Is Russia about to invade Ukraine? (1 Viewer)

[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]

Another example of war crimes committed by Russian forces.

 

[SamAndreas]

This is yet another example of a likely poor showing for Democrats this November...

Biden approval rating drops to new low of 40%, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds

U.S. President Joe Biden's public approval rating fell to a new low of 40% this week, a clear warning sign for his Democratic Party as it seeks to retain control of Congress in the Nov. 8 election, according to a Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll. Biden's approval rating, down three percentage points...

news.yahoo.com

It's another fine example of an Ipsos poll giving results like a sawed off shotgun delivers bird shot.

 

[B4YOU]

This is yet another example of a likely poor showing for Democrats this November...

Biden approval rating drops to new low of 40%, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds

U.S. President Joe Biden's public approval rating fell to a new low of 40% this week, a clear warning sign for his Democratic Party as it seeks to retain control of Congress in the Nov. 8 election, according to a Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll. Biden's approval rating, down three percentage points...

news.yahoo.com

The new reality in a divided nation is Presidents don’t poll over 50% for most of their term. Also, Biden can’t sell a victory. Covid is in retreat and infrastructure got done. Russia could fully capitulate without a single US soldier fighting and Biden wouldn’t get a bump.

Also, Dem senators are screwing the House and administration.

 

[MT15]

Since some on here seem to want to be confused about the facts:

 

[UriUT]

I guess the Russians thought it was only an exercise /s

 

[SteveSBrickNJ]

The new reality in a divided nation is Presidents don’t poll over 50% for most of their term. Also, Biden can’t sell a victory. Covid is in retreat and infrastructure got done. Russia could fully capitulate without a single US soldier fighting and Biden wouldn’t get a bump.

Also, Dem senators are screwing the House and administration.

That was an excellent post. Thank you.
Tell me(us) more about the Democrat Senators.

 

[DaveXA]

That was an excellent post. Thank you.
Tell me(us) more about the Democrat Senators.

Well, there is that Democrat from West Virginia.

 

[SteveSBrickNJ]

Well, there is that Democrat from West Virginia.

Yup....he's my favorite
*
*
BTW....these next words are to the moderator(s)
I am only participating in two threads......this one (Russia-Ukraine) and the Republican Party Thread
I meant to post the story about Biden's poll numbers in the political thread....not this Russia-Ukraine Thread.
I apologize for my error.

 

[bird]

What Democratic senator from WV?

 

[superchuck500]

 

[UriUT]

No freaking way. Really happening?

Edit: Sadly kherson is still under Russian occupation atm. I read there were heavy fighting in that region before bed and got excited prematurely.

 

[UriUT]

Speaking of culture wars.

 

[superchuck500]

Speaking of culture wars.

Is he referring to the Pledge of Allegiance?

I don't think they would be capable of understanding that the U.S. pledge is not compulsory.

 

[UriUT]

I thought the context was religion. But now that you've mentioned it, it could possibly be about a pledge.

 

[superchuck500]

I thought the context was religion. But now that you've mentioned it, it could possibly be about a pledge.

I think it has to be the pledge, ("in glory of America"). Ninety percent of American students go to public schools, and they aren't saying prayers at school (excepting some very limited circumstances).

 

[UriUT]

Why is he still in the news? I saw psaki brilliantly respond to a question about him. Please refer all questions of hunter to the doj or his representatives. She represents the US and last she checked he doesnt work for the US....

Sorry I got your point. I just wonder what sane person would consider him news worthy.

 

[superchuck500]

Why is he still in the news? I saw psaki brilliantly respond to a question about him. Please refer all questions of hunter to the doj or his representatives. She represents the US and last she checked he doesnt work for the US....

Sorry I got your point. I just wonder what sane person would consider him news worthy.

A segment of American society thinks he's newsworthy because he's been in the news they consume for years now. They think the world revolves around Hunter Biden and Hillary Clinton. It's a very strange and deluded worldview.

 

[UriUT]

I think it has to be the pledge, ("in glory of America"). Ninety percent of American students go to public schools, and they aren't saying prayers at school (excepting some very limited circumstances).

I think you are right. It fits with their nationalist agenda. I do remember I had to say the pledge in my public elementary school, but nothing after. Ironically, my nieces private school had everyone say the pledge for their grand parents day event.