Putin's initial justification for this has been to stop Ukraine joining Nato, even though no formal application had been made. Now he wants to re-write history and claim that Ukraine is still part of Russia and the separation after the collapse of the Soviet Union was illegal.

This has always puzzled me. Nato's whole purpose is defensive. It's constitution, expressed in the original treaty, does not allow for any kind of aggressive action. It not only has no obvious reason or desire to attack Russia, it would fall apart if it tried to.

[Link]

The defensive lines Nato has established in the previous Soviet Union countries, which have borders with Russia, are purely to deter aggression. The comments found in this thread which apologise for Putin's reasoning are therefore, in my opinion, misunderstanding the truth. He might be able to sell this to his own people, but we know better, or ought to.

Why he now seeks to rewrite history can only be guessed at. No-one knows what he wants, or why he wants it. I heard an interesting theory this evening on Radio 4, but did not note the person making it as I was driving.

This linked right wing populism, and a need to demonstrate a macho attitude, with Putin and people like Trump and Orban. (Trump having praised him in the last few days). The suggestion being that he needs to prove his strength to himself. Some comments to be read in this thread, whilst putting some distance from the action, nevertheless express admiration for the style of the man taking it. The suggestion was this is all part of a worldwide phenomenon, Putin just being an extreme Russian example, who is also effectively a dictator.

Who knows? Is he rational? Is he well? Who can restrain him?

For the avoidance of doubt any comments in response to a previous post are directed to its ideas and not at any, or all, posters personally.

I think there's a far less complicated explanation for Putin and co.'s actions - [Link]

You are in danger of over-analysing it in my humble opinion.

Now Zaha's got a bit of green grass ahead of him here... and finds Ambrose... not a bad effort!!!!

*Guffaw* WHat I lack in cerebral capacity I do try to atone for in levity!

Now Zaha's got a bit of green grass ahead of him here... and finds Ambrose... not a bad effort!!!!

Putin obviously has watched Afghanistan and has long realised that the western governments are weak both in willingness to take casualties and even to fight. Biden is as easy to read as a clock and frankly without the US, no fighting...outside of Nato defence would take place. Besides Europe have focused away from their militaries for at least a generation.

So Putin knew that he could walk in....and economically Russia can survive for longer than many western economies would be happy coping with.

In truth the west has been ruled by weak men for decades and is essentially anti nationalist in its culture....when it's largely nationalist types who actually join armies. A lot of the kind of man who would fight and die for his state has largely gone.

When I was 13 I watched the Falklands War and the culture was far harder and resolute. If you look at the men who fought in that war they were culturally different, not raised in degeneracy and expectation....bodies of the dead were still buried in mass graves.

Russia hasn't undergone this modern cultural change to anything like the same extent. The type of men in Russia's military and also to a large extent in most Eastern European militaries are far more nationalistic and will fight for their states.

But due to several factors Ukraine and Russia is a mismatch and I hope that Maple's prediction is more correct than a guerrilla war because I don't see Putin being too lenient with resistance.....Syria showed that.

Edited by Stirlingsays (24 Feb 2022 11.40pm)

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

My mistake.

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

Did everyone who lives in London manage to get home tonight because of the 10s of 1000s of Anti War protesters thronging the streets?
Oh wait, that only happens when the USA or Israel make a retaliatory missile strike. As you were !!

Pro USA & Israel