Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-23 and Invasion

[mongers]

I think Putin is largely explicable in his actions, if he feels what he regards as legitimate Russian security concerns are being challenged, then he pushes back and then a bit further to impose a 'cost' on those challenging his sphere of influence.

So with Georgia, the President there tried to rush an military annexation/re-occupation of South Ossetia, Putin reacts by trouncing the Georgian military, stomping around Georgia proper, then withdrawing, but recognizing independent Abhkazia and S.Ossetia.

In the Ukraine, for whatever reason the EU decided to attract or help the country move out of the Russia orbit, Putin's semi-client President is toppled, so he reacts by taking Crimea and a while later aiding or fomenting unrest in the East, so the Ukraine might ultimately end up the the NATO/EU orbit, but it will have some chunks missing, to his mind a cost has been imposed, never mind that there have been other economic and political damage done to Russia.

With the Baltic states, they're already firmly in the EU/NATO domain, there's nowhere else for them to go. I'd guess if there is some unrest/agitation from ethnic Russians, then the most Putin will go for/ or hope is for those people to be given full language and citizenship rights. If there were to be any armed insurrection, I don't see him putting arms across the border, I'd guess he'd try and milk the situation for political propaganda (mainly internal Russian) and perhaps demand a peace-keeping/observer force on the borders of the Baltics.

[jimmy olsen]

If he backs down on this one he'll destroy 70 years of American foreign policy. I don't think you really think it's comparable to what he said about Syria.

I'm not sure "70 years of foreign policy" weighs that much on his mind.  Anyway it was a throw-away comment.  I don't know if he's serious or not, but I just thought I'd make mention of him talking tough before.

If you don't think his legacy weighs down on him like a ton of lead, you're delusional. Backing down on this would have him thrown done into the James Buchanon level of terrible presidents by the judgement of history.

[mongers]

Rumours of a possible late night early morning attack on the port city of Mariupol tomorrow.

Alternatively there'll be a ceasefire with the rebels, which may be the outcome of talks in Minsk tonight. 

Elsewhere the Ukrainian army is in general retreat/tactical withdraw around Luhansk/Eastern Donetsk.

[citizen k]

America's best and brightest in Ukraine, from 2013:

Як сучасні військовослужбовці вчать англійську мову ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxXphqs1PrU&feature=youtu.be

[citizen k]

http://www.eur.army.mil/RapidTrident/

Rapid Trident is designed to promote regional stability and security, strengthen partnership capacity, and foster trust while improving interoperability between USAREUR, the land forces of Ukraine, and other PfP and NATO partner nations.

[citizen k]

[Razgovory]

Sometimes I wish I voted for McCain.

[Barrister]

Sometimes I wish I voted for McCain.

Smetimes I wish you'd voted for McCain too.

[CountDeMoney]

Sometimes I wish I voted for McCain.

Remember, that came with the same number of years as "You betcha! Hopey changey!"

Don't think I'd have been able to tolerate that.  Biker Joe, yeah.  Even Darth Cheney growling at things and people.  But not that.

[Eddie Teach]

Other than snuggling with some biker chick, I have no clue what Biden's been up to the past 6 years.

[CountDeMoney]

Washing his Camaro shirtless.

[DGuller]

Other than snuggling with some biker chick, I have no clue what Biden's been up to the past 6 years.

Swimming naked in the pool.

[Tamas]

Maripol is under attack while the cease fire negotiations are starting.

[Martinus]

Finally got around to reading Obama's Tallinn speech.

Gotta say, as much as I am cynical about politicians and promises, I couldn't help it - I got misty eyed. 

It hit all the right notes.

[garbon]

Sometimes I wish I voted for McCain.

I did.