Men in suits shuffling around shaking hands and grinning for the cameras, they make me sick. And our lot, sold their souls to the Russians and now scared to act. Why isn't our PM demanding to see Putin face to face. Gutless.
horrible feeling that China will have a go at taking Taiwan soon and things will escalate worldwide. Putin has now gone past the point of no return, this ain't going to end well
I think that would only ever happen if a peace is agreed that appeased Russia, say with Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts ceded to them. Even then China would probably look at the post-war effects upon the Russian economy.
Reading the runes, i'm tending to agree that escalation is just around the corner. Its not going to end well either.
China will be considering the dangers of exposing their arses the same way Russia has in terms of their military prowess. Taiwan will have had even more money plowed into their equipment and training than Ukraine had.
I read a synopsis around 20/30 years ago for just this scenario. It too started with incursions into Balkan countries that had found freedom and independance just before the wall came down with the Ukraine Grain being held back as leverage and the Gas /energy supplies to the European Union that led to all out war in the Balkans and northern Europe. Only the water supply, the third part of the synopsis , is missing otherwise its bang on. Bugger if I can think of where I read this...
Interesting discussion about the constant shelling / bombing of Donbas by the Ukrainians from 2014 to 2021
I felt, at the very start of this, that the only way was not to resist at all and negotiate backwards with the influence of America, Europe, etc. Fighting a war Russia will win isn't the best way. Sanctions should've been increased gradually and better targeted ... ... forcing the sale of Chelsea to another mad foreigner hasn't accomplished much tbh.
Putin walks up to immigration in Iran. The agent asks: Name ? Putin says: Vladimir. The agent asks: Occupation ? Putin responds: No . . . . I’m only visiting
Somebody very close to Putin was targeted in a car bomb within Moscow. Obviously, the Russians are pointing their fingers at Ukraine. This has the look of an internal dispute. I don't think all is well within the Kremlin.
I'm very surprised that this isn't all over by now, with Russia as the winners. Putin SEEMS to have mis-judged both the spirir and the ability of Ukraine to fight back. Rusian History, going back to Tsarist times is rather heavy on the number of Tsars, and their supporters who have been assasinated after failures such as this. IF, Putin can sleep soundly at nights, he must have nerves of steel.
I don't think he's misjudged Ukraine. He's misjudged the support that they would get. Make no mistake, without the UK, US and other countries who have chipped in a little, they'd have probably won this war by now. He'll try and call it a day taking the Donbass area with him is my guess. My hope is that the Ukrainians tell him to get out of all occupied areas including Crimea before they stop fighting.
The other thing Putin misjudged, seems to be the strength and efficiency of his Russian Forces. No doubt his troops look very well, marching through Red Square in The October Parade, Rather like The Guards Trooping The Colour in our case, but it seems that his Army is badly trained, badly disciplined and badly equipped. This should give feat reassurance to the NATO countries that have been expecting to face a formidable foe if it came to an all out War.
