As an US/EU citizen, it was fascinating to see how both sides of my family reacted differently to the Russian military buildup. My European relatives thought more “rationally”—Putin couldn’t possibly invade as it is would be insane and not to his benefit. My American side thought more realistically—obviously Putin will invade, as he’s is a tyrant and wouldn’t assemble a big invasion force for nothing.
Putin was always cutthroat, and never shy to steal territory from neighboring countries using military force in the past.
But until February 24 Putin took only calculated risks (a “chess player” as people called him), with operations limited in scope, where the enemy was typically outgunned and outnumbered.
In Feb 24 Putin made a gross miscalculation, unparalleled to anything he has done to date.
A full scale invasion of Ukraine with MF tanks heading for Kiev (!!) was unlike any of Putin’s previous operations. It really was borderline insane.
Honestly if I could travel back in time to Feb 24 and you told me that Putin will launch an invasion today, I still don’t know if I could believe you.
The headline (not the article) makes you believe the EU shared one common view.
But I’m sure that e.g. Poland and Lithiania thought different about this than Portugal and Belgium.
“US warnings” ?! He means “Trump’s warnings”! Like…literally Trump was the one telling them that.
But then Trump is like “The one whose name shall not be spoken”, like fucking Voldemort or something, so yeah it makes sense.
Duh, of course not. As has been demonstrated, Russia’s attack was pure idiocy.
because europe’s leaders are naive and short sighted as always.
7 comments
Did not want to believe
As an US/EU citizen, it was fascinating to see how both sides of my family reacted differently to the Russian military buildup. My European relatives thought more “rationally”—Putin couldn’t possibly invade as it is would be insane and not to his benefit. My American side thought more realistically—obviously Putin will invade, as he’s is a tyrant and wouldn’t assemble a big invasion force for nothing.
Putin was always cutthroat, and never shy to steal territory from neighboring countries using military force in the past.
But until February 24 Putin took only calculated risks (a “chess player” as people called him), with operations limited in scope, where the enemy was typically outgunned and outnumbered.
In Feb 24 Putin made a gross miscalculation, unparalleled to anything he has done to date.
A full scale invasion of Ukraine with MF tanks heading for Kiev (!!) was unlike any of Putin’s previous operations. It really was borderline insane.
Honestly if I could travel back in time to Feb 24 and you told me that Putin will launch an invasion today, I still don’t know if I could believe you.
The headline (not the article) makes you believe the EU shared one common view.
But I’m sure that e.g. Poland and Lithiania thought different about this than Portugal and Belgium.
“US warnings” ?! He means “Trump’s warnings”! Like…literally Trump was the one telling them that.
But then Trump is like “The one whose name shall not be spoken”, like fucking Voldemort or something, so yeah it makes sense.
Duh, of course not. As has been demonstrated, Russia’s attack was pure idiocy.
because europe’s leaders are naive and short sighted as always.
next problem: china