Russia - threadbanned users in OP

Putin is having a "security congress" at the moment, the outcome of which seems to be the inevitable recognition of the DNR and LNR as independent states.

By all accounts it's completely bonkers.

Live feed below. I say "live", but it has been pointed out by a few eagle eyed observers that the watch of the defence minister Shoigu is five hours behind. 😀

I wonder if we will get any of chaps who have been vehemently defending Russia and Putin on here to comment on that Security Congress. Be some craic reading their attempts to twist it into having a pop at Biden and the USA.

In all seriousness, that was surreal.

You'd have to wonder though, if the russians can sustain a protracted war. The really need to blitz Ukraine fast. Like how will he maintain support in his population and his own army with a protracted occupation of Ukraine. I'm sure they are brainwashed but at some point the obvious reality will shine through, that they are oppressing people just like themselves for no benefit.

There is only so much control of information that a tyrant can maintain. Russians are aware of the west, the lifestyle, the disparity in wealth etc. It's got to wear on their resolve to attack Ukrainians, who they apparently see as brothers and sisters.

What is the reason that it has taken Putin's Russia nearly 8 years to formally recognise the DNR? I would have thought that'd be the kind of thing they'd be right in on, and declare a kangaroo referendum soon after, much like what happened in Crimea.

I think Belarus will be the catalyst if there is any unrest, they almost had a full scale revolution last year. I very much doubt they want a war with the Ukrainians, and they're the staging ground for it too.

Jesus wept what did I just watch.

Putin needs to be removed ,this won't stop at ukraine

25-74% is a huge range.

The real power of nuclear weapons is the fear they create. They don't have to be detonated to get results. Besides, nuclear wars are a disaster for everyone, not because of MAD, but because they would bring down the world economy. Anarchy would follow for all countries, including the one that pushed the button.

Wonder is there danger of that which is why this is all happening in the first place

He previously warned the former Soviet states he had unfinished business with them

Putin was hugging Lukashenko yet Lavrov was consigned to the other end of a table 15 yards away last week.

So.. next steps. 1) Russia recognises LPR and DPR. 2) LPR and DPR call Moscow, and ask for peacekeeping forces to counter Ukrainian aggression. ?

Had a long chat there with some Russian colleagues. They say people back in Russia are either apathetic or completely brainwashed, that everything has been reframed to portray Ukraine as a calculating, aggressive state. That many believe fake reports that there are over 100,000 Ukrainians ready to invade Donbas at any moment, and that Russia is merely trying to protect the separatists from that aggression.