4 Oct 2023 1:19 pm
Cannonpointer » 04 Oct 2023, 1:12 pm » wrote: ↑ Listen. Putin secured every inch of land he wanted - which is the land abutting russia, which is peopled with ethnic russians who speak the russian language and identify as russian. These lands, through a democratic vote, have overwhelmingly chosen to come integrated with russia.
The ukrainian "military" - no matter what weapons they are given - have been proved completely and unambiguously incapable of breaching the second line of a four-tiered defensive entrenchment. If they DID break through, they'd only be gaining entry to a hornets nest. Each attempt they make leaves them with fewer men and worse moral, and the only luck they've had is their failure, as "success" would only get the entire expedition killed or captured.
The only fighting that is going on currently is for hearts and minds, and the only hearts and minds in contest are those being gaslighted in the west - especially those in ukraine, where many have come to understand the truth of the situation. Russia has its land corridor into crimea. Russia is content with the status quo, and clearly able to maintain it. Russians are secure. Their economy is doing very well, relative to how things were before the minor scuffle in ukraine.
It's over. The retense that it is not over is the only thing that needs to be addressed. And the reason it is NOT being addressed is that ukraine is a slot machine and a laundromat - not a country.
I remember not to argue national security policy with you from when I was on before. Still, the war of attrition isn't entirely good for Russia either. The risk of losing hearts and minds applies to his regime too.
Nothing is easier than defending the status quo.