O/T:- Ukraine [Incorporating 'Congrats to Russia' thread]

[hissingdwarf]

In one sense that's true, but of course we are talking about a former KGB officer and the 'utopia' in his mind that he is effectively trying to re-create is the old USSR - the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

I don't think Putin's motivation is a politically-driven desire to advance capitalism, socialism or communism around the world. His motivation is to protect and extend his own power and impose his will on others, and he will say and do whatever he thinks is expedient to achieve that.

Narcissists/sociopaths/psychopaths will adopt whatever political shape suits them at any given time, and will often contradict themselves wildly, because ultimately it's just a means to an end, and that end is their own benefit.

Spot on. Putin has swung wildly from different philosophies over the years. Someone tried to say he was a Stalinist once and he ripped them to shreds. Then a year later spent most of the time quoting Stalin. More than anything he is more dangerous because he is an opportunist.
His inner circle has been built on cash and the ability to make it.
From the outside looking in, he pines for the power and the hold of the old USSR, but he has adapted as time has passed to allow himself to be positioned as the only answer in Russian Politics. Imo, he is legacy building.

[jackal2]

Spot on. Putin has swung wildly from different philosophies over the years. Someone tried to say he was a Stalinist once and he ripped them to shreds. Then a year later spent most of the time quoting Stalin. More than anything he is more dangerous because he is an opportunist.
His inner circle has been built on cash and the ability to make it.
From the outside looking in, he pines for the power and the hold of the old USSR, but he has adapted as time has passed to allow himself to be positioned as the only answer in Russian Politics. Imo, he is legacy building.

Yes I think he's reached the stage in his life where he's wanting to define his legacy as - in his mind - the greatest leader Russia and maybe the world has ever seen. The increased urgency may be influenced by his growing awareness of age and perhaps the threat of Covid which seems to bother him more than one might expect.

The problem is that for someone with his mindset, control is absolutely everything. If he reaches a point where he thinks he is being denied the legacy he wants and that he is destined for defeat, he will not accept that outcome. He's likely to take the view that if he cannot have what he wants, nobody else will either. He would see mutually assured destruction as a form of retaining control.

[cher1]

If anyone would like to read the recent article linked by Hissing, you can read it here:

https://archive.fo/AmS6s

[hissingdwarf]

If anyone would like to read the recent article linked by Hissing, you can read it here:

https://archive.fo/AmS6s

Many Thanks Cher. Well found!

[keldsyke]

So some Russian banks are now going to be cut off the Swift system, just announced

[hissingdwarf]

So some Russian banks are now going to be cut off the Swift system, just announced

Yep. It’ll put a dint in the Russian economy for sure, but it’s been expecting it. Plus the statement is ‘selected’ banks so there is still some wiggle room.
Got to better than Germanys first offer of help. “We’ll send you 5000 helmets.” I’m pretty sure there is a German joke in there somewhere!

[keldsyke]

Yep. It’ll put a dint in the Russian economy for sure, but it’s been expecting it. Plus the statement is ‘selected’ banks so there is still some wiggle room.
Got to better than Germanys first offer of help. “We’ll send you 5000 helmets.” I’m pretty sure there is a German joke in there somewhere!

By the sounds of things earlier today the Germans, French and Dutch are now sending more serious weapons.

The BA situation from yesterday and today is also intriguing, cover up?

[irishpete]

Germans, French bunch of useless b@stards, good for nothing, bar looking after themselves. Olaf, Macron running to Putin like lap dogs. Wouldn't want them in the trenches besides me

[keldsyke]

Not good Putin has just put nuclear forces on ‘special alert’

[jackal2]

Not good Putin has just put nuclear forces on ‘special alert’

Hence my sentiments in post #102.