Fogbow

According to a clip posted here, Russia has set 5 hours from now (4am, Feb. 22) to begin its invasion of Ukraine. Are you ready for WWIII? I’m not.

Scott MacFarlane
@MacFarlaneNews
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21m
ALERT: NATO Secretary General, "I condemn Russia’s decision to extend recognition to the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic” and “Luhansk People’s Republic”. This further undermines Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, erodes efforts towards a resolution.."

Kyle Griffin
@kylegriffin1
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50m
Breaking:

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union says it will slap sanctions on those involved in recognizing Ukraine's breakaway regions as independent.

Reuters
@Reuters
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5m
Baltics call for swift EU sanctions on Russia after it recognizes Ukrainian breakaway republics http://reut.rs/3H1hoNq

Reuters
@Reuters
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52s
Japan says its ready to join U.S.-led sanctions on Russia http://reut.rs/3Ic8E8n

Remember Tsushima!

Volkonski wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 11:16 pm
Remember Tsushima!

But the Japanese won the Battle of Tsushima. Maybe “Remember Chishima!” (The Kurile islands occupied continuously by Russia since the end of WW2.)

Volkonski wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 3:13 pm

Daniel W. Drezner
@dandrezner
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38m
Putin saying explicitly that it's a new Cold War now, there will be no concessions, and sanctions will have no effect on Russian actions.

Grant Ukraine immediate NATO membership.

I've wondered why we didn't do that, but something Biden said rings very true. He was explaining why he won't send American troops to rescue Americans from Ukraine if they get caught, noting that if Russians and Americans start shooting at each other, that's WWIII. If Ukraine is admitted to NATO, at least some of our soldiers would have to go fight as part of any NATO action to militarily support Ukraine.

In addition, Germany's chancellor has said he won't allow Ukraine into NATO as long as he's in that position. I believe his proximity to Russia and concerns about just how they would respond if we did admit Ukraine are among his chief reasons for that. For Russia, NATO membership for Ukraine is a huge line in the sand.

jcolvin2 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 22, 2022 12:18 am

Volkonski wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 11:16 pm
Remember Tsushima!

But the Japanese won the Battle of Tsushima. Maybe “Remember Chishima!” (The Kurile islands occupied continuously by Russia since the end of WW2.)

I was suggesting that Russia should remember Tsushima.

The only reason we tiptoe around Russia is that it has nuclear weapons.

Its economy is weak. Its conventional forces are ill-disciplined conscripts. Its navy is a joke.

Angela Merkel said that about Putin a decade ago. She said he has a conspiracy addled worldview and believes the most outlandish stuff. No-one believed her as they thought he was a chess master. Turns out she was right - he's a paranoid.

Volkonski wrote: ↑Tue Feb 22, 2022 2:47 am The only reason we tiptoe around Russia is that it has nuclear weapons.

Its economy is weak. Its conventional forces are ill-disciplined conscripts. Its navy is a joke.

Its economy might be weak, but its use of soft power has been shown to be frighteningly effective.

So I remember after 9/11 we were supposed to use duct tape to put vinyl sheeting over the windows to keep out radioactive fallout.

This time that may come in handy.

I think Putin has hidden his paranoia pretty well, but I think Merkel was right. He wants his legacy to be that he brought the old Russia back to its old "glory."

That may be a little unrealistic.

Susan Kroll
@suekroll
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18m
Russia's upper house gives Putin permission to use military force outside the country.

Vivian Salama
@vmsalama
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23m
Russia's foreign ministry says it is evacuating its diplomatic personnel from its Embassy in Kyiv and consulates in Kharkiv, Lviv, and Odesa.

It's been very depressing listening to right wing coverage about this. I heard Tucker on it last night, and local conservative coverage on the radio this am. They basically say Ukraine is tyrannical and at least as corrupt as Russia, and that Ukraine isn't treating the Russian speaking citizens properly and deserve this. Arg. Anyway, here is Candace Owens touting the Putin line.

Candace Owens @RealCandaceO wrote: I suggest every American who wants to know what’s *actually* going on in Russia and Ukraine, read this transcript of Putin’s address. As I’ve said for month— NATO (under direction from the United States) is violating previous agreements and expanding eastward. WE are at fault.

I can't think of anyone I would listen to LESS to know what's *actually* going on than Putin.