The invasion of Ukraine seems to be taking much longer than perhaps Putin expected. The number of deaths is growing. Would he have expected an easy passage like how surrogate fighters had in Eastern Ukraine and Crimea? Huge troop movements seem to be underway – but also it seems likely that street by street battles are likely to ensue. therefore it would seem that Putin has to be in for a long slog? Even killing Zelenskiy will not solve the problem.
Ukraine is not part of NATO so interventions cannot be made without being seen to be an invasion. However strengthening of the defences of Poland, Latvia, etc. is totally valid. Putin’s nuclear threat needs to be met with similar alertness from the west, but a steady hand.
Will Putin now go for a full scale onslaught with planes, missiles, and tanks? This will cause massive destruction and slaughter, probably mainly of civilians, and certainly on the Russian side – conscripts.
How many of the Russian donors to the Conservative Party are now giving similar or larger amounts to support Ukrainian Refugees and even the State of Ukraine? Presumably the Tories will be publicising the details?
Reports seem to show that there are supporters of Putin in Kyiv.
A humanitarian disaster – Kyiv is a city of 2.5 million (after refugees have left) where there will be starvation without aid.
If Putin follows past action will we see carpet bombing of residential areas as in Syria and Chechnya? How will the west react to slaughter on a huge scale in Ukraine. We ignore it in Yemen, Palestine, Syria, Libya, Iraq.
Interesting to see Turkey taking important action. With fuel shortages, does this create an opportunity for Iran? With oil prices going up will that help Venezuela (or has the USA got that country sussed)?
We need to be aware of the fluid nature of international relationships. And Trump might make a new bid for president despite evidence about just about anything. Are Americans really that stupid?