Today Russian president Vladimir Putin said he’s recognizing the full territories claimed by the upstart governments of Ukrainian eastern provinces Luhansk and Donetsk. Josh Kovensky of Talking Points Memo points out that since those governments only control about a third and a half of the territory, respectively, in those provinces, this recognition would mean that Ukraine is occupying land that belongs to those breakaway regions.
Paraphrase from somewhere on the internet yesterday;
“Republicans favor democracy in Ukraine as long as it doesn’t spread to America.”
Many Republicans’ “None of our business” stance re Ukraine sounds a lot like what many Americans said about Hitler’s annexation of the Sudetenland in the 1930’s.
I am so sick of the dangerous, toxic right. I refuse to read anything that has the names of those poisoning our democracy with ignorance and hatred. However, I am so proud of President Biden and those at the helm. Thank you for keeping us truly informed.
So, it's happened...the pretext for invasion is peacekeeping. unrecognized "republics" are now legit. up is down, left is right, black is white. Isn't Putin himself the biggest klepto of them all? Where is his $30 billion with a capital B stashed? Surely we have the capacity to follow the money, no? What about impounding a thousand commercial vessels, give or take a few. Deny landing rights to all Russian commercial airliners in NATO countries, cease flying routes that include Moscow and other Russian cities. Shut the borders to commercial traffic. Rescind visas held by their citizens abroad, "lock" them within their own borders. Flood Ukraine with shoulder-fired anti-tank, anti-aircraft weapons, enough to cover the Russian fleet by 3-5x. Overwhelm their internet with garbage feed; there is no end of opportunity to inflict pain on those who have the capacity to do something about Putin, namely topple him from power from the inside.
The entire Ukraine ‘crisis’ is the result of Pipsqueak Putin. His megalomania reminds me of Hitler in the late 1930s. They both were obscure people with a ‘Stab in the back’ mentality. For Hitler it was Germany’s loss in WW I (others were responsible, not the German army). For Putin, it was the dismemberment of the Soviet Empire, which he referred to as ‘the greatest tragedy in the 20th century.’
Putin was an obscure KGB official in Dresden when the Berlin Wall was reopened. Within two years he entered political life in St. Petersburg and a decade later had squirmed his way into the leader of Russia, which he has been for 22 years.
He gradually became an absolute authoritarian using and then discarding oligarchs as well as anyone who he considered a threat. His dealings with the West became more and more troublesome.
During this process the Putin of today emerged. Though Russia now is only a regional power, he is desperate to be considered a Big Boy—side by side with Xi, the American president, and others. Now he is clearly the junior partner with dominant China.
Putin is driven by his fixation on restoring Russia’s hegemony over Eastern Europe. He greatly resents that a number of these countries are in NATO and the European Union. In his mind Western Europe was disunited and America was weak. This underlay his ‘ultimatum’ that the West move away from Eastern Europe and permit Russia to resume its dominance over ex-Soviet satellite countries. This ‘ultimatum’ came with a threat of military action in Ukraine.
I believe that Putin was astonished by President Biden’s forceful push back and ability to unite NATO and some Eastern European countries against Putin’s ‘ultimatum.’ Like Hitler he is unable to accept the personal humiliation of backing down. Stunned by the Biden Doctrine, he has launched what so far is a limited military action in Ukraine. I consider it likely that this will expand, as Putin acts like a cornered rat.
Whatever results from his current machinations, as long as Putin is Russia’s leader, he will be sharply focused on bringing some/all of Eastern Europe within his sphere of influence.
WHEN YOU THINK OF PUTIN, THINK OF HITLER. Remember that President Biden called him a ‘killer.’
Those Republicans who have spoken out against Biden were obviously not part of the bipartisan group who went to Munich to meet with members of other countries. Both sides said they were totally united as to the sanctions the Biden Admin was imposing. Look at Germany, they are stopping a pipeline from being completed which would give their country quite a bit of oil and gas from Russia. That was a very bold move! We should appreciate their sacrifice. By going after the oligarchs and their families, these sanctions should be felt deeply and that’s what we want.
Can we talk a little about TFG taking 15 boxes of highly classified material to his residence? Ever thought about how he may have already given some of that information to Putin or his pals as leverage for payments he owes them?? Too bad the archival organization didn’t bring the FBI with them to arrest this bastard.
Good afternoon from Ukraine. Bright sunny warm day. Ukraine has declared state of emergency for the whole country. Rada approved citizens right to own and carry guns. Twitter is blocking accounts reporting on the situation that are unfriendly to Russia. Russia is crudely faking incidents blaming Ukraine. Fierce shelling continues across the front lines trying to draw Ukrainian retaliation. Other than that, everything is normal
Thanks HCR for yet another highly informative column. What is very sad is that the ability of many Republicans to put politics above national interests, national security, and global stability is no longer shocking in the least...
Second comment; Right on Navalny. You go dude! Way to have heart for your true country folk - not putin or his putineers. Our republican party sans two ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ members could take a point or two from you. Alas, the other 99% are dumb as rocks, and doing their best to sink our Republic. Just like putin’s sunk your nation. He’s just taking it to a whole new level with his Ukranian wet dream. Hang in there. The world is your witness.
Seems like yesterday Sarah Palin, while in her home state of Alaska could see Russia from her house and she was soooo worried about an invasion ? “ Hey Sarah ! Duck ! You’re party is in Cahoots with the Enemy !” Never in my Wildest Dream would I dream people in our Gov’t would openly support an Enemy. Maybe there were a whole lot more being bought than we are aware of ?
Thank you, HCR, for presenting the facts and movement in the Ukraine-Russia Crisis. Here we have USA and NATO countries working together and at the same time, the repubs are undermining the diplomacy and political movement necessary for resolution and continued monitoring of the situation. It’s a World crisis, yet the Repub divisions and lies serve to distract. We are fighting our own battles here in America when we cannot form United support of our democracy, our leaders and work together with NATO. And I’m not shocked to hear TFG’s support for Putin. His party is as unhinged as he is. I’m hoping the minimum sanctions will work. So much is at stake.
Republicans have decided that if they can't win wars in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan , then the next best thing is to side with the larger country that invades smaller weak nations.
The world is in a big jamb. Navalny's criticism that the Kremlin is distracting Russians with military attacks against Ukraine and political attacks against the US while wasting its resources and refusing to address Russian domestic needs, is the same charge that can be leveled at Republicans. So no wonder Republicans admire Putin, blame Biden and abandon the US and its European allies.
All very disturbing. My heart aches for the Ukrainians.
Some commenters here may not follow HRC on FB so here is what she posted yesterday: "I cannot do today's politics chat because... drumroll... I am doing an event with Russia expert Fiona Hill, and it turns out I have to be out the door before 5:00. I'm sorry about that cosmically, but not specifically, because if I could talk to anyone right now about the world, it's her, so I'm totally stoked for this. I'll report back, of course."
I wish someone could get to the bottom of the deal between the Trumpers and the Russians, including the American propoganda side. How does the money flow?
Paraphrase from somewhere on the internet yesterday;
“Republicans favor democracy in Ukraine as long as it doesn’t spread to America.”
Many Republicans’ “None of our business” stance re Ukraine sounds a lot like what many Americans said about Hitler’s annexation of the Sudetenland in the 1930’s.
I am so sick of the dangerous, toxic right. I refuse to read anything that has the names of those poisoning our democracy with ignorance and hatred. However, I am so proud of President Biden and those at the helm. Thank you for keeping us truly informed.
So, it's happened...the pretext for invasion is peacekeeping. unrecognized "republics" are now legit. up is down, left is right, black is white. Isn't Putin himself the biggest klepto of them all? Where is his $30 billion with a capital B stashed? Surely we have the capacity to follow the money, no? What about impounding a thousand commercial vessels, give or take a few. Deny landing rights to all Russian commercial airliners in NATO countries, cease flying routes that include Moscow and other Russian cities. Shut the borders to commercial traffic. Rescind visas held by their citizens abroad, "lock" them within their own borders. Flood Ukraine with shoulder-fired anti-tank, anti-aircraft weapons, enough to cover the Russian fleet by 3-5x. Overwhelm their internet with garbage feed; there is no end of opportunity to inflict pain on those who have the capacity to do something about Putin, namely topple him from power from the inside.
The entire Ukraine ‘crisis’ is the result of Pipsqueak Putin. His megalomania reminds me of Hitler in the late 1930s. They both were obscure people with a ‘Stab in the back’ mentality. For Hitler it was Germany’s loss in WW I (others were responsible, not the German army). For Putin, it was the dismemberment of the Soviet Empire, which he referred to as ‘the greatest tragedy in the 20th century.’
Putin was an obscure KGB official in Dresden when the Berlin Wall was reopened. Within two years he entered political life in St. Petersburg and a decade later had squirmed his way into the leader of Russia, which he has been for 22 years.
He gradually became an absolute authoritarian using and then discarding oligarchs as well as anyone who he considered a threat. His dealings with the West became more and more troublesome.
During this process the Putin of today emerged. Though Russia now is only a regional power, he is desperate to be considered a Big Boy—side by side with Xi, the American president, and others. Now he is clearly the junior partner with dominant China.
Putin is driven by his fixation on restoring Russia’s hegemony over Eastern Europe. He greatly resents that a number of these countries are in NATO and the European Union. In his mind Western Europe was disunited and America was weak. This underlay his ‘ultimatum’ that the West move away from Eastern Europe and permit Russia to resume its dominance over ex-Soviet satellite countries. This ‘ultimatum’ came with a threat of military action in Ukraine.
I believe that Putin was astonished by President Biden’s forceful push back and ability to unite NATO and some Eastern European countries against Putin’s ‘ultimatum.’ Like Hitler he is unable to accept the personal humiliation of backing down. Stunned by the Biden Doctrine, he has launched what so far is a limited military action in Ukraine. I consider it likely that this will expand, as Putin acts like a cornered rat.
Whatever results from his current machinations, as long as Putin is Russia’s leader, he will be sharply focused on bringing some/all of Eastern Europe within his sphere of influence.
WHEN YOU THINK OF PUTIN, THINK OF HITLER. Remember that President Biden called him a ‘killer.’
Those Republicans who have spoken out against Biden were obviously not part of the bipartisan group who went to Munich to meet with members of other countries. Both sides said they were totally united as to the sanctions the Biden Admin was imposing. Look at Germany, they are stopping a pipeline from being completed which would give their country quite a bit of oil and gas from Russia. That was a very bold move! We should appreciate their sacrifice. By going after the oligarchs and their families, these sanctions should be felt deeply and that’s what we want.
Can we talk a little about TFG taking 15 boxes of highly classified material to his residence? Ever thought about how he may have already given some of that information to Putin or his pals as leverage for payments he owes them?? Too bad the archival organization didn’t bring the FBI with them to arrest this bastard.
Good afternoon from Ukraine. Bright sunny warm day. Ukraine has declared state of emergency for the whole country. Rada approved citizens right to own and carry guns. Twitter is blocking accounts reporting on the situation that are unfriendly to Russia. Russia is crudely faking incidents blaming Ukraine. Fierce shelling continues across the front lines trying to draw Ukrainian retaliation. Other than that, everything is normal
Thanks HCR for yet another highly informative column. What is very sad is that the ability of many Republicans to put politics above national interests, national security, and global stability is no longer shocking in the least...
How did we ever get here? I weep for my country.
Second comment; Right on Navalny. You go dude! Way to have heart for your true country folk - not putin or his putineers. Our republican party sans two ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ members could take a point or two from you. Alas, the other 99% are dumb as rocks, and doing their best to sink our Republic. Just like putin’s sunk your nation. He’s just taking it to a whole new level with his Ukranian wet dream. Hang in there. The world is your witness.
Seems like yesterday Sarah Palin, while in her home state of Alaska could see Russia from her house and she was soooo worried about an invasion ? “ Hey Sarah ! Duck ! You’re party is in Cahoots with the Enemy !” Never in my Wildest Dream would I dream people in our Gov’t would openly support an Enemy. Maybe there were a whole lot more being bought than we are aware of ?
Thank you, HCR, for presenting the facts and movement in the Ukraine-Russia Crisis. Here we have USA and NATO countries working together and at the same time, the repubs are undermining the diplomacy and political movement necessary for resolution and continued monitoring of the situation. It’s a World crisis, yet the Repub divisions and lies serve to distract. We are fighting our own battles here in America when we cannot form United support of our democracy, our leaders and work together with NATO. And I’m not shocked to hear TFG’s support for Putin. His party is as unhinged as he is. I’m hoping the minimum sanctions will work. So much is at stake.
Republicans have decided that if they can't win wars in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan , then the next best thing is to side with the larger country that invades smaller weak nations.
The world is in a big jamb. Navalny's criticism that the Kremlin is distracting Russians with military attacks against Ukraine and political attacks against the US while wasting its resources and refusing to address Russian domestic needs, is the same charge that can be leveled at Republicans. So no wonder Republicans admire Putin, blame Biden and abandon the US and its European allies.
Warning - languge: What in the samhell are those fucktart republicans thinking?
How embarrassing.
Bravo to Navalny!
All very disturbing. My heart aches for the Ukrainians.
Some commenters here may not follow HRC on FB so here is what she posted yesterday: "I cannot do today's politics chat because... drumroll... I am doing an event with Russia expert Fiona Hill, and it turns out I have to be out the door before 5:00. I'm sorry about that cosmically, but not specifically, because if I could talk to anyone right now about the world, it's her, so I'm totally stoked for this. I'll report back, of course."
I, for one, can't wait to hear about it!
I wish someone could get to the bottom of the deal between the Trumpers and the Russians, including the American propoganda side. How does the money flow?