Russia - threadbanned users in OP

I see, so the Ukraine ‘invasion’ has been postponed and now an ‘invasion’ of Estonia is ‘imminent’. I suppose ten million Russian troops are now massed on the Estonian border. 🙄

Is this the latest chapter in the propaganda circus ?

Was the 1991 Crimean referendum illegal?

yes or no.

Putin's only goal is to make Russia powerful and prosperous while playing fair with the rest of the world. He has enough money to ensure him and his family are taken care of a few times over, a paltry sum for the unparalleled leadership he provides for the Russian people.

If the cap fits, my friend!

Wow, travelling makes you a geopolitical expert? Anyway back to the invasion, still hasn't happened, maybe today, I see the US are now asking China to intervene with Russia, Laughable!

The author of that article is fairly naive that he imagines Russia, or Putin for that matter, would actually want to join NATO. There’s far more at stake than just economic interests. It’s similar to the motivation behind what led to the Cuban Missile Crisis alright - it comes down to politicians waving their mickeys at each other and vying for the title of the world’s greatest nation.

Why is Russia doing this?

Putin has made no bones about the fact he thinks the breakup of the Soviet Union was a catastrophe for Russia, describing it as the "greatest geopolitical tragedy" of the 20th century.

Ukraine has particular importance for Russia, given its location — it stands as a bulwark between Russia and the eastern EU states — as well as symbolic and historical importance, often being seen as a "jewel in the crown" of the former Soviet empire.

Putin has extolled the cultural, linguistic and economic ties Ukraine has with Russia, describing Russians and Ukrainians as being "one people" last year. He even wrote an essay on the subject, titled "On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians."

The sentiment is not largely requited in Ukraine, with the country's government under President Volodymyr Zelenskiy looking westward for economic aid and geopolitical strength, particularly in the years following Russian's 2014 annexation of Crimea.

Ukraine has repeatedly expressed its desire to join the EU and NATO, which represents a geopolitical kick in the teeth for a resurgent Russia vying to maintain power and influence in the region.

Many strategists and close followers of Russian politics believe Putin, who has been in power alternating between prime minister and president since late 1999, harbors a strong desire to invade Ukraine.

Maximilian Hess, fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, told CNBC on Tuesday that "Russia is not just seeking to prohibit Ukraine from joining the alliance — something it has sought to do since Ukraine's 2008 NATO Membership Action Plan (MAP) application — but also to remove Ukraine from the Western sphere of influence to which it has moved since the 2014 Ukrainian Revolution."

"NATO membership is particularly symbolic, but Russia would not accept a situation in which the West significantly expanded military support to Ukraine either."

https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2022/01/12/russia-is-risking-all-out-war-to-prevent-ukraine-from-joining-nato.html

See Biden trying to up the ante again, I suppose such are his disastrous poll figures he may as well do something to boost them. Apparently the invasion is next month now! Laughable stuff all together.

Still more knowledgeable than an armchair expert like you though, when you travel, you get to see live, on the ground what's happening...something that I'd say you have never or ever will see..by a long mile. First shot or bomb, and you would be gone, tail between your legs, scared sh'tless, I'd say. As for the invasion, that started back in 2014, and friend of mine was killed in Donbas, and since then and up to the present day, people are still being shot at , injured and killed. 14'000 so far, but according to you its not an "Invasion" ? More MFPM BullS''T , But you have still not answerer my original question, yes or no... did you watch hacksaw ridge yet? and on the subject of Japanese...what about their Imperialist Ambitions? Or who is the most famous Felix in all of the Russias??? Another question you failed to answer, and you claim to be knowledgeable about geopolitics???

Vague memory of Hacksaw Ridge, that's Clint Eastwood isn't it...I don't rely on Hollywood for my knowledge. Japanese imperialism, what do you want to debate and what relevance has it here, was it you who threw out the old trope that Hiroshima was justified? Felix, no idea, relevance?

So let me get this right your argument is that one cannot have an opinion based on research etc on a country, place, event unless one has been to that place, country or experienced yhe event...is that correct?

Based on your 'expertise' when are you expecting the 'invasion'...

This is an outrageous slur, I have never written or uttered a homophobic comment in my life.

What a cowardly approach to take...disgusting

Amazing! Russians in Crimea held at gunpoint by other Russians forcing them to be part of Russia. 🤔