@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 it is just working, because we are surrounded by friendly neighbors. And it could lead to serious problems as soon as things change. Ukraine was defacto neutral too. Until Russia started the war.
@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.
@nanoelquant@c.im @Lazycog@mastodon.online we also have a giant monument in one of the main squares of #Vienna thanking the #Soviet army for liberating us. We have to keep it forever as part of the treaty that ended the occupation. People hated it for a long time, but in the end, it does not really limit our freedom, and it was an important symbol for the #Soviets. I think that it was a brilliant move by the Austrian negotiators to accept it.