Going by Russia's age pyramid this probably the last war they will be able to fight on such a scale which explains why Putin is so invested in this war against Ukraine.
I know what you mean. The way I see it it's his "do or die" attempt at rebuilding the USSR which he hated seeing demolished. As a sick man however, it's pretty weak tbh - "I'll wreck the world if I have to as I'm dying anyway", if his poor health is true.
We've tried talking down Putin for years the only thing that's down is embolden him to go further as he sees it as a sign of weakness. You can't apply western thinking when trying to work Russia and Putin.
Dosnt really matter who has the "best" nukes, that's a game that nobody wins.
Because if NATO actually enters the war, Russia gets flattened in Ukraine. No ifs, no buts; they're toast. Basically a primary school squad playing against Man U level of getting thumped. The only reason we haven't already is because of the nukes but actually attack a NATO nation? That changes and Russia loses. Badly. And they know it.
Not the best example right now
The crazies really have gone full tilt here. You want to have a nuke battle with Russia if they strike another country ?
Multi-pronged approach this time may work. As things stand RUssia defaults in 8 or so days time after their 30 days grace ends although of course with all the gas deals, they may pay up. While I cannot remember the exact detail one line of thought goes we combine a show of strength along with Russia going broke. Putin is forced out or given an easy exit. The new Russian leadership bow to severe pressure which involves demilitarising in return for removing sanctions etc. I'm not doing great at explaining it but interesting idea on how it could play out, longer term. Russia doesn't manufacture much themselves and they won't have the financial ability to buy so the pressure on the leadership would be quite severe. At that point even breaking up of Russia could be an option, which is not desirable in some ways but would reduce future threats. This typical Russian playbook style military action & land grab cannot happen again
We beat the USSR in the cold war by basically winning the arms race. They were being bankrupted trying to keep up. Gorbachev realised this unfortunately he was deposed and now we have the crazies back in charge. Sanctions are the way to go but if we are seperately bankrolling their war effort it is a bit self defeating. Ostpolitik to blame mutti.
So you would be ok giving up Leeds to an invading army that commits rape, torture and killing to save other areas?
They will keep coming back. How much of a loss? Mariupol, Odesa. All the way to Moldova. They have the dissidents in place to false flag attacks, then another self defence action encroaching another dozen miles.
