Russia invades Ukraine

This one is especially dangeorus because the US cannot bully its way to a peaceful conclusion. Russia seems intent on taking Ukraine and if Russia invades the only thing that will prevent a full conflict is if NATO nations ignore it. The question is can they ignore such a bare-faced invasion? Probably not. Calls of World War 3 are often thrown around during global flashpoints, but this has potential WW3 event written all over it. Of course, I do not personally think it will get there because I think Putin senses the West is impotent and will just let it happen.

I find it interesting that while NATO nations were chasing the tail of the US into conflicts in the Middle East, China and Russia were allowed to (re)emerge and grow into real threats. While I don't neccesarily care about the waning influence of the US, and indeed welcome it, there is obviously a problem if the influence is going to China and Russia.

It is diifficult to convince the russians that Ukraina is not part of Russia. It has been part of The Zarist empire since the XVII century. Even in the USSR Ukraine was included inside.

One interesting feature of Ukraine is that it has a very fertile territory like the Argentina humid pampa, and the American prairies between the Appallachian mountains and the Rocky Mointains. A target since long coveted by Hitler which tried to include Ukraina in his "Lebensraum" and to get rid dorm the slavic people and give the territory for the germanic Aryans.

I personally think Russia has too much to lose if they invade, being 185Km from the border isn't exactly being near the border. It can just be merely sabre rattling. I think that NATO will agree to not have Ukraine as member, just a hunch

It looks like Putin just being a silly arse as usual. Inferiority complex and all that.

Can someone explain why this is a Russia-US question instead of a Russia-NATO question?

Quote from Rice

Can someone explain why this is a Russia-US question instead of a Russia-NATO question?

It's both. NATO because it's in their back yard and the US because Russia. Of course, the US is part of NATO. I guess that any pressure the US would want to put on Russia would go through NATO.

Quote from Splinter

Isn't it always a Russia-US question?

---

Indeed...

Makes you wonder....the Chinese release a virus and now the Russkies threaten to invade Europe.

The stuff of GREAT conspiracy theories!

Today according to the 'experts' is supposed to be the day Russia invades Ukraine.

Bugger all happening yet.

This probably belongs in the book thread but now seems to be a good time to recommend "Scoop" by Evelyn Waugh. Regardless of the ultimate outcome of this sorry business, it seems to me that the media are rushing around, raising the stakes and finding ever more inventive ways to dramatise the situation Nobody wants to be the newspaper/tv/radio broadcaster who failed to predict the start of the war and so the journalistic pressure builds and builds.

My only consolation is that at least Boris Johnson is in the relatively harmless role of British Prime Minister and not out in Europe making up stories as a foreign correspondent for The Daily Beast.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scoop_(novel)

Quote from Splinter

I'm sure most people are hoping that Putin is just playing a serious game of poker and we know he holds most of the cards. My bet would be the West backing down and agreeing to most of his demands such as Ukraine never joining NATO and the placement of NATO weapons and forces so close to Russia's borders.

---

This helps explain the situation.

Splinter , how could the west agree to his demands, even if they were inclined to reprise Neville Chamberlain’s pre-WWII role? Ukraine, for instance, as a sovereign country, has the sole ability to decide whether to join NATO, should the opportunity arise.

Does anyone really think that Russia will stop with Ukraine? Appeasement is a hideous course to choose.

I'm amazed the general public in Russia put up with Putin. Time for the little arsehole and his cronies to be assassinated.