hypochondriac

I know its comforting to try to downplay the seriousness or the capability of an enemy but you underestimate your opponent at your peril- particularly one as dangerous and as well placed to inflict pain on the west as Putin.

So how do you see this playing out then? Because I don't see it ending at Ukraine and from what I've seen neither do so called experts on the matter.

I'm guessing you're neville chamberlain in this scenario given that you've swallowed all the Russian bull about them just going into those two regions and firing a couple of rockets to prevent those evil Ukrainians from committing genocide.

No I'm realistic about how serious Putin is unlike many of the talking heads who've been saying it was all a bluff for weeks or those who think we can stop him with some piddly little sanctions. You're the one with your head seemingly in the clouds, swallowing Russian propaganda about them sending in a peacekeeping force because they've been asked to by Russian separatists in Ukraine. We will see won't we if he simply goes into those two regions and no further then we will know you were right and there was never any intention to invade further. If not though will you be coming back on here to admit you were wrong?

So you think he is going to take back the two regions and not go any further? That his intention isn't to overthrow the Ukrainian government and reclaim what he views as rightfully his? Did you not listen to his speech the other day?

You have more faith in me that the West has the confidence that it has something worth fighting for in small Eastern European countries. My view is that Putin desires Soviet territory much more than the West wants to defend it otherwise they would have done something beyond shrugging their shoulders when Russia took Crimea.

I'd fight him as early as possible but that would involve real pain for all of us and real world consequences and western political leaders aren't prepared to do that. It's not about where I would draw the line, it's about the lack of conviction or any sort of courage beyond platitudes from our political class that will let Putin carry on.

I think he will get a lot further than some people imagine on here. People don't want their comfortable lives disrupted and the calibure of politician has declined to such an extent that none will have the backbone to push back if Putin goes at a slow enough pace. Do you really think lightweights like Macron or Boris are going to sanction ground offensives against a juggernaut like Russia led by someone who will happily pay the cost in bodies to get what he wants? NATO is dead.

He's not mad, he's clearly a very canny operator and shrewd which is why he's held power for so long. I completely disagree with you that it is not his intention to an ex the country. His clear and obvious intention is to restore the soviet Union starting with Ukraine and then expanding from there.

So other than a token show of force and some sanctions, do you think that the West is going to get drawn into some full scale war once Latvia or its equivalent is invaded? Because I can't see the public in these countries going for it, least of all the likes of Biden.

Really weird post.

So Russia invades Lithuania and the West strikes back, risking the lives of their people and even the security of their own countries in the process? Starting a game of chicken with someone like Putin doesn't seem smart.

Do you believe that once Putin has conquered Ukraine that he will stop there?

No Western nation is going to fire a nuke at Russia unless one is fired at them first. Can we say the same for Russia?

Nothing that Johnson or anyone in the west could have done to prevent this.

The lack of any coherent plan and the leadership vacuum in the white house will have been noted by Putin and the CCP and imo is one of the reasons why this is happening now. Anyone semi competent in America and this would be playing out differently.

The west won't be launching a full scale war against a nuclear armed regime like Russia. Its why everyone is scrabbling to impose sanctions with no intention of doing something meaningful.

I can't see the likes of America stationing troops in a country to die in a country they know nothing about. Expect we will find out shortly.

If Russia attacked would NATO respond with boots on the ground? I don't think they would. Russia knows there is no appetite for it which is why they are doing it. The disaster in Afghanistan has contributed to this as well.

Also Trump is a buffoon but you can't tell me that this situation would be worse if he were still in charge.

I don't agree. When it comes down to it, the big countries aren't going to send in people to die in Lithuania. It won't command popular support.

Incredible what they could get away with at 2pm on a Saturday on commercial radio. Does make you lament for a time when you could be a bit edgy and subversive without people shouting for cancellation for hurt feelings.

Gervais hasn't been funny since Extras in my opinion and even then it was the celebrity cameos that made it interesting. His XFM stuff, podcast and the office are the three best things he's ever done and he needed Steve and Karl for those. Very overrated.

TBF if the west's response isn't strong enough then Putin has played a pretty good hand from his perspective even if he is an evil dictator.

Only since pep bigged him up.