@Lazycog @eighthave indeed. And AFAIR the neutrality of #Finland after #WWII was, basically, forced by conditions of negotiations rather than voluntarily chosen. And now Finland decided to join #NATO - probably because they remember their history quite good.
The purpose of soviet invasion to Hungary and Czechoslovakia was completely different.
@nanoelquant @Lazycog@mastodon.online Austria's neutrality was also forced by a deal between the Soviet Union, France, UK, and USA. But it has worked, and is immensely popular in Austria now. Finland's situation now is quite different than both Ukraine and Austria. Finland was already spending more on than NATO's 2% requirement, and it has a long border with Russia. It will be interesting to see how the Finns feel about NATO when they have to join in some pointless yet devastating invasion like Afghanistan.
@eighthave @nanoelquant @Lazycog it is popular now in Austria, like Russia is popular in Austria. In fact our military is highly infiltrated by the kremlin, like our intelligence, as the Brits pointed out. And the strongest party in the Austrian polls, is engaged with putin like no else political party in Europe.
@tootiredtothink @nanoelquant @Lazycog@mastodon.online Right, and Austria's security is certainly not based on our military, it would be basically useless against any large scale invasion. Our security is based on being strategically neutral, and being the home to #UN #OPEC #OSCE and many other international organizations. Austria chose this strategy. Austria's situation now is not comparable to Ukraine. When Austria was forced to be neutral, it was in a very similar position to what Ukraine is now.
@eighthave @nanoelquant @Lazycog it was not at all. No one planned a genocidal war against Austria. We where just freed from the Nazi terror.