In more peaceful times, Ukraine’s Black Sea coast is an economic hub, allowing the country to siphon off the fruits of its land in exchange for foreign cash, while drawing hordes of domestic and foreign tourists to the region’s beaches.
Something, something about appeasement will not work with Putin. And if once appeased where and when will it end?
No appeasement. And for fucks sakes, give the Ukrainians those Polish jets.
Russia’s getting its ass kicked by a fictitious country.
Territorial acquisition is for winners and it doesn’t look like Pootie is winning.
Wait til supply shortages of western goods hit the Russian populace. Sucks to be you, Putie.
Putie de-nazi that coming.
There can be no appeasement; there will be no appeasement.
The subjugated will never be appeased. It is known.
This is just the beginning. Putin wants to return ti imperial Russia, but without the Czar. If he gets his way in the Ukraine, like he did in the Crimea, he will begin to absorb all the counties that broke away when the USSR imploded. This is Hitler all over again. Appeasement will not work, and will be seen as a victory by Putin.
What we have to do is convince Putin’s generals that we are willing to make Russia flat, warm, and glow in the dark! They’ll take it from there.
Half of the Russian Expeditionary Force are asking themselves, “WTF. How did we get into this horrible mess?” Can’t be great for morale. The missile firers and bombers of civilian targets are flat out war criminals. The young Russian troops, who were conned into Putin’s Folly, are victims too. The whole thing is pitiful all the way around. The only good thing that I can see is that Putin has shown his true face to the rest of the world. He can’t hide the reality of it from the Russian people forever. I hope the Chinese get the message. Military aggression will make you a pariah.
Rats, ship, something something…
Trump, our fearless leader, asked the military why we couldn’t use tactical nukes. The grownups explained the real world to him. Unfortunately, with Putin, the guardrails may not be there. But, yeah, “relieving Putin of his duties” would be in the best interests of all.
“Western goods”? Being that China manufacturers most western goods, they’ll now be able to ship directly to Russia.
Almost “forever” can be a very long time.
Russia’s new economy? “The Dawn of the Mini-Ruble.”
The internet will overcome. Thanks, Al Gore.
We’ve had a lot of reports of incremental progress by the Ukrainians of repelling Russian troops and taking back some territory. We’re seeing Mykolaiv Oblast now pretty firmly in UKR hands, for example. In Kyiv, the eye test tells us it’s undoubtedly safer as there is normal traffic heading south and a lot more journalists there this week than the prior weeks. This statement by Scherba might be a sign to watch as the incremental gains start compounding a bit to make a real difference on lines of control in the country. Protecting Kyiv and Kharkiv are the top priorities of the UKR military. If they can push the Russians further out in both oblasts, and also take back Kherson, I think many more folks will say that momentum is on their side.
Mariupol remains an issue and I’d like to see a point where Ukraine is able to mount a counteroffensive there. There are some noises about it but the wanton destruction has overwhelmed the news from the area, and may be overwhelming UKR forces who have to try to focus on humanitarian relief and not just fighting.
No negotiations with war criminals and terrorists.