actually part of the Russian Empire when Napoleon invaded in 1812 and part of the Soviet Union in 1941 when Hitler invaded, this did not prevent those invasions. Just how does the Ukraine being part of Russia now, or a willing (or unwilling) client state, make Russia safer?
4. Does anyone honestly, really, truly believe there is any state, country, group or golf club to the west of Russia that actually wants to invade them? (To the east of Russia is another matter..)
The buffer state argument is often used but is utter horse elbows. Why would any state or alliance powerful enough and aggressive enough to invade Russia give a toss if they have to invade Ukraine first? You can just imagine the scene…
Wannabe Emperor of the World: What’ s on the agenda today?
Head Flunky: Invading Russia my Glorious Emperor.
Wannabe Emperor of the World: Oh goody! You have to invade Russia to be a real World Emperor. Fetch me my invading trousers!
General: Er…My Emperor, we, er…cannot invade Russia.
Wannabe Emperor of the World: Why ever not? I am all powerful, I’m going to invade the biggest country on earth, and they have nukes. Hitler and Napoleon were weenies. I’ve got balls of steel!
General: But, you see My Emperor, there is a country, err, between your glorious empire and Russia.
Wannabe Emperor of the World: Yes? What of of it?
General: Well, it is much smaller than Russia and doesn’t have nukes, so we cannot go across it.
Wannabe Emperor of the World: Oh well, fair enough, we couldn’t possibly invade Russia by going across a smaller country without nukes. I guess I’ll just have to be happy with being Emperor of Nearly all the World. Put the kettle on…
One reply on “An old buffer writes about buffer states…”
LOL, that’s pretty good, and pretty funny too.
I’ve been telling anyone who will listen that the idea of Ukraine as a buffer for the security of the Russian State is utter nonsense.
But … The idea of a free Ukraine as a buffer between the rest of Europe and Russia might have some merit. If Russia “owns” Ukraine it can roll tanks right up to the Polish and other relevant borders. Russia owning Ukraine is more of a threat to Europe than Ukraine being a free nation is a threat to Russia.