Quote:
Originally Posted by davem4616
Russia may be able to level the Ukrainian landscape by force, and replace the leaders with puppets, but Russia will never conquer the hearts of the people of Ukraine that have tasted freedom...
Someone down at City Fire said that Putin was intent on reestablishing the buffer between Russia and the NATO countries that he had with the pro-Russian government that had been in place in the Ukraine...the one that the West helped put the skids under
...I wasn't able to hear the rest of his story, our table was ready and we left the bar area
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The real reason that Putin invaded Ukraine was that he saw them having a better life by becoming Western - while the lives of ordinary Russians were stuck in a bad place and going nowhere. Eventually, with social media, the Russians would want what the Ukrainians have and begin to blame Putin and his Oligarchs. Then Putin could lose his position or even his life. So, that fear was driving him. And this was a good time because Europe was weak and not united - and America was divided. But, America surprised him by exhibiting togetherness and strong leadership. Now it is going to be difficult for Putin to call back his massive slow-moving Military. Putin almost must go forward - no matter how much it costs him in economic terms and soldiers' lives lost. He will either break the Ukraine or Russia. He may (?) get so desperate as to use tactical nuclear missiles, possibly at Mariupol.