"But they don’t want a major conventional war requiring full Russian mobilization. Rather, they want Putin to use super- weapons like Oreshnik and pulverize resistance in Western Ukraine, shock and awe style".
Quite right too. "Never give a Nazi an even break". If they don't surrender, kill them.
Thank You for this very, very clear analysis of the current situation and the current open variations for the coming months.
I enjoyed reading and recognising it.
Cassandra
PS. I still believe Odessa will NOT been conquered. It will be besieged, cut off from the South (almost complete) and cut off from the North. Reason: prevent destruction of the beautiful city. French and British troops included.
It doesn't matter what administration is in power in the US. The US deep state has nearly as an extreme hatred of all things Russia. As the British deep state. Both deep states are either totally controlled or in complete lock step. With the World's most evil racist extremist psychopaths. Who always play the victims. Epstein told the World the family he worked for & represented. The family that has more wealth than the next 50 most wealthy people in the planet put together. The family that created Israel & every outfit inside of Israel. The family that owns the Square Mile or British enclave inside Britain's capital City. Known as the "City of London". It's why Epstein had all of the connections. Why he was as involved with every mover & shaker in the Davos gang. The Globalist elite who have placed every Western ruler into their positions of power. Despite the obvious lack of talent. President Putin knows exactly who the head of the Snake is. He knows exactly who is behind all of the historical & current attacks upon Russia. He knows who controls the Western banking system that has the World on its knees. With their IMF & World Bank BS. This is why there is a BRICS today. They Know Putin is the man who threatens their many centuries of control. Financing both sides in every War & all of their demonic rituals. He's the 1st one to have the courage & will to take them on. This is why he's been demonised 24/7 since he came to power. This is why he's the most hated ruler by the Western bankers bitches in power. The Rothchild's are behind everything. They control Israel, Britain & America. The rest are also controlled by them. Carney in Canada =ex banker, Mertz in Germany = ex banker, Macron in France = ex Banker. The Rothchild's originated in Germany centuries ago. The EU hitlers fantasy is controlled by an unelected German & the Nazi sympathisers. When you realise who & what is controlling these people. You soon realise why they're constantly making these ridiculous decisions. Putin knows exactly what he's doin & exactly who he's dealing with.
First, I want to make it clear that I do not know what is truly happening behind the scenes or what is specifically being planned. However, I simply assume logically that the U.S. plutocracy will never stop trying to eliminate Russia and China as the most powerful competitors and reverse the development toward a multipolar world. If this were not the case, it would mean that they would have to abandon the possibility of their worldwide exploitation of resources to satisfy their insatiable greed and transition to peaceful competition in the real economy. I leave it to each reader to judge how likely one or the other of these scenarios is.
As for what I believe is happening behind all the public noise and theater, I have described this in L. Johnson’s blog.
"Steve, do not be deceived. Calm does not mean that nothing is happening. I know that even critical and curious people consider the worst madness impossible. Anyone who still thinks that after “Auschwitz,” “Hiroshima/Nagasaki,” and “Gaza” is mistaken. The United States, its plutocrats, will never cease trying to destroy Russia and China and prevent a multipolar world order.
Given the impending economic and fiscal disaster for the U.S. and the West (including Japan and South Korea), and due to their diminishing military power, I believe it is highly likely that these circles will go all-in—and that means a comprehensive, open war against Russia, China, and Iran. And because they must be aware of their own inferiority, I am furthermore convinced that the U.S. is feverishly working on the possibility of a nuclear first strike against Russia while simultaneously preventing a Russian second strike against the United States."
......
"Nevertheless, I am convinced that in the USA and elsewhere, people are feverishly contemplating how to defeat Russia with a first strike without becoming victims of a nuclear counterstrike themselves.
I am alarmed that the possession of missiles with nuclear warheads is now being demanded in several European countries (US colonies). Regarding Germany, Russia clearly referenced the 2+4 Treaty and the Enemy States Clause in response. Germany could produce nuclear weapons at any time. Technologically, that's not a problem. But what kind of missiles are we talking about? And under normal circumstances, would the US allow several of its colonies to become nuclear weapons states? Perhaps like North Korea? Of course not. These would be nuclear missiles under US control. The same applies to Japan. One should never underestimate the madness of psychopaths.
This is nothing new: "These are Polish, Romanian, Swedish, and German nuclear missiles. We, the USA, have nothing to do with them." This pattern from Ukraine should seem familiar to us. The USA is still waging war against Russia there."
This all sounds very dramatic. But I can assure you that I wrote down these thoughts calmly and not in a state of hysterics.
I would be very interested to hear your opinion on this.
Thank you for this well-thought out comment. International law is out. Treaties are not respected. Military force replaces dialog. Nuclear weapons are a guarantee of survival as we saw with North Korea, which survived while (say) Iraq did not. The US is pushing its European vassals to assume its role in the neverending war against Russia and China, both of which have nuclear weapons. If Germany wants war with Russia it must keep it non-nuclear, which means having its own nukes Of course, this reasoning is...unreasonable--why war with Russia, which doesn't care about Germany other than selling it gas?. Boys with toys? Here in Japan, the LDP has won a sweeping victory and want to rewrite the constitution legalizing its military. The LDP' s rightwing always wanted nukes, which they saw as guaranteeing a) Japanese autonomy and more leverage with the US b.) a way to threaten Russia and China . The notions are absurd. However, Japan could create a nuclear weapon in less than 3 months, if they didn't care about getting cut off from China, their #1 trading partner. I think that the Chinese might respond to such revisioning by occupying the Senkakus and destroying Japanese military bases on nearby Islands. The Russians would set up missile batteries in the Kuriles. Nukes are a can of worms. Suicide weapons.
I completely agree with you. Nuclear weapons are suicide weapons. Potentially biological weapons as well. Nevertheless, I am concerned, due to psychological factors, that rationality might give way to error.
When I mention the psychological aspect, I don't necessarily mean that one is dealing with psychopaths. Although in specific cases, the line from the norm to the psychopathic can disappear. And what even constitutes the norm? But here, I don't want to continue with this observation and would much rather give an example.
In my youth, I read the book by Robert Merle: "Death is My Profession" (Original title: La mort est mon métier). I believe it was the commandant of Auschwitz concentration camp, Rudolf Höss, who was later captured and executed by the Poles. A Polish collaborator with the Germans shared his cell, and Höss told him his story and thoughts during his imprisonment. Perhaps the cell was also bugged, and stenographers made a transcript of what was said. Allegedly, this was the basis for this novel by Merle.
Two things regarding the former commandant, or in the novel, were particularly horrifying. The novel was written in the first-person. The reader automatically had the effect of being inside the mind of this mass murderer. Furthermore, the reader learns that the commandant was not a raving, psychopathic person, but rather a bookkeeper, a company director, a business administrator. Solely on this basis and the will of absolute duty fulfillment towards his fatherland and to the "Führer" Hitler and his SS superior Heinrich Himmler, he was always striving to meet the "target figures" presented to him as "cost-effectively" and "efficiently" as possible. To kill as many people as possible, in as short a time as possible, as cost-effectively as possible, and to dispose of their corpses and remains. He was not a sadistic, psychopathic monster, but an economist. Of course, he was a psychopath. But he did not see himself as such, and that was not his motivation either; for example, to satisfy a sadism. For him, the forefront was not the human being he had the order to kill, but simply to meet target figures as cost-efficiently as possible. For example, disposing of so many corpses presented a problem. So he came up with the idea of constructing pits for burning in such a way that prisoners, during the burning, skimmed off the human fat through special drainage channels and poured it over the corpses to make the burning proceed more efficiently. I would like to add that Commandant Höss was a devoted and loving husband and father.
Now let's jump to the politicians, analysts, scientists, technicians, and military personnel responsible for nuclear weapons. Many motivations and personality traits that applied to the commandant of Auschwitz we will certainly also find in the aforementioned persons. The terrible consequences of nuclear weapons on millions and even billions of people must be known to these people. And yet THEY FULFILL THEIR DUTY. The comparison to the monstrosity of Auschwitz seems inappropriate. But is it really only seemingly so?
To conclude my thoughts: When weapon systems exist, planning and exercises also take place, and the readiness to use these weapons immediately when the order comes. And that will be a primarily political decision, made by people in expensive tailored suits. And these are the most dangerous people on the planet.
I hope I haven't strained your patience too much with this long comment. If so, then I apologize.
This story was told in the Jonathan Glazer film of the Amis Jr novel The Zone Of Interest. I endured both of them; the film was acclaimed but seemed patronising to me. Amis was a shill for Zionism.
Michael Haneke's The White Ribbon shows how demonizing ones enemies, and anyone will do, can easily become the currency in a time of social upheaval and anomie.
I do not think Russia can allow either Kiev or Odessa in western hands. Nothing but trouble in the future.
I think Russia will take both- essentially taking all oblasts on the west bank of the Dneiper, all the way from Belarus to the Black Sea/ Moldovan border.
I think western "experts" over estimate the burden this will be for Russia.
The "west" wants as much of Ukraine as possible because it has so much in the way of resources and monetization options.
Of course, a rump state could use Odessa's ports, which would be Russian ports, however. Trade is helpful in maintaining peace. Cancelling Ukraine's debts and getting rid of companies like Blackrock will mean that the Ukrainian economy can restore itself over time and it needs to export by sea.
I did read Mr Johnson's post on the guy from Alaska. What a strange tale. Sounds similar to the way the Canadian government treated the British Columbia Ostrich farm. I really don't know what's wrong with some local government officials....
I think you're right - Russia should proceed slowly and cautiously and always re-assess it's options. I also see the possibility of an uprising against the Zelensky government if things continue to get worse. Which is probably the last thing Ukraine needs; unless it ends the war sooner. Of course without creating a worse disaster.
"Charging documents detail a pattern of neglect dating back more than a decade, citing repeated violations identified by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the US Department of Agriculture and veterinarians.
Fish and Game reached out to Alaska State Troopers in 2024 over concerns regarding 29 animal deaths over the previous five years. Inspectors documented animals suffering from starvation, untreated illnesses, unsanitary conditions and inadequate diets, according to charging docs.
The charging documents cite multiple other incidents, including the 2023 death of a moose and a lynx that necropsies linked to improper feeding and untreated chronic illness.
Inspectors also documented filthy enclosures, dirty water sources lined with algae, spoiled food left exposed on the ground, and inadequate veterinary care. In one instance, a fox was found locked in a kennel inside a sealed bus without access to food or water."
Thank you very much for this particular post. I always find it frustrating the that the blogosphere never talks about what the end game of this war could look like.
Personally, I can't imagine an end to the war that includes a surviving independent Ukrainian state. As you point out, none ever really existed, and anything surviving today will always be a an open sore weapon the 'west" will always use against Russia.
What I don't understand fully is how Russia tolerates these murderous, savage terrorist attacks the Ukro-Nazis inflict on Russia. A terrorist state simply can't be allowed to exist.
But that said, I strongly believe that there can not be any genuine, lasting peace in the world as long as Israel exists, and as long as the US exists in its current incarnation. And I say this as an American, living in America. I believe the world, if it survives, will look very different by 2030 or 2035. I believe the US will break up, and Israel will no longer exist.
I think the US will degenerate into a Yugoslavia on steroids combined with a kind of Road Warrior landscape. God knows what will happen to all the nuclear weapons during that...
Either that, or all the billionaire oligarchs will have their will and create a nightmare dystopia - a Matrix like prison planet ruled by a Satanic AI.
I'm glad I'm 78, but despair for my young adult children... and all young people today. The continued existence of an Orthodox Christian Russia is, I believe, humanity's only hope
I think Russia tolerates the terrorist attacks because they have "been there" before -- back in the days when the CIA was using the Chechens and others to carry out attacks which were as bad or worse. It took a lonnnnnnnnnnng time to solve that problem and now the Chechens are reliable allies! The bad guys are all in some other place blowing people up. That's really the solution they want. What remains of Ukraine will be reliable allies. The bad guys will have fled West to blow people up. In wars, people die. The attacks on Russia are terrible -- but that is the price. And each attack hardens Russian resolve. Putin is historically focused. But history in his view is not just an understanding of events but an understanding of patterns that persist from past to present to future . There will be little left of "Ukraine" in a few years. As for the US -- the federalism that has dominated since the Civil War--will be replaced by something else. Some states do not need the "Union" at all. The same applies in Canada. I agree with you about the need for a spiritual sensibility. Without it, we are lost.
That's so gracious of you to respond. I hate to presume on your time. But since you do read these. I want you to know how much I (and I assume thousands of others) appreciate your thoughtful, intelligent work. You are one of the very few sources I implicitly trust. I'm sorry I only occasionally buy you coffees. I wish it was more. Alas, retirement in a grinding inflation!
I certainly agree with you that Putin is one of the greatest statesmen in history. Certainly one of the greatest in Russian history. Indeed, the only person in this century to whom the word "statesman" can actually be applied.
I meant to add in my first comment that it is inevitable that the Ukraine war will ultimately be subsumed into a wider war with the "West". I believe that is another reason for Putin's seemingly gradualist approach to the war. He knows a far wider conflict is inevitable and is husbanding his nation's resources.
Again, all the best to you and your cats and thank you four your work.
"It is clear from his interviews and speeches that he doesn’t trust American promises. On the other hand, he doesn’t know about future administrations..."
I think that is one of the main reasons why some people distrust Mr Putin. They fear that he is a sucker, deep down.
I recently read a story about one of the Bronte sisters who, seeing a rabid dog, attempted to give it water. Of course, it bit her. So she ran into the kitchen, grabbed a red-hot iron, and pressed it against the wound, cauterising it. She lived.
It is really up to the Ukrainian at the frontline to refuse to follow orders and surrender. Then to go to Kiev and beat the hell out of this fascist regime. EU and NATO can not openly support the begging NAZIs.
'American promises cannot be believed or kept because there is NO AMERICA - DaUS does not exist - it is a fully managed captive vassal of Israel (DaSynagogue of Satan).
Paul Craig Robert's explains it pretty well:
"Fighting wars for Israel has been US policy for the entirety of the 21st century. American parents, brothers, sisters, daughters, sons, uncles, cousins, and friends have been fighting and dying for Israel and paying for their own deaths by financing the war with their own pocket books for three presidencies during which Washington has sacrificed Americans for Israel.
All of this has to be kept hidden from Americans and is by lies, censorship, charges of anti-semitism, and criminalization of criticism of Israel. If truth be known, Israel rules the West. There are only two members in the US house of Representatives with the courage to stand up to Israel. In the US Senate I think there is only one. The bully Trump is afraid of the Israel Lobby and illegally bombed Iran–an act of war–on orders from Netanyahu. Trump is building Greater Israel, not America. When MAGA-Americans elected Trump, they elected Netanyahu......" - https://crushlimbraw.blogspot.com/2025/08/reality-rules-whether-or-not-it-is.html?m=0 - and the same is true for all of what was Western Civilization. Only Russia remains as the last outpost of what was and - by the will of God - will prevail after Western Civ collapses from its subservience to DSOS.
I think to equate Istanbul 1 with the Minsk agreements is an oversimplification. Minsk was basically intended to grant Donetsk and Lughansk some degree of autonomy within Ukraine plus official recognition of the Russian language, etc. Istanbul was far more demanding. Russia had already recognised the two Donbass oblasts as independent sovereign states so they were not going back, plus no NATO, no foreign troops, limited armed forces, de-nazification, recognition of ethnic minority rights and language, and so on. In fact a quite extensive list of demands that Ukraine would have found difficult but did actually agree to in principle.
Yes, you're right. Minsk and Istanbul 1 were NOT the same. Especially with regard to the independence of Donetsk and Lugansk, which remained unresolved issues and were not covered by security guarantees . Minsks emphasized devolution and ethnic rights but envisioned the two republics as returning to Ukraine with a special status.
"But they don’t want a major conventional war requiring full Russian mobilization. Rather, they want Putin to use super- weapons like Oreshnik and pulverize resistance in Western Ukraine, shock and awe style".
Quite right too. "Never give a Nazi an even break". If they don't surrender, kill them.
Thank You for this very, very clear analysis of the current situation and the current open variations for the coming months.
I enjoyed reading and recognising it.
Cassandra
PS. I still believe Odessa will NOT been conquered. It will be besieged, cut off from the South (almost complete) and cut off from the North. Reason: prevent destruction of the beautiful city. French and British troops included.
It doesn't matter what administration is in power in the US. The US deep state has nearly as an extreme hatred of all things Russia. As the British deep state. Both deep states are either totally controlled or in complete lock step. With the World's most evil racist extremist psychopaths. Who always play the victims. Epstein told the World the family he worked for & represented. The family that has more wealth than the next 50 most wealthy people in the planet put together. The family that created Israel & every outfit inside of Israel. The family that owns the Square Mile or British enclave inside Britain's capital City. Known as the "City of London". It's why Epstein had all of the connections. Why he was as involved with every mover & shaker in the Davos gang. The Globalist elite who have placed every Western ruler into their positions of power. Despite the obvious lack of talent. President Putin knows exactly who the head of the Snake is. He knows exactly who is behind all of the historical & current attacks upon Russia. He knows who controls the Western banking system that has the World on its knees. With their IMF & World Bank BS. This is why there is a BRICS today. They Know Putin is the man who threatens their many centuries of control. Financing both sides in every War & all of their demonic rituals. He's the 1st one to have the courage & will to take them on. This is why he's been demonised 24/7 since he came to power. This is why he's the most hated ruler by the Western bankers bitches in power. The Rothchild's are behind everything. They control Israel, Britain & America. The rest are also controlled by them. Carney in Canada =ex banker, Mertz in Germany = ex banker, Macron in France = ex Banker. The Rothchild's originated in Germany centuries ago. The EU hitlers fantasy is controlled by an unelected German & the Nazi sympathisers. When you realise who & what is controlling these people. You soon realise why they're constantly making these ridiculous decisions. Putin knows exactly what he's doin & exactly who he's dealing with.
Wow... This analysis and 'hidden Truths' seem to match with about >80% of my Sensings.
My thanks for this splendid piece of text.
Cassandra
First, I want to make it clear that I do not know what is truly happening behind the scenes or what is specifically being planned. However, I simply assume logically that the U.S. plutocracy will never stop trying to eliminate Russia and China as the most powerful competitors and reverse the development toward a multipolar world. If this were not the case, it would mean that they would have to abandon the possibility of their worldwide exploitation of resources to satisfy their insatiable greed and transition to peaceful competition in the real economy. I leave it to each reader to judge how likely one or the other of these scenarios is.
As for what I believe is happening behind all the public noise and theater, I have described this in L. Johnson’s blog.
"Steve, do not be deceived. Calm does not mean that nothing is happening. I know that even critical and curious people consider the worst madness impossible. Anyone who still thinks that after “Auschwitz,” “Hiroshima/Nagasaki,” and “Gaza” is mistaken. The United States, its plutocrats, will never cease trying to destroy Russia and China and prevent a multipolar world order.
Given the impending economic and fiscal disaster for the U.S. and the West (including Japan and South Korea), and due to their diminishing military power, I believe it is highly likely that these circles will go all-in—and that means a comprehensive, open war against Russia, China, and Iran. And because they must be aware of their own inferiority, I am furthermore convinced that the U.S. is feverishly working on the possibility of a nuclear first strike against Russia while simultaneously preventing a Russian second strike against the United States."
......
"Nevertheless, I am convinced that in the USA and elsewhere, people are feverishly contemplating how to defeat Russia with a first strike without becoming victims of a nuclear counterstrike themselves.
I am alarmed that the possession of missiles with nuclear warheads is now being demanded in several European countries (US colonies). Regarding Germany, Russia clearly referenced the 2+4 Treaty and the Enemy States Clause in response. Germany could produce nuclear weapons at any time. Technologically, that's not a problem. But what kind of missiles are we talking about? And under normal circumstances, would the US allow several of its colonies to become nuclear weapons states? Perhaps like North Korea? Of course not. These would be nuclear missiles under US control. The same applies to Japan. One should never underestimate the madness of psychopaths.
This is nothing new: "These are Polish, Romanian, Swedish, and German nuclear missiles. We, the USA, have nothing to do with them." This pattern from Ukraine should seem familiar to us. The USA is still waging war against Russia there."
This all sounds very dramatic. But I can assure you that I wrote down these thoughts calmly and not in a state of hysterics.
I would be very interested to hear your opinion on this.
Thank you for this well-thought out comment. International law is out. Treaties are not respected. Military force replaces dialog. Nuclear weapons are a guarantee of survival as we saw with North Korea, which survived while (say) Iraq did not. The US is pushing its European vassals to assume its role in the neverending war against Russia and China, both of which have nuclear weapons. If Germany wants war with Russia it must keep it non-nuclear, which means having its own nukes Of course, this reasoning is...unreasonable--why war with Russia, which doesn't care about Germany other than selling it gas?. Boys with toys? Here in Japan, the LDP has won a sweeping victory and want to rewrite the constitution legalizing its military. The LDP' s rightwing always wanted nukes, which they saw as guaranteeing a) Japanese autonomy and more leverage with the US b.) a way to threaten Russia and China . The notions are absurd. However, Japan could create a nuclear weapon in less than 3 months, if they didn't care about getting cut off from China, their #1 trading partner. I think that the Chinese might respond to such revisioning by occupying the Senkakus and destroying Japanese military bases on nearby Islands. The Russians would set up missile batteries in the Kuriles. Nukes are a can of worms. Suicide weapons.
I completely agree with you. Nuclear weapons are suicide weapons. Potentially biological weapons as well. Nevertheless, I am concerned, due to psychological factors, that rationality might give way to error.
When I mention the psychological aspect, I don't necessarily mean that one is dealing with psychopaths. Although in specific cases, the line from the norm to the psychopathic can disappear. And what even constitutes the norm? But here, I don't want to continue with this observation and would much rather give an example.
In my youth, I read the book by Robert Merle: "Death is My Profession" (Original title: La mort est mon métier). I believe it was the commandant of Auschwitz concentration camp, Rudolf Höss, who was later captured and executed by the Poles. A Polish collaborator with the Germans shared his cell, and Höss told him his story and thoughts during his imprisonment. Perhaps the cell was also bugged, and stenographers made a transcript of what was said. Allegedly, this was the basis for this novel by Merle.
Two things regarding the former commandant, or in the novel, were particularly horrifying. The novel was written in the first-person. The reader automatically had the effect of being inside the mind of this mass murderer. Furthermore, the reader learns that the commandant was not a raving, psychopathic person, but rather a bookkeeper, a company director, a business administrator. Solely on this basis and the will of absolute duty fulfillment towards his fatherland and to the "Führer" Hitler and his SS superior Heinrich Himmler, he was always striving to meet the "target figures" presented to him as "cost-effectively" and "efficiently" as possible. To kill as many people as possible, in as short a time as possible, as cost-effectively as possible, and to dispose of their corpses and remains. He was not a sadistic, psychopathic monster, but an economist. Of course, he was a psychopath. But he did not see himself as such, and that was not his motivation either; for example, to satisfy a sadism. For him, the forefront was not the human being he had the order to kill, but simply to meet target figures as cost-efficiently as possible. For example, disposing of so many corpses presented a problem. So he came up with the idea of constructing pits for burning in such a way that prisoners, during the burning, skimmed off the human fat through special drainage channels and poured it over the corpses to make the burning proceed more efficiently. I would like to add that Commandant Höss was a devoted and loving husband and father.
Now let's jump to the politicians, analysts, scientists, technicians, and military personnel responsible for nuclear weapons. Many motivations and personality traits that applied to the commandant of Auschwitz we will certainly also find in the aforementioned persons. The terrible consequences of nuclear weapons on millions and even billions of people must be known to these people. And yet THEY FULFILL THEIR DUTY. The comparison to the monstrosity of Auschwitz seems inappropriate. But is it really only seemingly so?
To conclude my thoughts: When weapon systems exist, planning and exercises also take place, and the readiness to use these weapons immediately when the order comes. And that will be a primarily political decision, made by people in expensive tailored suits. And these are the most dangerous people on the planet.
I hope I haven't strained your patience too much with this long comment. If so, then I apologize.
This story was told in the Jonathan Glazer film of the Amis Jr novel The Zone Of Interest. I endured both of them; the film was acclaimed but seemed patronising to me. Amis was a shill for Zionism.
Michael Haneke's The White Ribbon shows how demonizing ones enemies, and anyone will do, can easily become the currency in a time of social upheaval and anomie.
These are perilous moments.
I do not think Russia can allow either Kiev or Odessa in western hands. Nothing but trouble in the future.
I think Russia will take both- essentially taking all oblasts on the west bank of the Dneiper, all the way from Belarus to the Black Sea/ Moldovan border.
I think western "experts" over estimate the burden this will be for Russia.
The "west" wants as much of Ukraine as possible because it has so much in the way of resources and monetization options.
Why wouldn't Russia want this?
someone (Stanislav Krapivnik?) said Russia would advance until they reached someone who doesn't want to fight anymore :-)
Rump state option:
I'd allow Ukraine a corridor to Odessa's ports.
This would help assure good behavior: If they got froggy, close it off
Of course, a rump state could use Odessa's ports, which would be Russian ports, however. Trade is helpful in maintaining peace. Cancelling Ukraine's debts and getting rid of companies like Blackrock will mean that the Ukrainian economy can restore itself over time and it needs to export by sea.
Great article!
I did read Mr Johnson's post on the guy from Alaska. What a strange tale. Sounds similar to the way the Canadian government treated the British Columbia Ostrich farm. I really don't know what's wrong with some local government officials....
I think you're right - Russia should proceed slowly and cautiously and always re-assess it's options. I also see the possibility of an uprising against the Zelensky government if things continue to get worse. Which is probably the last thing Ukraine needs; unless it ends the war sooner. Of course without creating a worse disaster.
Cheers.
Poor persecuted Steve Kroschel had been racking up animal cruelty and negligence citations for a decade.
https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2025/09/19/owner-haines-wildlife-center-charged-with-animal-cruelty-after-dozens-alaska-animals-taken-property/
https://www.scribd.com/document/919661864/Kroschel-Charging-Documents
He charged tourists money to see animals that he couldn't or wouldn't feed properly, much less provide veterinary care.
No shame in being unable to sustain such a venture. But playing the righteous warrior is pathetic.
"Charging documents detail a pattern of neglect dating back more than a decade, citing repeated violations identified by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the US Department of Agriculture and veterinarians.
Fish and Game reached out to Alaska State Troopers in 2024 over concerns regarding 29 animal deaths over the previous five years. Inspectors documented animals suffering from starvation, untreated illnesses, unsanitary conditions and inadequate diets, according to charging docs.
The charging documents cite multiple other incidents, including the 2023 death of a moose and a lynx that necropsies linked to improper feeding and untreated chronic illness.
Inspectors also documented filthy enclosures, dirty water sources lined with algae, spoiled food left exposed on the ground, and inadequate veterinary care. In one instance, a fox was found locked in a kennel inside a sealed bus without access to food or water."
Thank you very much for this particular post. I always find it frustrating the that the blogosphere never talks about what the end game of this war could look like.
Personally, I can't imagine an end to the war that includes a surviving independent Ukrainian state. As you point out, none ever really existed, and anything surviving today will always be a an open sore weapon the 'west" will always use against Russia.
What I don't understand fully is how Russia tolerates these murderous, savage terrorist attacks the Ukro-Nazis inflict on Russia. A terrorist state simply can't be allowed to exist.
But that said, I strongly believe that there can not be any genuine, lasting peace in the world as long as Israel exists, and as long as the US exists in its current incarnation. And I say this as an American, living in America. I believe the world, if it survives, will look very different by 2030 or 2035. I believe the US will break up, and Israel will no longer exist.
I think the US will degenerate into a Yugoslavia on steroids combined with a kind of Road Warrior landscape. God knows what will happen to all the nuclear weapons during that...
Either that, or all the billionaire oligarchs will have their will and create a nightmare dystopia - a Matrix like prison planet ruled by a Satanic AI.
I'm glad I'm 78, but despair for my young adult children... and all young people today. The continued existence of an Orthodox Christian Russia is, I believe, humanity's only hope
I think Russia tolerates the terrorist attacks because they have "been there" before -- back in the days when the CIA was using the Chechens and others to carry out attacks which were as bad or worse. It took a lonnnnnnnnnnng time to solve that problem and now the Chechens are reliable allies! The bad guys are all in some other place blowing people up. That's really the solution they want. What remains of Ukraine will be reliable allies. The bad guys will have fled West to blow people up. In wars, people die. The attacks on Russia are terrible -- but that is the price. And each attack hardens Russian resolve. Putin is historically focused. But history in his view is not just an understanding of events but an understanding of patterns that persist from past to present to future . There will be little left of "Ukraine" in a few years. As for the US -- the federalism that has dominated since the Civil War--will be replaced by something else. Some states do not need the "Union" at all. The same applies in Canada. I agree with you about the need for a spiritual sensibility. Without it, we are lost.
That's so gracious of you to respond. I hate to presume on your time. But since you do read these. I want you to know how much I (and I assume thousands of others) appreciate your thoughtful, intelligent work. You are one of the very few sources I implicitly trust. I'm sorry I only occasionally buy you coffees. I wish it was more. Alas, retirement in a grinding inflation!
I certainly agree with you that Putin is one of the greatest statesmen in history. Certainly one of the greatest in Russian history. Indeed, the only person in this century to whom the word "statesman" can actually be applied.
I meant to add in my first comment that it is inevitable that the Ukraine war will ultimately be subsumed into a wider war with the "West". I believe that is another reason for Putin's seemingly gradualist approach to the war. He knows a far wider conflict is inevitable and is husbanding his nation's resources.
Again, all the best to you and your cats and thank you four your work.
Absolutely! One of the greatest statesmen in history. Is his semen sweeter after he eats pineapple? The only person ...
"Wolverines REALLY smell!"
Good way to avoid having to bite.
try telling that to a wolverine!
"Guerrilla warfare is possible under these circumstances but unlikely".
Mao said that the guerilla is to the people as a fish is to water. Fish wouldn't thrive in water that hates them.
Great article! Very informative!
"It is clear from his interviews and speeches that he doesn’t trust American promises. On the other hand, he doesn’t know about future administrations..."
I think that is one of the main reasons why some people distrust Mr Putin. They fear that he is a sucker, deep down.
I recently read a story about one of the Bronte sisters who, seeing a rabid dog, attempted to give it water. Of course, it bit her. So she ran into the kitchen, grabbed a red-hot iron, and pressed it against the wound, cauterising it. She lived.
Brave, but incredibly foolish.
Let's hope Mr Putin is smarter.
It is really up to the Ukrainian at the frontline to refuse to follow orders and surrender. Then to go to Kiev and beat the hell out of this fascist regime. EU and NATO can not openly support the begging NAZIs.
Putin's is the fascist-like authoritarian regime. RUSICH and a dozen more.
well then be prepared when there is no Putin anymore, good luck with “Medo”
We've been waiting for that for four years now but it never happens.
Russia needs to stop trying to appeal to reason.
'American promises cannot be believed or kept because there is NO AMERICA - DaUS does not exist - it is a fully managed captive vassal of Israel (DaSynagogue of Satan).
Paul Craig Robert's explains it pretty well:
"Fighting wars for Israel has been US policy for the entirety of the 21st century. American parents, brothers, sisters, daughters, sons, uncles, cousins, and friends have been fighting and dying for Israel and paying for their own deaths by financing the war with their own pocket books for three presidencies during which Washington has sacrificed Americans for Israel.
All of this has to be kept hidden from Americans and is by lies, censorship, charges of anti-semitism, and criminalization of criticism of Israel. If truth be known, Israel rules the West. There are only two members in the US house of Representatives with the courage to stand up to Israel. In the US Senate I think there is only one. The bully Trump is afraid of the Israel Lobby and illegally bombed Iran–an act of war–on orders from Netanyahu. Trump is building Greater Israel, not America. When MAGA-Americans elected Trump, they elected Netanyahu......" - https://crushlimbraw.blogspot.com/2025/08/reality-rules-whether-or-not-it-is.html?m=0 - and the same is true for all of what was Western Civilization. Only Russia remains as the last outpost of what was and - by the will of God - will prevail after Western Civ collapses from its subservience to DSOS.
I think to equate Istanbul 1 with the Minsk agreements is an oversimplification. Minsk was basically intended to grant Donetsk and Lughansk some degree of autonomy within Ukraine plus official recognition of the Russian language, etc. Istanbul was far more demanding. Russia had already recognised the two Donbass oblasts as independent sovereign states so they were not going back, plus no NATO, no foreign troops, limited armed forces, de-nazification, recognition of ethnic minority rights and language, and so on. In fact a quite extensive list of demands that Ukraine would have found difficult but did actually agree to in principle.
Until Bojo turned up.
Yes, you're right. Minsk and Istanbul 1 were NOT the same. Especially with regard to the independence of Donetsk and Lugansk, which remained unresolved issues and were not covered by security guarantees . Minsks emphasized devolution and ethnic rights but envisioned the two republics as returning to Ukraine with a special status.
“as long as the Nazis have NOT been hunted down” I think you wanted to say.