Is Russia about to invade Ukraine?

[superchuck500]

Russia continues to mass assets within range of Ukraine - though the official explanations are that they are for various exercises. United States intelligence has noted that Russian operatives in Ukraine could launch 'false flag' operations as a predicate to invasion. The West has pressed for negotiations and on Friday in Geneva, the US Sec. State Blinken will meet with the Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov.

Certainly the Russian movements evidence some plan - but what is it? Some analysts believe that Putin's grand scheme involves securing Western commitments that NATO would never expand beyond its current composition. Whether that means action in Ukraine or merely the movement of pieces on the chess board remains to be seen.

VIENNA — No one expected much progress from this past week’s diplomatic marathon to defuse the security crisis Russia has ignited in Eastern Europe by surrounding Ukraine on three sides with 100,000 troops and then, by the White House’s accounting, sending in saboteurs to create a pretext for invasion.

But as the Biden administration and NATO conduct tabletop simulations about how the next few months could unfold, they are increasingly wary of another set of options for President Vladimir V. Putin, steps that are more far-reaching than simply rolling his troops and armor over Ukraine’s border.

Mr. Putin wants to extend Russia’s sphere of influence to Eastern Europe and secure written commitments that NATO will never again enlarge. If he is frustrated in reaching that goal, some of his aides suggested on the sidelines of the negotiations last week, then he would pursue Russia’s security interests with results that would be felt acutely in Europe and the United States.

There were hints, never quite spelled out, that nuclear weapons could be shifted to places — perhaps not far from the United States coastline — that would reduce warning times after a launch to as little as five minutes, potentially igniting a confrontation with echoes of the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.

Russia Issues Subtle Threats More Far-Reaching Than a Ukraine Invasion

If the West fails to meet its security demands, Moscow could take measures like placing nuclear missiles close to the U.S. coastline, Russian officials have hinted.

www.nytimes.com

Blinken Will Meet With Russia as U.S. Pushes for More Diplomacy

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will meet with Foreign Minister Sergey V. Lavrov of Russia in Geneva on Friday as the United States warns that Russia could soon attack Ukraine.

www.nytimes.com

How to think about war in Ukraine

Start with the Ukrainians

snyder.substack.com

 

[efil4]

Wherever it came from, it's not cash! The dollar amount represents the cost of all the supplies we have sent to Ukraine and those supplies were used to save lives, as well as to take lives in that country's defense from an illegal land grab.

and its around $67B- and included in that number ( cost ) was the DoD allocating the cost to "replenish stock" of what we sent.

So we send 100,000 155mm rounds = $150,000,000 to replace

DoD pays Scranton the $150,000,000 and Scranton starts producing more 155mm rounds.

the MONEY STAYED HERE.

 

[superchuck500]

 

[UncleTrvlingJim]

I agree, unfortunately, it's a Democratic Senator from a state Trump doesn't care about.

 

[DJ1BigTymer]

It is also a betrayal of our own nation's ideals and that of our NATO allies which we have nurtured for over 75 years. His nature of embracing his darker impulses are incompatible with the thoughts of every one of his predecessors.

- “It is the American sound. It is hopeful, big-hearted, idealistic, daring, decent, and fair. That’s our heritage, that’s our song. We sing it still.” — Ronald Reagan

- “Our nation is shaped by the constant battle between our better angels and our darkest impulses. It is time for our better angels to prevail.” — Joe Biden

- “All of us share this world for but a brief moment in time. The question is whether we spend that time focused on what pushes us apart, or whether we commit ourselves to an effort — a sustained effort — to find common ground, to focus on the future we seek for our children, and to respect the dignity of all human beings.” — Barack Obama

- “I believe the declaration that ‘all men are created equal’ is the great fundamental principle upon which our free institutions rest.” — Abraham Lincoln

- After 200 years, two centuries, she still stands strong and true on the granite ridge, and her glow has held steady no matter what storm. And she's still a beacon, still a magnet for all who must have freedom, for all the pilgrims from all the lost places who are hurtling through the darkness, toward home. --Ronald Reagan

 

[DaveXA]

I agree, unfortunately, it's a Democratic Senator from a state Trump doesn't care about.

The Democratic Senators need to huddle up and commit to confronting the "reasonable" Republicans in the Senate and put a stop to this nonsense. Congress has to grow some balls and say enough is enough with carrying Russia's water. Trump is clearly beholden to Poots and its not funny at all.

 

[efil4]

I agree, unfortunately, it's a Democratic Senator from a state Trump doesn't care about.

They all are turning into Susan Collins right before our eyes.

 

[Optimus Prime]

I wish I could say that I was surprised at the number of young MAGAts but I can’t. Bigotry, intolerance et al are learned. How often have we heard people say that the young people get it? Where do people think MAGAts came from? They were young once. Look at the neocons and see how many were liberal in the ‘60’s.

Critical thinking has never been a priority in this country. Too many would rather wallow in the theomythology that has been blasted about this country for decades.

The leopards have plenty of faces to eat.

It’s been said for ages that “racism, sexism, homophobia etc. is an older generation problem that is literally dying off”

And that is literally never the case

 

[Dragon]

They all are turning into Susan Collins right before our eyes.

They are scared. Trump just let a lot of violent criminals out of prison. They know what they and their families are risking if they go out publicly against Trump and his "stormtroopers"

 

[DJ1BigTymer]

This is worth as much as Susan Collins concerns:

 

[Bayouboy]

This is forking crazy

I just hope and pray Europe steps up to the plate and completely funds whatever Ukraine needs for the next 4 years.

 

[faceman]

The Democratic Senators need to huddle up and commit to confronting the "reasonable" Republicans in the Senate and put a stop to this nonsense. Congress has to grow some balls and say enough is enough with carrying Russia's water. Trump is clearly beholden to Poots and its not funny at all.

I mentioned Wicker earlier. John Kennedy weighs in.

Two GOP senators rail against Putin despite Trump’s rosy assessment of Russian leader | CNN Politics

Two prominent GOP senators, Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi and Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana, criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin and seemed to break with President Donald Trump over negotiations in the peace deal to end the war in Ukraine.

www.cnn.com

 

[DaveXA]

This is worth as much as Susan Collins concerns:

I'll take what we can get. Anyone who doesn't kowtow to Trump on Ukraine is a start. Need actual Congressional Republicans to step up tho.

 

[faceman]

I'll take what we can get. Anyone who doesn't kowtow to Trump on Ukraine is a start. Need actual Congressional Republicans to step up tho.

Call me naive,but I believe this will happen. There are enough Republicans that know kaytowing to Putin is a very
dangerous game Trump is playing. World peace is at stake. Wicker's term ends in 2030. He doesn't have to worry
about Trump pushing an opponent against him. The day the next President takes office in Jan 2029 can't get here
fast enough in my opinion. No Maga politician has the cult of personality like Trump. I don't see Vance carrying
the torch.

 

[GrandAdmiral]

This is forking crazy

Guys, we had it all wrong... The other guy is the dictator...

Is this dumbass purposely misspelling Zelensky's name wrong or is he just forking stupid?

 

[efil4]

Guys, we had it all wrong... The other guy is the dictator...

Is this dumbass purposely misspelling Zelensky's name wrong or is he just forking stupid?

He starts with "moderately successful comedian"....it's purposeful.

He demeans when he feels slighted or any sort of threat by another.

 

[DJ1BigTymer]

Guys, we had it all wrong... The other guy is the dictator...

Is this dumbass purposely misspelling Zelensky's name wrong or is he just forking stupid?

I truly believe he's mentally challenged. We have never heard anything positive about his education other than he went to Wharton and I'm willing to bet that Daddy Warbucks had a hand in his admission. He has no degree from there and the only professor that has ever made any comment about him said that trump was the stupidest student that he has ever had.

 

[superchuck500]

Guys, we had it all wrong... The other guy is the dictator...

Is this dumbass purposely misspelling Zelensky's name wrong or is he just forking stupid?

I think the Ukrainian spelling has two y's.

But Trump is probably spelling like that intentionally to make him seem extra-western and weird to his constituency.

 

[faceman]

Great movie. Patton had it right years ago.