The Russia/Ukraine situation

posted by Dr Winston O'Boogie

Putin’s looking like an incompetent dictator with a shitty military and a horrible strategy. Or as Trump called it “genius”.

Actually at the time Trump made that statement Putin was still acting wisely.  He took Crimea without a single soldier killed.  So he sent in his "peacekeepers" into the breakaway regions of the Luhansk and Donetsk.  Recognizing the whole of those regions as independent.  The Ukrainians would not fire on Russian troops.  From there he could demand Ukrainian troops leave those regions.  Barring no further military action there would have been little support for any meaningful sanctions.  Bide time and wait for the next move.

Instead Putin went for it all thinking he could quickly decapitate the leadership of the whole Ukraine with minimal casualties.  Then off to his next objective.  Putin made it quite clear what that is.  Hitler called it lebensraum.  Hitler too made some wise moves at first to acquire territory without firing a shot.  Then went for it all.  We all know what that lead to.

In the nuclear age our leaders are walking a tightrope.  Biden does not strike me as the guy to walk that rope.  I trust he has been surrounded with people who can.  Putin is not going to off himself in a bunker in Moscow with allied troops closing in.  The only force on this earth that can rid the world of Putin is the Russian people.

posted by majorspark

Actually at the time Trump made that statement Putin was still acting wisely.  He took Crimea without a single soldier killed.  So he sent in his "peacekeepers" into the breakaway regions of the Luhansk and Donetsk.  Recognizing the whole of those regions as independent.  The Ukrainians would not fire on Russian troops.  From there he could demand Ukrainian troops leave those regions.  Barring no further military action there would have been little support for any meaningful sanctions.  Bide time and wait for the next move.

Instead Putin went for it all thinking he could quickly decapitate the leadership of the whole Ukraine with minimal casualties.  Then off to his next objective.  Putin made it quite clear what that is.  Hitler called it lebensraum.  Hitler too made some wise moves at first to acquire territory without firing a shot.  Then went for it all.  We all know what that lead to.

In the nuclear age our leaders are walking a tightrope.  Biden does not strike me as the guy to walk that rope.  I trust he has been surrounded with people who can.  Putin is not going to off himself in a bunker in Moscow with allied troops closing in.  The only force on this earth that can rid the world of Putin is the Russian people.

Your analysis is fair, but I don’t think Trump has any understanding of the specifics.  “Putin invades Ukraine, calls it ‘Peacekeeping’” = genius move.  I think that’s as deep as his statement went.  He has a Kamala understanding of Eastern European history and geography I’m sure.

posted by Dr Winston O'Boogie

Your analysis is fair, but I don’t think Trump has any understanding of the specifics.  “Putin invades Ukraine, calls it ‘Peacekeeping’” = genius move.  I think that’s as deep as his statement went.  He has a Kamala understanding of Eastern European history and geography I’m sure.

I think Trump deliberately says outrageous things to provoke a reaction from the left, so he can then whine to his supporters how he's being unfairly attacked.  Especially when it comes to Russia.

But his lack of filter definitely causes him to just spontaneously spout off stupid shit, too.

I read that Russia's defense minister has not been seen in all most two weeks.  Apparently he has suddenly developed "heart problems". 

posted by majorspark

I read that Russia's defense minister has not been seen in all most two weeks.  Apparently he has suddenly developed "heart problems". 

I bet there are all sorts of "heart problems" in the upper rungs of defense and intelligence right now.  "Comrade Putin has purchased you this pearl handled revolver for your collection.  We will leave you alone to inspect your new pistol."

video of Russian soldiers raiding a gas station convenience store for food the other day, and all I could think was "look, ma, the shelves are full and no lines!"

posted by Dr Winston O'Boogie

Your analysis is fair, but I don’t think Trump has any understanding of the specifics.  “Putin invades Ukraine, calls it ‘Peacekeeping’” = genius move.  I think that’s as deep as his statement went.  He has a Kamala understanding of Eastern European history and geography I’m sure.

ouch

posted by gut

video of Russian soldiers raiding a gas station convenience store for food the other day, and all I could think was "look, ma, the shelves are full and no lines!"

A healthy diet of combos, zebra cakes, and Monster energy drinks will keep the invasion going. 

posted by QuakerOats

ouch

You know it’s true.  

posted by Dr Winston O'Boogie

You know it’s true.  

I don't know that; I do know if he was president this would not be happening, so it is somewhat of a moot point. 

posted by QuakerOats

I don't know that; I do know if he was president this would not be happening, so it is somewhat of a moot point. 

You don’t know that either.

posted by friendfromlowry

A healthy diet of combos, zebra cakes, and Monster energy drinks will keep the invasion going. 

If a diet like that works for our service members, then it can work for Russian ones.

Well looks like todays news is that Russia is backing down.  Basically they know they cant win.

small news leaks are saying that for a cease fire and future talks, Ukraine will not let foreign military aid inside its borders and Russia will scale back to the 2014 annexed lines when Obama let them take land.  

So who was the posters that criticized me when I posted that this will end with Russian lopping off a chunck of Eastern Ukraine and call it a day?

posted by Fletch

Well looks like todays news is that Russia is backing down.  Basically they know they cant win.

small news leaks are saying that for a cease fire and future talks, Ukraine will not let foreign military aid inside its borders and Russia will scale back to the 2014 annexed lines when Obama let them take land.  

So who was the posters that criticized me when I posted that this will end with Russian lopping off a chunck of Eastern Ukraine and call it a day?

If your second paragraph is correct, the third is wrong as nothing new is being "lopped".

What's a "chunck?"

posted by ernest_t_bass

What's a "chunck?"

Good catch. I have my cc to English filter turned on.

posted by ernest_t_bass

What's a "chunck?"

And "who was the posters".

posted by Heretic

And "who was the posters".

Go back and look.  I posted weeks ago that this was the outcome.  Russia wants that Eastern bank of Ukraine for multiple reasons.  They want the buffer zone from UN nations and they want the resources in that region including access to the Black sea.

posted by Fletch

Go back and look.  I posted weeks ago that this was the outcome.  Russia wants that Eastern bank of Ukraine for multiple reasons.  They want the buffer zone from UN nations and they want the resources in that region including access to the Black sea.

You and half the commentators I've read over the past years have opined this.  Passing along predictions of others as your own are not why you are typically ridiculed on here though.

posted by Fletch

Well looks like todays news is that Russia is backing down.  Basically they know they cant win.

Not buying that.