Russia - threadbanned users in OP

Just sieze every Russian vessel currently outside of russian waters ,they may rethink the idea,but then again the leadership has joined a end of the world cult

Not an expert on these matters by any means, but for me it seems that there are two fundamental flaws in Putin's thinking:

1) Since when were Russia not part of the "west"? It seems that this is just some fictional category that exists in Putin's head. The Russian people have been part of the west for a long time and I don't think they see the difference.

2) I don't think he is accounting for how much the sanctions are going to destroy his country. At the end of the day, the "developed" world is run by corporations, not governments. The corporations let the governments pretend to run things but at the end of the day its just a charade. So if you are a "developed world" country, and all the biggest global corporations (Apple, Nike, Mastercard etc) decide they are no longer going to provide products/services to your people, you are F&*Ked!

The real question is how many rational brains exist between Putin and the button! I use to think we were safe as he was only motivated by Money and Power but it seems he is starting to lose the plot a bit.

Very very sad to see.

Exactly. The Ukrainians need to bog the Russians down in a War of Attrition. Hit and Run guerilla warfare, akin to the Mujahideen in Afghanistan in the 1970's and 1980's.

Perhaps there's a McDonald's there with a ball pond and climbing frame?

The face on your one. If looks could kill :)

Of course they'll say that, because it might mean Russia will have to spread their troops wider.

Currently it looks like Russia doesn't have enough troops to hold territory, but if they call in more troops (might see that from tomorrow if that martial law plan goes on) then that might change. If they take Kyiv (and Kharkiv/Mariupol) then the war could be over pretty soon.

Doesn't really look like Russia thought of an exit plan outside puppet governments, though.

The scenario playing out currently is a disaster for the people of Ukraine.

Putin and Russia’s slow advance has meant he has changed tactics to indiscriminate bombs, attacking civilian infrastructure and cities running out of food and water.

The Western Alliance is left with a terrible set of choices - increase sanctions and watch as thousands of Ukrainians are killed by Putin, and he takes control of the country or send in NATO air support and start to try and hold back the Russian advance. This clearly risks World War 3. Is it best to take a wait and see approach as thousands of people are killed? But I would be worried that Putin, China and others could become emboldened knowing the West will not challenge someone who has threatened to put their nuclear arsenal on high alert.