@nanoelquant@c.im @Lazycog@mastodon.online yes exactly, Austria was forced by military invasion and occupation to become neutral. That occupation was mostly Russians and directed from Moscow. Now, neutrality is immensely popular with Austrians, and all but one minor political party fully support it. It can work very well, much better than any military alliance, so #Ukraine really should keep it in consideration, especially because its clear they won't be allowed into #NATO any time soon.
@eighthave @nanoelquant @Lazycog I think Ukraine's NATO membership will depend on how the war ends and whether it is the people's democratically expressed wish. If Russia is in turmoil I think NATO membership would offer more stability to the region.
@peterjsefton @nanoelquant@c.im I agree that it all hangs on how the war ends. Perhaps NATO could bring stability there. Based on the past decades, it looks more likely that NATO countries would continue to push for instability in Russia if they think they can get away with it. And if Putin falls, it looks like a sure thing that NATO countries will be pushing to help choose the successor, like in the early 90s. I think stability in the region would require a stalemate with a negotiated peace.
