Yes
Unless he does invade Ukraine after all, which would obviously cast some doubt on my theory
I donât think itâs a distraction from something specific, itâs just Russiaâs aggressive foreign policy being taken up a gear which is a sort of distraction in itself.
Putin relies a lot on jingoism and sabre-rattling for his popularity and vilifying NATO gives him plenty of ammunition to work with. Invading other nations seems like a decisive, positive move to many Russians and seeing as much of the media is state controlled, the public canât see just how shittu Russiaâs actions are.
If it is it will have been extremely well executed
Does Europe have the nads to stop using Russian energy?
But do Russians WANT to invade Ukraine and get involved in a protracted war?
Some, maybe. They might see it as a bold move, sticking it to the West if they believe the NATO bogey man narrative. Ultimately itâs down to Putin, regardless of what the public think.
I could be wrong, here, but I am pretty sure I read somewhere in the last couple of days that only 30% or Ukrainians wanted to be part of NATO.
IMO whatever Russia says, the opposite is true
They are no more worried about Ukraine joining NATO than any other exWP country
Shenanigans are afoot
Up until the annexation of the Crimea. Now itâs the other way around.
What shenanigans? It makes sense for Russia to now want Ukraine to join NATO as it reduces its sphere of influence and ultimately whatever riches would come from effectively conquering the country.
All putin has to do is stay at the border
He doesnât need to invade
I get the geopolitics, but not the strategy?
Threatening Ukraine makes them more likely to want to join NATO, and if they do the consequences are zero sum
Maybe putin is still a Party man, his legacy will be the final war to settle things
Meanwhile, the RF fleet is up to no good in the Arctic
The Afghanistani people canât get a break.
God is angry with them for allowing the Talibs back in control