It is over. We can mourn the short experience of an independent Ukraine

[question everything]

Putin has been declaring his intentions for years. He wants back the Soviet Union, took over Georgia, Crimea, and no one did anything. And we are not going to do anything except "offering our thoughts and prayers."

Strong man Putin just laughs at us. Sanctions? will hurt the people, so what. The only language that he understands is tanks and missiles and, god helps us, nuclear.

[leftieNanner]

1. Money

If the West can squeeze his wallet and those of his rich friends, there may be a chance.

[Irish_Dem]

4. The probably moved their money before the invasion.

To safe spots.

And stealing Ukraine's resources may mean money in the bank for them.

[lagomorph777]

2. No. We can't let this stand.

Europe hangs in the balance. We have already been successfully (if temporarily) occupied by Putin. We can't afford to let Putin continue.

[secondwind]

3. Spot on.........

[Tommy Carcetti]

5. The first line of the Ukrainian National Anthem is "Ukraine has not yet perished."

Ukrainians are not going to stand for this.

It could be very bloody, but they will resist with every ounce of their body and soul.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. Your haste is unbecoming.

There are many ways to stop Putin. It’s not wise to haul out the most extreme measures first.

[question everything]

18. We shall see. I am no military strategist but I think we have some on these pages

An invasion has to be met immediately, before lines of supplies and communications are established.

Sadly, I don't think that Europe - NATO members? - has the will nor the ability to engage militarily. Almost 80 years passed since Europe was engaged in battles. I think that the Kosova Bosnia genocide was viewed as an internal matter.

And, as I posted here earlier, Russia has not been beaten ever. OK, not in modern time. Japan in 1904-1905.

Granted, both Napoleon and Hitler spread thin and the Russian winter was a factor.

But I am concerned. I do hope to be mistaken but there are too many facts.

[UTUSN]

7. K&R

[FSogol]

8. Unrec. Defeatist drivel. Putin is not a strong man. His petulant speech yesterday proves it.

[Sherman A1]

9. Yeah, oooookaaaaaaay,

I don't believe that Ukraine is tossing in the towel just yet, but if you want to do so, by all means proceed.....

[Wingus Dingus]

10. That's the spirit.

[Swede]

11. It's not over.

Ukrainians, all of them, remember the Holodomor. They will resist forever.

[snowybirdie]

12. So tired

of all the gloom and doom posts here. Its day 1 people! We have competent leadership in Washington!

[obamanut2012]

14. seriously wtf

[mcar]

13. What is the actual point of this doom and gloom?

[obamanut2012]

15. wtf

stop

[Mosby]

16. I think NATO should provide

Air support to protect Ukranian airspace.

No way the Russians are going to fuck with F35s and F22s working in tandem.

[sinkingfeeling]

17. Please keep your disrespectable and defeatist comments to your self.