The Russian fleet has backed down from live ammo exercises off the Irish Coast, Antony Blinken delivered the US diplomatic position on Russia's demands, and several countries have stepped up the supply of weapons and expertise to Ukraine. All this means that Putin's gamble has not paid off. But is he willing to retreat? That we shall see.
A NY Times editorial by Yulia Latynina seems to think he has lost his gamble.
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| Don't panic. Organise. |
It's been interesting. Russia massing troops on Ukraine's borders. The US releasing intelligence information to foil Russia's disinformation campaigns and wag the dog tactics. The US calling their bluff and tactics to set up a puppet government. Read all about it.
Then, the Russians announce taking their fleet on live ammo manoeuvres in Irish waters. They say they have every right to these exercises but the fishermen don't like it and won't take it sitting down. The government has issued a marine notice.
What a wild time, all in a pandemic moment when the omicron variant is travelling like a tsunami around the world.
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| A map shows the Russia build-up near the Ukraine border. |
Today, what it means to be Ukrainian is to be afraid. It has been clear for some time that Putin is going to invade Ukraine. He took Crimea to have a Black Sea Port. He marched into Donbas to get a foothold and an excuse to rescue the Russain-speakers. He caused trouble in Byelorus to wag the dog. He sent troops to Kazakhstan on a peacekeeping mission. Except Russia is notorious for sending in troops under the guise of peacekeeping that continue on to establish a permanent presence in the host countries. He has warned that Ukraine may not join NATO and the US and EU should not interfere.
Today, he mounted a cyberattack on Ukraine's government computer systems. More troops are massing on the northern and southern borders now.
And the US has accused Russia of sending saboteurs into Ukraine to stage “a false-flag operation” that would create a pretext for Moscow to invade. That's his style. A Russian analyst says Ukraine is Putin's last stand in keeping NATO away from its borders.
