Could Ukraine situation escalate to war, or bring about new Cold War?

[DevotedDemocrat]

Same as title? By 'war', I mean any direct action by Russia against the US, or the EU, or the countries of NATO? Could it be the start of a new Cold War between the US and Russia?

And does anyone else think that Ukraine might simply be the first step on Russia's part--similar to a Munich type situation? That if Russia is allowed to go unchecked in Ukraine, they'll try to take over other former Soviet holdings, or at the very least, grow much bolder on the world stage?

[Cory]

As for open war: unlikely.

As for Cold War: definitely. We've been in a cold war with Russia for some years now, the West is just realizing it.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

As for open war: unlikely.

As for Cold War: definitely. We've been in a cold war with Russia for some years now, the West is just realizing it.

Did the Cold War really end in 1989? It seems that we are in the third phase of it, and not past it.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

[Cory]

Did the Cold War really end in 1989? It seems that we are in the third phase of it, and not past it.

I guess maybe for a while. But that was because Russia was in to much turmoil economically and politically to project power internationally on a large scale. I suppose people in the West are finally realizing that all because the Soviet State is gone doesn't mean Russia's fundamental geo-political interests held since the 1800's are going to magically go away.

This liberal-internationalist rejection of realpolitik was always a fantasy.

[World politics is up Schmitt creek]

Realpolitik itself, especially in the form of great-powers gamesmanship and brinksmanship, is worse than fantasy.

[Хahar 🤔]

My preferred foreign policy is surrealpolitik.

[Zanas]

By 'war', I mean any direct action by Russia against the US, or the EU, or the countries of NATO?

So war is only against frequentable civilised countries then ? Fighting the Ukrainian people on a large scale with dozens of thousands dead wouldn't be war I guess. The amount of Westernocentrism in your question is too damn high.

[Middle-aged Europe]

There will be a war if the Duma decides to accept Crimea's request to join the Russian Federation next week (which seems likely at the moment) and Ukraine decides to defend its territory. So the real question is whether Ukraine will defend itself.

NATO would not gonna get directly involved, I guess. Although I wonder if the US and the UK could supply Ukraine with weapons.

As for the Cold War question... there will be a Cold War if the Duma decides to accept Crimea' request to join the Russian Federation next week. So the answer is yes.

[politicus]

My preferred foreign policy is surrealpolitik.

Then you should be a happy man at the moment.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

My preferred foreign policy is surrealpolitik.

I should use that as a username...

[bgwah]

Don't forget Syria - that conflict has been giving off Cold War vibes for a long time now.

[King]

My preferred foreign policy is surrealpolitik.

I should use that as a username...

Sir Realpolitik?