The Ukraine / Russia standoff - How bad is this going to get?

[Fore Warned]

Good article on factors in play in the current standoff playing out on the Ukraine front.

Tensions are rising on Ukraine's border with Russia. Here's what you need to know

Tensions are rising on Ukraine's border with Russia. Here's what - KAKE

This raises many questions about Putin’s next moves. There are many similarities here in the build up to the manner in which the Crimean annexation was carried out.

Will Putin be emboldened by the Crimean outcome? Putin is not likely to call a halt at the border, and an insurrection of some form looks imminent.

Certainly western and NATO powers are concerned, but will they do anything deferent in this case?

[Bern]

Good article on factors in play in the current standoff playing out on the Ukraine front.

Tensions are rising on Ukraine's border with Russia. Here's what you need to know

Tensions are rising on Ukraine's border with Russia. Here's what - KAKE

This raises many questions about Putin’s next moves. There are many similarities here in the build up to the manner in which the Crimean annexation was carried out.

Will Putin be emboldened by the Crimean outcome? Putin is not likely to call a halt at the border, and an insurrection of some form looks imminent.

Certainly western and NATO powers are concerned, but will they do anything deferent in this case?

The amassing of Russian Troops around Ukraine is very concerning. I'm surprised the situation hasn't been addressed by world leaders and warnings issued to Russia.

[Fore Warned]

Well, there have been warnings, but all these speak to "serious consequences" and the threat of sanctions.

NATO warns Russia to avoid costly mistake in Ukraine - CityNews Toronto

US Warns Russia as Kremlin Talks About War Threat in Ukraine - Breaking & Latest News, Greece, Cyprus, Hellenic Diaspora News (thenationalherald.com)

[bl8d]

NATO forces are unprepared to engage when its members populace is overwhelmingly concerned and distracted by Covid and it's variants.
.However, it will be another Chechnya and Afghan disaster the Russians won't win. Russians as a people like their "little" brothers and their support for this is not a given at all.
Putin is politically astute to take advantage of its isolated circumstance but the burden of Stalin pre and postwar treatment of Ukrainians is too big even for him to re-image.

[OKHC]

https://www.economist.com/europe/the...tists/21806546

This is an interesting article.

If you happened to watched the testimony of (the impressive and dedicated) Marie Yovanovitch during the first Trump impeachment proceedings, you'll know that there is a lot of US - Ukraine - Russia-related diplomatic activity ongoing, and that the situation is being addressed by world leaders.

[Fore Warned]

https://www.economist.com/europe/the...tists/21806546

This is an interesting article.

If you happened to watched the testimony of (the impressive and dedicated) Marie Yovanovitch during the first Trump impeachment proceedings, you'll know that there is a lot of US - Ukraine - Russia-related diplomatic activity ongoing, and that the situation is being addressed by world leaders.

Well...got a few paragraphs before being cut off.

[Arthur Dailey]

Many years ago I was fortunate enough to attend some classes with John Gellner who created/initiated strategic studies courses in Canada.

Gellner emphasized that geography never changes. So Russia's geographic 'needs' remain the same as they did centuries ago.

Those who remember history will remember that the Russians/Soviets used times/periods of disruption in the west to expand/maintain their power.

They invaded Hungary during the Suez Crisis.
The invaded Czechoslovakia during the height of American social crisis in 1968.
They invaded Afghanistan during the height of the Iran Hostage Crisis.

Western indecision and/or weakness is viewed by the Kremlin as an opportunity.
And Putin personally considers the fall of the Soviet Empire as the worst tragedy of the 20th century and something that he would like to 'avenge'/correct.

[Bern]

Biden finally steps up and put's the full force of the Presidential office behind warnings to Putin.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/joe...asion-n1285332

[landlord]

Putin needs a land corridor to join Russia and Crimea. Check your maps. At present he has to take a maritime route, and that displeases him mightily. I'd think anything less than a very aggressive effort to accomplish a land link would be a surprise.

[Bern]

Putin needs a land corridor to join Russia and Crimea. Check your maps. At present he has to take a maritime route, and that displeases him mightily. I'd think anything less than a very aggressive effort to accomplish a land link would be a surprise.

Perhaps he should have thought of that before annexing Crimea.

[Fredk]

Putin needs a land corridor to join Russia and Crimea. Check your maps. At present he has to take a maritime route, and that displeases him mightily. I'd think anything less than a very aggressive effort to accomplish a land link would be a surprise.

Crimea also needs a source of fresh water.

[Fore Warned]

U.S. officials believe Russia is planning a multi-front military invasion of Ukraine, involving as many as 175,000 troops, as soon as early 2022, Fox News has confirmed.

"The plans involve extensive movement of 100 battalion tactical groups with an estimated 175,000 personnel, along with armor, artillery and equipment," a Biden administration official told Fox News.

US sees signs Russia plans Ukraine invasion in early 2022 (msn.com)

[Fore Warned]

I am sure this will greatly deter Putin....

President Joe Biden on Tuesday warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that the United States and European allies would join together to impose “strong” economic penalties and other punitive actions on Russia should it mount an invasion of Ukraine.

Biden warns Putin on call against Ukraine invasion - POLITICO

[4underthru9]

Sleepy Joe puts the gloves on and threatens shirtless Putin, Ding Ding, seconds out.

[hackerhare]

What if Putin and Xi put on a simultaneous attack on Ukraine and Taiwan? Time to get out of the stock market. Black swan coming.