Russia - threadbanned users in OP

Spot on sadly.

The b*stard holds all the cards and is acting with impunity already and the more desperate he gets the more likely he is to use a tactical nuclear weapon.

The problem for him is that every possible screw would be turned in retaliation bar open warfare from the west and the "this is a liberation mission" rhetoric he's been selling to the Russian people would be rendered null and void at that point and he'd likely have his head on a pike the day after he used a tactical nuke.

Because Poland has been f****d around by just about everybody in its history. Germany invaded and pillaged as did Russia. It has been screwed and let down by east and west. BTW it is currently playing a blinder in helping Ukraine, a country that it would not have a terrific relationship with.

What you have described is the opposite of holding all the cards.....

It's someone desperate who will you think (I don't) to mix metaphors possibly attempt a final throw of the dice in a desperate attempt to "win" employ the use of nukes.

Some people really need to keep up with the news instead of reposting hours behind and days behind news here like it's breaking

Surely the more desperate he gets the more dangerous he becomes.

I'd be more worried about some radioactive disaster from one of the nuclear power plants that he's been meddling with.

done on purpose of course and then blamed on some Ukrainian counter attack.

I suggest NATO declare war on Ukraine and just invade the country and occupy it to 'protect Europe' from some radioactive disaster

Sorry Putin we mean you no harm, but you're just in the way.

If he does that he may as well throw himself into the nearest river, Kiev is a city held dear by a lot of Russians and those in the Balkan States. He knows he has to take Kiev without damaging it and that's a massive problem for him.

He holds all the cards inasmuch as he knows there will be no direct intervention from the west because they're looking at him and wondering just how far the cheese has actually slid off of his cracker.

He can launch a tactical nuke without fear of having ICBM's launched at Russia by NATO but doing so will likely result in the ground opening up beneath his feet which is the part I think he is too delusional to recognize.

To clarify, he believes he is in control of the situation to the point where he could launch a tactical nuke but I don't think he's competent enough to recognize that while that may win him the battle for Kiev it would be his ultimate undoing.

fuel, food etc. many reasons for the stalling have been given, all part of the ruse

Even Hitler had popular support for a long time...the longer this goes on....the less he will have...and the more likely he will be overthrown/retired/taken out....it's how this kind of thing tends to play out eventually.

The economic sanctions are biting, the Russian bodies are piling up (or being cremated), there will be a heave ho, he is pissing off a lot of very rich and powerful Russians.

Was uncle Albert in charge!?

I don't see how it's wrong for people, organisations, and companies to use whatever influence they might have to put pressure on Russia. I mean one of the pieces scheduled to be performed is literally celebrating Russia repelling Napoleon's invasion in the 19th century.

Incidentally the concert is still going ahead; they're just changing the pieces which are to be performed.

There would be an almost complete economic blockade if that were to happen, I couldn't see China condoning that behaviour either considering Russia is practically broke and not worth trying to trade with, especially after something like that. Very, very few countries would want to be seen dealing with them.

Then there's the increased risk of guerilla and insurgency within Russia if this were to happen. You'd be certain domestic terrorism would start to take hold to overthrow the government and Belarus would probably be first to fall. I would have no doubts in Western Intelligence agencies assisting in this as well since they'd be considered a rogue state.

The EU/NATO still don't have to get directly involved, he's already stretching it at home. A nuclear strike would certainly focus the minds of many, if that were to escalate any further then they could be next.