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

[keldsyke]

So, any thoughts on what’s going to happen now after Putin‘s speech and recognition of the breakaway regions in Ukraine?

[upthemaggies]

[Mark_Ross]

So, any thoughts on what’s going to happen now after Putin‘s speech and recognition of the breakaway regions in Ukraine?

I really hope the situation does not escalate, but Putin did annexe Crimea.

So if Russian troops occupy the secessionist regions, what will the west do? Surely a military response is out of the question?

[Big Bob]

I see the yanks are rather quiet about it all

[BigFatPie]

Can’t believe the number of far right and far left who’ve been acting as Putin apologists. His speech tonight was unhinged. The US or Nato getting involved is out of the question but it’s a worry about where he’ll stop.

[drillerpie]

He's been allowed to get away with so much before that this has always been on the cards, although I have to say I think Biden has dealt with this difficult situation reasonably well - sounding firm without sounding bellicose, just exposing Putin's lies.

Problem is what to do about it - if he doesn't meet any resistance he'll take more territory than his rebels have already taken from Ukraine, and if Ukraine tries to retake/protect its own territory Putin will say it's a form of aggression, and will use that as an excuse to keep going and take even more territory. They're damned if they do and damned if they don't.

[queenslandpie]

Simply and selfishly very glad I live in Australia. As above it is a worry where he will stop. He's a very very scary individual. That's my insightful political foresight out there for all to see.

[uysapie]

Very dangerous individual. Trying to restore the USSR?

[i961pie]

He's been allowed to get away with so much before that this has always been on the cards, although I have to say I think Biden has dealt with this difficult situation reasonably well - sounding firm without sounding bellicose, just exposing Putin's lies.

Problem is what to do about it - if he doesn't meet any resistance he'll take more territory than his rebels have already taken from Ukraine, and if Ukraine tries to retake/protect its own territory Putin will say it's a form of aggression, and will use that as an excuse to keep going and take even more territory. They're damned if they do and damned if they don't.

That is exactly what Putin is doing, hopes Ukraine responds in those areas with force so he can send in his troops to 'defend his people'. He won't be happy until he's got the Soviet Union back.
The problem for him is he doesn't want nato on his borders but they will probably reinforce their weaponry in countries like Poland.

[irishpete]

Don't know why Putin is bothered about Nato, waste of space, Yugoslavia prime example. Crimea, let him just waltz in, alright may have an element of Russia but the bottom line was it was part of Ukraine
Sanctions waste of space. Not stopped N Korea
The West needs to send a load of bombers over there now, will make him have 2nd thoughts as most ordinary Russians don't want a war with Ukraine