Putin is dumber than you think.

[piece-itpete]

I bet most here are in agreement that the 4 day Ukrainian invasion showed that the 'genius' Putin was anything but.

*He showed the weakness of the Russian military. This is huge and he will never recover it.

*A corollary, he showed the world just how good Western armaments are, AND just how good NATO training is.

*He also showed how much he lies (although most knew this already) and his own lack of morality, really just any kind of decency.

*He re-energized the European's militaries and European solidarity. Heck Germany particularly was super anti-military.

There's more though. Current Chinese culture has NOT forgotten Russia taking a ton of their territory (the Amur Annexation) a number of years ago (The Chinese communists teach past 'wounds' as part of the way they control the population).

And with Ukraine, Russia has fully spent the last legacy of the USSR - an enormous amount of military hardware. China may be their 'friend' now, but make no mistake, they'd likely take that land back if they can.

Pete

[piece-itpete]

Oh and one other thing on the list - that Ukrainians do not believe in any way shape of form that they're actually Russian

Pete

[Oerets]

Putin not stupid. He is very calculating and playing a long game.

Look what he has accomplished here in the US. One must remember he has little respect for human life, his countrymen or other countries ....

[RickeyM]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

I bet most here are in agreement that the 4 day Ukrainian invasion showed that the 'genius' Putin was anything but.

*He showed the weakness of the Russian military. This is huge and he will never recover it.

*A corollary, he showed the world just how good Western armaments are, AND just how good NATO training is.

*He also showed how much he lies (although most knew this already) and his own lack of morality, really just any kind of decency.

*He re-energized the European's militaries and European solidarity. Heck Germany particularly was super anti-military.

There's more though. Current Chinese culture has NOT forgotten Russia taking a ton of their territory (the Amur Annexation) a number of years ago (The Chinese communists teach past 'wounds' as part of the way they control the population).

And with Ukraine, Russia has fully spent the last legacy of the USSR - an enormous amount of military hardware. China may be their 'friend' now, but make no mistake, they'd likely take that land back if they can.

Pete

It also showed how un-able Russia's military actually is.

[bobabode]

Sure hope that a mushroom cloud over Kiev isn't what RasPutin needs to prove his "worth".

St. Petes and Moscow should be smoking ruins if he does. The best thing for the Ukes is to arm up, nuclearwise.

[bobabode]

Originally Posted by RickeyM

It also showed how un-able Russia's military actually is.

Gen. Potemkin comes to mind.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grigory_Potemkin

[Rajoo]

Originally Posted by bobabode

Sure hope that a mushroom cloud over Kiev isn't what RasPutin needs to prove his "worth".

St. Petes and Moscow should be smoking ruins if he does. The best thing for the Ukes is to arm up, nuclearwise.

Ukraine is a proverbial "sitting duck" without advanced fighters or a missile shield. If they find a way to sneak an attack on Russia, Putin will use this as an excuse to treat Ukraines like Israel did to Gaza.

OTOH, if they do develop a nuclear weapon which may be within their reach, it will be a game changer. Ukraine does have advanced nuclear technology and perhaps this is why Russia took control of their Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station.

[piece-itpete]

I'm uncertain the West will 'allow' Ukraine to build nukes.

A year or two ago I heard there was a topic going around the diplomatic circles - what do 'we' (the West) do if Putin pushes the button, and nothing happens?

Pete

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

I'm uncertain the West will 'allow' Ukraine to build nukes.

A year or two ago I heard there was a topic going around the diplomatic circles - what do 'we' (the West) do if Putin pushes the button, and nothing happens?

Pete

We didn't "allow" France, the UK, India, Israel or Pakistan to build nukes.

[Oerets]

The West is hollow. a paper tiger in essence.

They convinced Ukraine to abandon them with guarantees of protection....

Many times before we have forgot our promises to a country, a people. Proving our word to be unworthy of trusting. Afghanistan and the Kurds come to mind as recent events...