2022: The year the world returns to war?

[Pointman]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Well except if you're gay, or openly critique the government

It's true but also a bit overrated. I criticize Putin on western forum right now and I'm still alive.

[TherapyforGlencross]

Wild speech. The translator said:

“Ukraine has never had a consistent tradition of being an independent nation.”

His speech makes me think Putin is gearing for the entire invasion of Ukraine and not just the Eastern region

[Pointman]

Originally Posted by oldschoolcalgary

I am still hoping for a peaceful resolution.

However, I can't say I really understand why this is happening now, as it feels like how a frog is slowly boiled...it seemed like this recently spiked, though things have been building up over the course of time.

In this day and age, its not a proxy war...having the major super powers sniping at one another can't end well for anyone.

There needs to be some kind of de-escalation...and even then, based on my interpretation of Putin's history lesson on Ukraine, it seems like the end goal for him is having Ukraine back as a part of Russia - which would be a non-starter for the western countries.

Trying to bring Ukraine back into Russia would be a grave mistake. I can't even think about any rational reason for this. If he's really up for it I must admit he's lost his marbles, although I still hope this is not the case.

[Locke]

He has a lot of phones on his desk.

One must conclude by the sheer volume of phones that he is open to discussion and conversation.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by Pointman

It's true but also a bit overrated. I criticize Putin on western forum right now and I'm still alive.

Well I wouldn't think CP is at the forefront of the Russian public's media sphere. Would you feel as comfortable critiquing Putin on a hockey forum hosted on Russian servers?

[oldschoolcalgary]

Originally Posted by Pointman

Trying to bring Ukraine back into Russia would be a grave mistake. I can't even think about any rational reason for this. If he's really up for it I must admit he's lost his marbles, although I still hope this is not the case.

I appreciate your perspective.

just out of curiosity, are you a native born Russian? or an expat living in Russia?

I am wondering what the people of Russia are thinking about this...or alternatively, expats and foreign workers...

[Ducay]

Can mods or someone update the thread title re: Russia/Ukraine 2022 war megathread.

This is Crimea all over again, same game plan, etc. Assume they'll start the "supporting the independence" movement by moving in the battlegroups shortly.

[Ducay]

Anyone have a link to a feed translating this in real time?

[Pointman]

Speech is over. DNR and LNR are recognized and declarations of friendship are to be signed soon. Putin urges Kiev to stop shelling in rebels territory. Otherwise Kiev bears full responsibility for the consequences.

No movement of troops is declared.

[TherapyforGlencross]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Anyone have a link to a feed translating this in real time?

It just finished.

[TherapyforGlencross]

Another interesting quote from his speech:

“This is what they call de-communisation... You want de-communisation? That suits us fine. But don't stop halfway. We're ready to show Ukraine what real de-communisation means for it."

[Pointman]

Originally Posted by oldschoolcalgary

I appreciate your perspective.

just out of curiosity, are you a native born Russian? or an expat living in Russia?

I am wondering what the people of Russia are thinking about this...or alternatively, expats and foreign workers...

I'm Russian born and raised, although I'm half-jewish. I've been living in Moscow my whole 40 years of life.

[Huntingwhale]

RT is such a strange network. I know it's essentially the Fox news network for Russia. But who the hell are these Brits working for the network that are trotting the Kremlin's line? Its just so...f'ing weird to hear a panel go on like this with straight faces speaking perfect English.

Everything from saying Kyiv killed the Minsk agreement, Kyiv is torturing residence of the east in Ukraine, and the Maidan revolution was a coup d'état that instilled a government that resorts to violence. Now they are showing a 'live feed' of 20 people dancing in the streets in celebration.

Do they honestly believe all this, or are they the perfect actors just because it's their jobs? Such a weird channel.

[Pointman]

The whole speech was major lie. The only part that was true was that NATO keeps expanding east and ignores Russian protests while doing so. The rest is just, well, phony. Still, I feared worse.

[Fuzz]

Slow motion land grab, another 15 years of this and they'll have all of Ukraine.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

RT is such a strange network. I know it's essentially the Fox news network for Russia. But who the hell are these Brits working for the network that are trotting the Kremlin's line? Its just so...f'ing weird to hear a panel go on like this with straight faces speaking perfect English.

Everything from saying Kyiv killed the Minsk agreement, Kyiv is torturing residence of the east in Ukraine, and the Maidan revolution was a coup d'état that instilled a government that resorts to violence. Now they are showing a 'live feed' of 20 people dancing in the streets in celebration.

Do they honestly believe all this, or are they the perfect actors just because it's their jobs? Such a weird channel.

I think of it somewhat like the old 'Colbert Report.'

Except that its not satire. They're just talking heads doing a job.

Everybody's gotta eat and work is work?

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by Pointman

The whole speech was major lie. The only part that was true was that NATO keeps expanding east and ignores Russian protests while doing so. The rest is just, well, phony. Still, I feared worse.

At least he didn't come out and say the troops are going in. But the entire thing was what the Russian government is famous for; they lie and lie and when proven wrong, they lie some more.

He has such a punchable face too. The snarl on his face as he spoke of Ukraine like it was a stain on the civilized world. Disgusting individual.

[Ducay]

Annnnd now the signing ceremony with Luhansk and Donestk "presidents". #### is about to pop off.

Imagine there'll be a bit of "shelling" overnight again and Russia will move in to protect its "citizens", just as we saw in Crimea.

[Pointman]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Well I wouldn't think CP is at the forefront of the Russian public's media sphere. Would you feel as comfortable critiquing Putin on a hockey forum hosted on Russian servers?

It's alright to criticize Putin on Russian hockey servers. You have to be way louder than that to be told to shut up. We don't really have police state-style watchdogs looking after every step we make. It's not a totalitarian state. You "only" get trouble of you consistently and systematically work towards undermining Putin's authority. Having rants is ok. Secret police does not listen to our phones to check if we criticize Putin.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

At least he didn't come out and say the troops are going in. But the entire thing was what the Russian government is famous for; they lie and lie and when proven wrong, they lie some more.

He has such a punchable face too. The snarl on his face as he spoke of Ukraine like it was a stain on the civilized world. Disgusting individual.

Sadly...this is far from being an exclusively Russian playbook anymore.

You could say this about most Political leaders these days. They didnt call him 'Teflon Don' for nothing.