US believes Russian President Vladimir Putin has decided to invade Ukraine

[Goritoes]

Russians are not stupid, they know the risks and consequences and yet they are building up for a invasion, why ? Just look at the location of Ukraine, a destabilized Ukraine will help them spread their influence in neighboring countries such as Belarus, Romania , Hungry and Poland... There are a lot of Russian speaking people in those countries combined and in a long run Russians can use them to start a Arab spring like revolt in these countries one after another, with that EU's main economical powers such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain, NL, Denmark will see a massive influx of refugee's, Russian influence will make sure that all these countries will slowly fall under kremlin rule.

 

[khansaheeb]

 

[LeGenD]

And yet Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria were lost. Lolololol

Err... since when is getting violated by a foreign entity a matter of bragging? These wars were not fought to colonize these countries like in the past. They did achieve everything they wanted to in these countries for political reasons and/or industrial reasons. They reduced these countries to banana republics, however.

 

[Apollon]

You mistake the Soviet Union and the people that suffered under communism with modern Russia.

Ukraine was "Little Russia". Remember the Kievan Rus. It was foreign influence through the centuries that drove them into a nationalism and sense of differenr identity. Stalinism made them hate Moscow,but still a lot of people know their roots and do not hate mother Russia because of the communist tyranny.

What's NATO doing in Russia's front yard? Why are Western Europeans and Americans constantly trying to expand and establish bases around Russia? They are the ones who escalate this. They are the ones who provoked and encouraged the Euromaidan riots in 2014. They are the ones who constantly threaten Russia while surrounding the whole world with military bases.

Russians too have the right to defend their interests and area.

You drank the russian cool aid bro. I have a hint for you, Russia never helped or supported Greece. Just like they betrayed Armenia.

Russians are not stupid, they know the risks and consequences and yet they are building up for a invasion, why ? Just look at the location of Ukraine, a destabilized Ukraine will help them spread their influence in neighboring countries such as Belarus, Romania , Hungry and Poland... There are a lot of Russian speaking people in those countries combined and in a long run Russians can use them to start a Arab spring like revolt in these countries one after another, with that EU's main economical powers such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain, NL, Denmark will see a massive influx of refugee's, Russian influence will make sure that all these countries will slowly fall under kremlin rule.

You do realize that Russia is a minor local power with an economy weaker than Italy? I have news for you...never in history has a poor shithole ruled over a rich country. In other words, the Kremlin would need to move to Berlin in your case.

 

[MH.Yang]

You do realize that Russia is a minor local power with an economy weaker than Italy? I have news for you...never in history has a poor shithole ruled over a rich country. In other words, the Kremlin would need to move to Berlin in your case.

In view of your age, let me remind you of a common sense:
For countries like Russia that have been sanctioned by many countries, you should refer to Russia's PPP instead of GDP.
Russia's PPP ranks fifth in the world, second only to China, USA, India and Japan.

 

[Apollon]

In view of your age, let me remind you of a common sense:
For countries like Russia that have been sanctioned by many countries, you should refer to Russia's PPP instead of GDP.
Russia's PPP ranks fifth in the world, second only to China, USA, India and Japan.

I refer to Russias state, poverty and historic output.

Russia was always poorer than western europe, Russia has an economy weaker than the german state of Bavaria. Russia produces nothing that people want or demand.

So fact remains...Russia would need to move the Kremlin to Berlin if it wants rule over it. Its that simple.

Or to speak in a way you understand it: Ulan Bator will also never rule over China for exactly the same reasons.

 

[LeGenD]

Russians are not stupid, they know the risks and consequences and yet they are building up for a invasion, why ? Just look at the location of Ukraine, a destabilized Ukraine will help them spread their influence in neighboring countries such as Belarus, Romania , Hungry and Poland... There are a lot of Russian speaking people in those countries combined and in a long run Russians can use them to start a Arab spring like revolt in these countries one after another, with that EU's main economical powers such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain, NL, Denmark will see a massive influx of refugee's, Russian influence will make sure that all these countries will slowly fall under kremlin rule.

Interesting perspective but I am not sure if Russia can pull off an Arab Spring across Europe.

Contrary to popular perception, Russian influence is limited in some of its neighboring countries. From among the states you mentioned, Russian influence is stronger in Belarus and Ukraine respectively. But Russia is finding it difficult to influence Ukraine as a whole lately - a country which is home to both pro- and anti- Russian political identities in the present. The underlying hint is that people who become accustomed to personal freedoms are less likely to sympathize with Russian politics.

Russia and Putin receive low ratings globally

Globally, people tend to express little confidence in President Vladimir Putin’s ability to do the right thing regarding world affairs.

www.pewresearch.org

NATO-member states have managed to establish a strong sense of political identity and solidarity with each other in time:

It is these painful memories of the past that make Baltic citizens worried—because they can see that not much has changed in Russian politics since the Soviet days. Vladimir Putin has already beat Leonid Brezhnev as Russia’s longest-serving leader since Joseph Stalin. What happened in Georgia in 2008 with the so-called border conflicts had clear similarities to the Winter War, when the Soviets invaded Finland; Crimea in 2014 followed the same scenario as the occupation of the Baltic states by the Soviet Union in 1940; and the troops that now have been sent to Kazakhstan to quell that popular uprising are reminiscent of the crushing of revolt in Hungary and Czechoslovakia. As the old joke goes, like the Warsaw Pact, the Collective Security Treaty Organization is a defensive alliance because it only invades its own members.

It is because of this shared past that the Baltics are ready to help Ukraine and support it as much as possible. The Baltic states have learned from past mistakes and understand that collective security is the only hope of survival. NATO membership is taken extremely seriously, and membership came with a sigh of relief. In the Baltics, even the most Euroskeptic populists, distrustful of Brussels and the United States in other matters, never say anything critical about the Baltics being a part of NATO and the necessity of military spending. And of course, due to recent Russian actions, support for membership in the alliance has grown even stronger.

Baltic Citizens Worry They’re Next on Russia’s Menu

Moscow’s aggression has stirred old fears in its neighbors.

foreignpolicy.com

Even the likes of Latvia and Estonia are increasingly weary of Russia and NATO is moving to reinforce them.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/02/12/russia-nato-eastern-europe-forces/

Polish are nationalistic people in particular - they are difficult to influence in any case.

Let us see.

 

[Goritoes]

Interesting perspective but I am not sure if Russia can pull off an Arab Spring across Europe.

Never underestimate the Russians, yes they were defeated in Cold war but they give America run for their money, they are determined and intelligent people its just they are not doing doing well financially thanks to US sanctions, US knows what Russia is capable of once their economy shoots up, give Russians economy like China and they will be on par with Americans.
Now as for Arab spring, I did not mean exactly like Arab Spring of course, it will be a similar tactic that can be used, first Russians will try to get hold of Ukraine and Belarus where they have a decent Influence and people that they can use, once these two countries are within Russian influence then they can move forward, and Europe's own internal problems will be a key factor in determining what will happen to the remaining Eastern EU'en countries.

Contrary to popular perception, Russian influence is limited in some of its neighboring countries. From among the states you mentioned, Russian influence is stronger in Belarus and Ukraine respectively. But Russia is finding it difficult to influence Ukraine as a whole lately - a country which is home to both pro- and anti- Russian political identities in the present. The underlying hint is that people who become accustomed to personal freedoms are less likely to sympathize with Russian politics.

I agree that there is a strong resentment for Russians and how Russians are ruled by their Autocratic leader, but thing is that since the Migration crisis in EU has kicked in, the EU has seen a huge influx of far right movements who are not very fond of Democratic rules, sooner or later you will see few EU nations falling for the Far right movements and bring a leader which is going to damage the democratic system in its country, and it might even cause the domino effect as US feared in the times of cold war, US the largest Democracy was attacked and almost gone at 6th Jan, and things are not the best in US as well, Biden is doing terrible job as a President and Trumps supporter worship him like a God incarnate, he has replace enough SC judges to make sure that for next decade the SC will be more lenient towards the Republican/Conservatives. The world is changing and this change is what driving Russians to try their luck to get what they always wanted, reunite the Soviet union, and just as Rome wasn't build in a day, someone has to start from somewhere from the Russian side, and Ukraine will be the first (unfortunately).

 

[Iñigo]

"US the largest Democracy"

(!)

US (1991/2000-) is an oligarchic-plutocratic military Empire

The ruling class needs two teams of salesmen because the population is divided into two cultures and two identities

Duopoly voter power is exactly zero

 

[Iñigo]

...

Limes (Roman Empire) - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

imagine a military empire with some 40 major military bases along the border, "Limes".

let us imagine that the ruling class of that colossal and deadly empire is a Russian-Polish-Ukrainian ruling class.

And that the population was made up of two large groups, two cultures, two identities: Pakistani Muslims on the one hand and, on the other hand, Indians from India.

Well, that is America

...

 

[Han Patriot]

Err... since when is getting violated by a foreign entity a matter of bragging? These wars were not fought to colonize these countries like in the past. They did achieve everything they wanted to in these countries for political reasons and/or industrial reasons. They reduced these countries to banana republics, however.

Reducing them to banana Republic is one thing, but a disgraceful exit is the worst. Ukraine is next to Russia, you think US is gonna attack Russia, no! It will be fought on Ukrainian soil, Russia will keep on going until Ukraine is flattened. US can win a battle but not a war mate, few thousand dead Americans for what exactly? That's why everybody knows if Russia invaded, Ukraine is as good as toast. The same goes for Taiwan.

 

[BHAN85]

CIA intercepts Russian message to generals to invade Ukraine on Wednesday - DEBKAfile

Russia is expected to begin its invasion of Ukraine on Wednesday, Feb. 16, according to a message the CIA intercepted

www.debka.com

16th Wednesday Russian Invasion.

I think Ukrainian army should start to buy white flags.

 

[ARMalik]

Na, it is just the typical US war and fear mongering to keep itself relevant in Europe.

 

[Genghis khan1]

US and UK airlifted At-4 and other anti-tank Guerrilla war/ Insurgence weaponry to Ukrainian, instead of heavy weapons. Idea is to draw Russians in and rape them their like Afghanistan.

This will is also push other European countries to join NATO, plus current members will increase their defense spending to 2% which They are refusing to do so far.

Finally to bury Russia, strict economic and technological sanctions will follow.

But this strategy isn’t without risk or flaws.

Russia isn’t Soviet Union and technology has evolved to counter insurgency. Russia’s not only have ruthless experience but were also successful in Chechnya, Daghistan, Crimea and other parts.

China’s economic and industrial might (depending on level of Chinese involvement) can jeopardize everything.

What if Russians decided to expand and cross into Western Europe as a retaliation for NATO involvement in Ukrainian
Insurgence. Putin already stated he will use Nukes to protect Russia.

 

[Goritoes]

CIA intercepts Russian message to generals to invade Ukraine on Wednesday - DEBKAfile

Russia is expected to begin its invasion of Ukraine on Wednesday, Feb. 16, according to a message the CIA intercepted

www.debka.com

16th Wednesday Russian Invasion.

I think Ukrainian army should start to buy white flags.

Why not on Sunday ? It will be weekend so most of the soldiers will be at home anyway...