Russia - threadbanned users in OP

Populist right-wing mouthpieces in the USA might say that the country needs to pull back on Ukraine, but there would be questionable wisdom in such a move especially if European countries endeavour to take up the slack. What the USA does not want is militarisation in Europe lest they have another superpower to vie with for global influence and resources. That's where having those countries under the NATO umbrella comes in so handy for America. They get an awful lot of return in terms of global stroke for paying all that money into the organisation which Trump so moronically complained about.

On a scale of one too ten I will genuinely give u a generous score of two. There are a number of well argued books/ videos which would give you other arguments re a more full picture as to how Ru has ended up where it is today IMO

Amazing interview there. Geoffrey Roberts is off the wall.

He thinks that by Russia taking more Ukrainian Territory leaves Ukraine in a stronger position to negotiate and that Wester Weapons leaves Ukraine worse off.

My son, who is somewhat skilled, says they have things locked down very tight, unless you know someone in the UK.

Of course it should be available here via satellite on Freesat.

Looks like the only other realistic other options are unmentionable.

Of course Ukrainian losses are not sustainable. The west aren't spending billions in further support to Ukraine for no reason, it's that or they eventually fail. Russia's losses are also unsustainable.

Yes indeed, the idea that Putin can keep this war going for five years plus is surely very far fetched. You would imagine his economy and the regime itself would have collapsed long before then.

Lol

Unfortunately, this may be possible. Putin just needs to carry on until the next presidential election in 2024. If the elites allow him to be re-elected, this means that he can do whatever he wants for another 6 years. And this will likely mean accelerated 'cleansing' of any real or imaginary dissent within Russia, putting everyone to work on armaments for a food ration and the continuation of the war with Ukraine into the perpetuity.

For a more detailed explanation you can watch this video from a former Russian politician, currently in exile:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahUnLJ8iD6g

And yet

Meanwhile in russia!!

What the..?

Get a move on, Zelensky.

https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/01/30/7387215/

It's relative to last year, when it contracted.

Russia was predicted to rise around 3% or 4% last year (prior to the war), and it fell up to 6%, which is almost a 10% aggregate drop - due to sanctions. For reference, Russia dropped around 8% in the 2008 financial crisis

Of course many were hoping for an even sharper impact, but dictatorships with totalitarian capital controls, that float on a sea of nat resources, in a year with record prices for those resources can obviously buck expectations. Still the sanctions remain, they are getting less for their resources, they are paying for an expensive war, and they are international pariahs.

On the plus side they have more toilets and washing machines. Will be an interesting few years ahead for them.

Considering the Amount of tanks they recently purchased there could be a few spare

I am reading this as significant that the communists in Russia are now going against Putin.