Is Russia about to invade Ukraine? (2 Viewers)

[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

 

[MT15]

Good thought-provoking thread:

 

[MT15]

About the Biolabs lie and how the American far right Trumpists are giving Putin better propaganda than he can come up with. His lie about Nazis in Ukraine didn’t go anywhere, but the Q cult gave him “biolabs” and he is seizing on it. Great thread with a link to an article:

 

[efil4]

About the Biolabs lie and how the American far right Trumpists are giving Putin better propaganda than he can come up with. His lie about Nazis in Ukraine didn’t go anywhere, but the Q cult gave him “biolabs” and he is seizing on it. Great thread with a link to an article:

I just ran across this gem- if it wasnt so freakin scary how gullible some folk are, id still be laughing.

 

[Lapaz]

I just ran across this gem- if it wasnt so freakin scary how gullible some folk are, id still be laughing.

That lady, talking about how Trump, Putin and Si are the only ones that can save us from the deep state, is special needs.

I’m curious what she thinks the deep state’s agenda is. Why would the deep state want to release bio weapons? Why would China want to fight our deep state? Don’t they have enough of a fight against our shallow state?

 

[BullSheetBuddha]

I just ran across this gem- if it wasnt so freakin scary how gullible some folk are, id still be laughing.

Aye yi yi.

I wonder how many Americans are walking around with this particular kind of nonsense in their heads? I know it's, conspiracy theories, fairly common in the middle east and you can see how far it's gotten them.

 

[BullSheetBuddha]

This. My husband works for the danish national institute of statistics and his comment is that depending on how you frame your questions you can almost certainly get a survey to show almost anything you would like it to show.

If that's your intention I'm sure you can.

 

[DJ1BigTymer]

I just ran across this gem- if it wasnt so freakin scary how gullible some folk are, id still be laughing.

If by gullible you mean stupid, then I'm with you. Stupid is the only acceptable description of what was said in that video. Stupid.

 

[MT15]

This is being reported:

 

[superchuck500]

This is shirt is so stupid

 

[SaulGoodmanEsq]

If by gullible you mean stupid, then I'm with you. Stupid is the only acceptable description of what was said in that video. Stupid.

So CCP China is now our friend? These people love to pull 180's to rationalize their insanity.

 

[Lapaz]

If China gives the Russians military aid, then I think we need to increase the aid. Depending on what aid they give, it may justify us providing jets. As I see it, China entering the fray escalates the war. Even as things stand now, I think we should covertly move Migs to Ukraine to bolster their defenses, but if it escalates, then drop the covertness.

 

[superchuck500]

Diplomacy is a skill. It should done by skilled professionals. Like Jake Sullivan.

 

[wardorican]

If China gives the Russians military aid, then I think we need to increase the aid. Depending on what aid they give, it may justify us providing jets. As I see it, China entering the fray escalates the war. Even as things stand now, I think we should covertly move Migs to Ukraine to bolster their defenses, but if it escalates, then drop the covertness.

I don't think they're that stupid. We've already told them. From this article, it really looks like MRE's might be the biggest thing Russia is asking for that the Chinese might provide.

I'd rather they not give food, but, at least it's not weapons.

China has expressed some openness to providing military and financial aid to Russia, US cable suggests

The US has information suggesting China has expressed some openness to providing Russia with requested military and financial assistance as part of its war on Ukraine, a Western official and a US diplomat told CNN, and is conveying what it knows to its NATO allies.

www.cnn.com

 

[BullSheetBuddha]

 

[DaveXA]

This is shirt is so stupid

It's ridiculous. The messaging by Gabbard and Carlson is terrible, but suggesting they be militarily detained? Fork no. We're not Russia. Let's not muzzle anyone here. I mean, we just watched a journalist get disappeared on state TV and we want to do the same to dissenting voices here? Smh.

 

[DaveXA]

Also, Zelensky is scheduled to address US Congress tomorrow. If Bobert and Green heckle him during his speech tomorrow, someone there better kick them in the nuts.

And please, CNN/Fox, don't give either of those idiots air time.

 

[MT15]

This is shirt is so stupid

 

[Gabor in WA]

how about Chancellor Palputine ?