If we called his bluff and he backed down, he would be ousted from power and probably dead within weeks if not days. It would be one of the most cowardly moves from a Russian leader in centuries.
He's in a position now with no off ramp. Any escalation he is absolutely forced to match.
What do you think would happen to him if he ran away from NATO with his tail between his legs?
I remember reading somewhere that the US knows exactly where Putin is 24/7, and that they proved it to him. I don't know how they did this.I think we need just one more, specific, death in this war then we can possibly cease fire. Just the one specific death.
I agree, but if he's going out, why wouldn't he choose to go out with a bang?I think, as is the case with all bullies, a massive show of force would end him.
We can't use the money, as that would ve illegal:Yes, pretty incomprehensible from Scholz ,- maybe he was appealing to the appeasement section of his electorate,as in "look, we must be careful not to escalate, UK and France have already taken the first step".
I was listening to Bill Browder on Times Radio just now, and he's saying a stronger message/action right now would be to use the confiscated Russian billions for the direct benefit of Ukraine and weapons purchase and supply... then NATO troops on the ground wouldn't be required anyhow.
Because Scholz and Sunak are both naive twerps who are far too lightweight for the moment on the international stage. And that’s not a party political thing, I would expect Johnson, May or Cameron to have denied it too in public.We should have just denied it (and Zekenskiy)...why did Sunak confirm it? We're too open in these situations... Putin has to also be fought with denials .
I don't think it's as simple as him 'deciding to press the button', is it?I agree, but if he's going out, why wouldn't he choose to go out with a bang?
Leave him with nothing to lose, and there's no reason for him not to press the button. All of his paranoia would appear justified, potentially galvanising his followers. Suddenly the big red button becomes much more pressable.
Brilliant, thanks for a much needed laughWhy all the negativity ? The Guy's a saint ! In his state of the nation address, he's promised 150 new schools, 100 new kindergartens and greater investment in the arts. He's also becoming an environmental campaigner, and will strive towards moving rural communities away from their dependence on the burning of wood and Coal. Under his stewardship, the days of illegal logging are numbered. There is hope for the planet all of this time this kind, caring, compassionate, saint like individual can influence global policies.
The bit that gets my vote is the way he eulogises over family values. There was I mistakenly thinking that he was a deranged psychopath, incapable of valuing any life form, whilst sending any male that's not on a life support system, or in a wheelchair into a glorified meat grinder, in order to expand his empire. How wrong I was ! He closed his speech with,"We are one big family, we are together and therefore we will do as we are planning and dreaming".
I retract all of the criticism that I previously levelled at this cross between mother Theresa and St Francis of Assisi. How can I vote for him in his forthcoming election ?
WowOuch. Brutal and correct.
Ben Wallace is one Tory who I do actually admire. Bravo.
"“Scholz’s behaviour has showed that as far as the security of Europe goes he is the wrong man, in the wrong job at the wrong time.”
Mr Wallace added: “Time and time again Germany has been last to help Ukraine. At every stage they have had to be pushed or embarrassed into doing anything. That isn’t leadership that is followship"
Ben Wallace tears a strip off Germany's Olaf Scholz in row over missiles for Ukraine
The German Chancellor is criticised after suggesting British troops are helping Ukraine to fire long-range missileswww.standard.co.uk
Hence why I mentioned anything perceived as an attack by NATO would also galvanise his followers, and those in the chain of command with re: pressing the button.I don't think it's as simple as him 'deciding to press the button', is it?
I'm not convinced. Pressing the button means the end of Russia, and most people in it. He might think he is on the way out and would be prepared to go out with a bang, but the chain of command might not fancy taking themselves and all their friends and families with him.Hence why I mentioned anything perceived as an attack by NATO would also galvanise his followers, and those in the chain of command with re: pressing the button.
Yes, they're very lightweight, and it's disappointing if Sunak doesn't have advisers to guide him (or he didn't wait to ask).Because Scholz and Sunak are both naive twerps who are far too lightweight for the moment on the international stage. And that’s not a party political thing, I would expect Johnson, May or Cameron to have denied it too in public.
"If" he loses election!Yes, they're very lightweight, and it's disappointing if Sunak doesn't have advisers to guide him (or he didn't wait to ask).
I suspect much of Sunak's thinking power is taken up by how quickly he can get to the States with his family if he loses the election.
I was trying hard not to be party political"If" he loses election!
Unless he convinces them that Nato is going to kill them soon anyways? He's pushed paranoia re: NATO massively in Russia, if we then do something that appears aggressive then it will all appear to be true and justified. They're going to kill us anyway? Might as well take them with us! Etc.I'm not convinced. Pressing the button means the end of Russia, and most people in it. He might think he is on the way out and would be prepared to go out with a bang, but the chain of command might not fancy taking themselves and all their friends and families with him.
And excellent short thread by Gabriellus Landsbergis. A European politician who totally gets it.