Goodbye Ukraine

The Russians continue making progress one village at a time all along the contact line in the Donbass, while strengthening their position in the Kharkov region. Wack a mole, military style.

In Russia there is much discussion as to what to do about Kharkov. s

But —since the region east of the Dnieper is historically Russian and Russian-speaking, the people there will almost surely want to join the Russian Federation as have other oblasts to the south. The same will apply to Odessa.

These regions could be expensive for Russia in the short term – but immensely profitable in the long term—whatever the cost of rebuilding.

But the only way to resolve the issue is through referenda – allowing the inhabitants of these regions to make their own decisions.

It's called "democracy"-- a word often used in the collective West for a kind of subtle totalitarian system where elites listen to the people and ignore what they say, like noisy children. The public should be seen, not heard.

How long will it take to end this conflict?

Right now, Western Ukraine is losing about 30,000 men a month. Even with forced mobilization, these losses are unsustainable.

At this point, Russian military losses are about 5 to 10% of this. And their military is growing with 30,000 volunteers a month— will get a full year of training, unlike Ukrainian draftees who are lucky to get three weeks.

The Russians are taking their time. At some point, by the end of the year at least the Ukrainian military will collapse—completely—and with it the Ukrainian government.

Again there is much debate in Russia about how to handle this.

Once again the most reasonable solution would be to ask the people themselves—once the existing regime has been purged.

The Russians will have to establish order and the rule of law and local democracy Only then can the offer the people of Ukrainian oblasts referenda.

The choices will be simple.

A. Join the Russian Federation.

B. Become a "union state" like Belarus--autonomous but companionate.

C. Becoming an independent but neutral, democratic, demilitarized and the denazified republic.

A obviously offers a lot of financial and economic benefits. B. slightly less C. less than A . or B.

If you want your life back -- A is the best choice.

Europe is collapsing fast as is the unipolar world-- there is neither help nor hope there. Russia saved itself by looking East. The Ukraine must do the same.

Special Article

Thanks to those who bought us more coffees. I have added you to the mailing list. This special report (Part One) tentatively entitled, “The Second Coming” should be mailed Thursday. Part Two (also long) will go out next week. I will keep on adding people to the mailing list as the coffees come in this week and next

Young Ichi with Uncle Kuma (2011). Buy us a coffee by clicking here or on the photo.