Illustrative Image
Written by Eric Zuesse
Putin’s biggest-ever blunder has been his failure to have offered to Finland a guarantee of peaceful relations, and of favored-nation status on trade (including on energy-prices of oil and gas, which, prior to the 2022 U.S.-imposed sanctions against Russia, European countries had, for decades, been buying at lower prices from Russia than from any other country, even without any favored-nation status), if Finland will not join NATO.
If Finland’s Government would have turned down such an offer, then what excuses could they provide to their voters, for having said no to it? If Finland would have accepted such an offer, then how much benefit would that provide to the Russian people?
Regarding the latter matter: the main reason why Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022 was that on 7 January 2022, both the U.S. Government and its NATO anti-Russian military alliance not only rejected Russia’s 17 December 2021 proposal for there to be peaceful relations between Russia and The West, but neither the U.S. Government nor NATO were even willing to negotiate with Russia regarding any one of the specific clauses in Russia’s thoughtful and lengthy — very serious — proposal.
Central to Russia’s concerns in having offered the proposal was the 1962-Cuban-Missile-Crisis-in-Reverse issue that America is threatening Russia that America might place its nuclear missiles in Ukraine only 300 miles (or five minutes of missile-flying-time) away from blitz-nuclear bombing The Kremlin. Five minutes would be far too short a time for Russia to be able to identify the U.S. launch, and then to launch its retaliatory nuclear arsenal against the U.S. and its allied countries. Russia’s central command would be beheaded before Russia could have any chance to respond.
Whereas in the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, Khrushchev and JFK negotiated, and thus averted World War Three, America and its NATO anti-Russian military alliance, on 7 January 2022, refused to negotiate at all. Russia then had no alternative remaining, other than to take military action to achieve by military force, assurance that U.S. missiles won’t be able to be placed a mere five minutes away from Moscow.
Finland is the second-closest anti-Russian country, and is 507 miles away from Moscow, which would be 7 minutes of missile-flying time away. Consequently, America’s gaining Finland as a NATO member will be almost as life-threatening to Russia as if America had gained Ukraine into NATO.
Is Russia, then, now left without hope? Not quite. Here is a possible way in which Russia might — just possibly — be able to attain some protection (other than MERELY by military means) against what is now unquestionably a U.S. Government that is determined ultimately to conquer Russia:
Russia would now make, to any U.S.-allied country, the type of deal that it inexplicably had failed to offer to Finland. A possibility exists — though perhaps only a slim one — that one or more existing NATO-member countries might say yes to such a deal. (The offer should be made only privately to each U.S.-allied country; and, then, if any such country privately says no, Russia should then offer the deal publicly to that country. Public opinion in that country might then force that Government — whose prior rejection of the deal would not be publicly known — publicly to say yes to it. Thus, there would then be two chances to obtain an agreement, instead of only one, and this would greatly increase the chances of success.)
Right now, the high fuel prices in Europe are a huge factor in favor of such an agreement being able to be reached. Those high fuel-prices are due to the cut-off (on account of the U.S.-and-allied sanctions against Russia, and the destruction of the Nord Stream pipelines) of Europe’s by-far-cheapest fuels-supplier, Russia. Thus, there is a strong incentive for each and every existing NATO-member country to negotiate with Russia about this matter. It would be a clear win-win deal for both sides. Obviously, the U.S. Government, and its NATO, would be strongly opposed to allowing any NATO-member country to say yes, but would they be able to prevent it from happening? Who knows?
What is irrefutable is that Putin shouldn’t have waited this long to start thinking about this. Better late than never, but will he ever? He has publicly stated that he favors win-win arrangements. So, here’s his chance to propose it. Why not try (first, privately; then — if necessary — publicly)? Why hasn’t he tried? There might still be a chance to get this done.
Investigative historian Eric Zuesse’s new book, AMERICA’S EMPIRE OF EVIL: Hitler’s Posthumous Victory, and Why the Social Sciences Need to Change, is about how America took over the world after World War II in order to enslave it to U.S.-and-allied billionaires. Their cartels extract the world’s wealth by control of not only their ‘news’ media but the social ‘sciences’ — duping the public.
Probably too proud, or probably he has but realized it vain anyway
Dead wrong. Russia doesn’t need to buy its’ friends or allies. Strategically and morally stupid. Apply this logic to retaining a friend or keeping a spouse. Russia will have the right friends and allies based on enlightened self interest, which is the only stable basis for long term alliances.
Finnland is not a problem. Too weak, too pussy, no real ressources… only a hermafrodite depending on the State 5 million pop with a increasing islamic population, who don’t even wanna nukes in their soil… if hey put them, they will be on target. Ukro land was much more dangerous, with a nato army full of radicals, nationalists and anti russian scum with a lot of nazi fantasies inducted by drugs in their heads… and now they are nothing…
I agree, and I don’t think that any deal would have been possible. This nation of idiots has always hated russians so much, and been in love with EVERYTHING American. Many of these people have been dreaming of conquering Karelia back with help of NATO. Even famous pacifist politician Halla-aho, who didn’t carry out his military service, is now screaming “The more russians die, the better it is!”
return Karelia or capture it? Finland was part of the Russian Empire, the Finnish Principality of the Russian Empire, it was Lenin who gave them statehood for their help in the coup and in the revolution. Before that, there was no such state on the map!
Give it time the Americans will soon turn Finland into Ukraine with nukes on the border with Russia,if so Russia should issue a warning that if that happens they will be destroyed or removed by force,in the meantime break off Diplomatic relations with those clowns in Helsinki.
“Finland is the second-closest anti-Russian country, and is 507 miles away from Moscow”
Zuesse *still* ignorant of the existence of the Baltics?
Lithuania 428 miles from moscow Latvia 365 miles from moscow Estonia 397 miles from moscow
The Baltics are mini dicks.
Voting is only a technicality with US influenced corruption of Finland. NATO expects to own Russia why would they take any deal ?
Finland made its choice, this is a war with NATO they have chosen there fait, when this is over Nato will suffer the consequences. Why give concessions when your the clear winner and soon to be in a position to set terms?
Has Zuesse been on vacation? Finland doesn’t make decisions; it follows orders. No offer from Russia would be acceptable to country’s ruler, US. No Russian blunder, just reality.
Exactly …👍
“Dont get into my safe space, reality we can live without” (south park).
The Cuban missile crisis was caused by NATO putting US missiles in Turkey. So much for your ‘well researched opinion as it is now just another NATO ‘hit piece’. Most NATOites seem to be chronic liars or are very naive about actual history.
Yes and what they never mention is Russia called their bluff and told them to remove those missiles before the Russians pulled back from Cuba,now is the time to talk to Cuba about sending nukes back with thousands of troops and close that concentration camp by force at Guantanamo,its time to teach these morons a lesson.
It’s not relevant right now!! Dozens of the quietest (elusive) submarines of the Russian Federation, with nuclear warheads, are on duty off the coast of America.
Putin biggest blunder was by not accepted two republics in 2014 and allowed Maidan continue in UA. Putin should finish take over UA in 2014.
And putin admitted that
all major countries of Europe ( UK,FR,GER& IT) thinks so low of russia due to their partnership with USA and they being rich countries and previously empire running countries. Consequently all small countries think the same once they join NATO/ EU.
Finland or any other country in EU/ NATO will anti russia ( they were before 2014 too it seems but russia couldn’t see that)
Where does this guy get his ideas? His articles are becoming more and more unrealistic. First, nearly all of the EU are demonstrating. Are their governments listening to them? NO. Why would their govs listen to Russia at all, when their goal is it’s demise, not co-existence. If I had to give an example of Putin exercising bad judgement or poor decisions, it would be in relation to that squatter state. They are no friend to Russia (or anyone else for that matter) and should be treated that way. For God’s sake, they have caused Russian deaths and in reality support Ukraine. Where do Russian/Ukr oligarchs flee to? The state that doesn’t extradite criminals…when they don’t move to the UK, that is.
Eric Zuesse is wrong. Finland is managed by people having sold their soul to the devil running the US. Russia would have lost its time trying to prevent such stupid move from Finland. Finland is joining Poland in its foolishness and both will pay for helping the US to trigger a nuclear war against Russia.
Finns gave their souls to Nazis before and during WWII. They were allowed peaceful coexistence with the USSR based on non-aligned status. They have forfeited those protections with NAYAYO membership.
Maybe the proposal was given to Finland, in the appropriate diplomatic, private, channel
maybe it was refused, the same way a settlement of the Ukraina question was refused
So since the end of WW2 after Finland had sided with Hitler,the Soviets allowed Finland to exist and not occupy it,for almost 80 years there has been no problems between Finland and Russia,now the Government in Finland want to be part of the Nato gang and Americas Bitch to threaten Russia,one has to ask why?
The problem with this line of thinking is that sadly, it has no basis in reality. Finland is since hundreds of years a anti-russian outpost. Something made worse by their humiliating treatment by the soviet state in the post-ww2 period. Any change to this would had had to come from a serious repporting of the benefits Finland would had had in a good relationstips with Russia. Something noone among the various swedish-owned, and fanatically anti-russian media outlets avaiable in Finland reported on.
Sadly, until the absurd PRO-western media establishment is diluted with at least a few well represented, truthful, serious outlets. These US bought shills will keep the people turned against their natural ally in the East.
Russia’s relationship with Finland has not been even close to the bitterness in its relationship with Ukraine. Finland’s joining NATO is nothing like Ukraine’s joining NATO. Finland’s joining is a protectionist move where as Ukraine’s was an aggressors. I believe even Moscow is not as concerned about Finland joining and feels even after joining there is still much opportunity to negotiate a peaceful co-existance.
and even if the analysis is correct, the answer is for Russia to just move its command and control systems to anywhere in the largest landmass on earth, which it controls. The Russians should not care what happens in Finland, it isn’t Ukraine and doesn’t have hordes of fanatics that are to be culled
To Siberia. Moscow also to Siberia.
Ukraine was being cultivated as a base to strike Russian territory, whereas Finland’s accession to NATO is just propaganda. Russia can limit the effectiveness of the 5 minute war scenario by just moving its command and control to anywhere in the largest landmass on Earth, which Russia controls.
If the russian military campaign was a success, Finland would have dared to join nato. It’s that simple.
if their campaign had been more successful. Russia’s campaign is successful because almost every Ukrainian who dreamed of stepping in Crimea for the last 8 years has been killed in action by Putin in fields far away from Crimea
Sorry but to accept any proposal now from russia in todays press climate outside the “global south” would be political suicide for any polititian. The entire western press, media, science, ngo’s has declared russia an insane pariah who is incapable to keep their word. No matter what anyone here or wherever thinks this is treated as a fact by the majority of the western people. Let me remind you of Guido Westerwelle a former foreign secretary or germany who died due to cancer some time ago. When he was foreign secretary he abstained the us un resolution against lybia. After this fact the entire german press attacked him and his party and destroyed them.
He never recovered politically and his party took years to recover partially and has to this day not fully recovered and while still opposing some ideas in the econimic sphere they have never dared to oppose the us position in geopolitics ever again and are the front runners together with the greens for ukraine military deliverys nowadays. Russia can build a new world order with china and others and one day some of the western countries might join if the tide turns. But not a single piece of the current world system can be transitioned to a non us dominated order by design.
He should have given them a sliver of land in exchange for their permanent neutrality. It is stupid for the Finns to give up their defacto neutrality that they have practiced for some time. If Putin had behaved like Trump he could have cut a deal with the Finns and save himself some agony.
the author is not in the topic! He writes himself, not knowing the topic! Everything was offered to Finland. But they have long been satellites of the United States and are not independent, they are afraid of the owner.
You should consider that Finnish political and business leaders keep their money in Western financial institutions. Thus, no matter what Russia could have offered, they are in fact controlled by the Western powers, who can seize their savings ans investissements, and no Russian offer would have prevented their entrance into NATO.
After all, do you think that Nokia and other Finnish companies would able to do business in the US and the EU if they don’t follow the Western line?
Finland is nothing to be concerned about. You could never trust them anyway.
“The Moscow Peace Treaty was signed by Finland and the Soviet Union on 12 March 1940, and the ratifications were exchanged on 21 March.[1] It marked the end of the 105-day Winter War, upon which Finland ceded border areas to the Soviet Union. The treaty was signed by Vyacheslav Molotov, Andrei Zhdanov and Aleksandr Vasilevsky for the Soviet Union, and Risto Ryti, Juho Kusti Paasikivi, Rudolf Walden and Väinö Voionmaa for Finland. The terms of the treaty were not reversed after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The Karelian question refers to the debate within Finland over the possible reacquisition of this ceded territory. ”
The Treaty was still in force at the end of the USSR. Finland has decided to violate it.