West acknowledged NATO support for Ukraine posed risks, according to Wikileaks
According to Wikileaks, the US pursued NATO membership for Ukraine, even with multiple cautions that it could result in war. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
According to a report released by Wikileaks on Monday, American diplomats had been aware of the significant risk of conflict arising from Ukraine's NATO ambitions as early as the mid-2000s. The exposed documents reveal that Washington sought to navigate the opposition expressed by several countries about this idea, even amidst warnings from Western diplomats.
Moscow consistently communicated to the diplomats that Ukraine's entry into the US-led alliance could lead to civil war or regional destabilization, compelling Russia to confront a situation it "does not want to have to face," as stated in a 24-minute video shared by Wikileaks on X.
In a February 2008 cable, then-US ambassador to Moscow William Burns emphasized that Russia regarded NATO's expansion as a threat to its security. He noted, “Not only does Russia perceive encirclement, and efforts to undermine Russia’s influence in the region, but it also fears unpredictable and uncontrolled consequences which would seriously affect Russian security interests.”
This perspective was echoed by some NATO allies in Europe at the time, according to another document. A cable from 2005 documenting a discussion between then-US assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, Daniel Fried, and senior French officials indicated Paris's worry that Ukraine's NATO aspirations could instigate armed conflict in Europe.
The document quoted French presidential diplomatic adviser Maurice Gourdault-Montagne warning, “If there remained one potential cause for war in Europe, it was Ukraine.” He cautioned that the US and its allies were encroaching upon Russia’s “core zone of interest,” which could provoke a strong reaction.
Fried recognized that there was no national consensus in Ukraine regarding NATO membership, yet he dismissed fears about violent internal divisions or Russia’s response.
Despite these concerns, Washington continued advocating for Ukraine's NATO membership, intending to "pursue western integration and NATO enlargement deliberately, but quietly," while "firmly" opposing Russia, as noted in a September 2009 cable from then-US ambassador to Moscow, John Beyrle.
Russia has consistently pointed to Ukraine's aspirations to join NATO and the potential establishment of the bloc’s military infrastructure within its borders as primary reasons behind the ongoing conflict. Moscow has further characterized the situation as a “proxy war” against Russia being waged by the West through Ukraine.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
Moscow consistently communicated to the diplomats that Ukraine's entry into the US-led alliance could lead to civil war or regional destabilization, compelling Russia to confront a situation it "does not want to have to face," as stated in a 24-minute video shared by Wikileaks on X.
In a February 2008 cable, then-US ambassador to Moscow William Burns emphasized that Russia regarded NATO's expansion as a threat to its security. He noted, “Not only does Russia perceive encirclement, and efforts to undermine Russia’s influence in the region, but it also fears unpredictable and uncontrolled consequences which would seriously affect Russian security interests.”
This perspective was echoed by some NATO allies in Europe at the time, according to another document. A cable from 2005 documenting a discussion between then-US assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, Daniel Fried, and senior French officials indicated Paris's worry that Ukraine's NATO aspirations could instigate armed conflict in Europe.
The document quoted French presidential diplomatic adviser Maurice Gourdault-Montagne warning, “If there remained one potential cause for war in Europe, it was Ukraine.” He cautioned that the US and its allies were encroaching upon Russia’s “core zone of interest,” which could provoke a strong reaction.
Fried recognized that there was no national consensus in Ukraine regarding NATO membership, yet he dismissed fears about violent internal divisions or Russia’s response.
Despite these concerns, Washington continued advocating for Ukraine's NATO membership, intending to "pursue western integration and NATO enlargement deliberately, but quietly," while "firmly" opposing Russia, as noted in a September 2009 cable from then-US ambassador to Moscow, John Beyrle.
Russia has consistently pointed to Ukraine's aspirations to join NATO and the potential establishment of the bloc’s military infrastructure within its borders as primary reasons behind the ongoing conflict. Moscow has further characterized the situation as a “proxy war” against Russia being waged by the West through Ukraine.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
