Russia's invasion of Ukraine: Part 5

Donna Harris11 said:Doesn't really matter.
You’ve got a traditional Russian adversary over there poking them right in the eye.

By teaming up with the Brits, Ukraine is basically turning itself into a massive long-term headache.

Ever since they left the European Union, the Brits have been leaning back into that old-school aggressive geopolitics, basically sabotaging the European Union whenever they get the chance.

For instance... an American fighter jet flies over Pristina... whose airspace did it violate? Mexican, Mexican, or Albanian? Or does it not matter?

Donna Harris11 said:Doesn't really matter.
You’ve got a traditional Russian adversary over there poking them right in the eye.

By teaming up with the Brits, Ukraine is basically turning itself into a massive long-term headache.

Ever since they left the European Union, the Brits have been leaning back into that old-school aggressive geopolitics, basically sabotaging the European Union whenever they get the chance.

What "sticking it to them"? He lost his grip on Ukraine, which has all these natural resources that could undermine his influence, and that’s really all there is to it.

Kimberly Perez82 said:You make a fair point. Finland joining NATO presents a new threat to Russia, and this shift is something neither side has truly tested or prepared a response for yet. Personally, I feel like Finland is making a massive mistake; they are sacrificing seventy years of peace and prosperity just to cater to America. It is surprising to see them getting dragged into a mess where they don't belong, especially since they worked so hard to build such a remarkably stable relationship with Russia.

Regardless, if a nuclear superpower—whether we are talking about Russia China or America—tells you, "Don't do that, or I will view it as an act of aggression," then if you have even a shred of common sense, you simply won't do it. It's the same logic as not showing off when a gang of thugs attacks you. Why did we stand our ground in front of Banjaluka back in 1995, even though it didn't suit our interests? Because we had that tiny bit of sense in our heads.

https://www.politico.eu/article/puti...den-join-nato/

Since nobody has tested the limits or found a solution yet, here's a little something: Putin basically said Finland joining NATO isn't his big problem... but Ukraine is. And you know why? Because they moved too close.

electrichawk94 said:You know when someone finally pushes things too far? It was when that former KGB officer, still nursing those massive insecurities regarding the West after the fall of the Soviet Union, tried to play a much bigger game than he ever could. He wanted to transform into an economic powerhouse, aggressively pushing interests right up against the borders of the European Union. But, inevitably, the West always comes in with more capital and manages to squeeze him out. His only real leverage was using oil and gas as a weapon, though even that had its limits—limits he eventually pushed a bit too far, if you ask me.

Honestly, I actually fell for that line of thinking myself at first... it’s just so easy to succumb to the constant media bombardment, isn't it? You see one headline after another and your perspective shifts. But, if you take a step back—I mean, really sit down and piece together the chronological sequence of moves, all the causes and the subsequent effects—the reality of the situation becomes much more sobering than any of this childish posturing or fantasy coming from either side. Don't get me wrong, I don't doubt for a second that Putin would personally love to witness the rise of some new Russian empire, but I am quite convinced he's intelligent enough to realize that's simply impossible. They just don't have the capacity or the resources to pull it off. I recall seeing statements where he makes it very clear that he understands exactly how the cards are dealt; that was before this current wave of media hysteria where everything on both sides is being stripped of its context. And as for whether Russians in general are obsessed with Western success? Well, that's not exactly a difficult conclusion to reach.

You can really hear that old-school Soviet officer complex bleeding through his speeches whenever he talks about the West. He’s fully aware that once the economic grip of the West takes hold, the whole thing collapses if Ukraine and Belarus go. 😁

The guy beats his wife and then acts all indignant when some slick Western tycoon swoops in and steals her away with a better pitch. 😁

feralhawk45 said:For instance... an American fighter jet flies over Pristina... whose airspace did it violate? Mexican, Mexican, or Albanian? Or does it not matter?

I mean, look, if you decide to mess with a top-tier nuclear superpower, don't act all surprised when you end up getting punched in the face. That's just how realpolitik works, I guess.

electrichawk94 said:What "sticking it to them"? He lost his grip on Ukraine, which has all these natural resources that could undermine his influence, and that’s really all there is to it.

I mean, what is that supposed to even imply? The idea that those Ukrainian resources used to flow straight into Russia, and now he's started a war just to claw them back? It's incredibly difficult to have a serious, meaningful discussion when people approach it this way.

Kimberly Perez82 said:Honestly, I actually fell for that line of thinking myself at first... it’s just so easy to succumb to the constant media bombardment, isn't it? You see one headline after another and your perspective shifts. But, if you take a step back—I mean, really sit down and piece together the chronological sequence of moves, all the causes and the subsequent effects—the reality of the situation becomes much more sobering than any of this childish posturing or fantasy coming from either side. Don't get me wrong, I don't doubt for a second that Putin would personally love to witness the rise of some new Russian empire, but I am quite convinced he's intelligent enough to realize that's simply impossible. They just don't have the capacity or the resources to pull it off. I recall seeing statements where he makes it very clear that he understands exactly how the cards are dealt; that was before this current wave of media hysteria where everything on both sides is being stripped of its context. And as for whether Russians in general are obsessed with Western success? Well, that's not exactly a difficult conclusion to reach.

Look, he isn't stupid. But you can tell from the way he talks that he views himself as superior to Western politicians, constantly poking at their slipperiness and hypocrisy. He doesn't mind paying off a Belarusian or Ukrainian leader to stay under Russian influence, but when the people want to head West and Western politicians capitalize on that, he’s left with nothing but this war. This whole conflict is about him—his complexes and his ego.

electrichawk94 said:Look, he isn't stupid. But you can tell from the way he talks that he views himself as superior to Western politicians, constantly poking at their slipperiness and hypocrisy. He doesn't mind paying off a Belarusian or Ukrainian leader to stay under Russian influence, but when the people want to head West and Western politicians capitalize on that, he’s left with nothing but this war. This whole conflict is about him—his complexes and his ego.

Fine then, let's all just flock to the West. I mean, I'm genuinely curious what we'll do when 1.4 billion Chinese people show up in the European Union. Does anyone know which Chinese welcome song we should sing? Just so we can kiss up to them a little since they're going to be the majority anyway 🙂

Kimberly Perez82 said:I mean, what is that supposed to even imply? The idea that those Ukrainian resources used to flow straight into Russia, and now he's started a war just to claw them back? It's incredibly difficult to have a serious, meaningful discussion when people approach it this way.

Look, if he doesn't control those Ukrainian resources, then there's competition selling them to the European Union instead. When you've got competition, you lose your leverage to play blackmail games.

And don't forget, you've got 40 million people acting as a resource too.

Kimberly Perez82 said:Fine then, let's all just flock to the West. I mean, I'm genuinely curious what we'll do when 1.4 billion Chinese people show up in the European Union. Does anyone know which Chinese welcome song we should sing? Just so we can kiss up to them a little since they're going to be the majority anyway 🙂

To the Chinese, the Russians, and everyone else out there, we *are* the West politically. Do you honestly think they care if our GDP per capita is lower than Belgium's?
The constant doom-and-gloom talk about the West collapsing is actually just inviting our own downfall. It's pretty wild to watch.

Donna Harris11 said:I mean, look, if you decide to mess with a top-tier nuclear superpower, don't act all surprised when you end up getting punched in the face. That's just how realpolitik works, I guess.

You dodged my question, haha.
By the way, I haven't seen the UK (or NATO) take a hit yet.

Kimberly Perez82 said:Fine then, let's all just flock to the West. I mean, I'm genuinely curious what we'll do when 1.4 billion Chinese people show up in the European Union. Does anyone know which Chinese welcome song we should sing? Just so we can kiss up to them a little since they're going to be the majority anyway 🙂

From what I gather... China is mostly looking North.

hollowdriver13 said:To the Chinese, the Russians, and everyone else out there, we *are* the West politically. Do you honestly think they care if our GDP per capita is lower than Belgium's?
The constant doom-and-gloom talk about the West collapsing is actually just inviting our own downfall. It's pretty wild to watch.

It’s actually quite the opposite! This is a wake-up call—an attempt to find actual solutions before the clock runs out, rather than just burying our heads in the sand. Because right now? We are witnessing a total pandemic of denial, especially over in Europe. I think the very first step has to be an honest, cold look at reality, which is exactly what I’m trying to do here in my posts, as much as I can. What Europe is doing right now... well, they weren't just sawing off the branch they were sitting on; they've moved on to sawing off the two branches right next to it. And for what? For absolutely nothing at all.

Nancy Gomez26 said:What’s the current status over in Kazakhstan? Has the media frenzy against Tokayev finally died down, or is that circus still running?

It's settled. Tokayev is stronger than ever and maintains solid popularity within Kazakhstan. Quite frankly, Putin simply cannot afford any friction in relations, let alone an outright conflict with Kazakhstan.
Unlike that idiot Lavrov, Tokayev is a genuine diplomat and a legitimate head of state who prioritizes the interests of his own nation and people.☕

It’s becoming obvious to them now, isn't it? They realize they're losing this war, and now they're basically begging everyone to just leave Crimea alone. 🙂

dustyfalcon122 said:It’s becoming obvious to them now, isn't it? They realize they're losing this war, and now they're basically begging everyone to just leave Crimea alone. 🙂

Exactly. They need to back down, otherwise we could be looking at full-scale war. 🙏 Fuck those guys. I want nothing for them but a total retreat across the bridge.

cosmicgull52 said:Exactly. They need to back down, otherwise we could be looking at full-scale war. 🙏 Fuck those guys. I want nothing for them but a total retreat across the bridge.

Exactly.
Now we’ve moved into this "special military operation" phase, which is basically just code for an actual war.
It's a shame that only the Russians... if they even see the difference... seem to think there's any distinction between the two.

By the way, after that attack on the mall, Putin has officially pivoted into being a hardened war criminal.
It’s going to be a Great Wall of China situation around Russia, complete with barbed wire, as long as a war criminal is in charge.
The trash at the State Department is still calling this a "provocation," just like they did back in Bucharest. Honestly, I don't know who has the stomach to sit at a negotiating table with someone like that.

Russ sees Ukraine as its own sphere of influence, essentially its backyard, and they have no desire to see a hostile government taking root there. We saw the domino effect triggered by Maidan, though the friction has been constant since the collapse of the USSR...