Reply to: Putin gone (We wish)

[Paddy]

That may be so in theory. But missile launch sites in NATO countries present a belligerent aspect, especially when practically on the Russian border hardly 100 miles from Moscow, and at the best of times that is enough to put the wind up someone as paranoid as Putin!

400 miles. Go to Google maps, right click on Moscow select measure distance.
Back to the subject, during the cold war the one thing that stopped an invasion in the Baltic Region was the vast dense forests. It would have slowed down the Russian tanks too much. It is far better to employ tank defences rather than relying on nukes.

[OwlHoot]

3 is a nonsense. NATO is a purely defensive organisation, not a belligerent. If it has a proactive aspect, it is purely to act as a deterrent. Fear of it is only needed if you intend attacking one of its member states first.

That may be so in theory. But missile launch sites in NATO countries present a belligerent aspect, especially when practically on the Russian border hardly 100 miles from Moscow, and at the best of times that is enough to put the wind up someone as paranoid as Putin!

[malvolio]

6 Extended exercise for Russian troops, to keep them mean and keen and up to scratch, instead of moping about bored in Russia!

No seriously, mostly 3 I reckon, along with the wheat and fertiliser (all of which will increase the dependency on Russia of India, China, _and_ let's not forget countries in North Africa, where Russia is also trying to increase its presence and influence)

3 is a nonsense. NATO is a purely defensive organisation, not a belligerent. If it has a proactive aspect, it is purely to act as a deterrent. Fear of it is only needed if you intend attacking one of its member states first.

[OwlHoot]

1 and 5 mainly, with a side order of 2

6 Extended exercise for Russian troops, to keep them mean and keen and up to scratch, instead of moping about bored in Russia!

No seriously, mostly 3 I reckon, along with the wheat and fertiliser (all of which will increase the dependency on Russia of India, China, _and_ let's not forget countries in North Africa, where Russia is also trying to increase its presence and influence)

[ladymuck]

What do you reckon his real motivation is?

1. recreation of some form of Soviet Empire
2. won't accept Ukraine as independent country, unless it has a government which kowtows to Russia
3. genuine fear of further NATO expansion
4. ridding Ukraine of Nazi and drug addict leadership
5. narcissistic attention seeking

1 and 5 mainly, with a side order of 2

[SueEllen]

What do you reckon his real motivation is?

1. recreation of some form of Soviet Empire
2. won't accept Ukraine as independent country, unless it has a government which kowtows to Russia
3. genuine fear of further NATO expansion
4. ridding Ukraine of Nazi and drug addict leadership
5. narcissistic attention seeking

If he had a "fear" of NATO expansion he would have done something about Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania the first time he was in power.

[SueEllen]

He invated Ukraine in 2014 - 8 years ago, he would have taken whole country if it was not for volunteers and a handful of able military units to start fighting back and only ferocity of such fighting stopped him where he was back then, he decided to wait and prepare better for the next time, which is now.

This is better prepared

Including sending your army into the mud? Wasn't that a WWI mistake?

[DealorNoDeal]

He invated Ukraine in 2014 - 8 years ago, he would have taken whole country if it was not for volunteers and a handful of able military units to start fighting back and only ferocity of such fighting stopped him where he was back then, he decided to wait and prepare better for the next time, which is now.

What do you reckon his real motivation is?

1. recreation of some form of Soviet Empire
2. won't accept Ukraine as independent country, unless it has a government which kowtows to Russia
3. genuine fear of further NATO expansion
4. ridding Ukraine of Nazi and drug addict leadership
5. narcissistic attention seeking

[AtW]

Why invade now?

He invated Ukraine in 2014 - 8 years ago, he would have taken whole country if it was not for volunteers and a handful of able military units to start fighting back and only ferocity of such fighting stopped him where he was back then, he decided to wait and prepare better for the next time, which is now.

[vetran]

Wow. If these guys are the professionals, it's good job they didn't send conscripts.

Sadly they are still some mothers sons. Mainly innocent personally.

[DealorNoDeal]

I read that his most of his inner circle consists of his KGB mates from the 1970s who all think the same as him i.e. - reestablish the USSR [or Russia 2.0].

I suspect this is the real agenda. And making his mark before it's too late (assuming he is ill).

If former Soviet republics joining NATO was seen as such a threat, why didn't he do something about it years ago?

Why invade now?

[NotAllThere]

Wow. If these guys are the professionals, it's good job they didn't send conscripts.

[Paddy]

Putin the liar

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday said he will not send conscripts or reservists to fight in Ukraine and that "professional" soldiers fulfilling "fixed objectives" were leading the war.

"Conscripted soldiers are not participating and will not participate in the fighting. There will not be an additional conscription of reservists either," Putin said in a televised address marking International Women's Day on March 8.

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/...ukraine-a76812

[SueEllen]

II doubt anyone else will have access to him to get that close.

Air hostesses.

Though they all clearly try not to look creeped out when he stands or sits up close to them.

[quackhandle]

Seems more likely than one of his inner circle getting close enough for an assassination.

I read that his most of his inner circle consists of his KGB mates from the 1970s who all think the same as him i.e. - reestablish the USSR.

Outside of that you have the Oligarchs who Mad Vlad has made very rich, so not much luck there. I doubt anyone else will have access to him to get that close.

qh