Bakhmut about to fall.

a reply to: Oldcarpy2

Come on, that's a loaded question.

No, it is the only question we get to answer.

I want Putin to end this atrocious War.

As do I. What is his incentive to do so?

One person's "diplomatic solution" is another's surrender to and appeasement of an invader.

I specified no conditions. All I asked was, do we pursue a duplimatic solution or not?

So, do we?

TheRedneck

a reply to: TheRedneck

In an annual state of the nation address Russian President Vladimir Putin called the collapse of the Soviet empire “the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century.”

He's on record as saying that.

What do you think that might indicate what he might want?

He's ex KGB by the way.

a reply to: TheRedneck

The UN is controlled by Western values. I thought that was so self-evident as to be understood.

So it was relevant.

Votes are not from the populations of member nations, but are from the ambassadors of those member nations.

You really don't know how the UN functions or what it does?

I'm asking you if you want direct democracy in the UN. If you want to empower the UN to overrule member states then that would be necessary I think. Otherwise you just want the UN to trample our rights. Now people have the right to vote in their own countries, if they have that right, and then their leaders represent them in the UN.

I'm honestly not sure how to respond to that. Should shoplifting be legal as long as Walmart is still open?

Not sure why you ask, but I'd say no.

Of course they are... where did I say different?

You said that Russia sells gas out of compassion.

Did I mention many of those previous disputes were over Ukraine failing to pay for Russian fuels? Some were also claiming Russia had failed to pay for pipeline use. Do you expect people to continue to do business for no profit?

No, why would they do business for no profit? And I don't think Ukraine and Russia are in business anymore. I'm just saying the pipes are still in use. Russia could stop using them if they think it's too much hassle, but then they'd just have to stop selling to those markets.

Wiki is fine for now. Reading through it, however, it sounds like the only reference to language in the 2020 amendments was to simply make Russian the official language of Russia.

Why do you bring up the 2020 amendments?

It is starting to sound like you hold some inner bias against Russia yourself; I am noticing you tend to excuse anything Ukraine does while demonizing anything Russia does. I don't know if that is intentional or not; the MSM has been promoting such a bias for a very long time.

In this thread you talked about Ukraine oppressing Russian speakers. All I did was point out Russia doing the same to Ukrainian speakers. How is that making excuses? I just want you to be fair and acknowledge both languages have been politicized like that. And I'd like you to consider the history before 2020 or 2014, back during Soviet times and imperial times too. Then we can talk about what the best solution 9s or what the best thing to do for any particular country is.

a reply to: TheRedneck

"What is his incentive to do so?"

It ought to be to stop the senseless murder of his fellow countrymen and the death and senseless destruction of Ukrainians and Ukraine.

Yes, a diplomatic solution would be good.

What do you suggest, other than capitulation and appeasement?

By the way, I am not privy to Putin's innermost thoughts, before you ask.

And, the topic of this thread is whether Bakhmut is about to fall.

Your thoughts, on topic?

a reply to: Oldcarpy2

On the other hand, he is President of Russia. Why would he want to give up such a thing for the remote possibility of becoming head of some yet-to-be-realized new USSR?

I will say, here and now, "The Trail of Tears was one of the greatest acts of aggression by a sovereign nation against a people." That does not mean I want to give the native tribes my home and move back to Europe.

He's ex KGB by the way.

He spent 15 years as a KGB officer, primarily working reconnaissance and counter-intelligence. He was not some rabid KGB high-level advocate. As a matter of fact, his resignation in 1990 came as a result of questions as to his loyalty to the KGB.

That's a talking point.

TheRedneck

originally posted by: TheRedneck
a reply to: Cutepants

The USSR does not exist.

TheRedneck

If we don't understand the past we are doomed to repeat it

a reply to: TheRedneck

Oh, so now you claim to know Putin's innermost thoughts?

Interesting.

So, what do you think it tells us about his comment about the fall of the USSR being a "tragedy".

Or, more to the point, rather than derailing this thread, anything to say about Bakhmut, like, on topic?

a reply to: TheRedneck

"I specified no conditions. All I asked was, do we pursue a duplimatic solution or not?"

No, you didn't. All I ask is, at any cost?

a reply to: Oldcarpy2

if putin wanted diplomacy he could have it any time because he is the sole person in charge of russia. he isnt interested in a peaceful solution at this time otherwise it would be on the table. he is interested in conquest which has been happening for most of his reign...

a reply to: LouisCypher

Yes. Shame that other can't see that and keep on trying to justify the man's warmsongering. Whilst trying to blame anyone but him.

Truly sad.

But that is what the World has come to these days.

Americans seem so full of self loathing they can't see the wood for the trees.

Anyway, I have been trying to get this thread back on topic.

What do you think about whether Bakhmut is about to fall?

I'd value your opinion.

a reply to: LouisCypher

Putin wanted the bio lab issue debated at the UN but it was vetoed. They have given up on diplomacy,They are not the only idiots in this mess.

a reply to: anonentity


Got anything to say about Bakhmut?

Like, on topic?

a reply to: TheRedneck

What part of "Forever Russia" do you not understand?

Funny thing about it, the only reason they made progress in this location was turning the offense over to the wagner group completely, so in theory at least it was being run by actual military personnel.

Even then its been a slog for them, not exactly a shining example of russian military might.

a reply to: Oldcarpy2

Seems the Russian advance to the North and South has resulted in a pincer move, cutting off supply lines to a poorly manned Ukrainian front line.

Yes, Russia will control the key infrastructure by the end of the week IMO.

a reply to: Oldcarpy2

Ukraine will cede the Donbas region and a ceasefire will be agreed through diplomacy facilitated by China. Then you have a military build up by both sides on the new border in preparation for the next conflict.

a reply to: Irishhaf

They could have took the US approach of shock and awe, yet it seems a more conservative and measured approach to limit civilian casualties has been employed. Something that's been consistent throughout this campaign. Let's be honest, Russian air superiority could have reduced the entire country to ruins with little resistance should they decide to implement a strategy of indiscriminate bombing.

This is about bringing enemies to the discussion table, not destroying the country or committing genocide. Once the profits are dialled in both sides will agree to a ceasefire and then the industrial machine reaps the rewards of rebuilding.

a reply to: Grenade

yet it seems a more conservative and measured approach to limit civilian casualties has been employed.

There are acres and acres of cities miles from the front that russia has levelled with missile strikes that say they dont care about civilian casualties.

*shakes head and walks away*

Russian air superiority could have reduced the entire country to ruins with little resistance should they decide to implement a strategy of indiscriminate bombing.

I take it you havent been following the reports out of the war? Unless you are trying to say Ukraine has been bombing their own cities??

a reply to: Irishhaf

I never said they hadn't engaged in bombing, i'm saying it's been conservative comparative to capability.

The lights are still on in Kiev.

There's a fine line being towed, remember Russia could level half of Europe should they so choose.

I'm not condoning the war, i'm being realistic.



Those bright spots on live satellite imagery aren't fires or bombs, those are city lights.

I'll let you in on a little secret, war is big business and like every other industry is driven by profit. We're being sold the war for that reason, this isn't some ideological battle between good and evil.

a reply to: Cutepants

If we don't understand the past we are doomed to repeat it

If we refuse to let the past be in the past, we never leave it.

TheRedneck