How would beating the Russians out of Ukraine be existential to Russia? It would not threaten the existence of Russia.
Unless they mean internally. But Putin has cooked that goose already.
You think if NATO or The US gets involved, it will just be a liberation if UKraine war? Or be perceived as such by Russia?
How did that work out with Gulf War I?
Unlike the walking vegetable we have in the White House, Putin actually understands what’s going on around him.
Honestly , the only war worth fighting is to take out Russia, not push them out of UKraine only to go back again in 10 or 20 years, no one is willing to do that but if a hot war is to happen involving nato and/or the US, anything short of removing Russia as a military threat to anyone is wasted blood.
There is little doubt in my mind, Russia would not hesitate to use tactical nuclear weapons, if this war expands. They will still eventually lose, but the cost will be insane.
This idiotic world view presented by some here, that Putin is the stumble bum, rather than a ruthless individual.. and somehow the US, that actually has a stumble bum at the helm and even dumber puppet masters around him, won’t make a bigger mess of things is comical.
If this war expands and the US directly or NATO become active participants, Russia will not perceive that as simply looking to push the out of UKraine abs return to the status quo before the invasion. Putin views just the treat of NATO troops possibly being in UKraine by it being a member enough of an existential threat to Russia that he invaded… but if NATO Troops are actually on the ground in UKraine fighting against him he will not view that as an existential threat ?
Failure to see what your opponent sees, whether correct or not, is the surest way to eff everything to hell.. and it is beyond clear that from Putin’s perspective any direct involvement by an outside player NATO or the US will be perceived as an existential threat by him.
If we are going to get involved we better understand, we have to be committed to making removing the entire Russian ability to be a threat has to be the goal, even if the stated intent of that first action is something less, you better be fully prepared for all our wAr, to remove Russia as a viable threat to anyone… because that is exactly how they will respond to any first action.. and at that point you are in it all the way whether you wanted to be or not.
Russia is not Iraq.. Russia is not Afghanistan… Russia has the capacity and resolve to kill millions. Do not think otherwise. They may lose the war in the end, but if you think they are going to show restraint if backed into a corner, you have bought way too much of the bs the MSM has been selling you.
Russia may stay away from ICBMs, but I have no doubt under right circumstances they will not hesitate to target tactical nukes at military and civilian targets