Economic Reasons

Day 5,232, 11:45 • Published in USA USA • by Gnilraps
HOIST THAT RAG
CODE or NATO



I wish to briefly review the real-life situation in Ukraine, and then compare one specific dynamic with one of the most significant events in eUSA history: it’s legendary swing from CODE into Asteria.



THE REAL LIFE SITUATION

Like the rest of the world, I’ve been spending more time than usual listening to the news and learning as much as I can about the war events in Ukraine and the circumstances that have led to the most significant global crisis I’ve experienced during my lifetime.

Perhaps the most pivotal decision that has been made by any government during the past three weeks has been the USA’s (along with NATO’s) refusal to enforce a “no-fly-zone” over the Ukrainian skies. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly urged the western powers to provide this military assistance, fully cognizant of how it could escalate the conflict.

Please note the emphasis on could.

Zelenskyy’s insistence has more than one just cause.

Most urgently, the no-fly-zone would surely protect countless Ukrainian civilians from Russian bombing.

But equally pressing is the Budapest Agreement of 1994. It hasn’t been mentioned much if at all by western media.

I’ll refresh your memory.

When the Soviet Union collapsed and Ukraine became a sovereign nation, it inherited a large stockpile of nuclear weapons that USSR had within Ukraine’s territory. Suddenly, this brand new nation - Ukraine - possessed the third largest nuclear weapon arsenal in the world.

NATO, led by USA and the UK, along with Russia urged Ukraine to denuclearize - destroy the weapons that now belonged to them. What emerged was the Budapest Agreement.

Ukraine would destroy its nuclear weapons in exchange for the guarantee that the USA, UK, and Russia (!!!) would defend Ukraine’s security.

Russia blatently violated the Budapest Agreement when it annexed Crimea. USA and the UK did not honor the Budapest Agreement at that time.

Russia is currently making a mockery of the Budapest Agreement by not only violating Ukrainian security, but waging a genocidal war against her people.

Meanwhile, the Budapest Agreement seems forgotten by the USA and UK while Ukrainians die en masse.

Enough of the RL history lesson, what does this have to do with eRepublik?





THE EBUDAPEST AGREEMENT


During eUSA’s good standing in CODE ,eUSA agreed to strategically open her core regions, and their bonuses, for CODE’s economic benefit.

eUSA became the secure “bread basket” for CODE.

The region advantage enjoyed by eUSA is one of her strongest assets in eRepublik, and I will always support a policy which seeks to use this region advantage in ways that strengthen our Alliance and ensure better security for eUSA’s citizens. eUSA is wise to offer her regions to allies.

However, the agreement was eUSA’s regions for CODE’s protection. It was our own little eVersion of the Budapest Agreement. Let’s go ahead and just call it the eBudapest Agreement, shall we?

So when Asteria invaded eUSA’s cores, eUSA was completely within her rights to insist that CODE member nations rise in defense.

CODE did not.

…


Dozens if not hundreds of CODE’s biggest tanks refused to use their resources to defend the breadbasket of the alliance. They did not feel the sting of the missiles. It was not their homes being bombed. One wonders just how many eBabies were killed during that invasion because CODE refused to keep its word, and refused to enforce an eNo-fly-zone over eUSA’s cores.

CODE refused to fight for a nation that had honored its word.

CODE ignored the eBudapest Agreement. Why? Because of “economic reasons”.


Oh, how painfully familiar that sounds today.





Full Turn

The Asterian invasion of eUSA was the moment my eyes were opened to the difference between Asteria and CODE. That is why I was, I believe, the first voice in eUSA to hail Asteria and publicly call them my brothers and sisters. On that day I pledged, “you will find eUSA standing ready and eager…”.

Indeed we were, are, and will be.



The Point

I hope, as you all continue to diligently follow the chaotic news from real life, that you will see how the eUS presidents like the courageous Tyler Bublar who pulled the trigger, the inimitable Kernel Krapis who always seemed wise beyond his eYears, and that mad Federalist genius Chthulu; I hope you will see how they and their good nation felt like Volodymyr Zelenksyy and the Ukrainian people feel as the RL Budapest Agreement gathers dust…

…and while Ukrainian civilians die.


I sincerely hope that Ukraine, at this dire moment of survival, will have as bright and productive future as eUSA has since enjoyed as a member of Asteria.


HAIL eUSA!
HAIL ASTERIA!
HAIL UKRAINE!




That’s all. Thanks for reading.
-Gnilraps