Russia - threadbanned users in OP

Most analysts believe that Putin thought he could take Ukraine in 48 hours flat and Zelensky would flee the country. Presumably this would have bolstered him in Russia and he could present himself as the victorious strong man.

Could it just be imperialism? Putin saw western division and weakness and consequently an opportunity to bring Ukraine forcefully back into its sphere of influence.

The problem now is that when they do take the country (and sadly, it's highly likely they will), there is no possible viable exit.

The US has refused to permit the provision of Mi29 fighter jets to Ukraine by Poland. They state that there is a ceasefire and that it would compromise NATO’s stance.

It is very disappointing that they are not allowed to help Ukraine…

Would you describe Putin as a Nazi? I'm assuming you're an authority on the subject given the confidence you displayed with your off the cuff condescension above.

Putin is a product of the Soviet Union and employs as many of the the tactics that made that regime so horrific to live in as he can.

Putin wants the trappings of wealth that capitalism brings but also wants the authoritarianism that he helped to enforce during the soviet era.

He has literal ties to the Soviet era, if he were to be described as either fascist or communist it stands to reason that the latter is a more logical label to apply to the man even if he is now a modified version of the same.

In fairness the US is providing huge assistance to Ukraine, with weapons, ammunition and recon, satellite movements on Russian troops movements. But this one is a difficult one and could have huge implications, so it never to be properly thought through.

On the other hand, Putins offer has some substance I reckon. Give Crimea and the two regions to Russia, all other Russian troops stay behind that line. Ukraine not to apply to NATO, but if any Russian troops cross the border again, that promise will be of the table. Reduce army strength to Max 200,000 with 100,00 reservists. Russia must pay reparations for damage, and recognize Ukraine right to exist as a sovereign state.

RTE.ie: Kuliak would 'do the same' with Z pro-Russia symbol.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/other-sport/2022/0308/1285078-kuliak-would-do-the-same-with-z-pro-russia-symbol/

Anyone with even ten percent brain power would be absolutely mad to sign up to that.

The Russians would be back in the blink of an eye and you've less means to defend yourself.

The utter naivety of some people given all of the facts of the last eight years rarely ceases to amaze me.

I have no doubt that boy believes in the righteousness of his country's peacekeeping operation, but it's a worrying sign that the Kremlin are winning the hearts and minds of the people in the street, sanctions be damned. There are still reports of anti-war protests coming in, but the numbers involved seem to be dwindling. Has the entire foreign press core been kicked out of Russia at this stage ?

"Yes, the threat of Nukes is real, but that risk must be taken. Otherwise we are the cowardly bully with the big stick"

We (the West) are the cowardly bully if we do nothing? Seriously? If the West is the cowardly bully in such a case what does that make Putin?

Indeed the risk of Nukes in such a scenario is a very real risk, so real that you need to thread very carefully or you risk far greater consequences than you may realise, the video posted by @liamtech is worth watching before any state jumps the gun, self preservation needs to be massively considered hand in hand with the notion of defence of other nations:-

"India should be TOLD to cooperate with NATO by the West"

History shows us that sovereign states don't like being told what to do, doing so often creates the opposite to the result you want to achieve, do we really want to become the bully boy, is that not exactly what Russia has done with Ukraine?

"Have a night of the long Knives and surgically cut Russia's head off. That would be the end of it"

If only it was that simple...

The Russian public is a lost cause

China is the one to watch, they have an EU summit coming up soon and would be eager to resolve the issues surrounding Lithuania, the Uyghurs, the anti-coercion instrument, the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment and the various sanctions between the two. That asides China seems to be very vocal against the US over bio labs now.