Ukrainian victory over Russia is inevitable

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe it’s time to stop cornering him so that he doesn’t resort to desperate measures

Cornering? Strange. I don't think you understand, but not surprising. For many Americans, what goes on in Russia is a concept that's difficult to understand.

In the time-period of Putin's early career as a KGB spy, the KGB typically rewarded ruthlessness that achieved results. There were no bounds, no rules, nothing off limits. Assassination, blackmail, intimidation - not a concern for the KGB. It was the perfect environment for a black-belt judo scrapper who grew up on the streets of post-war Leningrad.

I believe he is inherently aggressive. For him, anyone who dares to contradict him is a threat. Appeasement of that type of personality also doesn't end well. Like a jackal circling prey, I believe he will relentlessly pick off the weak first and surprise attack the strong who could offer resistance.

As an example, if he steals something, rapes someone, murders someone - his expectation is you stand and watch; maybe even clap and cheer him on. But this also means that the more you appease, the worse it will be. This is why so many Russians are ambivalent to politics or even sending their children to die in Ukraine. Many are brainwashed sheep. If today milk is white, then it's white. If tomorrow milk is red, then it's red. If nuclear war is discussed as inevitable on television, then nuclear war is inevitable.

It is ironic that you believe that capitulation in Ukraine will solve the issue? You believe Putin will be happy? Will stop on his own? On the contrary, I believe it will accelerate his aggression. The portions of Ukraine being fought over include key natural resources and industry needed to sustain a wider global conflict, to include oil.



Ask yourself, would you be fine having your child raised under the Russian government? Where the only rule is abeyance absolute power? If so, you're nothing but a slave, my friend.

Hopefully you understand what the Ukrainians are fighting for and why it's important to the World.

Are you an expert on Russia?

Also, Ukraine and Russia are much less different than Ukraine wants the West to think
I happen to agree with “political realists” that Putin’s aggression was caused by the US and NATO flirting with Russia’s neighbors
To me it sounds logical. I think it was more than possible to coexist.

You're arguing Russian propaganda points put to rest about 200 pages ago. It shows just how badly you cling to tainted sources. Seriously, you need to read everything in this thread before commenting.

Reader's Digest Version - Ukraine used to be Russia's most trusted non-ethnic-Russian allies. They were even entrusted with nuclear weapons to fight as the front line of the USSR. Although a lot of things happened, key events in particular I think changed the minds of many Ukrainians. First was Chernobyl. https://time.com/4313139/post-chernobyl-parade/ That broke a fundamental trust amongst many of the common people with Russia. Second was the breakup of the USSR. Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Georgia, etc. all "got out" and nothing bad happened to them (well, at least not from the West). They realized they had "missed their chance" to become NATO allies. Third was probably the 2014 invasion. Again, you can read about that in prior pages. But this is why Russians take such offense to Ukraine flipping them the bird. They're shocked that Ukrainians don't love them and welcome them with flowers when their elderly are killed, children are kidnapped and women raped. Go figure.

The point is that you're under the belief that anyone in the West expects anything but co-existence out of Russia? The War in Ukraine was strictly one-sided. Russia invaded Ukraine on a half-baked premise. You remember Putin's threat "lie-down my darling and take it" threat just before the invasion? You think that's a person who cares about co-existence?

All Russia needs to do is leave Ukraine and poof - the war is over. It's that simple.

Now, will Russian relations with the West ever be the same again? Would you trust a government who's good with burning down city apartment buildings using thermobaric weaponry? Regularly threatening to use nuclear weapons on National TV? But my guess is you've never been to a place like that. Be glad you're here. This could be your hometown:

Do you seriously think university professors like John Mearsheimer are Russian propagandists?

Ah, Mearsheimer - the Chicago prof? I think he's fallen from grace.

I like his Conventional Deterrence strategy and I do believe he is correct that attrition (and I would extrapolate logistical) warfare is the way to go nowadays. I also agree with him that Ukraine should've maintained a nuclear deterrrent (and we see the results now). But that was the work he did over 20 years ago?

But I think the point that you're trying to make was either is "Why is Ukraine the West's Fault" piece? But you conveniently left out the part where he said, "if you really want to wreck Russia, what you should do is to encourage it to try to conquer Ukraine. Putin is much too smart to try that."

This is where I diverge with Mearsheimer. He blames Ukraine and Georgia wanting to join NATO in 2008 as "starting the war." From a Russian propaganda sense, if you're a Russian Kremlin ultranationalists, I would agree. But remember that this was not the rationale Putin initially used to wage war against Ukraine. It was to eradicate Nazi's and liberate Russians in Crimea, remember? This is where you're falling for Russian propaganda. Where history has been reshaped and remolded to fit your own personal bias. Before that (2016'ish), the Russian propaganda line was that Poroshenko (aka "porky", as Russian propagandists called him) was corrupt, so that's why Russia needed to invade in 2014. But that propaganda line couldn't be used effectively on Zelenksy (but seems to be retested again, reading recent posts?). "The West" (references help, if you have specific examples and wish to discuss) also didn't encourage Putin to attack Ukraine. You can claim NATO was a trigger, but that's only if you buy into the concept that Ukraine is a subservient vassal to Russia, versus an independent nation capable of self-governing. Again, a Kremlin propaganda line. And I believe Mearsheimer did become a Putin apologist in 2022, imho; so yes, I think he's been influenced by Russian propaganda, consciously or not.

Although you cling to Mearsheimer, the convenient omissions of fact really reveal your motives. My guess is that the Russian deep undercovers are using Mearsheimer to undermine US policy with military and political officials; so keep that in mind when you hear "oh, Mearsheimer says.."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe it’s time to stop cornering him so that he doesn’t resort to desperate measures

Cornering? Strange. I don't think you understand, but not surprising. For many Americans, what goes on in Russia is a concept that's difficult to understand.

In the time-period of Putin's early career as a KGB spy, the KGB typically rewarded ruthlessness that achieved results. There were no bounds, no rules, nothing off limits. Assassination, blackmail, intimidation - not a concern for the KGB. It was the perfect environment for a black-belt judo scrapper who grew up on the streets of post-war Leningrad.

I believe he is inherently aggressive. For him, anyone who dares to contradict him is a threat. Appeasement of that type of personality also doesn't end well. Like a jackal circling prey, I believe he will relentlessly pick off the weak first and surprise attack the strong who could offer resistance.

As an example, if he steals something, rapes someone, murders someone - his expectation is you stand and watch; maybe even clap and cheer him on. But this also means that the more you appease, the worse it will be. This is why so many Russians are ambivalent to politics or even sending their children to die in Ukraine. Many are brainwashed sheep. If today milk is white, then it's white. If tomorrow milk is red, then it's red. If nuclear war is discussed as inevitable on television, then nuclear war is inevitable.

It is ironic that you believe that capitulation in Ukraine will solve the issue? You believe Putin will be happy? Will stop on his own? On the contrary, I believe it will accelerate his aggression. The portions of Ukraine being fought over include key natural resources and industry needed to sustain a wider global conflict, to include oil.



Ask yourself, would you be fine having your child raised under the Russian government? Where the only rule is abeyance absolute power? If so, you're nothing but a slave, my friend.

Hopefully you understand what the Ukrainians are fighting for and why it's important to the World.

Are you an expert on Russia?

Also, Ukraine and Russia are much less different than Ukraine wants the West to think
I happen to agree with “political realists” that Putin’s aggression was caused by the US and NATO flirting with Russia’s neighbors
To me it sounds logical. I think it was more than possible to coexist.

The
That makes it even worse that Russia would treat them so badly - with violent disrespect

It’s like a thug snubbing a bigger thug. Never ends well.

No it was not like that at all. Ukrainians did not believe US intelligence that Russia was actually going to invade their peaceful country but believed Putin that amassing over 100k troops on the border was just a military training exercise. They would say we are almost cousins / they would not do that to us. Very few fled in advance of the invasion despite many warnings from US.

Ukrainians kept going about their lives normally for the most part. They were far from thugs but just regular people leading their lives.


Russia was the only thug in this invasion and in their arrogance thought the Ukrainians would just submit after a few days. It is not thuggery to value your freedom and independence and fight back when the elephant next door with a much bigger military and economy that is led by an insane war criminal illegally invades you. That is bravery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe it’s time to stop cornering him so that he doesn’t resort to desperate measures

Cornering? Strange. I don't think you understand, but not surprising. For many Americans, what goes on in Russia is a concept that's difficult to understand.

In the time-period of Putin's early career as a KGB spy, the KGB typically rewarded ruthlessness that achieved results. There were no bounds, no rules, nothing off limits. Assassination, blackmail, intimidation - not a concern for the KGB. It was the perfect environment for a black-belt judo scrapper who grew up on the streets of post-war Leningrad.

I believe he is inherently aggressive. For him, anyone who dares to contradict him is a threat. Appeasement of that type of personality also doesn't end well. Like a jackal circling prey, I believe he will relentlessly pick off the weak first and surprise attack the strong who could offer resistance.

As an example, if he steals something, rapes someone, murders someone - his expectation is you stand and watch; maybe even clap and cheer him on. But this also means that the more you appease, the worse it will be. This is why so many Russians are ambivalent to politics or even sending their children to die in Ukraine. Many are brainwashed sheep. If today milk is white, then it's white. If tomorrow milk is red, then it's red. If nuclear war is discussed as inevitable on television, then nuclear war is inevitable.

It is ironic that you believe that capitulation in Ukraine will solve the issue? You believe Putin will be happy? Will stop on his own? On the contrary, I believe it will accelerate his aggression. The portions of Ukraine being fought over include key natural resources and industry needed to sustain a wider global conflict, to include oil.



Ask yourself, would you be fine having your child raised under the Russian government? Where the only rule is abeyance absolute power? If so, you're nothing but a slave, my friend.

Hopefully you understand what the Ukrainians are fighting for and why it's important to the World.

Are you an expert on Russia?

Also, Ukraine and Russia are much less different than Ukraine wants the West to think
I happen to agree with “political realists” that Putin’s aggression was caused by the US and NATO flirting with Russia’s neighbors
To me it sounds logical. I think it was more than possible to coexist.

The
That makes it even worse that Russia would treat them so badly - with violent disrespect

It’s like a thug snubbing a bigger thug. Never ends well.

No it was not like that at all. Ukrainians did not believe US intelligence that Russia was actually going to invade their peaceful country but believed Putin that amassing over 100k troops on the border was just a military training exercise. They would say we are almost cousins / they would not do that to us. Very few fled in advance of the invasion despite many warnings from US.

Ukrainians kept going about their lives normally for the most part. They were far from thugs but just regular people leading their lives.

Russia was the only thug in this invasion and in their arrogance thought the Ukrainians would just submit after a few days. It is not thuggery to value your freedom and independence and fight back when the elephant next door with a much bigger military and economy that is led by an insane war criminal illegally invades you. That is bravery.

Remember this as you read about Russia's nuclear war preparations. This is Putin's MO. Surprise attack on the weak or unsuspecting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe it’s time to stop cornering him so that he doesn’t resort to desperate measures

Cornering? Strange. I don't think you understand, but not surprising. For many Americans, what goes on in Russia is a concept that's difficult to understand.

In the time-period of Putin's early career as a KGB spy, the KGB typically rewarded ruthlessness that achieved results. There were no bounds, no rules, nothing off limits. Assassination, blackmail, intimidation - not a concern for the KGB. It was the perfect environment for a black-belt judo scrapper who grew up on the streets of post-war Leningrad.

I believe he is inherently aggressive. For him, anyone who dares to contradict him is a threat. Appeasement of that type of personality also doesn't end well. Like a jackal circling prey, I believe he will relentlessly pick off the weak first and surprise attack the strong who could offer resistance.

As an example, if he steals something, rapes someone, murders someone - his expectation is you stand and watch; maybe even clap and cheer him on. But this also means that the more you appease, the worse it will be. This is why so many Russians are ambivalent to politics or even sending their children to die in Ukraine. Many are brainwashed sheep. If today milk is white, then it's white. If tomorrow milk is red, then it's red. If nuclear war is discussed as inevitable on television, then nuclear war is inevitable.

It is ironic that you believe that capitulation in Ukraine will solve the issue? You believe Putin will be happy? Will stop on his own? On the contrary, I believe it will accelerate his aggression. The portions of Ukraine being fought over include key natural resources and industry needed to sustain a wider global conflict, to include oil.



Ask yourself, would you be fine having your child raised under the Russian government? Where the only rule is abeyance absolute power? If so, you're nothing but a slave, my friend.

Hopefully you understand what the Ukrainians are fighting for and why it's important to the World.

Are you an expert on Russia?

Also, Ukraine and Russia are much less different than Ukraine wants the West to think
I happen to agree with “political realists” that Putin’s aggression was caused by the US and NATO flirting with Russia’s neighbors
To me it sounds logical. I think it was more than possible to coexist.

The
That makes it even worse that Russia would treat them so badly - with violent disrespect

It’s like a thug snubbing a bigger thug. Never ends well.

No it was not like that at all. Ukrainians did not believe US intelligence that Russia was actually going to invade their peaceful country but believed Putin that amassing over 100k troops on the border was just a military training exercise. They would say we are almost cousins / they would not do that to us. Very few fled in advance of the invasion despite many warnings from US.

Ukrainians kept going about their lives normally for the most part. They were far from thugs but just regular people leading their lives.

Russia was the only thug in this invasion and in their arrogance thought the Ukrainians would just submit after a few days. It is not thuggery to value your freedom and independence and fight back when the elephant next door with a much bigger military and economy that is led by an insane war criminal illegally invades you. That is bravery.

Remember this as you read about Russia's nuclear war preparations. This is Putin's MO. Surprise attack on the weak or unsuspecting.

I am pretty sure that he is planning nuclear attacks but don’t think I can do anything apart from remind others that he is a savage war criminal with no respect for human life and the author of endless lies and propoganda. It is sickening how much damage that he has done in our world all in the name of unbridled power.

We are surrounded by likely military targets so I doubt that we would survive.

I try to live my life with love and purpose every day though. Every day is a gift.

If you work in US intelligence, as I think you may, thank you for your service and for helping western democracies to survive better than we otherwise would.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe it’s time to stop cornering him so that he doesn’t resort to desperate measures

Cornering? Strange. I don't think you understand, but not surprising. For many Americans, what goes on in Russia is a concept that's difficult to understand.

In the time-period of Putin's early career as a KGB spy, the KGB typically rewarded ruthlessness that achieved results. There were no bounds, no rules, nothing off limits. Assassination, blackmail, intimidation - not a concern for the KGB. It was the perfect environment for a black-belt judo scrapper who grew up on the streets of post-war Leningrad.

I believe he is inherently aggressive. For him, anyone who dares to contradict him is a threat. Appeasement of that type of personality also doesn't end well. Like a jackal circling prey, I believe he will relentlessly pick off the weak first and surprise attack the strong who could offer resistance.

As an example, if he steals something, rapes someone, murders someone - his expectation is you stand and watch; maybe even clap and cheer him on. But this also means that the more you appease, the worse it will be. This is why so many Russians are ambivalent to politics or even sending their children to die in Ukraine. Many are brainwashed sheep. If today milk is white, then it's white. If tomorrow milk is red, then it's red. If nuclear war is discussed as inevitable on television, then nuclear war is inevitable.

It is ironic that you believe that capitulation in Ukraine will solve the issue? You believe Putin will be happy? Will stop on his own? On the contrary, I believe it will accelerate his aggression. The portions of Ukraine being fought over include key natural resources and industry needed to sustain a wider global conflict, to include oil.



Ask yourself, would you be fine having your child raised under the Russian government? Where the only rule is abeyance absolute power? If so, you're nothing but a slave, my friend.

Hopefully you understand what the Ukrainians are fighting for and why it's important to the World.

Are you an expert on Russia?

Also, Ukraine and Russia are much less different than Ukraine wants the West to think
I happen to agree with “political realists” that Putin’s aggression was caused by the US and NATO flirting with Russia’s neighbors
To me it sounds logical. I think it was more than possible to coexist.

The
That makes it even worse that Russia would treat them so badly - with violent disrespect

It’s like a thug snubbing a bigger thug. Never ends well.

No it was not like that at all. Ukrainians did not believe US intelligence that Russia was actually going to invade their peaceful country but believed Putin that amassing over 100k troops on the border was just a military training exercise. They would say we are almost cousins / they would not do that to us. Very few fled in advance of the invasion despite many warnings from US.

Ukrainians kept going about their lives normally for the most part. They were far from thugs but just regular people leading their lives.

Russia was the only thug in this invasion and in their arrogance thought the Ukrainians would just submit after a few days. It is not thuggery to value your freedom and independence and fight back when the elephant next door with a much bigger military and economy that is led by an insane war criminal illegally invades you. That is bravery.

Remember this as you read about Russia's nuclear war preparations. This is Putin's MO. Surprise attack on the weak or unsuspecting.

I am pretty sure that he is planning nuclear attacks but don’t think I can do anything apart from remind others that he is a savage war criminal with no respect for human life and the author of endless lies and propoganda. It is sickening how much damage that he has done in our world all in the name of unbridled power.

We are surrounded by likely military targets so I doubt that we would survive.

I try to live my life with love and purpose every day though. Every day is a gift.

If you work in US intelligence, as I think you may, thank you for your service and for helping western democracies to survive better than we otherwise would.

I love your views on Life and I'm sure your message will reach the people you wish to thank. Take care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WSJ throws in the towel in Ukraine. Spineless neocons lied for 24 months.

https://www.wsj.com/world/russia/its-time-to-end-magical-thinking-about-russias-defeat-f6d0b8de?mod=djemalertNEWS


Joe loses his second war. We need Trump. The only winner with correct instincts.

Thanks for your insights Vlad

The last thing we need is an insurrectionist fraud cult leader serving as lap dog for the world’s number one war criminal …

Calling Putin the number one war criminal is so October 6th.

Yeah he wants us to think that.

Who do you think armed and trained Hamas to employ their trade mark barbarism towards innocent civilians (with help from Iran)? The weapons used October 7 were licensed by Russia and various credible videos of Russian soldiers training Hamas terrorists.

The Number one war criminal wanted to divert the world’s gaze from his illegal and immoral war in Ukraine in order to buy himself more time to continue his reign of terror in Ukraine.

In the most despicable and cynical way possible he incited the latest Israel Gaza conflict while feigning concern for Palestinians. This is also at the expense of his own people as he doubles his military spending while drastically reducing funds for education, health and other domestic needs. .
He is positively gloating about the middle East crisis and not flossing over his illegal
Violent invasion of Ukraine as he thinks the world is not watching any more.

We are watching and won’t forget the evil he has unleashed on so many innocent people .

This is all true, but what actually led him to it and what is fueling it?
The arrogance of the US thinking we can tell him what to do wrt what he sees as his sphere of influence, much like the US looks at the Western hemisphere under the Monroe doctrine

No one in national security has told Putin what to do in Ukraine. But everyone is cheering it on.

This war has been a gift to the US. Russia is gone. Done. Finished. They made a profoundly stupid decision invading Ukraine. It's cost them roughly 300,000 casualties. Almost all of their armor. Literally, thousands of tanks. Plus all the artillery, the armored personnel carriers, etc. Even naval forces, including the flag ship of the Black Sea fleet. Plus air power given all the planes and helicopters that were shot down, not to mention attacks on Russian airbases. Their conventional military is wrecked. It is no threat to the West anymore. And it never will be again. Russia - or rather Ukraine - destroyed its ability to project military force anywhere.

That is no small thing. Countering Russia - and its predecessor, the Soviet Union - has been the defining strategic focus of the West for more than 80 years.

And Ukraine took care of it. It cost the US no lives. All we did was give Ukraine some 90s era equipment that was due to be mothballed regardless. It is the best return on investment in the history of humanity. From an American and NATO perspective, the longer that Russia continues to fight an unwinnable war, the better. They are losing 15,000-20,000 soldiers per month. Almost no other country on this planet would endure that without the government being overthrown. But Russians persist. They've completely destroyed their future, and yet they continue with these losses in places like Avdiivka, which has been absolutely devastating for the Russian military.

The Western strategic perspective is long may it continue.

The losses experienced by Ukrainians is a different discussion. And they have been heavy.

But from a western strategic perspective, Russia's invasion of Ukraine was a gift from the gods.

I thought the argument was that the war was a horrible thing and it was all Putin’s fault? And that it should have never happened?
And now it is suddenly a godsend. For the US.
So which is it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe it’s time to stop cornering him so that he doesn’t resort to desperate measures

Cornering? Strange. I don't think you understand, but not surprising. For many Americans, what goes on in Russia is a concept that's difficult to understand.

In the time-period of Putin's early career as a KGB spy, the KGB typically rewarded ruthlessness that achieved results. There were no bounds, no rules, nothing off limits. Assassination, blackmail, intimidation - not a concern for the KGB. It was the perfect environment for a black-belt judo scrapper who grew up on the streets of post-war Leningrad.

I believe he is inherently aggressive. For him, anyone who dares to contradict him is a threat. Appeasement of that type of personality also doesn't end well. Like a jackal circling prey, I believe he will relentlessly pick off the weak first and surprise attack the strong who could offer resistance.

As an example, if he steals something, rapes someone, murders someone - his expectation is you stand and watch; maybe even clap and cheer him on. But this also means that the more you appease, the worse it will be. This is why so many Russians are ambivalent to politics or even sending their children to die in Ukraine. Many are brainwashed sheep. If today milk is white, then it's white. If tomorrow milk is red, then it's red. If nuclear war is discussed as inevitable on television, then nuclear war is inevitable.

It is ironic that you believe that capitulation in Ukraine will solve the issue? You believe Putin will be happy? Will stop on his own? On the contrary, I believe it will accelerate his aggression. The portions of Ukraine being fought over include key natural resources and industry needed to sustain a wider global conflict, to include oil.



Ask yourself, would you be fine having your child raised under the Russian government? Where the only rule is abeyance absolute power? If so, you're nothing but a slave, my friend.

Hopefully you understand what the Ukrainians are fighting for and why it's important to the World.

Are you an expert on Russia?

Also, Ukraine and Russia are much less different than Ukraine wants the West to think
I happen to agree with “political realists” that Putin’s aggression was caused by the US and NATO flirting with Russia’s neighbors
To me it sounds logical. I think it was more than possible to coexist.

You're arguing Russian propaganda points put to rest about 200 pages ago. It shows just how badly you cling to tainted sources. Seriously, you need to read everything in this thread before commenting.

Reader's Digest Version - Ukraine used to be Russia's most trusted non-ethnic-Russian allies. They were even entrusted with nuclear weapons to fight as the front line of the USSR. Although a lot of things happened, key events in particular I think changed the minds of many Ukrainians. First was Chernobyl. https://time.com/4313139/post-chernobyl-parade/ That broke a fundamental trust amongst many of the common people with Russia. Second was the breakup of the USSR. Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Georgia, etc. all "got out" and nothing bad happened to them (well, at least not from the West). They realized they had "missed their chance" to become NATO allies. Third was probably the 2014 invasion. Again, you can read about that in prior pages. But this is why Russians take such offense to Ukraine flipping them the bird. They're shocked that Ukrainians don't love them and welcome them with flowers when their elderly are killed, children are kidnapped and women raped. Go figure.

The point is that you're under the belief that anyone in the West expects anything but co-existence out of Russia? The War in Ukraine was strictly one-sided. Russia invaded Ukraine on a half-baked premise. You remember Putin's threat "lie-down my darling and take it" threat just before the invasion? You think that's a person who cares about co-existence?

All Russia needs to do is leave Ukraine and poof - the war is over. It's that simple.

Now, will Russian relations with the West ever be the same again? Would you trust a government who's good with burning down city apartment buildings using thermobaric weaponry? Regularly threatening to use nuclear weapons on National TV? But my guess is you've never been to a place like that. Be glad you're here. This could be your hometown:

Do you seriously think university professors like John Mearsheimer are Russian propagandists?

Ah, Mearsheimer - the Chicago prof? I think he's fallen from grace.

I like his Conventional Deterrence strategy and I do believe he is correct that attrition (and I would extrapolate logistical) warfare is the way to go nowadays. I also agree with him that Ukraine should've maintained a nuclear deterrrent (and we see the results now). But that was the work he did over 20 years ago?

But I think the point that you're trying to make was either is "Why is Ukraine the West's Fault" piece? But you conveniently left out the part where he said, "if you really want to wreck Russia, what you should do is to encourage it to try to conquer Ukraine. Putin is much too smart to try that."

This is where I diverge with Mearsheimer. He blames Ukraine and Georgia wanting to join NATO in 2008 as "starting the war." From a Russian propaganda sense, if you're a Russian Kremlin ultranationalists, I would agree. But remember that this was not the rationale Putin initially used to wage war against Ukraine. It was to eradicate Nazi's and liberate Russians in Crimea, remember? This is where you're falling for Russian propaganda. Where history has been reshaped and remolded to fit your own personal bias. Before that (2016'ish), the Russian propaganda line was that Poroshenko (aka "porky", as Russian propagandists called him) was corrupt, so that's why Russia needed to invade in 2014. But that propaganda line couldn't be used effectively on Zelenksy (but seems to be retested again, reading recent posts?). "The West" (references help, if you have specific examples and wish to discuss) also didn't encourage Putin to attack Ukraine. You can claim NATO was a trigger, but that's only if you buy into the concept that Ukraine is a subservient vassal to Russia, versus an independent nation capable of self-governing. Again, a Kremlin propaganda line. And I believe Mearsheimer did become a Putin apologist in 2022, imho; so yes, I think he's been influenced by Russian propaganda, consciously or not.

Although you cling to Mearsheimer, the convenient omissions of fact really reveal your motives. My guess is that the Russian deep undercovers are using Mearsheimer to undermine US policy with military and political officials; so keep that in mind when you hear "oh, Mearsheimer says.."

How exactly are Russian undercovers using him? He isn’t influential at all, as you said yourself he is out of favor

Also, no, he does not blame Georgia or Ukraine. He blames the US for putting the crazy idea into their heads.

In any case, I agree with one of the PPs that this war was a godsend for the US.
From a moral standpoint, it is awful that this war was so carefully crafted and how Putin was carefully led right into the trap. Many people have died and will die; many others are suffering, and for what?
From the point of view of international relations and politics it was a brilliant combination. Slavs killing each other and the US (not all of it - regular people deal with the fallout such as refugees, but not too much) gets to harvest the fruits.
What I don’t like is when the US political figures fake outrage at Putin and Russia in general.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe it’s time to stop cornering him so that he doesn’t resort to desperate measures

Cornering? Strange. I don't think you understand, but not surprising. For many Americans, what goes on in Russia is a concept that's difficult to understand.

In the time-period of Putin's early career as a KGB spy, the KGB typically rewarded ruthlessness that achieved results. There were no bounds, no rules, nothing off limits. Assassination, blackmail, intimidation - not a concern for the KGB. It was the perfect environment for a black-belt judo scrapper who grew up on the streets of post-war Leningrad.

I believe he is inherently aggressive. For him, anyone who dares to contradict him is a threat. Appeasement of that type of personality also doesn't end well. Like a jackal circling prey, I believe he will relentlessly pick off the weak first and surprise attack the strong who could offer resistance.

As an example, if he steals something, rapes someone, murders someone - his expectation is you stand and watch; maybe even clap and cheer him on. But this also means that the more you appease, the worse it will be. This is why so many Russians are ambivalent to politics or even sending their children to die in Ukraine. Many are brainwashed sheep. If today milk is white, then it's white. If tomorrow milk is red, then it's red. If nuclear war is discussed as inevitable on television, then nuclear war is inevitable.

It is ironic that you believe that capitulation in Ukraine will solve the issue? You believe Putin will be happy? Will stop on his own? On the contrary, I believe it will accelerate his aggression. The portions of Ukraine being fought over include key natural resources and industry needed to sustain a wider global conflict, to include oil.



Ask yourself, would you be fine having your child raised under the Russian government? Where the only rule is abeyance absolute power? If so, you're nothing but a slave, my friend.

Hopefully you understand what the Ukrainians are fighting for and why it's important to the World.

Are you an expert on Russia?

Also, Ukraine and Russia are much less different than Ukraine wants the West to think
I happen to agree with “political realists” that Putin’s aggression was caused by the US and NATO flirting with Russia’s neighbors
To me it sounds logical. I think it was more than possible to coexist.

The
That makes it even worse that Russia would treat them so badly - with violent disrespect

It’s like a thug snubbing a bigger thug. Never ends well.

No it was not like that at all. Ukrainians did not believe US intelligence that Russia was actually going to invade their peaceful country but believed Putin that amassing over 100k troops on the border was just a military training exercise. They would say we are almost cousins / they would not do that to us. Very few fled in advance of the invasion despite many warnings from US.

Ukrainians kept going about their lives normally for the most part. They were far from thugs but just regular people leading their lives.


Russia was the only thug in this invasion and in their arrogance thought the Ukrainians would just submit after a few days. It is not thuggery to value your freedom and independence and fight back when the elephant next door with a much bigger military and economy that is led by an insane war criminal illegally invades you. That is bravery.

Ordinary people in both countries are mostly ok.
The leading circles of both countries are equally thuggish. The smaller thug thought he could snub the bigger thug because an even bigger force was allegedly wiling to defend the small thug.
It just didn’t go over well as we can see.

[Anonymous]

This is so touching how country A makes sure country B provokes country C, and then the flight is bigger than they (originally) anticipated and it’s all country C’s fault.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe it’s time to stop cornering him so that he doesn’t resort to desperate measures

Cornering? Strange. I don't think you understand, but not surprising. For many Americans, what goes on in Russia is a concept that's difficult to understand.

In the time-period of Putin's early career as a KGB spy, the KGB typically rewarded ruthlessness that achieved results. There were no bounds, no rules, nothing off limits. Assassination, blackmail, intimidation - not a concern for the KGB. It was the perfect environment for a black-belt judo scrapper who grew up on the streets of post-war Leningrad.

I believe he is inherently aggressive. For him, anyone who dares to contradict him is a threat. Appeasement of that type of personality also doesn't end well. Like a jackal circling prey, I believe he will relentlessly pick off the weak first and surprise attack the strong who could offer resistance.

As an example, if he steals something, rapes someone, murders someone - his expectation is you stand and watch; maybe even clap and cheer him on. But this also means that the more you appease, the worse it will be. This is why so many Russians are ambivalent to politics or even sending their children to die in Ukraine. Many are brainwashed sheep. If today milk is white, then it's white. If tomorrow milk is red, then it's red. If nuclear war is discussed as inevitable on television, then nuclear war is inevitable.

It is ironic that you believe that capitulation in Ukraine will solve the issue? You believe Putin will be happy? Will stop on his own? On the contrary, I believe it will accelerate his aggression. The portions of Ukraine being fought over include key natural resources and industry needed to sustain a wider global conflict, to include oil.



Ask yourself, would you be fine having your child raised under the Russian government? Where the only rule is abeyance absolute power? If so, you're nothing but a slave, my friend.

Hopefully you understand what the Ukrainians are fighting for and why it's important to the World.

Are you an expert on Russia?

Also, Ukraine and Russia are much less different than Ukraine wants the West to think
I happen to agree with “political realists” that Putin’s aggression was caused by the US and NATO flirting with Russia’s neighbors
To me it sounds logical. I think it was more than possible to coexist.

You're arguing Russian propaganda points put to rest about 200 pages ago. It shows just how badly you cling to tainted sources. Seriously, you need to read everything in this thread before commenting.

Reader's Digest Version - Ukraine used to be Russia's most trusted non-ethnic-Russian allies. They were even entrusted with nuclear weapons to fight as the front line of the USSR. Although a lot of things happened, key events in particular I think changed the minds of many Ukrainians. First was Chernobyl. https://time.com/4313139/post-chernobyl-parade/ That broke a fundamental trust amongst many of the common people with Russia. Second was the breakup of the USSR. Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Georgia, etc. all "got out" and nothing bad happened to them (well, at least not from the West). They realized they had "missed their chance" to become NATO allies. Third was probably the 2014 invasion. Again, you can read about that in prior pages. But this is why Russians take such offense to Ukraine flipping them the bird. They're shocked that Ukrainians don't love them and welcome them with flowers when their elderly are killed, children are kidnapped and women raped. Go figure.

The point is that you're under the belief that anyone in the West expects anything but co-existence out of Russia? The War in Ukraine was strictly one-sided. Russia invaded Ukraine on a half-baked premise. You remember Putin's threat "lie-down my darling and take it" threat just before the invasion? You think that's a person who cares about co-existence?

All Russia needs to do is leave Ukraine and poof - the war is over. It's that simple.

Now, will Russian relations with the West ever be the same again? Would you trust a government who's good with burning down city apartment buildings using thermobaric weaponry? Regularly threatening to use nuclear weapons on National TV? But my guess is you've never been to a place like that. Be glad you're here. This could be your hometown:

Do you seriously think university professors like John Mearsheimer are Russian propagandists?

Ah, Mearsheimer - the Chicago prof? I think he's fallen from grace.

I like his Conventional Deterrence strategy and I do believe he is correct that attrition (and I would extrapolate logistical) warfare is the way to go nowadays. I also agree with him that Ukraine should've maintained a nuclear deterrrent (and we see the results now). But that was the work he did over 20 years ago?

But I think the point that you're trying to make was either is "Why is Ukraine the West's Fault" piece? But you conveniently left out the part where he said, "if you really want to wreck Russia, what you should do is to encourage it to try to conquer Ukraine. Putin is much too smart to try that."

This is where I diverge with Mearsheimer. He blames Ukraine and Georgia wanting to join NATO in 2008 as "starting the war." From a Russian propaganda sense, if you're a Russian Kremlin ultranationalists, I would agree. But remember that this was not the rationale Putin initially used to wage war against Ukraine. It was to eradicate Nazi's and liberate Russians in Crimea, remember? This is where you're falling for Russian propaganda. Where history has been reshaped and remolded to fit your own personal bias. Before that (2016'ish), the Russian propaganda line was that Poroshenko (aka "porky", as Russian propagandists called him) was corrupt, so that's why Russia needed to invade in 2014. But that propaganda line couldn't be used effectively on Zelenksy (but seems to be retested again, reading recent posts?). "The West" (references help, if you have specific examples and wish to discuss) also didn't encourage Putin to attack Ukraine. You can claim NATO was a trigger, but that's only if you buy into the concept that Ukraine is a subservient vassal to Russia, versus an independent nation capable of self-governing. Again, a Kremlin propaganda line. And I believe Mearsheimer did become a Putin apologist in 2022, imho; so yes, I think he's been influenced by Russian propaganda, consciously or not.

Although you cling to Mearsheimer, the convenient omissions of fact really reveal your motives. My guess is that the Russian deep undercovers are using Mearsheimer to undermine US policy with military and political officials; so keep that in mind when you hear "oh, Mearsheimer says.."

I don't understand this expectation. Every single country uses some form of propaganda before invading or doing similarly unsavory things. I mean for Iraq, it was first WMD, then bringing democracy to the Middle East, then...something! When the informed circles knew it was really about oil. When Israel behaves thuggishly in the West Bank, do you think they are announcing "we are doing this to annex more land"? No, it is always some line about security etc. In conclusion:

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe it’s time to stop cornering him so that he doesn’t resort to desperate measures

Cornering? Strange. I don't think you understand, but not surprising. For many Americans, what goes on in Russia is a concept that's difficult to understand.

In the time-period of Putin's early career as a KGB spy, the KGB typically rewarded ruthlessness that achieved results. There were no bounds, no rules, nothing off limits. Assassination, blackmail, intimidation - not a concern for the KGB. It was the perfect environment for a black-belt judo scrapper who grew up on the streets of post-war Leningrad.

I believe he is inherently aggressive. For him, anyone who dares to contradict him is a threat. Appeasement of that type of personality also doesn't end well. Like a jackal circling prey, I believe he will relentlessly pick off the weak first and surprise attack the strong who could offer resistance.

As an example, if he steals something, rapes someone, murders someone - his expectation is you stand and watch; maybe even clap and cheer him on. But this also means that the more you appease, the worse it will be. This is why so many Russians are ambivalent to politics or even sending their children to die in Ukraine. Many are brainwashed sheep. If today milk is white, then it's white. If tomorrow milk is red, then it's red. If nuclear war is discussed as inevitable on television, then nuclear war is inevitable.

It is ironic that you believe that capitulation in Ukraine will solve the issue? You believe Putin will be happy? Will stop on his own? On the contrary, I believe it will accelerate his aggression. The portions of Ukraine being fought over include key natural resources and industry needed to sustain a wider global conflict, to include oil.



Ask yourself, would you be fine having your child raised under the Russian government? Where the only rule is abeyance absolute power? If so, you're nothing but a slave, my friend.

Hopefully you understand what the Ukrainians are fighting for and why it's important to the World.

Are you an expert on Russia?

Also, Ukraine and Russia are much less different than Ukraine wants the West to think
I happen to agree with “political realists” that Putin’s aggression was caused by the US and NATO flirting with Russia’s neighbors
To me it sounds logical. I think it was more than possible to coexist.

You're arguing Russian propaganda points put to rest about 200 pages ago. It shows just how badly you cling to tainted sources. Seriously, you need to read everything in this thread before commenting.

Reader's Digest Version - Ukraine used to be Russia's most trusted non-ethnic-Russian allies. They were even entrusted with nuclear weapons to fight as the front line of the USSR. Although a lot of things happened, key events in particular I think changed the minds of many Ukrainians. First was Chernobyl. https://time.com/4313139/post-chernobyl-parade/ That broke a fundamental trust amongst many of the common people with Russia. Second was the breakup of the USSR. Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Georgia, etc. all "got out" and nothing bad happened to them (well, at least not from the West). They realized they had "missed their chance" to become NATO allies. Third was probably the 2014 invasion. Again, you can read about that in prior pages. But this is why Russians take such offense to Ukraine flipping them the bird. They're shocked that Ukrainians don't love them and welcome them with flowers when their elderly are killed, children are kidnapped and women raped. Go figure.

The point is that you're under the belief that anyone in the West expects anything but co-existence out of Russia? The War in Ukraine was strictly one-sided. Russia invaded Ukraine on a half-baked premise. You remember Putin's threat "lie-down my darling and take it" threat just before the invasion? You think that's a person who cares about co-existence?

All Russia needs to do is leave Ukraine and poof - the war is over. It's that simple.

Now, will Russian relations with the West ever be the same again? Would you trust a government who's good with burning down city apartment buildings using thermobaric weaponry? Regularly threatening to use nuclear weapons on National TV? But my guess is you've never been to a place like that. Be glad you're here. This could be your hometown:

Do you seriously think university professors like John Mearsheimer are Russian propagandists?

Ah, Mearsheimer - the Chicago prof? I think he's fallen from grace.

I like his Conventional Deterrence strategy and I do believe he is correct that attrition (and I would extrapolate logistical) warfare is the way to go nowadays. I also agree with him that Ukraine should've maintained a nuclear deterrrent (and we see the results now). But that was the work he did over 20 years ago?

But I think the point that you're trying to make was either is "Why is Ukraine the West's Fault" piece? But you conveniently left out the part where he said, "if you really want to wreck Russia, what you should do is to encourage it to try to conquer Ukraine. Putin is much too smart to try that."

This is where I diverge with Mearsheimer. He blames Ukraine and Georgia wanting to join NATO in 2008 as "starting the war." From a Russian propaganda sense, if you're a Russian Kremlin ultranationalists, I would agree. But remember that this was not the rationale Putin initially used to wage war against Ukraine. It was to eradicate Nazi's and liberate Russians in Crimea, remember? This is where you're falling for Russian propaganda. Where history has been reshaped and remolded to fit your own personal bias. Before that (2016'ish), the Russian propaganda line was that Poroshenko (aka "porky", as Russian propagandists called him) was corrupt, so that's why Russia needed to invade in 2014. But that propaganda line couldn't be used effectively on Zelenksy (but seems to be retested again, reading recent posts?). "The West" (references help, if you have specific examples and wish to discuss) also didn't encourage Putin to attack Ukraine. You can claim NATO was a trigger, but that's only if you buy into the concept that Ukraine is a subservient vassal to Russia, versus an independent nation capable of self-governing. Again, a Kremlin propaganda line. And I believe Mearsheimer did become a Putin apologist in 2022, imho; so yes, I think he's been influenced by Russian propaganda, consciously or not.

Although you cling to Mearsheimer, the convenient omissions of fact really reveal your motives. My guess is that the Russian deep undercovers are using Mearsheimer to undermine US policy with military and political officials; so keep that in mind when you hear "oh, Mearsheimer says.."

I don't understand this expectation. Every single country uses some form of propaganda before invading or doing similarly unsavory things. I mean for Iraq, it was first WMD, then bringing democracy to the Middle East, then...something! When the informed circles knew it was really about oil. When Israel behaves thuggishly in the West Bank, do you think they are announcing "we are doing this to annex more land"? No, it is always some line about security etc. In conclusion:

DP /

What other countries in modern history have invaded their neighbors that they were in good terms with? and what other countries do propoganda on the scale of Putin’s Russia.? As in make deals and break them and then lie that the other country were the ones committing the war crimes they carried out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe it’s time to stop cornering him so that he doesn’t resort to desperate measures

Cornering? Strange. I don't think you understand, but not surprising. For many Americans, what goes on in Russia is a concept that's difficult to understand.

In the time-period of Putin's early career as a KGB spy, the KGB typically rewarded ruthlessness that achieved results. There were no bounds, no rules, nothing off limits. Assassination, blackmail, intimidation - not a concern for the KGB. It was the perfect environment for a black-belt judo scrapper who grew up on the streets of post-war Leningrad.

I believe he is inherently aggressive. For him, anyone who dares to contradict him is a threat. Appeasement of that type of personality also doesn't end well. Like a jackal circling prey, I believe he will relentlessly pick off the weak first and surprise attack the strong who could offer resistance.

As an example, if he steals something, rapes someone, murders someone - his expectation is you stand and watch; maybe even clap and cheer him on. But this also means that the more you appease, the worse it will be. This is why so many Russians are ambivalent to politics or even sending their children to die in Ukraine. Many are brainwashed sheep. If today milk is white, then it's white. If tomorrow milk is red, then it's red. If nuclear war is discussed as inevitable on television, then nuclear war is inevitable.

It is ironic that you believe that capitulation in Ukraine will solve the issue? You believe Putin will be happy? Will stop on his own? On the contrary, I believe it will accelerate his aggression. The portions of Ukraine being fought over include key natural resources and industry needed to sustain a wider global conflict, to include oil.



Ask yourself, would you be fine having your child raised under the Russian government? Where the only rule is abeyance absolute power? If so, you're nothing but a slave, my friend.

Hopefully you understand what the Ukrainians are fighting for and why it's important to the World.

Are you an expert on Russia?

Also, Ukraine and Russia are much less different than Ukraine wants the West to think
I happen to agree with “political realists” that Putin’s aggression was caused by the US and NATO flirting with Russia’s neighbors
To me it sounds logical. I think it was more than possible to coexist.

The
That makes it even worse that Russia would treat them so badly - with violent disrespect

It’s like a thug snubbing a bigger thug. Never ends well.

No it was not like that at all. Ukrainians did not believe US intelligence that Russia was actually going to invade their peaceful country but believed Putin that amassing over 100k troops on the border was just a military training exercise. They would say we are almost cousins / they would not do that to us. Very few fled in advance of the invasion despite many warnings from US.

Ukrainians kept going about their lives normally for the most part. They were far from thugs but just regular people leading their lives.


Russia was the only thug in this invasion and in their arrogance thought the Ukrainians would just submit after a few days. It is not thuggery to value your freedom and independence and fight back when the elephant next door with a much bigger military and economy that is led by an insane war criminal illegally invades you. That is bravery.

Ordinary people in both countries are mostly ok.
The leading circles of both countries are equally thuggish. The smaller thug thought he could snub the bigger thug because an even bigger force was allegedly wiling to defend the small thug.
It just didn’t go over well as we can see.

Absurd whataboutism.

One very large country invaded its neighbor in extremely violent ways and lied about what it was doing in the lead up.


You can make all the false equivalences you like but sputum and his cronies behaved in illegal and immoral ways.

Ordinary Ukrainians have defended themselves with honor and bravery.

[Anonymous]

Zelensky has lost a generation of youth to please his western paymasters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe it’s time to stop cornering him so that he doesn’t resort to desperate measures

Cornering? Strange. I don't think you understand, but not surprising. For many Americans, what goes on in Russia is a concept that's difficult to understand.

In the time-period of Putin's early career as a KGB spy, the KGB typically rewarded ruthlessness that achieved results. There were no bounds, no rules, nothing off limits. Assassination, blackmail, intimidation - not a concern for the KGB. It was the perfect environment for a black-belt judo scrapper who grew up on the streets of post-war Leningrad.

I believe he is inherently aggressive. For him, anyone who dares to contradict him is a threat. Appeasement of that type of personality also doesn't end well. Like a jackal circling prey, I believe he will relentlessly pick off the weak first and surprise attack the strong who could offer resistance.

As an example, if he steals something, rapes someone, murders someone - his expectation is you stand and watch; maybe even clap and cheer him on. But this also means that the more you appease, the worse it will be. This is why so many Russians are ambivalent to politics or even sending their children to die in Ukraine. Many are brainwashed sheep. If today milk is white, then it's white. If tomorrow milk is red, then it's red. If nuclear war is discussed as inevitable on television, then nuclear war is inevitable.

It is ironic that you believe that capitulation in Ukraine will solve the issue? You believe Putin will be happy? Will stop on his own? On the contrary, I believe it will accelerate his aggression. The portions of Ukraine being fought over include key natural resources and industry needed to sustain a wider global conflict, to include oil.



Ask yourself, would you be fine having your child raised under the Russian government? Where the only rule is abeyance absolute power? If so, you're nothing but a slave, my friend.

Hopefully you understand what the Ukrainians are fighting for and why it's important to the World.

Are you an expert on Russia?

Also, Ukraine and Russia are much less different than Ukraine wants the West to think
I happen to agree with “political realists” that Putin’s aggression was caused by the US and NATO flirting with Russia’s neighbors
To me it sounds logical. I think it was more than possible to coexist.

The
That makes it even worse that Russia would treat them so badly - with violent disrespect

It’s like a thug snubbing a bigger thug. Never ends well.

No it was not like that at all. Ukrainians did not believe US intelligence that Russia was actually going to invade their peaceful country but believed Putin that amassing over 100k troops on the border was just a military training exercise. They would say we are almost cousins / they would not do that to us. Very few fled in advance of the invasion despite many warnings from US.

Ukrainians kept going about their lives normally for the most part. They were far from thugs but just regular people leading their lives.


Russia was the only thug in this invasion and in their arrogance thought the Ukrainians would just submit after a few days. It is not thuggery to value your freedom and independence and fight back when the elephant next door with a much bigger military and economy that is led by an insane war criminal illegally invades you. That is bravery.

Ordinary people in both countries are mostly ok.
The leading circles of both countries are equally thuggish. The smaller thug thought he could snub the bigger thug because an even bigger force was allegedly wiling to defend the small thug.
It just didn’t go over well as we can see.

Absurd whataboutism.

One very large country invaded its neighbor in extremely violent ways and lied about what it was doing in the lead up.


You can make all the false equivalences you like but sputum and his cronies behaved in illegal and immoral ways.

Ordinary Ukrainians have defended themselves with honor and bravery.

Blah blah blah
Ukrainians were fooled. Putin was fooled too (though he did act in a despicable way). I hope it pays off for the US (and we won’t overplay our hand and get bombed as a result)
Overall it’s big guys games and we are just pawns in it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WSJ throws in the towel in Ukraine. Spineless neocons lied for 24 months.

https://www.wsj.com/world/russia/its-time-to-end-magical-thinking-about-russias-defeat-f6d0b8de?mod=djemalertNEWS


Joe loses his second war. We need Trump. The only winner with correct instincts.

Thanks for your insights Vlad

The last thing we need is an insurrectionist fraud cult leader serving as lap dog for the world’s number one war criminal …

Calling Putin the number one war criminal is so October 6th.

Yeah he wants us to think that.

Who do you think armed and trained Hamas to employ their trade mark barbarism towards innocent civilians (with help from Iran)? The weapons used October 7 were licensed by Russia and various credible videos of Russian soldiers training Hamas terrorists.

The Number one war criminal wanted to divert the world’s gaze from his illegal and immoral war in Ukraine in order to buy himself more time to continue his reign of terror in Ukraine.

In the most despicable and cynical way possible he incited the latest Israel Gaza conflict while feigning concern for Palestinians. This is also at the expense of his own people as he doubles his military spending while drastically reducing funds for education, health and other domestic needs. .
He is positively gloating about the middle East crisis and not flossing over his illegal
Violent invasion of Ukraine as he thinks the world is not watching any more.

We are watching and won’t forget the evil he has unleashed on so many innocent people .

This is all true, but what actually led him to it and what is fueling it?
The arrogance of the US thinking we can tell him what to do wrt what he sees as his sphere of influence, much like the US looks at the Western hemisphere under the Monroe doctrine

No one in national security has told Putin what to do in Ukraine. But everyone is cheering it on.

This war has been a gift to the US. Russia is gone. Done. Finished. They made a profoundly stupid decision invading Ukraine. It's cost them roughly 300,000 casualties. Almost all of their armor. Literally, thousands of tanks. Plus all the artillery, the armored personnel carriers, etc. Even naval forces, including the flag ship of the Black Sea fleet. Plus air power given all the planes and helicopters that were shot down, not to mention attacks on Russian airbases. Their conventional military is wrecked. It is no threat to the West anymore. And it never will be again. Russia - or rather Ukraine - destroyed its ability to project military force anywhere.

That is no small thing. Countering Russia - and its predecessor, the Soviet Union - has been the defining strategic focus of the West for more than 80 years.

And Ukraine took care of it. It cost the US no lives. All we did was give Ukraine some 90s era equipment that was due to be mothballed regardless. It is the best return on investment in the history of humanity. From an American and NATO perspective, the longer that Russia continues to fight an unwinnable war, the better. They are losing 15,000-20,000 soldiers per month. Almost no other country on this planet would endure that without the government being overthrown. But Russians persist. They've completely destroyed their future, and yet they continue with these losses in places like Avdiivka, which has been absolutely devastating for the Russian military.

The Western strategic perspective is long may it continue.

The losses experienced by Ukrainians is a different discussion. And they have been heavy.

But from a western strategic perspective, Russia's invasion of Ukraine was a gift from the gods.

I thought the argument was that the war was a horrible thing and it was all Putin’s fault? And that it should have never happened?
And now it is suddenly a godsend. For the US.
So which is it.

From a western and NATO strategic perspective, it's been great.

From a moral and humanitarian perspective, it's been awful. Ukrainians have suffered a lot.