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Rev

3

I think needless escalation has always been on the minds of those supplying heavier equipment. Retaliation doesn't have to be nuclear. One way of retaliation could be to attack supply shipments before they even get to Ukraine. And it's somewhat of a double edged sword in that when such an escalation occurs, the West might need some of that equipment for its own defense (e.g. air defense systems).
– JJJ ♦
Commented Jan 16, 2023 at 22:58
9

I'm not sure "100% of the territory they claim" is the best phrasing there. They're not claiming that territory... It is legally theirs. That's like saying I'm claiming ownership of my house... No, it's mine. Let's not equate Russia's claims with Ukraine's actual right of ownership
– ScottishTapWater
Commented Jan 17, 2023 at 19:51
3

@ScottishTapWater Unfortunately, that is a distinction without much of a difference. If there were a disagreement about who owned your house you would still need to prove to someone that you actually legally owned it. The only way it seems countries can prove they "legally" own territory they claim is by diplomatic means and, if those fail, by either taking it or defending it. It would be nice if that were not the case, but that is not the world we live in.
– user5155
Commented Jan 18, 2023 at 3:08
4

@JeffLambert - I don't think it is a distinction without much of a difference. Phrasing it one way makes it seem as though both sides have a legitimate claim that must be settled. Phrasing it the other makes it seem as though Russia is taking something that is not theirs. Sure, in terms of practicalities there's little difference, a war is a war but that doesn't mean we shouldn't be cognisant of how we're presenting these things anyway.
– ScottishTapWater
Commented Jan 18, 2023 at 10:54
2

@ScottishTapWater Fair enough. Legality at the international level just isn't nearly as cut and dry as many people like to think, trying to overstate things in that way I don't think leads to any better understanding. The point still stands though that the claim being pressed is just as legitimate as the will is there to either enforce it or deny it.
– user5155
Commented Jan 18, 2023 at 14:34

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