Posted on 01/06/2022 5:08:27 AM PST by tlozo
The White House is writing off an ally to appease an enemy. The situation in Ukraine has become very grave.
On December 17, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin sent U.S. president Joe Biden an ultimatum, effectively demanding that NATO abandon Eastern Europe or face military action. Biden agreed to a phone conversation with Putin to talk it over, giving the Kremlin what it sought: The affected countries were now on the table instead of at the table. When the two then talked on December 30, according to the White House, Biden rejected the ultimatum and informed Putin that if he proceeded to invade Ukraine, he would face strong economic sanctions from the U.S. and its European partners. Putin then countered by saying that such sanctions would result in a “complete rupture in relations” between Russia and the U.S.
The Russian ultimatum was outrageous, so much so that it is clear that it was designed to be rejected, giving Russia a pretext for war. Furthermore, in promising to cut off relations in response to any new Western sanctions, Putin was threatening retaliation for Western actions that would only occur in the event of an invasion.
In other words: The invasion is on. Putin is planning to take Ukraine, or the bulk of it, because he thinks he can.
Putin looks at Biden and his European counterparts and sees weakness. And why wouldn’t he? In July 2014, when Russia-backed fighters shot down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over Ukraine, killing all 298 passengers and crew aboard, the Obama–Biden administration refused to hold them responsible for it; instead, the White House called for a prolonged “investigation” to defuse the issue. A month later, when Ukrainian forces were advancing into Donetsk to retake the city from Russian-backed separatists, Russia massed armored forces on the Ukrainians’ flanks. These tank concentrations could not have escaped observation by U.S. reconnaissance satellites. But rather than “provoke” Russia by warning the Ukrainians of the impending envelopment, the Obama–Biden administration shamefully kept quiet, allowing the Ukrainian forces to be surprised, surrounded, and defeated. The economic sanctions imposed on Russia in response to its seizure of Ukrainian territory and its killing of over 14,000 Ukrainian citizens were a joke, limited to reducing a few secondary Kremlin figures’ opportunities to shop and enjoy the sites in Western countries. Meanwhile, the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project was allowed to proceed apace.
More than five years later, Russia is mobilizing troops on the Ukrainian border, and the Biden administration seems to be taking the Russian seizure of Ukraine as a fait accompli. Rather than warn Putin that he will be held responsible for any harm that might come to the 15,000 American citizens currently in Ukraine, the administration has announced that it is developing plans for their evacuation. Biden has threatened to impose more serious sanctions in the event of an invasion, but Putin is betting that any sanctions with real teeth will be temporary in nature, and well worth the pain if he can take Ukraine and discredit the Western alliance in the bargain...
“They only “help” us fight their enemies.”
And they do a piss poor job of that.
L
Biden’s folly will see lots of folks die and only help Red China.
The thing americans need to know about ukraine is that they signed a peace deal in 2015 called the Minsk accords. You don’t see the ukrainians or main stream media mention that there is already a peace deal. the Minsk accords that were signed and now ignored by ukraine.
Yes. The Biden Presidency gives the best possible opportunity for a foreign nation to make a power grab. Very minimal chance of repercussions from the US. And the situation gets even better if TWO foreign powers make their move at the same time. No way do we want a two-front war, fighting in Europe and Asia simultaneously. You just know that China and Russia have had quiet discussions: “I’ll go, if you go.”
Putin will not take all of Ukraine - not necessary to achieve the borders of the old Kievan-Rus’ empire.
Wars, and rumors of wars...
The status quo elitists (Dems and RINOs) are sharpening the swords gotten rusty under peaceful Trump.
Going to share that 1
Best solution is to split Ukraine up. The Western part, traditionally was a part of Poland or Austria-Hungary, so is more oriented to Western and Central Europe, and I would allow them to join NATO.
The Bulk of the Ukraine, based in Kiev, would be a neutral state, that would be non-aligned. While the Eastern, more Russian parts would be free to vote on a plebiscite to either join Russia, or ally with Russia. Basically have the borders that should have been after WWI.
“the Minsk accords that were signed and now ignored by ukraine.”
They call for all foreign troops out of Ukraine.
Sounds like Russia is violating the accords.
“Anytime talk of war comes out, I ask myself one question:
Is this worth planting one of my sons?
So far, since 2002, the answer is always no”
I agree.
Author argues for arming Ukraine, not sending any US soldiers.
“On December 17, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin sent U.S. president Joe Biden an ultimatum, effectively demanding that NATO abandon Eastern Europe or face military action.”
On December 17, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent U.S. Dictator Joe Biden an ultimatum, effectively demanding that NATO abandon Eastern Europe or face military action.
Fixed it.
If you really want to know what incompetent fools we have in charge, They want a war with russia, in the winter!
The call for all foreign troops out of Ukraine is like the tenth step of the Minsk Accords and applies to BOTH sides.
1. An immediate and comprehensive ceasefire
2. Withdrawal of all heavy weapons by both sides
3. Monitoring and verification by the OSCE
4. To start a dialogue on interim self-government for the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, in accordance with Ukrainian law, and acknowledge their special status by a resolution of parliament.
5. A pardon and amnesty for people involved in the fighting
6. An exchange of hostages and prisoners.
7. Provision of humanitarian assistance.
8. Resumption of socio-economic ties, including pensions.
9. Restore full control of the state border by the government of Ukraine.
10. Withdrawal of all foreign armed formations, military equipment and mercenaries.
11. Constitutional reform in Ukraine including decentralisation, with specific mention of Donetsk and Luhansk.
12. Elections in Donetsk and Luhansk on terms to be agreed with their representatives.
13. Intensify the work of a Trilateral Contact Group including representatives of Russia, Ukraine and the OSCE.
If russia is violating the Minsk protocols why doesn’t ukraine say so? Has anyone heard ukraine or the main stream media mention the Minsk protocols? They pretend to have not heard of it until they’re called on it and then bluster about foreign troops. What about all the foreign troops supporting the regime in kiev?
For the 60th 11th time Putin is not going to invade the Ukraine. 😣
"Russia, Not Ukraine, Is Serial Violator of Ceasefire Agreement
The best source of unbiased data about the fighting in the Donbas comes from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine. Since the OSCE operates on consensus and Russia is a member, the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) must be cautious in how it puts out information. While it reports violations on a daily basis, it does not aggregate them. And most of the violations that it reports are described as “undetermined.”
Still the SMM daily reports, if aggregated, yield useful information beyond the intensity of the ceasefire violations. In May, for example, the OSCE SMM reported that the Ukrainian side suffered the impact of 945 explosions, while the Russian side experienced only 145. The Russians have likewise proved a greater obstacle to SMM staff’s movements. In May, the Russians blocked access to SMM personnel 82 times, while Ukrainians blocked access 54 times. Such data are much more relevant to evaluate the ceasefire than the possible presence of new Ukrainian weapon systems near the line of contact.
https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/russia-not-ukraine-is-serial-violator-of-ceasefire-agreement/
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