Putin thought Z would flee. He calculated wrong. And now he’s made a National and international hero and, if he is killed, a martyr, which is worse. Either way, Putin’s attempt to squash Z has given him immortality.
Germany seems to be behind SWIFT now. Talk of carve outs for oil which would kneecap the effort significantly. This will also put China in a pickle. I'd like to think they'd choose trading with the entire western world over rusty Russia and some satellites, but I'm done believing in rational actors.
Wonder if Trump & Company/Putin lovers would defend either of those things? Probably so but at some point a shred of human decency will hopefully be found. **Before I get hammered I'm talking about in THIS situation and NOT bringing into account anything else politically. I'm talking the delusional people who heap praise on Putin/ feel he's justified in some way.
Seems like Germany was kinda' sitting on the sidelines there, sticking their finger in the air to see which way this was headed. Now seeing Putin's *blitzkrieg* looking more like a keystone cop boondoggle, and concerns about Russia's ability to sustain even a short campaign let alone a prolonged one, they're chiming in all "Ya Ukraine...we had your back all da time!" (...while still enjoying their cozy little pipeline arrangement with Russia, and indirectly helping to finance Putin's efforts...).
Here you go BDSer. Your bravado is hilarious. Trumpian even. Last loser president kissed China’s ass in public about how well they handled the pandemic and bloviated like a coward about how much he loved Russia’s Putin “I don’t know why he would” be responsible for election interference. That’s the guy you look to for strength? Biden is handling an impossible situation with statesman alliance with our allies. Short of a war it’s about making Russia an outcast. If you’re for a war then run on that. Our strategy was never to stop them but to make them an outcast if they did. How Popular Is Joe Biden?
I keep hearing that as well but I am also hearing on BBC news and as I understand it they are trying to work out a solution that will not harm everyone with carve outs. Little to no details on those carve outs and what they entail. I cannot determine if this is a partial removal from SWIFT or not. In any case it remains to be seen what they come up with.
In war that is a foregone conclusion. Russian troops are not going to view these people as civilians when they are armed and shooting at them. They may not have a uniform on but they are engaged.
It's early, but Xi not looking like much of an ally so far, huh? Kinda' leaving Putin out there with his pecker in his hand...
The stakes just got higher JUST IN: China Announces Military Exercises in South China Sea from Sunday thru Tuesday
Zelensky has heaped praise on Biden’s support. I think Trump would have secretly given his position away to Putin to expedite the endgame, just to get it over with and out of the headlines. The idea of bone spurs putting his own life on the line over anything is preposterous. It’s all empty slogans, false patriotism. All Putin would have to do is pay him off.
