Buckle up, America! Biden says Russian invasion of Ukraine can begin during Olympics

[SugarDaddy1]

The U.S. issued a stark new warning Friday that a Russian invasion of Ukraine could begin during the Olympics.

"We can't pinpoint the day, at this point, and we can't pinpoint the hour, but what we can say is that there is a credible prospect that a Russian military action would take place even before the end of the Olympics," U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters at the White House. The Winter Olympics, which are ongoing in Beijing, are scheduled to end on Feb. 20.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking in Melbourne, Australia, earlier Friday, shared the same message: "As we said before, we're in a window when an invasion could begin at any time. To be clear, that includes during the Olympics."

But he said the situation had grown so dire that Americans in Ukraine should leave "immediately" -- or at least "in the next 24 to 48 hours."

Source

 

[ll74]

Last I checked, Putin isn't part of the administration

 

[YDB95]

Anyone with any sense would already have left, of course.

 

[LupusDei]

Multiple countries are pulling their people out now.

Russian foreign affairs minister Lavrov says it's a propaganda campaign.

Ukrainian president urges to keep calm while Kyiv authorities review evacuation plans and say bomb shelters will be open.

For humor, let's assume Lavrov is right and the near whole world has engaged in a play to discredit Russians who intend no harm, just some excercises... Wouldn't that actually be a huge accomplishment of U.S. diplomacy to pull campaign of this scale?

 

[icanhelp1]

Multiple countries are pulling their people out now.

Russian foreign affairs minister Lavrov says it's a propaganda campaign.

Ukrainian president urges to keep calm while Kyiv authorities review evacuation plans and say bomb shelters will be open.

For humor, let's assume Lavrov is right and the near whole world has engaged in a play to discredit Russians who intend no harm, just some excercises... Wouldn't that actually be a huge accomplishment of U.S. diplomacy to pull campaign of this scale?

Still curious if invading the Ukraine would be as beneficial as people think. This has the possibility of a complete collapse of the Russian government. World opinion, oil,
world banking and body bags ty the truck load, and for what gain?

NATO's never been a threat to Russia. I believe the Russian people believe that too.

 

[LupusDei]

Still curious if invading the Ukraine would be as beneficial as people think. This has the possibility of a complete collapse of the Russian government. World opinion, oil,
world banking and body bags ty the truck load, and for what gain?

Exactly. It makes no fucking sense, unless... it makes perfect sense for irrational factors that wholesale ignore economic factors or anyone's opinion. Those demands it must be done. For national soul, pride of the ancestors, prestige and glory. But if they really are that crazy for real and go through with it, it will be a catastrophe for everyone.

Russian leadership appears to have believed their own propaganda they can take Ukraine "in two hours without a shot" and be welcomed as liberators while they are walking in real hostile defenders of motherland who already know what war is.

So, actually I wouldn't be too much surprised if, after the heavy losses of few first days, fresh conscript Russian units will surrender en masse upon crossing the border. But that's a bit wishful thinking too, sure.

NATO's never been a threat to Russia. I believe the Russian people believe that too.

Unfortunately, they mostly do see NATO as threat, for no good reason, but the domestic propaganda had been very effective.

 

[Rightguide]

Let them invade and take the consequences. I don't think Ukraine will ever be a willing part of Russia. If the Russians invade, nothing good will come of it for Russia or Putin. His casualties will be enormous, his material losses will be heavy and in the end, all he will have purchased is a violent insurgency that will bleed him into the future. The Ukrainians should demonstrate their disdain for Putin and the Russians by dropping the Kerch Strait Bridge and ending Russia's direct road and rail connection to Crimea.

 

[pecksniff]

Unfortunately, they mostly do see NATO as threat, for no good reason, but the domestic propaganda had been very effective.

Russia could join NATO. With just a bit of human-rights improvement, Russia could even join the EU. Become a definitely European country once and for all, not something other and eastern and "Slavophile."

 

[ll74]

Russia could join NATO. With just a bit of human-rights improvement, Russia could even join the EU. Become a definitely European country once and for all, not something other and eastern and "Slavophile."

Neither aligns with their interests.

 

[Rightguide]

Russia could join NATO. With just a bit of human-rights improvement, Russia could even join the EU. Become a definitely European country once and for all, not something other and eastern and "Slavophile."

Nato was formed to oppose Russia. A reformed and civilized Russia would negate the need for Nato.

 

[ll74]

Nato's purpose is defense if it's member countries and their interests, in which stability is one.

Russia is out to destabilize the world markets so Putin can ride horses shirtless while oppressing and killing his opposition and people.

 

[LupusDei]

Russia could join NATO. With just a bit of human-rights improvement, Russia could even join the EU. Become a definitely European country once and for all, not something other and eastern and "Slavophile."

Yeah, in some alternative universe it had happened, sure. And that's very probably a much brighter world in many ways. But the Russia that could, didn't made it to the twenty first century unfortunately, at least yet. But it would take well over twenty years a minimum from now, even if there some mass poisoning incident in Kremlin this weekend or something.

 

[Chernosoth]

The Ukraine has nothing worth invasion. It's a distraction from domestic fuckups. Escalation would cut off Europe's fuel supply. Winter escalation starts with ending NATO and can get much worse.

 

[BabyBoomer50s]

Timing and specific action of Putin’s next move is uncertain. Not much the US can or should do at this stage other than signaling severe financial repercussions and imploring NATO (especially Germany) to wake up.

 

[Chernosoth]

severe financial repercussions

Russia can sell more fuel to Asian nations, which they are starting to do anyway.

 

[pecksniff]

Yeah, in some alternative universe it had happened, sure. And that's very probably a much brighter world in many ways.

An AH in which Napoleon conquered Russia is probably a brighter world.

 

[KeithD]

There isn't a single statement in the OP's post that isn't true. Why did the OP bother to post this thread?

80 percent of the Russian forces--all aspects of it--needed for a full-scale invasion are now poised on Ukraine's border with two countries. They probably need less than they have there to reach and take Kiev within two days. If they are going to use heavy equipment, they need to do so by late March, when the thaw in the region starts.

So, as far as capability, there isn't a single statement in what the OP posted that isn't correct.

 

[AlterErgo]

Situation is so dire


Biden went on vaction

 

[JohnnySavage]

Blinkey was in Melborne?

That's about as far as you can get from Ukraine and still be on the planet. I guess he sent some other peoples kids to the region and called it a day.