BBC - "What does Putin want?"

[orangecrush]

What does Putin want?
He has not only demanded that Ukraine never join Nato but that the alliance turns the clock back to 1997 and reverses its eastward expansion. He has complained Russia has "nowhere further to retreat to - do they think we'll just sit idly by?".

He wants Nato to remove its forces and military infrastructure from member states that joined the alliance from 1997 and not to deploy "strike weapons near Russia's borders". That means Central Europe, Eastern Europe and the Baltics.

But this goes beyond Nato. In the words of Germany's chancellor, Russia's leader "wants to take over Europe according to his world view".



https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56720589


Perhaps it is time to nip this in the bud.

Putin is gambling that the West won't intervene.

If he succeeds in taking Ukraine, he will be emboldened and in time strengthened.

It will only be a matter of time, then, before we see a rerun of Ukraine in the next country he decides to invade.

A good shot in the kisser might throw him off balance and make the russians decide they've had enough.

The draconian restrictions on russian press and free speech prove Putin does not have the russian people behind him.

Bullies are punks. Once stood up to, they crumble.

[harumph]

1. Of course he's not going to go nuclear.

He is a fucking coward - using others to do his dirty work.

His forces in Ukraine need done to them what was
done to the Wagner group in Syria:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/24/world/middleeast/american-commandos-russian-mercenaries-syria.html

He's bluffing and if he tried to launch his ICBMs half of the launch would probably
blow up in their silos. Russian submarines are a joke and have been for years.
He's a little crackpot who is holding a weak kneed west hostage
with idle threats.

IMO, the west needs to grow a pair - b/c when he takes Ukraine, it's only going to get much much worse.
The US needs to go unilaterally and DESTROY every single Russian unit inside of Ukraine.
Unfortunately, this is a dick wagging contest.

I know, you're saying it's too risky. It is risky - but you only think you imagine hell when
Putin wins and our republican traitors go back to sticking russian $ up their asses in
order to undermine our democracy.

If Putin wins, the shitty little authoritarians in our midst will crawl back out of their holes to which
they've been (thankfully) consigned, in order to try to destroy our country. Declare war on
russia, then find those motherfucking traitors in our country who will actually - legally and without
a doubt be committing treason and pull an 'inglorious basterds' on them.

[Calculating]

3. I'm not normally big on war

But this would actually be a worthwhile thing to get involved in. If Putin succeeds at his real goal here we're gonna be left with a world that we won't even want anymore almost. His goal is to crush democratic government worldwide, and rebuild the Soviet union. He WILL win Ukraine even if he needs to kill millions and terrorize them into submission, and then he might chill for a year or two before the next conquest. This man has even messed up our country through his propaganda all over our social media.

I'm not at all saying to attack Russia in their homeland, but Russian forces in Ukraine should be fair game.

[orangecrush]

6. I agree.

He has already started the European campaign.

[orangecrush]

5. +1

[Strelnikov_]

7. Can you say, with 99.999999999999% certainty, what you propose will not result in a nuclear exchange

because if you can't, the risk cannot be taken.

And as for this idea that once Russia occupies Ukraine, they will move on the the next country, that is cracked. Their military is a shell.

And as for your concept that half their ICBM's will blow in their silos, so what? All is would take is 20 nukes (if that many) reaching mainland US to be the end of everything.

So, mini-Gen. Lemay, are you willing to risk the end of everything?

[Corgigal]

2. He wants a damn time machine

and personally not die. He wants to re-live his personal good times again.

It’s all about his fear of death.

[harumph]

4. Then WE must fear death less than him.

If we are to prevail.

[kiranon]

8. Ukraine must win to stop Putin's march into Europe. It won't stop with Ukraine.

Don't want nuclear war and understand that Putin may decide it is worth it. But, I don't think he will go there. The risk is enormous for both Europe/Us and Russia either way. We are back to the old "Better red than dead" that used to be debated eons ago. China may hold the answer if China could be persuaded to help.

[Strelnikov_]

9. The Russians are not marching anywhere

Look at the pitiful performance so far.

Jesus H Christ on a crutch.