Russia - Ukraine “peace negotiations” | Trump turns on Zelensky (again)

[pspsps]

Saw an odd report that Ukraine has directed its troops not to engage with the Russians. That its better to let them advance and therefore the drones can take care of them. Thus preserving Ukrainians.

Which got me to thinking. A few months ago, I was critical of Ukraine for not striking Russian railroads more then they have. The railroads are low hanging fruit and pretty easy to strike And some folks have wondered why Ukraine is content to allow the Kerch Bridge to stand even thou its pretty obvious that Ukraine could take it out anytime they want. Both the bridge and the railroads bring Russians to the front line.

The only thing that explains it is that Ukraine is more then happy for Russia to be feeding the meat grinder front line.

Which brings up the next question: why does Russia keep feeding the meat grinder? Is it stupidity? Could be, but halting the meat grinder would give Ukraine a break and Putin may think Ukraine would gain more then Russia would from a break.

I think Russian feeds the meat grinder because Putin and the historical leaders of Russia have never had much respect for human life. Pausing or not advancing looks like defeat to Putin. At least I suspect as much. In Putin’s mind this war was over and done in a month or two. He would be exalted as a hero and the world would slowly accept Ukraine as a vassal state. We are now four years on and the Ukrainians have proved their mettle. Given Putin’s overwhelming personnel advantages that has to be embarrassing. Pausing the war might make Putin more vulnerable domestically as a tacit admission of failure and suddenly their fake economy comes screeching to a halt.

 

[BlueSmoke]

I think Russian feeds the meat grinder because Putin and the historical leaders of Russia have never had much respect for human life. Pausing or not advancing looks like defeat to Putin. At least I suspect as much. In Putin’s mind this war was over and done in a month or two. He would be exalted as a hero and the world would slowly accept Ukraine as a vassal state. We are now four years on and the Ukrainians have proved their mettle. Given Putin’s overwhelming personnel advantages that has to be embarrassing. Pausing the war might make Putin more vulnerable domestically as a tacit admission of failure and suddenly their fake economy comes screeching to a halt.

True, not respecting human life is one aspect for sure. Perhaps getting rid of those folks he'd rather not have that makes up his army is another one.

I suspect by now, that Putin knows Trump can't deliver Ukraine to him. So he has two choices: keep putting off the day of reckoning or cut the war short and maybe manage the consequences.

 

[altmin]

Perhaps getting rid of those folks he'd rather not have that makes up his army is another one.

I feel like he got rid of all he could. They wouldn't be contracting North Koreans, swindling Indian job seekers, and kidnapping Africans to fight if he had more in that pool.

 

[nycfan]