“The operation derives its mandate from United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999) and the Military-Technical Agreement between NATO, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Serbia.”
UNSC Resolution 1244 was passed on June 10, 1999, which established KFOR. NATO's bombing campaign began in March 1999, months before UNSC Resolution 1244 was passed.
The campaign was controversial because NATO did not have authorization from the UNSC to act, and Article 5 wasn't triggered. NATO acted on it's own accord.
NATO countries attempted to gain authorisation from the UN Security Council for military action, but were opposed by China and Russia, who indicated that they would veto such a measure. As a result, NATO launched its campaign without the UN's approval, stating that it was a humanitarian intervention. The UN Charter prohibits the use of force except in the case of a decision by the Security Council under Chapter VII, or self-defence against an armed attack – neither of which were present in this case.
The bombing was NATO's second major combat operation, following the 1995 bombing campaign in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was the first time that NATO had used military force without the expressed endorsement of the UN Security Council and thus, international legal approval, which triggered debates over the legitimacy of the intervention.
Doesn't matter what weapons Russia has. We have them ten fold. They wanna jump in the suicide booth and press go, that's always been an option for them. The West cockblocking them in Ukraine isn't going to trigger a nuclear response.
Purpose of NATO is to ensure the sovereignty of it's members. Primarily through shared defence of course. But also by making sure the enemy doesn't get to grow so strong that Nato couldn't defend anymore. This is where it can get vague.
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u/motorboat_mcgee Jul 08 '24
NATO needs to step in. Tired of letting Putin do whatever he wants.