After a year of military failure, Putin has retreated deep into delusion - dragging the Russian people with him

The Guardian ^ | 21 February 2023 | Samantha de Bandern

[Cronos]

There was perhaps only one truth spoken during Vladimir Putin’s two-hour state of the nation address: that Russia would suspend its participation in the New Start treaty with the US. The rest was yet another a trip down the rabbit hole into the Russian president’s parallel universe

Putin continues to make veiled nuclear threats, and did so again in this address when he stated that western declarations on ensuring a strategic defeat for Russia were an existential threat “to which we know how to react”. Threats to the existence of the Russian state allow for a first-use nuclear strike in Russia’s military doctrine.

Each time Putin makes these threats, the aim is clear: frighten western public opinion into pressuring governments to stop arming Ukraine and force Zelenskiy to the negotiating table.

It is impossible to know whether Putin will carry out his threats. But one thing is knowable: it is impossible to negotiate with someone who uses lies and blackmail to force his opponent’s hand, because nothing he says can be trusted. In his speech, Putin mentioned his efforts to bring the west to the negotiating table in late 2021 by the publication of two so-called security treaties – one between Russia and the US, and one between Russia and Nato. These were in fact ultimatums, insisting that Nato withdrew to its 1997 borders.

By framing his 2021 ultimatum as a fake treaty (that he knew was untenable), Putin is in fact engaging in a sophisticated disinformation campaign.

[AndyTheBear]

To qualify as a “Putin fan” does one have to have maintained each of those positions?

[Robert DeLong]

Not my problem. Perhaps Ukraine should have done things a lot differently to avoid a Russian invasion by stopping the hostilities heaped upon Ukraine’s Russian speaking Ukrainian citizens.

[dfwgator]

“Steinerov’s assault will bring it under control.”

[Paul R.]

‘Tis doubtful NATO wants to destroy Russia, as that could leave the problem of thousands of loose nukes.

OTOH, Putin might view defeat sufficient to push Russia out of Ukraine as being “destroyed”. It certainly could result in HIS end.

[Vaduz]

Ukraine should have done things a lot differently

Indeed they gave up their nuclear weapons to Russia taking the bait got them one thing Russian invasion.

Ukraine is another Viet Nam money pit and a gold mine for the D.C. investors.

Wonder how much of the take Biden received from the 113.000.000 spent?.

[elpadre]

“..Tis doubtful NATO wants to destroy Russia..”

The point is that is the reason Putin gave for suspending START. Biden and the NATO leaders have said enough to make him believe it.

[Salohcin]

The only thing that Ukraine could have done to prevent the Russian invasion was to preemptively surrender. The only reason for this war is that Putin wants to restore Russia to its “historical” borders.

[Forward the Light Brigade]

We need to send more Billions—every bullet, tank, pick-up truck, chicken and pot in America to Ukraine so they can WIN BIG over evil Soviet Ruzzia. Why not? The Most important thing on planet Earth today is that Zelensky retakes Donbass and Crimea. Every American is ready to die for Ukraine and democracy! Not one inch of Ukraine must go to Evil Pitler and his bloodthirsty Orks—in fact Ukraine should get a slice of Ruzzia too. Ruzzia must be blown from the face of the Earth. When the mighty, invincible USA is done—Ruzzian will only be spoken in Hell.

[Paal Gulli]

It runs in the family. Stalin seemingly went catatonic when his Intel people finally convinced him Hitler had reneged on their friendship pact and was tear-assing through southwest Russia and well on his way to Moscow. He spent a week in a blue funk at his dacha in Kuntsevo, refused to answer the phone or receive visitors. During those seven days, Guderian’s Panzergruppe 2 and Hoth’s Panzergruppe 3 made it all the way to Minsk.