Ummm... Ukraine started killing Russians with dual citizenship back in 2012 or so, as part of an 'ethnic cleansing' campaign, then they went after Russian speaking Ukrainian citizens. . . Then after a truce was established they continually shelled and attacked the enclaves in the SE of Ukraine that were Russian Speaking. . THEN they started talking about allowing the US to put bases and troops and advanced weapons systems on their soil, all aimed at Russia. THEN they started trying to join NATO and Putin repeatedly warned them that they needed to remain NEUTRAL, and that US or NATO presence in Ukraine would be seen as a declaration of War. THEN they started shelling the Donbass again...and were warned repeatedly to stop. They persisted, killing many Ethnic Russians.
Ukraine has always been part of Russia until 1993. Russia was forced to split it off as part of agreements after the Soviet Union collapse. It was agreed, through treaties at that time, that Ukraine would always be NEUTRAL, but now it was becoming a bastion of Western and NATO power. Remember, there are now Nuclear tipped Medium range missiles in Poland and Germany. The next step would have been in Ukraine as well. Would we tolerate Russian missiles in Cuba, Mexico, or Canada? NO.
Putin had little choice. Just like Germany before WW1... they were forced into it thanks to the intransigence of France, Germany, England, and the United States. So, get over yourselves. you obviously haven't studied the History of this entire scenario. Quit licking the foot of FOX news and the Neocons and do some studying before you say silly things like that to me.
So...breaking this down
"Ukraine started killing Russians with dual citizenship back in 2012 or so, as part of an 'ethnic cleansing' campaign, then they went after Russian speaking Ukrainian citizens...." many theories on this including they were Russian plants etc. But I agree, it was wrong of Ukraine to do. Russia however should have protected it's citizens in Russia by removing them from a hostile environment and brought this to the international human rights court, international court of justice etc. They could have put political pressure on Ukraine, boycotted them, imposed tarrifs etc etc etc. It does not justify invasion.
"THEN they started talking about allowing the US to put bases and troops and advanced weapons systems on their soil" by their soil, you mean Ukrainian territory which by definition is part of Ukraine regardless of what language is spoken there. NO weapons or troops from USA were requested to go on Russian territory. Again, this is a sovereign nation. If Ukraine was happy to have the weapons/forces in their territory, that is their RIGHT as a foreign nation.
"THEN they started shelling the Donbass again" again...see point 1.
"Ukraine has always been part of Russia until 1993." IRRELEVANT. Another way of saying it is that they WERE A SOVEREIGN NATION since 1993. Treaties/agreements change all the time - look at what Trump is doing. Do you see anyone talking about invading the US?
"Would we tolerate Russian missiles in Cuba, Mexico, or Canada?" No, I would not as a Canadian. Yes, I would accept it if Cuba or Mexico agreed as a SOVEREIGN country invited them there. I would not like it but I would not attack them over it. Do you really think that having a few missiles closer than they are now will make any difference in the event of a war? You do know that ICBMs exist that can travel from Russia to any other part of the world...Many countries have significant stockpiles of these weapons.
"Putin had little choice. Just like Germany before WW1... they were forced into it thanks to" Just stfu. Invading another country and saying it is for humanitarian reasons or defence and not a power/land grab is pure delusion and ignorance - probably both and probably intentional.
How do you survive in the States with these point of views. Do you express these views to people you know? How do you not get the .... kicked out of you daily?
People really do not remember how horrific war is. Nothing can justify starting a war. The only justification to entering a war is in defence of your country or to aid another defend its country. It is so sad.
SMFH