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Russian forces invade Ukraine after Putin orders attack

reuters.com

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Re: Russian forces invade Ukraine after Putin orders attack

#311

Post by warner_of_doom »

radu_floricica wrote: post #303
mysecretaccount wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Will the people downvoting this comment mind telling me what is wrong with it? I'm not a Russian apologist, just a fan of history, and am trying to understand why so many people reject this narrative. edit: Now I am downvoted too just for asking..? This just makes me think that there is not a solid answer?

Buffer, yes. But the Maidan protests started because Russia made the first power grab. The very openly pro-Russian government of the time had just passed legislation that put Ukraine on a direct path towards becoming what is now Belarus. TBH, if that hadn't happen, we'd just have Ukraine more or less locked by Putin now. So no, we're not talking about a buffer zone, sorry. Not even in the strict military sense - the…

Sending them weapons is a pathway. Pledging neutrality is not.

Re: Russian forces invade Ukraine after Putin orders attack

#312

Post by invalidname »

yks wrote: post #258
cglan wrote: post #3

It’s sad but my father always told me that the good times we’ve had are unprecedented and they can end faster than we think. I never believed him growing up, institutions and America seemed infallible. It’s sad to say but I think with global warming, covid, and the general decline of American soft power we’ll see more and more global turmoil My heart goes out to Ukraine and its people

Quoted post unavailable.

I'm more of an optimist. I think Putin just proved the need for Nato and how dangerous he is. Trumps support of him might be the thing that brings down Trumpism.

Re: Russian forces invade Ukraine after Putin orders attack

#313

Post by jimbob45 »

nickpp wrote: post #92
Gatsky wrote: post #75

> "To anyone who would consider interfering from the outside: if you do, you will face consequences greater than any of you have faced in history. All relevant decisions have been taken. I hope you hear me."

The speech of a bully, of an aggressor. The only correct reply is a direct retaliatory attack on his offensive positions.

How long do you think Russia can hold out if the entire world sanctions them? Do you think they'd trade Ukraine for trade with every world partner? Bottom line: Russia can only win a physical war - they cannot win an economic war.

This is bait and bad bait at that. The longer Russia continues to provide us with video evidence of their bullying only makes it easier for us to convince undecided countries to sanction Russia to submission.

Re: Russian forces invade Ukraine after Putin orders attack

#315

Post by cute_boi »

ginja wrote: post #6

I just woke up to this news and I'm wondering if it's possible for Apple and Google to brick all Russian phones? This would probably be more effective on their population at large than any form of sanctions.

What you are suggesting will backfire. IDK why people have such cynical thoughts to make people's life more difficult. Many Russian don't support Putin, so why even try to punish them?

Re: Russian forces invade Ukraine after Putin orders attack

#316

Post by ripvanwinkle »

jacobolus wrote: post #48
ripvanwinkle wrote: post #32

To some extent this situation feels analogous to a street mugging happening in very slow motion The thug accosts the victim, threatens and then proceeds to assault the victim in full view of a large number of bystanders who are numerous enough to defend the victim and alter the outcome but not convicted enough to take on the inconvenience of doing so. Nevertheless all the bystanders voice words of encouragement and s…

When the thug has nuclear weapons, responses get a lot trickier.

I'd say in this case everyone has nuclear weapons i.e. thug and bystanders with abundant second strike capabilities and also a healthy desire to live. With that level of mutually assured destruction, conflict if any would almost certainly stay conventional.

In fact if NATO had moved in about 50 to 100K troops at the invitation of Ukraine sometime over the past 3 months, its really unlikely that Putin would have upped the ante.

If anything the multiyear patience and planning on his part suggests he absolutely wants to win and wont take a chance if he thinks he might lose or draw

Re: Russian forces invade Ukraine after Putin orders attack

#317

Post by ironcurtain »

Osiris wrote: post #171

This whole action makes no sense to me. I do not understand Putin's motivation here. I can't see an economic or political justification. The only reason I can think of is that he just yearns for more power regardless of the costs. Can anyone provide any possible reasons Putin would have for doing this?

No post body was provided.

Re: Russian forces invade Ukraine after Putin orders attack

#318

Post by 0a3feeb »

freeflight wrote: post #242
0a3feeb wrote: post #181

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ukraine won't exist in 48 hours; the fact that the Azov battalion exists should be an indicator that very few will fight for the government.

Not sure why the existence of a volunteer militia indicates a general unwillingness to fight for the government? The US also has plenty of volunteer militias, yet I doubt that could be seen as an indicator for Americans unwillingness to fight for their country.

The Ukrainian government deputized ideological extremists to retake/hold territory controlled by pro-Russian separatists.

I'll concede to your comparison to a US militia when some state like Florida leaves the union and the US has to arm some QAnon loons to take it back.

Re: Russian forces invade Ukraine after Putin orders attack

#319

Post by DrJaws »

throwawaymedia wrote: post #283

I'm Ukrainian, but I just want to throw a provocative thought in here. Everyone's talking about how bad and evil Putin is and all that. However, nobody's talking about the _why_ Putin is doing what he's doing. For the past 14 years, Russia is trying to find a solution as for the NATO's expansion to the east. The US does NOT want to stop the expansion despite anything. If I place a tent next to your house and start wa…

there are other countries that are closer to Russia than cities like Kyiv , but Russia is invading them

also, why Russia should decide on how other countries decide their internal affairs?

Ukraine doesn't need the approval of Russia to join or not join NATO.

Re: Russian forces invade Ukraine after Putin orders attack

#320

Post by [deleted] »

Barrin92 wrote: post #24
ginja wrote: post #6

I just woke up to this news and I'm wondering if it's possible for Apple and Google to brick all Russian phones? This would probably be more effective on their population at large than any form of sanctions.

Russian tanks and artillery don't use the Google Play Store. You're witnessing a mechanized land war in Ukraine, Silicon Valley won't solve this one.

[deleted]
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