Even assuming Kiev has the military means to re-take the Donbass, I’d say it’s still going to require a political solution as much as a military solution to bring the region back into the fold. So if the Ukrainians are being smart about it, they should be reaching out to both Russian-backed rebel leaders and the general population right now, making it clear that things like amnesties and autonomy will be available.
Russian invasion of Ukraine | Fewer tweets, more discussion
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Even assuming Kiev has the military means to re-take the Donbass, I’d say it’s still going to require a political solution as much as a military solution to bring the region back into the fold. So if the Ukrainians are being smart about it, they should be reaching out to both Russian-backed rebel leaders and the general population right now, making it clear that things like amnesties and autonomy will be available.
I'm not sure I'd even want autonomy if I were them, I'd probably rather have money and investment. You wouldn't want to see the Russians back there again in a few years if you'd any sense at this point, and autonomy done wrong might encourage that.
Yes, it's quite incredible really. I agree with the tweet I posted, it's surprising they let him on state TV. Perhaps, getting the public ready for the withdrawal from Ukraine?
Why and to whom would Ukraine be offering autonomy? There's nothing and nobody credible to work with there. It's a fiefdom of militia and mafiosi.
Literally the post above yours
Was this directed at me? Did you read what I posted?
Will the Russian soldiers hold out like the Ukrainians did when they are cut off. I'm not so sure, but even getting to the point where they will be able to ask those questions would be a massive achievement.
The Russian army are likely to hole up in the city with civilians so they can't be hit if Ukraine make it to the cities. As a defending force that would be the best position to slow down any gains.
True, and that's what I was kind of getting at. If Ukraine do try and take cities which have been held by Russia for years, that will likely take years if they aren't going to shell (which they can't for obvious reasons).
Sure, investment too. The main point being that a positive non-military re-engagement with the population there will be needed, along whatever lines deemed acceptable to the greatest majority possible on both sides.
The ‘why?’ would be - to offer an incentive to end the war there with as little bloodshed as possible, and to try to ensure a lasting settlement that holds. The ‘to whom?’ is obviously a trickier question, but it seems as if a significant part of the population there (though not necessarily a majority) would seek assurances on certain questions.
You're making a good point in general, Ukraine will benefit in the long run if as many people of the region as possible feel they are welcomed back in to the country rather than taken over conquered foes. However that is best done, it is desirable all round.
Hard to fathom just how much this few have helped the overall war effort. Their job is now done though, Ukraine is barely on the defensive anymore and are ready to push back into the Donbas.
Zelensky appears to have made great effort to try and secure their safety. No reason to think Russia will honor any kind of deal, but fingers crossed. The people in Azovstal are pretty much their #1 propaganda tool for this war, I don't see them being let go too easily. Look out for freshly made tattoo's in their 'confession' video's.
The tweet is already flirting with the character limit, the ommited part would push it over. Meaning that he'd have to cut something else, split into two tweets or try some annyoing txt speech. What he cut changes absolutely nothing.
I more than regret my rather stupid inebriated post re Eurovision, to be honest. Well done to Ukraine, they deserved it and I’m happy for them.
Somebody else mentioned that. Its not the same. The UK was at war but wasnt invaded, was not under any foreign occupation. We were the ones doing the invading. Not the same situation.
Being able to admit mistakes is an absolutely key factor in the character of all reasonable people. It’s a strength not a weakness, even though it’s not often viewed as such. And I say that as someone who struggles with it myself. So, respect to you for acknowledging that you said something that you later accepted wasn’t reasonable:
And I apologise if that comes across as patronising, it’s meant in the exact opposite way. Life is full of intelligent, logical, people who are unable to be self critical.
I don't think it will take years. Once they begin, military collapses tend to become complete quickly.
If Ukrainian forces reach the point of having re-taken all the land occupied by Russia except for cities, then those cities become isolated from outside military supply. If the Russians see this circumstance approaching, then it wouldn't surprise me if they just pulled out their troops in those cities and returned them to Russia whilst the going is good.
Not sure who the UK was invading in 1941, but I am sure the UK itself was scared shitless of invasion in 1940, not to mention being bombed to feck and the shipping vital to avoid starvation was being sunk faster than it could be built.. No two situations are the same but you've picked a silly point to use to prove it. Twice.
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Didnt think they will just let them go
We probably wont ever see those soldiers again....
Some naive souls still believe a trustworthy ceasefire can be achieved with Russia, they just need to be humiliated and defeated, that’s it. They’re the lowest of the low.
Also:
Also:
We had troops all over Europe in 1941. And you can leave the remarks about being silly out of it.
We did but calling them invaders in a war that was a response to Germany actually invading, and with the intention of keeping, Poland is silly, unfortunately. I'm not forcing you to make these points, it's your choice.
I'm wondering if they actually (reluctantly) surrendered and the Ukrainians are trying to spin it.
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About time someone started to donate some more modern weapons to the Ukrainians.
I look at my government differently’: losses in Ukraine test Russians’ faith:
I look at my government differently’: losses in Ukraine test Russians’ faith
I look at my government differently’: losses in Ukraine test Russians’ faith
Funny thing is, this guy isn't just speaking truth now. He was speaking it before the conflict.
Here's a translated article of his from 20 days prior to the war.
Like a modern day Cassandra he correctly predicted the enormity and difficulty of the task of subjugating a nation the size of Ukraine, only for his voice to be drowned out by the chorus of Kremlin boot-lickers and war-hawks who kept saying Ukraine would fold in hours or minutes. He also predicted that there could well be a unified response from NATO, even down to guessing there would be a lend-lease agreement for high tech weapons and western volunteer fighters.
He must be connected with someone high up to be allowed on TV like this. Or else, Putin is allowing it so he can use narratives like this to blame those around him as he seeks to rehabilitate his own image after the fighting stops.
Where did we have troops in mainland Europe in 1941? A few hanging on in Greece maybe but otherwise locked out and very much on the defensive.
If you mean in POW camps, then sure... but by May 1941, the United Kingdom held Gibraltar, Malta, and their home islands.
Yes. It really does help to appreciate the scale of the conflict in World War II and to realize how relatively small modern military forces are today by comparison.
Not you, him. He says the Azov battalion are neo-Nazi led, and then a few tweets later says they are far-right linked. He clearly cannot believe both. If you are led by Nazis that isn't a 'far-right link'.
Yep. Not to mention that they don’t allow any live footage anymore after what happened with Ovsyannikova (and even before that it was only limited to news). Everything is scripted in those shows — not exactly word for word but the general sentiments and how the arguments go…