The Problem Is Not The Russians
The Ukraine? Kazakhstan? The problem is not Russia or the Russians. The problem is Putin. Get rid of Putin - problem solved!
Rather than allow Putin to threaten Europe with a conflict that would cost the lives of thousands and thousands of civilians and soldiers, I had a more surgical treatment of this cancer in mind.
David wrote: "Rather than allow Putin to threaten Europe with a conflict that would cost the lives of thousands and thousands of civilians and soldiers, I had a more surgical treatment of this cancer in mind."David wrote: "Rather than allow Putin to threaten Europe with a conflict that would cost the lives of thousands and thousands of civilians and soldiers, I had a more surgical treatment of this cancer in mind."
Sorry, I don't believe Biden will do any kind of "surgery". Back to Crimea [annexation], do you recall? Obama did nothing. Sorry.
I agree that Biden with do nothing. Putin is not concerned with a US military response. Will the EU suck its thumb if Russian soldiers pour into the Ukraine?
David wrote: "I agree that Biden with do nothing. Will the EU suck its thumb if Russian soldiers pour into the Ukraine?"EU too will do nothing (but sanctions, just like the US). All depends on NATO. But, Putin just doesn't want it near Russia's borders, specifically in Ukraine.
Putin wants the EU to approve Nord Stream 2. Besides meaning billions of dollars of income for Russia, it will put an energy strangle-hold on Germany and the EU for future economic and political influence.Nord Stream 2 would also deprive the Ukraine of the 2 billion dollars in annual transit fees they currently receive for Russian gas passing over its borders. This “stand-off” is not an ironic accident.
.
David wrote: "Putin wants the EU to approve Nord Stream 2. Besides meaning billions of dollars of income for Russia, it will put an energy strangle-hold on Germany and the EU for future economic and political in..."Germany depends on Nord Stream 2. But I have my doubts on the next episodes [especially from the Greens. Not so from the SPD].
Owlseyes wrote: "David wrote: "Putin wants the EU to approve Nord Stream 2. Besides meaning billions of dollars of income for Russia, it will put an energy strangle-hold on Germany and the EU for future economic an..."This is the third egg the 45th laid in 2018. But he was right.
"Germany will have almost 70% of their country controlled by Russia with natural gas. You tell me, is that appropriate? We’re supposed to be guarding against Russia and Germany goes out and pays billions and billions of dollars a year to Russia.”
The opening of the Nord Stream 2 nozzle has yet to be approved, but yes, the Trump Quacker was spot-on with that one. Yes, the SPD will roll- over on its back and wag its tail.
The mind of Putin. Putin knows that he is facing a bunch of snowflakes and pajama boys in Europe and America. What is he up to with all of this these threatening troop movements? Who else is sending military drones over Swedish military installations and nuclear plants? This is not a puppet show. This is not fun and games. The Swedish military certainly does not think it is.My (fearfully) fearless prediction:
Within two weeks, Russia will simultaneously invade the Ukraine and the Swedish island of Gotland in the Baltic. Both Gotland and the Ukraine will be over-run by Russian troops before before Comatose Joe Biden has time to change his Depends.
The end game? Putin will offer to withdraw from Gotland if Nato signs off on the Russian annexation of the Ukraine and the EU finally approves the flow of Russian gas through Nordstream 2, making German households and economies perpetually dependent upon the whims of the Russian leadership.
The alternative? A full-scale military conflict on European soil. Who blinks first? Not Putin. He knows his snowflake and pajama boy opposition very well. This is an easy game.
Great analysis!1-"..drones over Swedish military installations and nuclear plants?" That's an old problem for the Swedes, especially regarding Russian [ghost?] subs.
2-"Russia will simultaneously invade the Ukraine and the Swedish island of Gotland in the Baltic". Likely on Ukraine. Unlikely for Gotland. (Swedes are forewarned and prepared)
3-I was expecting much on Baerbock [yesterday's] visit to Moscow. She was tough as "steel", some said. So Germany will get the same. Hardly a deal. Bullying will persist. War-games in Belarus will continue.
4-"...full-scale military conflict on European soil". I don't think so. Putin needs Europe's money. He ain't stupid, regarding the economy. And Europe needs gas.
5-Biden will keep the "sanctions" narrative
6-Praise to the Brits selling [anti-tank] weapons to Ukraine.
7-(view spoiler)
PUTIN’S MASTER PLAN: TO DESTROY EUROPE, DIVIDE NATO, AND RESTORE RUSSIAN POWER AND GLOBAL INFLUENCE(a book) By Douglas E. Schoen
Amigo, in response to your previous thoughts:1. Sweden announced that they have followed several drones over these installations within the last week. These are not “ghosts.”
2. Sweden is forewarned and they have re-enforced Gotland with more units, but hardly enough to fend off the Russians.
3. Frau Baerbock does have bigger balls than Scholz, but a photo-op statement is a photo-op statement and nothing more.
4. The simple threat of a full-scale conflict on European soil is what keeps the Western snowflakes and pajama boys awake and trembling in their plush, political penthouses.
5. Comatose Joe’s sanctions will have all the impact of a flyswatter once Russia occupies Gotland and the balance of power in both the Baltic and Europe shifts like a landslide towards Moscow.
6. The Brits, the Germans and the French are more than willing to fight Russia to the last Ukrainian and/or Swedish soldier. They will commit weapons, but never their own soldiers. Both Russia and Sweden know this. The Ukrainians are crossing their fingers.
5. I'm a bit ashamed. I feel I'm an American, or an Ukrainian. Both. I can recall "Ich bin ein Berliner", Kennedy in 1963. You know.Biden will permit "a small incursion" in Ukraine!
Again, I'm ashamed!
Amigo, there were some snickers at the time, but everyone gave Kennedy a pass for incorrectly including the indefinite “ein” and accidentally saying that he was a “jelly donut” rather than “Ich bin Berliner,” a Berlin citizen. This time around, “I am a jelly donut,” would be a perfect fit for comatose Joe BidenPutin knows that he is facing nothing but snowflakes and pajama boys. Which is why I think moving against Gotland, with Sweden being another non-NATO member, makes his mouth water. The center of gravity would curl up in his lap like a purring kitty-cat.
If you are going to get very little resistance by invading one lonely push-over, why not go for the gold and invade another unsupported push-over while you are at it and tilt the entire balance of power in Europe to your advantage?
With whining snowflakes and pajama boys and “jelly donuts” sucking their thumbs and wetting their panties on the sidelines, you have very little to lose and much, much more to gain.
Putin is not a “jelly donut.”
Situation looks grim for Ukrainians, as UK and USA embassies personnel to leave, but EU's. Ultimately not good for Europe. (What friends are for, doesn't apply anymore...)A Cold War comeback?
Meanwhile NATO's forces are on the move, in Eastern Europe.
The Russian annexation of the Ukraine is a given.
Amigo, Comatose Joe Biden has put 8500 US troops on “high alert!” Wow! 8500! LOL! And Russia has almost 150,000 on the Ukrainian border and another 100,000 in reserve within one day’s reach. NATO chief Stoltenberg (a Norwegian) compliments Sweden for reinforcing Gotland, saying that both neutral Sweden and Finland have the right to choose their own military alliances. LOL! Right! Just like the Ukraine.
Comatose Joe doesn’t know if he going upstairs or downstairs. All he knows is that he is in a very big hurry to change his Depends. Maybe Stoltenberg can lend him an heroic hand?
David wrote: "The Russian annexation of the Ukraine is a given."Hope not. I don't believe so.
Is Putin aiming at Europe being flooded with Ukranian refugees by the thousands?
Amigo, I hope that you are right and thatI am wrong. It is all up to Putin. There is nothing stopping him. Once the Ukraine is annexed, those Western “sanctions” become nothing more than a big joke without a punchline. Then the balance of power in Eastern Europe and the Baltic tilts towards Russia and when Nordstream 2 is activated - BINGO! Russia will have its way with Europe like a sugar Daddy with his smiling little sugar Baby.
“Bend over, Sweetie. This will only take a minute.”
I doubt very much that Putin is simply “playing soldier” by putting 250,000 troops in place to intimidate the Western snowflakes and pajama boys with a few menacing photo-ops. That is expending a lot of time, energy and money just to impress a sissy culture brainwashed 24/7 with its “celebrity” photo-ops.
Biden is sending 2,000 soldiers to Germany and Poland. Plus, 1,000 from Germany into Romania.hmm
Russia has 250,000 frontline troops and reservists in place. But I am certain than Comatose Joe Biden considers 3,000 soldiers to be a much more heroic gesture on his part than Germany bequeathing 5,000 helmets and zero troops to those poor, abandoned Ukrainians.
"As we've said before, we're in a window when an invasion could begin at any time, and to be clear, that includes during the Olympics."Blinken said.
Are we living in a different world? Did the USA turn coward? Is this a pre-arranged deal?
Doing nothing before an invasion will place the USA in the Hall of Shame, for many years to come. (should invasion happen) Entire populations won't forgive/forget the (so called) Land of the Free and Brave.
Democracy, free-world and other (old, west) notions must be reviewed.
Amigo, since 1963, the heroic America of WWII has been turned upside down, showering itself with the shame and dishonor of the three needless and senseless wars in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan and now, when the US might actually stand-up for something honorable in Europe, it wets its rainbow-colored panties.The next time you see US soldiers actually engaged in Europe might be as chorus line dancers in the next Eurovision Song Contest, wearing some snappy red, white and blue yoga pants.
How to save thousands and thousands of Ukrainian and Russian lives? Simple. Preemptively “pop” Mad Vlad Putin….sooner rather than later. The Russian people could care less about any of this insanity or its mad hatter instigator.
Don't worry David, Sholtz in Moscow will handle the issue. Presumably. Or not, and hell will break loose next 16th. (With the West consent).
Scholz, Macron and Biden? What chance do the Ukrainians have? My hope is that there is one brave Russian in Putin’s proximity with a sense of history and humanity who is willing to save thousands and thousands of Russian and Ukrainian lives by sending this little wart downstairs to meet his blood-brothers, Stalin and Hitler.Hopefully, Claus von Stauffenberg has a saintly Russian counterpart.
Russian Psychology is different from German one. I don't believe there's any Russian Claus around. He would have been poisoned, had he just a thought of betrayal crossing his mind...
This is what Sahra thinks (in her Facebook page): "Peace in Europe is at stake. Olaf Scholz has to put a sign of relaxation in Moscow today. Instead of uproar, gun deliveries, sanctions and war rhetoric, it takes deescalation and smart diplomacy, which also takes into account the security interests of Russia. NATO has been closer and closer to the Russian borders since 1999, and it is understandable that Russia is also locking Ukraine into NATO against an admission. It's high time that NATO gave up its expansion plans that threaten to tear Ukraine and all of Europe. That Germany and France once rejected Ukraine and Georgia's admission into NATO was right. This security guarantee should be renewed by Chancellor Scholz and fix it on a contract. In addition, he should strengthen himself for the implementation of the internationally legally binding agreement Minsk II and take the initiative for arms control and demolition negotiations. This is the only way that the foundation for a Sample-European peace order can be created, which will permanently ensure peace with Russia. In this sense, Olaf Scholz should put an end to the unilateral accusations, saber rattle and war propaganda run by western media and governments for weeks in Moscow today and put an end to peace in Europe a - also against US interests in escalating conflict - and strive for good economic cooperation.
I therefore signed the call "Peace Policy instead of War Hysteria" and would like to call for support: ----nie-wieder-krieg.org/
Amigo, that is basically a summation of Sahra Wagenknecht’s “Will Putin Kreig” YouTube broadcast last week that now has over a million enthusiastic supporters. As much as I appreciate SW’s intelligence and her support of the disenfranchised Western working-class, she committed a blatant sin of omission in her argument that Putin is facing a NATO onslaught that is not playing nice with the former Warsaw Pact geographic area.
Her sin of omission is that none of those former WP countries had voluntarily joined that union in the first place. They had been enslaved as political hostages during the post WWII negotiations between Stalin and the West and once they regained their independence post-Gorbachov, they joined NATO to insure that they would never again become a political or cultural vassal of Moscow.
As an aside to this circus, so much of the news these days for the illiterati is but a photo-op and Russia has always had a leg up in the field of propaganda as can been seen by that current pose making the rounds featuring Putin “negotiating” with his counterpart from the far end of a football-field-size state dining table.
We live in very silly times with unquestioning, numbskull, corporate fruit-flies in charge of the Western “free speech” machines that feed nothing but bubblegum to the suburban masses who no longer read or think for themselves.
"...NATO onslaught". Maybe she's got a point there. NATO is not accepting the so-called Russian withdrawal and has expansionist/consolidation plans in eastern Europe.
The Russians have not been “withdrawing” since Gorbachev. The former Eastern European hostages have been evicting Russian influence in favor of NATO protection so that a half century of cultural occupation and oppression never happens again.
"Finlandization of Ukraine" (or even Europe). It's an interesting concept showing up recently in several papers, namely in the NYTimes*. However, I don't believe much in the concept. Europe is so diverse.
Kissinger in the WaPo op-ed suggests Finlandization of Ukraine would be a good thing.
*"Finns Don’t Wish ‘Finlandization’ on Ukraine (or Anyone)" NYTimes of February the 9th
I have not read the article, but it sounds to me like the NYT and war criminal Kissinger are filling the pages with more of the usual useless media blah blah blah as though they actually know something that we do not.This would be a good time to ask some Finns what they think of the NYT’s supercilious conclusion.
"Ask Finns around Helsinki’s snowy squares, frigid ports, Nordic design cafes and modern libraries what they think about “Finlandization” and the older generation may look at you askance, and the younger one blankly about a notion that to many belongs in the past."“It has for Finns a negative ring to it,” said Mika Aaltola, the director of the Finnish Institute of International Affairs. “It has to do with a very difficult period in Finnish history.”
NYTimes
“Yes, it [Finlandization of Ukraine] is one of the options on the table.” Emmanuel Macron
Sounds like some are "selling" Ukraine.
I wish someone would have the balls to start selling the “Claus von Stauffenberg” solution to the “Putin problem” that I mentioned further above. All that takes is one heroic Russian willing to go down in history as one of the eternal good guys.Putin has committed his ego to this atrocity. The Russian people are his hostages rather than his allies.
The NYT gets no answer from a wide variety of Finns so they find a certain Mika Aaltola to supply them with a quote that they can peddle as the universal gold standard. Typical…typical…typical…Typical New Yorks Times. Did they forget to include a persuasive photo-op? How could they? That is what modern “journalism” is all about!
And speaking about the devil [NYT]...today there's an interesting article on [brit] The Spectator, called "The New York Times takes aim at J.K. Rowling""It looks like the New York Times is at it again. In recent years, America's least-reliable news source has developed a strange view of Britain — or at least since the Brexit vote in 2016. In the NYT’s world, the UK is a desolate place, where locals huddle round bin fires on the streets of London, gnawing on legs of mutton and cavorting in swamps during the summer, ever fearful of the despot Prime Minister, Boris Johnson."
And if history does not suit its blaring Wokey-Woke propaganda, the NYT will re-write it, call it the “1619 Project” and treat it as a lost Gospel.The Holy mantra of journalism is “who, what, where, when and sometimes, how.” Everything else is blah, blah, blah bullshit.
And blah, blah, blah bullshit has been the lasting effect that the 24/7 television news has had on every single facet of American journalism. Today’s NYT is a bullshitter. Nothing more; nothing less.
Yesterday I read this article on Die Zeit: "For the US, Ukraine is far away" (A column by Heike Buchter). It stated: "Many people in the US are tired of the war and don't care much about the escalation between Russia and Ukraine. Except when the oil price goes up."
Agreed. The US will think about the case in a much more serious way if OIL IS AT STAKE.
(Ukrainian ambassador sees Putin's speech as 'declaration of war')"To the Federal Republic, to all of Europe, that you finally have to wake up and not be naïve"
Ukrainian ambassador in Berlin, Andriy Melnyk
He should have included the US.
Apparently, Melnyk, like Putin, has written off the US political class as deaf, dumb, blind and spineless.
David wrote: "Apparently, Melnyk, like Putin, has written off the US political class as deaf, dumb, blind and spineless."David wrote: "Apparently, Melnyk, like Putin, has written off the US political class as deaf, dumb, blind and spineless."
"Sanctions against Russia that would be imposed,... [and Russia's response] could result in massive economic upheaval, with impact in energy and gas and oil prices in our country, banking, food supplies and the day-to-day needs of ordinary people...". Bernie Sanders, 12 days ago
Inflation has already grabbed the West by the scalp. Don’t give Bernie any extra credit if its pre-Putin/Ukraine momentum explodes into hyper-inflation. Could the Russian sanctions turn out to be a two-edge sword . Yes.
David wrote: "Inflation has already grabbed the West by the scalp. Don’t give Bernie any extra credit if its pre-Putin/Ukraine momentum explodes into hyper-inflation. Could the Russian sanctions turn out to be a...""Bidenflation"
Not just Biden. The EU bounced more than a few hundred billion in deficit spending to cover the effects of its COVID addiction.
And now Putin casually reaps the benefits of the EU and USA cowardice.
David wrote: "And now Putin casually reaps the benefits of the EU and USA cowardice."Very true. Early morning in Ukraine, hell breaks loose. Poor Ukrainians. Soon Europe to be flooded with refugees.
If there is but one Russian within Putin’s circle who loses a father, uncle, brother or cousin to this madness, may he rise to the occasion and send this bloody little Putin-Piglet to the flaming pigsty down below where Stalin and Hitler eagerly await his impending arrival.History will forever honor such a hero as it does Claus von Stauffenberg who tried, but unfortunately, failed.
There is hope. There was a short-lived anti-war demonstration in Moscow this morning.
There is Putin resistance within Russia!
"We are in Saint-Petersburg. People are shouting : no to war"(A video I caught on Twitter)
Worst scenario: Dmitry Medvedev enters and Putin leaves.
Therefore: NO CHANGE!