My opinion. It will take a confrontation like the Cuban missile crisis, probably Poland. It could even mean a ground and air war for awhile until enough people die and peace talks occur. I doubt nuclear weapons will be used because I think everyone knows that’s planet extinction. Putin is intent on reconstituting the old Soviet Union. It will take a major confrontation to stop him. We can stick our head in the sand but we have treaties that we have to protect or truly become a third class country. I am afraid Obama’s handling of Crimea and Trump’s praise and admiration of Putin contributed. Now Putin believes we do not have the resolve or gumption to fight back, given the past 20 years and before that. Vietnam anybody? Plus have we won a war since 1945? And we’ve been in 4 that I remember. What a fuckin mess this world is. And unfortunately this country. Sad. We have to decide where to draw the line and what effect placing the line there means. Can you believe it? I’m glad I’m 75. Maybe I’ll die before we blow ourselves up. Shit.
As the West wrings its hands, rends its garments while sounding like Sen. Susan Collins, Ukraine is on its own to fight the invasion by Russia.
Once again, Putin has taken what he wants with nary a lifted hand from the Free World. Oh sure, there are sanctions. As we have learned, sanctions mean little as Putin continues his stated aim of re-uniting Mother Russia in all her mostly fantasy glory.
After securing Ukraine, what will prevent Putin from claiming Vilnius and Moldova? Turkey, long a West troublemaker, might strengthen its alliance with Russia.
Sanctions have proven mostly worthless. Putin care little if the everyday Russian suffers while he moves to reclaim Mother Russia for his alleged legacy.
If sanctions against Russian oligarchs has real teeth, perhaps those people will be able to exert some leverage on Putin to get him to back off his land grab. I find that doubtful.
What we see here is the inability of the U.S. and the rest of the world to stand up to a bully. We can bluster and parade about like some puffed up rooster but won't draw the line in the sand and dare Putin to cross.
War is an abomination. It is inhuman and inhumane.
When I was in the 6th grade there was a school bully that picked on me mercilessly. One day I broke, punching him in the mouth. I was scared to death he'd beat the crap out of me. Instead he walked away.
Stephen, Here is one way (from CNN) bu doubt they'll do it: "As Western allies work on their coordinated response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, there appears to be a real possibility that the European Union might take the controversial step of cutting Russia off from SWIFT, a high-security payment network that connects thousands of financial institutions around the world.
Removing Russia from SWIFT would make it almost impossible for financial institutions to send money in or out of the country. This would seriously impact Russian businesses with foreign customers and could do real damage to the country's economy.
However, EU nations are split on whether to take this step or not. Senior EU sources have told CNN that there is a divide in the member states between countries like Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania who want SWIFT as part of the sanctions package that will be announced later today, and the likes of Germany, Italy, Hungary and Cyprus, who have stronger economic ties to Russia and do not want SWIFT included in the new sanctions.
A senior EU diplomat said “there is a conversation happening” but believes it is “likely” the economic interests will win the argument and Brussels will not cut Russia from SWIFT."
I hope Russia gets cut off from SWIFT as soon as possible.
I’m also wondering why Russo hasn’t been jammed from all Internet services. If we are not going to help militarily, the least we can do is jam them electronically.
I would be very surprised to see a Russian provocation against any NATO territory that could interfere with Putin's obvious plan to annex Ukraine. This will be a piece by piece attempt to re-assemble the old Soviet empire, a process that cannot be done all at once. The big prize right now is Ukraine and its farmland and resources, with score settling for 1941-43 as an added bonus. For the time being, I think this will remain a limited action in Ukraine, without the cross-border complications you describe as worst case scenarios. It's bad enough, but I just don't see reckless expansion beyond Ukraine as a strong possibility. Yes, these things can spin out of control. But Putin has KGB discipline. He is an evil bastard, but he always maintains focus. We shall see.
Not according to McFaul who was a former ambassador to Russia. He said, last night, on MSNBC, that Putin has become unhinged like he had never seen him before. I put nothing past him. He wants it ALL!
My opinion. It will take a confrontation like the Cuban missile crisis, probably Poland. It could even mean a ground and air war for awhile until enough people die and peace talks occur. I doubt nuclear weapons will be used because I think everyone knows that’s planet extinction. Putin is intent on reconstituting the old Soviet Union. It will take a major confrontation to stop him. We can stick our head in the sand but we have treaties that we have to protect or truly become a third class country. I am afraid Obama’s handling of Crimea and Trump’s praise and admiration of Putin contributed. Now Putin believes we do not have the resolve or gumption to fight back, given the past 20 years and before that. Vietnam anybody? Plus have we won a war since 1945? And we’ve been in 4 that I remember. What a fuckin mess this world is. And unfortunately this country. Sad. We have to decide where to draw the line and what effect placing the line there means. Can you believe it? I’m glad I’m 75. Maybe I’ll die before we blow ourselves up. Shit.
Great points Bill.
As the West wrings its hands, rends its garments while sounding like Sen. Susan Collins, Ukraine is on its own to fight the invasion by Russia.
Once again, Putin has taken what he wants with nary a lifted hand from the Free World. Oh sure, there are sanctions. As we have learned, sanctions mean little as Putin continues his stated aim of re-uniting Mother Russia in all her mostly fantasy glory.
After securing Ukraine, what will prevent Putin from claiming Vilnius and Moldova? Turkey, long a West troublemaker, might strengthen its alliance with Russia.
Sanctions have proven mostly worthless. Putin care little if the everyday Russian suffers while he moves to reclaim Mother Russia for his alleged legacy.
If sanctions against Russian oligarchs has real teeth, perhaps those people will be able to exert some leverage on Putin to get him to back off his land grab. I find that doubtful.
What we see here is the inability of the U.S. and the rest of the world to stand up to a bully. We can bluster and parade about like some puffed up rooster but won't draw the line in the sand and dare Putin to cross.
War is an abomination. It is inhuman and inhumane.
When I was in the 6th grade there was a school bully that picked on me mercilessly. One day I broke, punching him in the mouth. I was scared to death he'd beat the crap out of me. Instead he walked away.
It's time to punch Putin in the mouth.
Stephen, Here is one way (from CNN) bu doubt they'll do it: "As Western allies work on their coordinated response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, there appears to be a real possibility that the European Union might take the controversial step of cutting Russia off from SWIFT, a high-security payment network that connects thousands of financial institutions around the world.
Removing Russia from SWIFT would make it almost impossible for financial institutions to send money in or out of the country. This would seriously impact Russian businesses with foreign customers and could do real damage to the country's economy.
However, EU nations are split on whether to take this step or not. Senior EU sources have told CNN that there is a divide in the member states between countries like Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania who want SWIFT as part of the sanctions package that will be announced later today, and the likes of Germany, Italy, Hungary and Cyprus, who have stronger economic ties to Russia and do not want SWIFT included in the new sanctions.
A senior EU diplomat said “there is a conversation happening” but believes it is “likely” the economic interests will win the argument and Brussels will not cut Russia from SWIFT."
I hope Russia gets cut off from SWIFT as soon as possible.
I’m also wondering why Russo hasn’t been jammed from all Internet services. If we are not going to help militarily, the least we can do is jam them electronically.
One of my friends has a son in Poland, he's an MP.
Texted his Dad this a.m. everything ok.
For now…
I would be very surprised to see a Russian provocation against any NATO territory that could interfere with Putin's obvious plan to annex Ukraine. This will be a piece by piece attempt to re-assemble the old Soviet empire, a process that cannot be done all at once. The big prize right now is Ukraine and its farmland and resources, with score settling for 1941-43 as an added bonus. For the time being, I think this will remain a limited action in Ukraine, without the cross-border complications you describe as worst case scenarios. It's bad enough, but I just don't see reckless expansion beyond Ukraine as a strong possibility. Yes, these things can spin out of control. But Putin has KGB discipline. He is an evil bastard, but he always maintains focus. We shall see.
Not according to McFaul who was a former ambassador to Russia. He said, last night, on MSNBC, that Putin has become unhinged like he had never seen him before. I put nothing past him. He wants it ALL!
It will be difficult for Putin to live up to a pledge of not occupying Ukraine if the Ukrainian army does not surrender.
Thank you!
thank for these. they help.
Heaven help us all.
Scary thoughts. I wouldn't be surprised if Poland isn't working on a nuclear program at the moment either.
Hope not!