War in Ukraine

[hog88]

What's the TL;DR version of why Russia is doing this? Haven't kept up with it.

So they don't have to pay Ukraine royalties on NG sent to Europe through Ukraine.

 

[05_never_again]

I haven't seen but one maybe 2 posters show any support what so ever about sending US troops. Stop trying to carry Bidens water.

It's amazing how reflexively you snap into red/blue, tribal partisan mode regarding certain political conversations. If you've paid any attention to my comments in the Politics forum over time you'd know I'm anything but a water carrier for Biden or any politician.

 

[85SugarVol]

What's the TL;DR version of why Russia is doing this? Haven't kept up with it.

The Ukrainians secretly want the Russians to this. Putin is just doing what the people want.

Have you seen the results on the ground of the Crimea annexation poll? 97% of Ukrainians agree.

 

[hog88]

It's amazing how reflexively you snap into red/blue, tribal partisan mode regarding certain political conversations. If you've paid any attention to my comments in the Politics forum over time you'd know I'm anything but a water carrier for Biden or any politician.

You're sure carrying it for him on this subject. And sorry bub but you brought politics into the discussion.

 

[05_never_again]

You're sure carrying it for him on this subject. And sorry bub but you brought politics into the discussion.

I'd say the "Putin is doing this only because Biden is weak" crowd did, but whatever.

 

[hog88]

I'd say the "Putin is doing this only because Biden is weak" crowd did, but whatever.

Biden is weak and Putin is taking advantage of the situation. That's just stating facts.

 

[05_never_again]

Biden is weak and Putin is taking advantage of the situation. That's just stating facts.

Opinion.

 

[hog88]

Opinion.

LOL

 

[Orange_Vol1321]

The Ukrainians secretly want the Russians to this. Putin is just doing what the people want.

Have you seen the results on the ground of the Crimea annexation poll? 97% of Ukrainians agree.

No, I haven't seen any of it but will check it out.

 

[Matt2496]

I could see this weak President/committee sending the troops in a desperate attempt to try and exhibit strength.

 

[C-south]

 

[hog88]

I could see this weak President/committee sending the troops in a desperate attempt to try and exhibit strength.

So could I especially with midterms just around the corner.

 

[IluvdoubleD's]

Remember how I told you that you would see all kinds of far right extremism while the russian (oops, I mean republican) primaries are happening? Turn off your social. They are attacking Americans rn.

 

[Rasputin_Vol]

No way... why, it can't be true. The US and UK wouldn't engage in propaganda and fearmongering.

EU Foreign Policy Chief Suggests US & UK Are 'Dramatizing' Ukraine Situation | ZeroHedge

But interestingly, so far it appears the EU at this point actually agrees with Russia concerning the overblown and unnecessary 'hysteria' surrounding the Ukraine situation.

According to AFP/Reuters reporting, Europe's top diplomat Josep Borrell said Monday there's no need to "dramatize" the situation while confirming that EU diplomats will not follow the US and UK in drawing down their presence in Ukraine:

The EU is not following the US in withdrawing its diplomats’ families from Ukraine, top European diplomat Josep Borrell said on Monday (24 January), adding that there was no need to "dramatize" the situation while talks with Russia continue.​

"We are not going to do the same thing because we don’t know any specific reasons," Borrell said as he arrived for a meeting of EU foreign ministers which will include videolink participation by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
"I don’t think we had to dramatize as far as the negotiations are going on — and they are going on."​

 

[Rasputin_Vol]

Yeah. We can't do nothing if they invade. Hell cut diplomatic ties if we have to.

You shouldn't be in the hand if you don't have the cards. You can't bluff your way out of this.

If we truly want to save face, we should fold rather than waste time and resources with nothing in our hands.

 

[C-south]

Hopefully there’s a general who will undermine dementia Joe and reach out to Russia himself.

 

[NorthDallas40]

Wait, so now you want to sanction Germany also?

Sure. You get a sanction. You get a sanction. Errbody gets a sanction. If Germany wants to do business and make strategic energy ties to Russia I see no reason we should do business with them and frankly think we should petition to have their asses thrown out of NATO

 

[85SugarVol]

No, I haven't seen any of it but will check it out.

I was speaking in jest

 

[BreatheUT]

Opinion.

Apparently it's an expert opinion as well. So what's yours?

 

[BreatheUT]

I could see this weak President/committee sending the troops in a desperate attempt to try and exhibit strength.

This is part of the problem with exhibiting piss poor policy the leads to aggression.

 

[05_never_again]

Apparently it's an expert opinion as well. So what's yours?

Putin fears NATO expansion and knows he can move into Ukraine without drawing a direct conflict with NATO because it isn't worth it for NATO to stop it.

 

[BreatheUT]

Putin fears NATO expansion and knows he can move into Ukraine without drawing a direct conflict with NATO because it isn't worth it for NATO to stop it.

So it's a matter of when but not if?

 

[05_never_again]

So it's a matter of when but not if?

You mean when or if Putin invades? I'm not sure. I think he's massed troops at the Ukrainian border for two reasons: 1) he is afraid the status quo (him controlling Crimea and the Donbass) changing, and 2) to extract potential concessions from NATO.

If he ends up concluding that the status quo won't change, then I doubt he does anything. However, this build up of forces is different from 2018 because it's larger and he's coupled it with very specific demands he wants from NATO, in writing. It seems like Putin has to do something this time, assuming NATO doesn't agree to any of the proposed concessions (which they won't because they are non-starters).

He really comes off looking like a fool if he commits resources to this big build up, makes specific demands, doesn't get them, then simply does nothing.

 

[headhunter15]

 

[allvol123]

There is certainly something admirable about these people.