It is the opinion of most patriotic voices in Russian alt-media (remember, hardcore Russian patriots are still not allowed on mainstream media in Russia) that while the special operation in Ukraine is all well and good, there is no good explanation for why Ukraine was lost in the first place. How could the Kremlin let a country split evenly between a pro-Russia and pro-West vote for multiple election cycles suddenly, almost overnight, be turned into a hostile, armed to the teeth Israel on the border of the greater Slavic world?
Sounds like Russia suffers from a similar problem to the West - a sclerotic and corrupt political gerontocracy that is simply incapable of adapting to the world as it is, and is completely lacking in any sort of unifying vision. The main difference is that the heads of state in the West are without exception unimpressive nonentities installed by that managerial gerontocracy, whereas in Russia somehow they ended up with Putin, who really does have vision and competence. Without Putin Russia would be in the same place as the West. But even as it is, Putin has to rule with the government he has, which is packed with time-servers, idiots, and corrupt old men.
Back in the day the west feted Putin almost as much as it has Zelensky, and I think Putin has always wanted to face West. I also think he believes in international law and diplomacy. Hopeless romantic. I can’t explain why his administration didn’t act using the resources it could apply in Ukraine long ago. Maybe oligarchs retained more power than is let on, or maybe leaving Ukraine’s corpse for them to pick at was part of the deal?
I was surprised too. Mostly because he’s a dangerously cautious man. Paralyzed by analysis and positioning. And even now, he talks about how “Ukrainians will decide their future”. Yes, that they’re not attacking you supply lines and resisting at all in the liberated areas seems like a decision. It even seems like the kremlin is ramping down referendums on independence or joining Russia. That’s just stupid. Though I do get that Putin’s playing to the new, multipolar world as “not the US.”
A formal declaration of war + policy of "unconditional surrender" worked well enough for Stalin against Germany. Does Putin have the cojones to follow suit?
Sounds like Russia suffers from a similar problem to the West - a sclerotic and corrupt political gerontocracy that is simply incapable of adapting to the world as it is, and is completely lacking in any sort of unifying vision. The main difference is that the heads of state in the West are without exception unimpressive nonentities installed by that managerial gerontocracy, whereas in Russia somehow they ended up with Putin, who really does have vision and competence. Without Putin Russia would be in the same place as the West. But even as it is, Putin has to rule with the government he has, which is packed with time-servers, idiots, and corrupt old men.
Back in the day the west feted Putin almost as much as it has Zelensky, and I think Putin has always wanted to face West. I also think he believes in international law and diplomacy. Hopeless romantic. I can’t explain why his administration didn’t act using the resources it could apply in Ukraine long ago. Maybe oligarchs retained more power than is let on, or maybe leaving Ukraine’s corpse for them to pick at was part of the deal?
I was surprised too. Mostly because he’s a dangerously cautious man. Paralyzed by analysis and positioning. And even now, he talks about how “Ukrainians will decide their future”. Yes, that they’re not attacking you supply lines and resisting at all in the liberated areas seems like a decision. It even seems like the kremlin is ramping down referendums on independence or joining Russia. That’s just stupid. Though I do get that Putin’s playing to the new, multipolar world as “not the US.”
A formal declaration of war + policy of "unconditional surrender" worked well enough for Stalin against Germany. Does Putin have the cojones to follow suit?