Well, that’s not good.
What's is not good, is the waffling from NATO. They were supposed to kick Russia out during their last meeting and did not do it.
Russia then sees the opening to own the day and withdraw. Russia gets the points, the win and moves on to the final.
NATO is still spinning it's wheels. It has not made the moves to win the race, and may not make it to the final which would be a Russian win by default.
Escalation...
1) Invade a break-away province.
2) refuse to leave.
3) lie about leaving.
4) sign “missile defense agreement” with former Russian satellite.
5) threaten “worse”
6) cut all “military ties”
future escalation:
7) refuse further to leave
8) “bump into a ship” or some other afront.
9) cause a shooting incident
10) escalate to declaration of war OR
10) Preemptive nuclear strike to prevent the US from doing one...
/sigh
[wringing hands] - Golly, whatever shall we do NOW?
Fox Oscar, Russkies. I like our chances.
Colonel, USAFR
I am happy about this, personally.
We need to get Georgia, Poland, and many others INTO NATO, and get the Russians out of it.