No. Europe recognizes this as an assault on the greatest gift of the greatest generation: the rules based international order that democracy provides. We have been here before and Europe does not want to go back. Putin is not the first and won’t be the last to underestimate democratic republics. He believes our pluralism and our disagreements are our weakness and seeks to sow division to destroy us. But so long as we hold to our democratic values, our debate and disagreements are what make us strong. Strongmen like Putin believe in nothing beyond themselves. Their malignant narcissism puts them above anything else. They can’t understand the idea that institutions or documents can be something greater than them. They care only for weaponizing hate of an “other” to aggrandize power by forcing loyalty through fear. Strongmen like Putin see nothing above themselves. That’s why Putin assumed Zelensky would flee and Ukraine would just give up. Because, if he were in that situation, that’s what he would do. But the greatest generation’s gift to us put in place something greater than any individual. And the idea of self determination of a democratic republic is one that we and Europe know is greater than any one individual. And the rule based order of alliances between us and Europe based on these values. And since we see it threatened in a way we have seen it threatened before—and millions died to stop it—Europe will rally around it. So, no, I’m not surprised. I am, however, relieved that it has held despite the damage that has recently been inflicted on it.
They will ease up during talks, if for no other reason than juxtapose against yhe punishment of failing to accept their terms.
The article you posted doesn’t give any specific reference to the Biden Administration suggesting to Zelenskyy to abandon Ukraine. Instead, they provide a link to one of their own Western Journal articles that covered his refusal to accept the USA’s alleged offer of a ride out of town… however the article they link to has doesn’t even mention it. Dubious media tactics on display.
Not sure how this is different, maybe that it includes more areas, but the entirety of the EU is now banning all Russian aircraft INCLUDING the oligarchs. Since some register their property offshore, I would assume they'd have to go by name/plane serial number to accomplish this fully.
"Putin has used two-thirds of Russian total combat power amassed for invasion, US defense official says From CNN's From Ellie Kaufman Russian President Vladimir Putin has used two-thirds of the Russian total combat power “he applied to this invasion,” a senior US defense official told reporters Sunday. This “still means he has a third outside Ukraine, which is not insignificant,” the official said. The US has assessed that “as of this morning” Russian forces “have launched more than 320 missiles.” The majority of those missiles are “short-range ballistic missiles,” the official added.
Abramovich isn't some random rich person disconnected from politics (there is really no such thing in Russia). He actually recommended that Putin be placed in power to Yeltsin. He then interviewed candidates for every cabinet post for Putin's initial cabinet. He is a former Governor in Putin's party, likely has helped Putin launder some of his money, and is heavily involved in the creation of the kleptocracy that is Russia. You could certainly argue that the Premier League is hypocritical for caring now (given they let him and some other awful actors own teams for years), but I don't really feel bad for him.
Am I remembering this correct, but didn't the Russian Government basically already steal the majority of this investment from BP? This is a great PR move for them.
Putin was probably betting on the EU, US and other nations to be so divided that he could exploit that, but instead they are assembling like Voltron. Looks like Zelensky staying in Ukraine was a brilliant move bc if he fled, the NATO response would have been even slower or may not have responded at all.
Oh my God...picturing Putin as Thanos, the world (including of all entities the Taliban, who spoke out against Putin's invasion...though they've always hated Russia) as the Avengers/the warriors they brought. Due to his leadership and that he likely looks way better in the tights the Ukranian president gets the Captain America role. Problem is no one is doing anything to fight so we "don't get involved"/risk the nukes, but... Okay I've showed my geek LOL
