Putin hasn't lost his mind, nor is he insane.
He has simply perceived a weakness (and rightly so) in the West, and has exploited it.
Putin's goals might well have retracted depending on how likely they saw these losses. To go further will need troops left in Ukraine but also troops fighting at the next stop. Hard to see what his goal is. We know it has nothing to do with NATO as all he has done is ensure that NATO is seen as safety from Russian attacks and likely increased funding for NATO from all its members as well as having more troops stationed in Europe. So if it was anything to do with NATO it is safe to say he has failed pretty spectacularly.
To someone in their right mind this makes sense.
Do you think the actions that Putin that he has unleashed on innocent people is that of someone in their right mind.
Putin is part of a faction, with his supporters in key positions... so unless you think these greed centric supporters are interested in suiciding, and giving up their wealth, it doesn't matter if Putin lost his mind.
Russia is not an ideologically driven nation anymore. Those in power, are there to protect their own interests, not sacrifice their powerbase for some bizarre desire for a last stand.
They're not bound to respond militarily at all. Article 5 of NATO leaves it up to each member to respond as they "deem necessary". Absolutely nothing in it binds them to respond militarily. They can but don't have to.
The EU is preparing to freeze the assets of Russia’s president Vladimir Putin and foreign minister Sergei Lavrov as part of a third round of sanctions against Russia, the Financial Times reports.
Foreign ministers are planning to approve the sanctions package this afternoon, along with a number of measures against Russian banks and industry, the paper quotes three people familiar with the matter.
Putin and Lavrov will not be subject to a ban on travelling under the measures, the FT writes, underlining the EU’s willingness to keep symbolic diplomatic possibilities open.
An EU official, speaking under condition of anonymity, told Reuters: “We are moving as quickly as we can,” adding the bloc could also target “many more” oligarchs.
"Exploited it" suggests this is beneficial for Russia as opposed to likely causing severe, years long harm.
Holy shít he punched an armoured truck and actually made it swerve off the road.
What an absolute hero.
As I asked before, why is that lying prick of a Russian ambassador who made a fool of our government still in Dublin?
Every time I see Lavrov I think of Comical Ali.
I don't trust what the West would do if that was the case. Ukraine wanted to join NATO.
Agreed. It’s a scandal that he has not been expelled
Cos hes in the embassy, which counts as russian soil
I know what an embassy is but he can still be made get out of our country.
Great news. Now we know why Putin was in such a hurry to get his $100 million superyacht out of a German repair yard last week.
It doesn't, that is a trope and they are here at the invitation of the Irish govt.
I think his end game is putting a pro russian president in charge.
Putin is completely unhinged and has been for a long time. I have never been unable to get my head around people thinking otherwise. He seems to take everything personally. He's had countless journalists murdered, (300+ ?) lawyers supporting his victims murdered in prison, critics assassinated in London - either thrown of roofs or unexplained deaths. Litvinenko poisoned with polonium., the Skripals, and a policeman poisoned with novichok and Dawn Sturgess murdered with it - a fuc*ing nerve agent no less. He's had almost every political opponent running aginst him murdered or poisoned and then incarcerated when that failed - IMO, not for political reasons, but because they dared to run against 'him'.
He's an out and out psychopath and sick to the core in his view of the world and his own importance.
This all could even just be that Zelensky is so impressive that he felt shaded and just wants to get him - all couched in national interest lies and rhetoric, of course.
That's my instinct too. It's incredibly brave. But also futile. The people that will mount serious resistance are not going to be out punching APCs with their fists. Doesn't hurt the vehicle and runs the risk of not living to fight properly another day.
Makes you question where the Ukrainian army is?
this looks like a standard convoy on a highway going into kiev??
Absolutely- needs to be kicked out immediately. All Russian Visa's must be suspended immediately.
What does it mean in reality?
One of Kyivs main airports taken now - 200 ukranians slaughtered defending their homeland
That would be the same as telling Russia to go to war with Ireland.
Russian media reporting that Putin is ready to send a Russian delegation to Minsk for negotiations with the Ukrainians on the basis of "neutrality" - i.e surrender talks.
Oh piss off you aul cretin;
https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/russian-minister-makes-bizarre-ireland-26327456
"Eliminated" absolute shower of f#ckers.
What is it going to take for other countries to step in bar sanctions?!
I can't fathom why the embassy is still there. I would have ordered it closed and given them 2 days to f-off.
yes all the russian talk is about ukraine to surrender first lay down all weapons before talks of ukraines eventual "neutrality" "never joining nato" and "de-nazification" from US and Nazi external influence... plus removal of all "western weapons"
ukraine gave up their nuclear weapons before and much good it has done them with russia
if i were ukrainian id rather keep fighting
He is fighting for his own life too. He fears the Russians will kill him.
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