The Cold War

Today is the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Budapest Memorandum, which saw the formal handover of strategic nuclear weapons in Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan to the Russian Federation.

Many people have questioned the Ukrainian decision to do this, especially in light of Russian aggression in recent years. For a rundown of why this occurred, please watch this Kings and Generals episode which David wrote last year.

https://youtu.be/PXgNAuYRIOw?si=X5jgV...

10 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 676



@gollygeep

Had the Ukrainians, Belarusians, and Kazakhs kept their weapons, it probably would have been a net negative overall. But we missed out on a world where Kazakhstan would be the regional power of Central Asia. Then again, Lukashenko having nukes probably would be incredibly terrifying. In all seriousness, Ukraine is a similar example to Qaddafi: give up WMD programs at your peril. While the Kims are terrible, there is a reason why they are entrenched in power.

10 months ago | 31

@volodyad195

It was right decision and there wasn't much point or chance to take other route. If only it also meant something for guarantors

10 months ago | 15

@peterloohunt

This is one of the very best channels on YouTube: informative, witty and unpretentious. Would love to see you do a short on Soviet attitudes to sexuality: how the regimes dealt with personal moral codes for both citizens and the elite (were mistresses common for the powerful?), with public images of sexualized glamour, and the social & political attitudes towards porn / prostitution, etc... My impression is the government didn't impose much sexual morality on ordinary (hetro) citizens?

10 months ago | 1

@TheresaT-od1ei

Today is the 83 anniversary of pearl harbor

10 months ago | 5

@mladenmatosevic4591

Ukraine had enough conventional weapons for self defense and really did not need NATO. As for nukes, should every country threatened by stronger power had nukes?

10 months ago | 15

@mace085

Ukraine wouldn’t have been able to afford the upkeep.

10 months ago | 22

@MithunOnTheNet

And that was the day Ukraine became an easy target!

10 months ago | 1

@colbypupgaming1962

Russia broke the accords. Ukraine is entirely within their right to embark on their own program

10 months ago | 22

@escolademagiaebruxariagrim1290

☄️☄️☄️☄️☄️☄️☄️☄️☄️☄️☄️☄️☄️☄️☄️☄️ ☄️☄️☄️ GRIMÓRIO DE ATLÂNTIDA ☄️☄️☄️ ☄️☄️☄️ ESCOLA DE BRUXARIA 🧙🏻‍♂️ ☄️☄️☄️ ☄️☄️☄️☄️☄️☄️☄️☄️☄️☄️☄️☄️☄️☄️☄️

10 months ago | 1

@erik7726

You should do a video on the promises by key Western leaders to not enlarge NATO.

10 months ago | 10

@isaacgriffin5690

The agreement also said Ukraine wouldn't try to join NATO but hey, who needs all the facts when you can cherry pick.

10 months ago (edited) | 5

@andujarpain2629

Those nuclear weapons belonged and will always belong to russia. Russia was the transfer country from the soviet union!

10 months ago | 6

@spencer1980

Ukraine can expect our continued military support. I still think nuclear power is our best hope.

10 months ago | 0

@mtmadigan82

Its a nice theory. But nukes are really completely useless. There can never be just one or two used without exchange, or the country with first use not be shunned and isolated after. Done either way. But the russians nukes they had needed upkeep and service that is very costly and technical. by 2022 if they didn't they would probably be fizzles without that, best case. Although the threat of them would be useful. But that also invites a preemptive strike if you only had a small amount against a neighbor with thousands.

10 months ago | 0

@RoryT1000

Well, maybe you guys could also add the context of Bush tearing up the INF treaty and aggressively pushing for Ukr. Georgia NATO membership. If the US faced that sort of pressure would they uphold an agreement like that? I mean they radically violate all treaties to an extent that makes Russia look like a law abiding state so.....

10 months ago | 6

@erik7726

@NukeWalker Cuba is also a sovereign nation, but the US did not allow them to put Soviet nukes in their country. If Mexico allowed Chinese troops on Rio Grande, do you think the US would not start war?

10 months ago (edited) | 1

@apostateunion

You forgot to mention Russia agreed to respect Ukraine's sovereignty 🙃

10 months ago | 2

@lst141

In that summit it was presented to the RF that NATO would never expand past the border of Germany, so there was no threat. Today NATO is at Russian border with its nuclear arsenal

10 months ago | 0

@TheRoyalberry

Jesus loves you ✝️

10 months ago | 0

@stereomtl9001

Lol those were not Ukrainian nukes to give up, do the US nukes stationed in Turkey and Netherlands belong to them 🤣🤣

10 months ago | 6