Can we stop talking like using nukes could somehow be reasonable. The thought of using a first strike nuke should be considered beyond outrageous and any leader that even remotely considers it should be ran far away from any position of authority.
Nobody in their right mind considers it. It's just a global game of chicken, and some weird armchair strategists try to convince everyone that nuclear attacks are basically the first option on the table.
And I sometimes suspect, that this sentiment gets pushed by Russia (not created, but pushed), because the western fear of nuclear war is definitely an argument against delivering weapons. Especially here in Germany, literally every single new weapon system was considered to "cross a line", so Russia might attack if we send it.
The EU doesn't need nukes to defend itself from a Russian invasion. Ukraine got the West's hand-me-downs and has completely stalemated Russia with them for over a year. Russia's conventional forces are a paper tiger. The question is will Russia resort to nukes when the war goes sideways for them.
Russia will continue to soften up the EU, and the US with hybrid psyops warfare then take bits and pieces of real estate. It is working quit well now actually.
Depends how you consider "quite well" - the total collapse of Russia's military credbility, the insanely high casualty rate, the loss of material, for something that they were already allowed to use in Crimea, and a part of the Donbas?
I wouldn't call that "well" at all. Seems like a completely disaster.
I understand the posturing. Attacking the EU needs to be presented as a terrible idea, but when people start talking about using nukes loosely, then the other side might also consider them fair game. I guess, in my opinion, using first strike nukes is never justified, and if the EU or anyone does it then they're no better than the aggressors. I would prefer we hold ourselves to higher standards instead of letting the bad actors bring us down to their level.
Yes and we shouldn't let them bring us down to their level. First strike is never justified, but second strike in response could be. They don't care about their people, so they probably want to goad others into nuking them. It would free them up to use theirs and claim it's justified. Let's not play into their hands.
@MrCookieRespect@School_Lunch but it's not. @anderspuck had a great video and vlexler a solid addendum how Russian aggression would occur. The biggest sword that putin has if Trump questions art 5 is indeed nuclear blackmail. That is imo the reason why the US has put nukes in RAF Lakenheath (UK has no tac nukes). But a big big big reminder: NATO is 99% posture and a 'promise:. It was never contested. Art. 5 is an' invitation to discuss', nothing more (sadly).