Yes, there is no way that he thought the response would be this unified (even though he note the usual exceptions). Even his oligarchs at home have long warned about ideas such as nationalising foreign companies, but now there is talk of that. He's set his country several decades through his miscalculation. Authoritarian regimes excel at control, rather than listening and it's clear only yes men have his ear. Even if he succeeds it'll be a numbers game via a rust bucket army and foreign fighters. And indeed if he does succeed, is it 'mission accomplished' or is he lumbered with his own Afghanistan for a decade plus?

I doubt he'll stop the invasion anytime soon, as it would be an acknowledgment of a gigantic misstep, but realistically there can be no peace agreement of any kind while the invasion continues. To be honest, due to the gravity of whats happening, I hope we continue to get weaponry to them to fight as best they can, and ensure that we don't buy into ludicrous Russian fueled narratives attacking the west. We will give them a fighting chance, as we should. It's close enough to home that we have a moral obligation to help. Much of what happens is out of our hands though. Peace is a two way street. If Russia reach a point of having a semblance of interest in it, I'll be as relieved as anyone. Displaying cowardice in the face of his aggression is unlikely to reach that point any sooner.

Edited by BlueJay (11 Mar 2022 7.09pm)

"12,000 U.S. troops have been mobilized along the Russian border to defend NATO countries:

“We have a sacred obligation on NATO territory."

BBC News:

"Biden warns US intervention in Ukraine would mean WW3"

Somebody get that invalid, geriatric f**k out of office.

That surely has to be the worst statement possible to make.

Reading back now that may have been an overreaction but someone talk me out of my internal explosion of panic!

That to me reads as 'USA will do nothing and if it comes to the point they actually might, nukes will start flying".

I cannot see the logic behind it at all. By all means think it but don't announce it surely???

Yes I do see the logic in your thoughts.

Perhaps it is a bit of brinkmanship to say 'go on, escalate things further (beyond Ukraine) I dare you!'

I also highly doubt he personally, and alone, would release a statement like that.

I'm sure not great news for Ukraine but let's see how it plays out. I'm gonna put some David Gray on the headphones so as not to wake the wife, expertly craft a roll up and take a mental walk in a Freedman wonderland for a while!