Standing up to Russia....& protecting Western Democracy. Their efforts will be recognized by future historians as one of the greatest feats in European history. Our crooked/compromised media doesn't show what Ukraine has done because D EVERY DAY is performing nonsense & he sucks up all the oxygen (this helps Putin too..Many don't realize Uk is kicking Putins ass). Not only does Ukraine have the best military apparatus in the world but is THE world's defender of Democracy. Maybe it's Ukraine that should have a 200 ft. tall Arch de Trieiumphe.
Anyone following the Russian media sees a definite change in tone when the subject of the war against Ukraine comes up. The talking heads clearly understand that victory is no longer possible and have no viable answer to the question, "What next?" Meanwhile, the "golden youth" of Moscow and St. Petersburg are finally waking up to the fact that a war's on and that they might suffer because of it. Their wide-eyed "why me?" mystification is both amusing and maddening.
Trump's growing irrelevance to the conflict is also turning into a plus for Ukraine. Firepoint is developing cheap alternatives to the Patriot, and now that the U.S. can no longer say "no", new strategies are being developed to make life hell for the Russians in southern Ukraine and in the deep and previously untouchable areas of European Russia. Moreover, Ukraine's bag of strategic tricks is far from exhausted. Lots of surprises await.
That's the good news. The bad news is that while the military situation is improving, Kyiv still has severe manpower and resource issues. With the U.S. out of the picture, Ukraine must depend on its European friends, and some are more willing to help than others. Ukraine will continue to need a lot of help to stay in the war -- and prevail.
One wonders what will happen when Trump is finally retired to Mar-a-Lago and is replaced by a leader who can actually locate Ukraine on a map. Hope springs eternal.
Once Uk joins the EU....then you'll have German, Norwegian, British, French & Polish troops facing Ru's disheartened military. Putin has doubled down on a Hitlerian mistake.
I love this analysis, finally, a little hope. I have always believed Ukraine could defeat Russia, but I admit I was afraid that Trump would bully them into a “peace deal” that was a dressed up surrender. That they have been able to hold on throughout the last 18 months simply speaks to the remarkable people they are. Slava Ukraine!!
One area missing in this analysis of why time is not on russia's side is that of economic decline amongst the aggressor.
Russia is spending vastly more on it's military than it can afford and has only managed because it's burning up it's Sovereign Wealth Fund that will soon be dry. Its civilian economy is full of shrinking companies and its banks are staggering under non=performing loans and worthless government bonds they've been forced to buy. The reserves will run dry and Ukraine is continuing it's ongoing crippling of russia's major export earner of oil and gas.
It's only a matter of time before the government is forced to print money like crazy and massive inflation (already pretty bad) takes hold.
While I agree, I have to note (with a LOT of outrage) that Trump hasn’t missed a trick - he has parlayed his war in Iran into a mechanism to allow Russia to sell vastly more oil, and at a much higher price, than would otherwise have been the case. The man is clearly besotted
This is news that is not in the ever poorer formal press. People in the US still care but are distracted by the orange man and his destruction of so many institutions. Thank you.
"Putin should declare a cease fire... " But he will use it to regroup, rearm, enlist more soldiers etc.
Ukraine should press their advantage while they have it. The violence and turbulence of war needs to be brought home to the Russian populace. A few RO churches and ballet venues in Moscow need to see smoke. Ukraine should not agree to a cease fire until the Russians experience the war up close and demand the removal of Putin.
NATO would be idiots to not give Ukraine membership. After all,they have done something none of them have done- Stand up to Russia!!
Agree
Standing up to Russia....& protecting Western Democracy. Their efforts will be recognized by future historians as one of the greatest feats in European history. Our crooked/compromised media doesn't show what Ukraine has done because D EVERY DAY is performing nonsense & he sucks up all the oxygen (this helps Putin too..Many don't realize Uk is kicking Putins ass). Not only does Ukraine have the best military apparatus in the world but is THE world's defender of Democracy. Maybe it's Ukraine that should have a 200 ft. tall Arch de Trieiumphe.
VICTORY FOR UKRAINE 🇺🇦
Anyone following the Russian media sees a definite change in tone when the subject of the war against Ukraine comes up. The talking heads clearly understand that victory is no longer possible and have no viable answer to the question, "What next?" Meanwhile, the "golden youth" of Moscow and St. Petersburg are finally waking up to the fact that a war's on and that they might suffer because of it. Their wide-eyed "why me?" mystification is both amusing and maddening.
Trump's growing irrelevance to the conflict is also turning into a plus for Ukraine. Firepoint is developing cheap alternatives to the Patriot, and now that the U.S. can no longer say "no", new strategies are being developed to make life hell for the Russians in southern Ukraine and in the deep and previously untouchable areas of European Russia. Moreover, Ukraine's bag of strategic tricks is far from exhausted. Lots of surprises await.
That's the good news. The bad news is that while the military situation is improving, Kyiv still has severe manpower and resource issues. With the U.S. out of the picture, Ukraine must depend on its European friends, and some are more willing to help than others. Ukraine will continue to need a lot of help to stay in the war -- and prevail.
One wonders what will happen when Trump is finally retired to Mar-a-Lago and is replaced by a leader who can actually locate Ukraine on a map. Hope springs eternal.
Once Uk joins the EU....then you'll have German, Norwegian, British, French & Polish troops facing Ru's disheartened military. Putin has doubled down on a Hitlerian mistake.
Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦✊🔥
I love this analysis, finally, a little hope. I have always believed Ukraine could defeat Russia, but I admit I was afraid that Trump would bully them into a “peace deal” that was a dressed up surrender. That they have been able to hold on throughout the last 18 months simply speaks to the remarkable people they are. Slava Ukraine!!
One area missing in this analysis of why time is not on russia's side is that of economic decline amongst the aggressor.
Russia is spending vastly more on it's military than it can afford and has only managed because it's burning up it's Sovereign Wealth Fund that will soon be dry. Its civilian economy is full of shrinking companies and its banks are staggering under non=performing loans and worthless government bonds they've been forced to buy. The reserves will run dry and Ukraine is continuing it's ongoing crippling of russia's major export earner of oil and gas.
It's only a matter of time before the government is forced to print money like crazy and massive inflation (already pretty bad) takes hold.
While I agree, I have to note (with a LOT of outrage) that Trump hasn’t missed a trick - he has parlayed his war in Iran into a mechanism to allow Russia to sell vastly more oil, and at a much higher price, than would otherwise have been the case. The man is clearly besotted
This is news that is not in the ever poorer formal press. People in the US still care but are distracted by the orange man and his destruction of so many institutions. Thank you.
"Putin should declare a cease fire... " But he will use it to regroup, rearm, enlist more soldiers etc.
Ukraine should press their advantage while they have it. The violence and turbulence of war needs to be brought home to the Russian populace. A few RO churches and ballet venues in Moscow need to see smoke. Ukraine should not agree to a cease fire until the Russians experience the war up close and demand the removal of Putin.
Thank you Prof for your two part report and discussion of the war in Ukraine/ Russia. I am hopeful for Ukraine and their future in EU and NATO.
We are living in strange times
🖕 those. j.ewwws and iz.rael