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

 

[RebSaint]

I think it's always wise to vet sources coming from both belligerents, considering information is always distorted because of the "fog of war" and propaganda. But the great thing about this particular war is that we have first-hand video sources coming from the front.

But I think there's also a connection to how and why Putin has used non-violent propaganda for the past 10 years to undermine western coalitions that have existed since WWII. It's absolutely chilling and disappointing to see the American right wing still parroting Russian propaganda word for word.

I think historians years from now will connect Russia's effort to destablize western-style democracies with the invasion of Urkraine. Let me be even more specific--I think the proliferation of authoritarian, anti-democratic propaganda often designed as disinformation to sow ethnic, racial, and class conflict in the US and Europe was a policy-driven goal of the Kremlin that culminating in what we're seeing on the ground with the invasion of the Urkraine.

 

[MT15]

I only wish more people could see the manipulation clearly. It’s plain. It baffles me how so many are duped.

 

[MT15]

I really feel the way this guy feels. The press mishandling Trump is a good part of the reason we ended up with the most unqualified person to ever hold office. They didn’t learn a thing.



…

 

[DaveXA]

I really feel the way this guy feels. The press mishandling Trump is a good part of the reason we ended up with the most unqualified person to ever hold office. They didn’t learn a thing.



…

Yeah, it's shameful what passes for journalism these days.

 

[UriUT]

I really feel the way this guy feels. The press mishandling Trump is a good part of the reason we ended up with the most unqualified person to ever hold office. They didn’t learn a thing.



…

I'm willing to bet many of those questions are from fox news doocy. Coincidentally the auto spellchecker changed his name to idiocy just now.

 

[UriUT]

Unreal. Note Paul wants the language in the magnitsky act changed.

 

[UriUT]

Yeah I remember saying it too.

Of course no one "has" to say it. There's obvious social pressure but as a matter of law it cannot be compulsory. Again, I don't think that's something Moscow could wrap its head around.

Another instance supporting your point. I really dont think they understand that free speech, heck any civil liberties, are guaranteed in a free society.

 

[zztop]

My first thought was this was good news, but then I remember reading that they were already starting to pull back (retreat) to regroup... so..

Relief for Kyiv? Russia vows to scale back near the capital

Russia’s military says it will “fundamentally” cut back operations near Ukraine’s capital and a northern city, as talks brought a possible deal to end a grinding war into view.

apnews.com

 

[UriUT]

 

[MT15]

If I were Ukraine, I wouldn’t let up. The Russians haven‘t done one thing in good faith during this entire time. They have lied at every step, from the moment they claimed they had no intention of invading Ukraine. They (Ukraine) need to chase them out and if possible even reclaim some of the land they took in 2014.

 

[MT15]

 

[UriUT]

If I were Ukraine, I wouldn’t let up. The Russians haven‘t done one thing in good faith during this entire time. They have lied at every step, from the moment they claimed they had no intention of invading Ukraine. They (Ukraine) need to chase them out and if possible even reclaim some of the land they took in 2014.

I agree with you. Ukraine will not have this same advantage again. I wouldn't give up Crimea for example. The gas reserve off its coast will fuel their recovery. However, I understand zelensky's position. He actually cares about each ukrainian deaths. Who knows, maybe the rot and corruption of the Russian army will spiral further.

 

[DaveXA]

Unreal. Note Paul wants the language in the magnitsky act changed.

Rand is still a grade a doosh. What else is new?

 

[BullSheetBuddha]

Yeah!! I'm in love.



One example of courage after another in Ukraine.

 

[efil4]

this guy lol

 

[SamAndreas]

Yeah!! I'm in love.



One example of courage after another in Ukraine.

I'm not positive of my identification, but I think the "generator girl" is the also the "how to steal a Russian tank girl."

 

[SFIDC3]

this guy lol

Should this not be considered treasonous?

Still hoping he goes to jail or just dies of the heart attack, I'm fine with either....

 

[zztop]

I think it's always wise to vet sources coming from both belligerents, considering information is always distorted because of the "fog of war" and propaganda. But the great thing about this particular war is that we have first-hand video sources coming from the front.

But I think there's also a connection to how and why Putin has used non-violent propaganda for the past 10 years to undermine western coalitions that have existed since WWII. It's absolutely chilling and disappointing to see the American right wing still parroting Russian propaganda word for word.

I think historians years from now will connect Russia's effort to destablize western-style democracies with the invasion of Urkraine. Let me be even more specific--I think the proliferation of authoritarian, anti-democratic propaganda often designed as disinformation to sow ethnic, racial, and class conflict in the US and Europe was a policy-driven goal of the Kremlin that culminating in what we're seeing on the ground with the invasion of the Urkraine.

speaking of this

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/03/28/ukraine-russia-pow-video/

apparently it first started circulating on pro-russian outlets first.
but then again, if this actually took place by Ukraine soldiers, I'd call shooting Russian kneecaps pretty mild compared to atrocities Russians have committed against Ukrainian civilians etc