I don’t even know what to think anymore

[Dogheaded]

Hello. I am from Ukraine and I want to thank you for your prayers for the end of the war.

I will tell about Ukraine and Russia inside. Regarding the Orthodox faith, each of these countries has its advantages and disadvantages. To be objective, I will even say about the advantages of Russia. The main advantage is the largest number of published books on Orthodox Christianity in the history of the world, in particular the writings of the holy fathers. It is also the largest Orthodox Internet content in the world. The level of higher church education there is higher than here. But all this does not automatically make the country Orthodox. According to statistics, more than 70% of residents in Russia and Ukraine are baptized into the Orthodox faith. But in both of our countries, between 2 and 5% (depending on the city) actually go to church on major holidays. If 10% came, the churches would not be able to accommodate and people would block the roads in the streets. Of these 2-5%, only 1-0.5% regularly go to church every Sunday (as prescribed by Orthodox canons). Some of baptized are interested in magic, some live in mortal sins, and many do not know the Orthodox faith (cannot explain the dogmas of the creed, do not know and violate the rules of the Ecumenical Councils that apply to the laity, do not understand what is read and sung at services, read little Bible and holy fathers). That is, you can come to an Orthodox country and not meet a single Orthodox person in an apartment building or at work. It is not customary to talk in the church, but those catechisters who conducted conversations before baptism say that there are many who are baptized in the orthodox faith, but do not know their faith and do not live according to it. Plus there are splits. In Russia, many Orthodox are now involved in politics, and in Ukraine there is a struggle for churches between two denominations (the ancient canonical UOC and the newly created OCU). Therefore, they are not busy studying the faith and working on themselves to become good Christians. Now the goal is to survive this war and save at least most of the temples from the captureing of the OCU.

As for LGBT people, Ukrainians have no sympathy for them either. In the Bible it is written: "Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit God's kingdom? Do not be deceived. Neither sexually-immoral ones, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals... the kingdom of heaven will not will inherit".

In the Constitution of Ukraine from 1996 until today, there are words that marriage is a voluntary union of a man and a woman. Конституція України
But the Ukrainians were driven into a dead end. When the Russians have an advantage in weapons, they mercilessly kill our people, lying that we are all Nazis, drug addicts and homosexuals (so says their propaganda). On the other hand, the West provides aid only in exchange for certain concessions, as I understood.

If we were strong and rich like Japan, we would also strongly reject LGBT pressure. But our people die en masse in the war from a stronger enemy. And the help of the West seems to be in exchange for concessions: If you want the Russians not to kill you, follow EU laws. Don't think I approve of LGBT concessions. But the majority of the population in both Russia and Ukraine is not a believer in Jesus Christ. No one wants to be killed, maimed, raped or robbed. Therefore, Russia is now helping LGBT people in this way.

We see how ordinary Russian soldiers do not want to fight now. And we don't want Ukrainians or Russians to die. Of course, the best option for Ukraine and Russia is for Russia to independently withdraw at least to the borders on February 23, 2022.

Just no.

 

[SamanthaAnastasia]

Hello. I am from Ukraine and I want to thank you for your prayers for the end of the war.

I will tell about Ukraine and Russia inside. Regarding the Orthodox faith, each of these countries has its advantages and disadvantages. To be objective, I will even say about the advantages of Russia. The main advantage is the largest number of published books on Orthodox Christianity in the history of the world, in particular the writings of the holy fathers. It is also the largest Orthodox Internet content in the world. The level of higher church education there is higher than here. But all this does not automatically make the country Orthodox. According to statistics, more than 70% of residents in Russia and Ukraine are baptized into the Orthodox faith. But in both of our countries, between 2 and 5% (depending on the city) actually go to church on major holidays. If 10% came, the churches would not be able to accommodate and people would block the roads in the streets. Of these 2-5%, only 1-0.5% regularly go to church every Sunday (as prescribed by Orthodox canons). Some of baptized are interested in magic, some live in mortal sins, and many do not know the Orthodox faith (cannot explain the dogmas of the creed, do not know and violate the rules of the Ecumenical Councils that apply to the laity, do not understand what is read and sung at services, read little Bible and holy fathers). That is, you can come to an Orthodox country and not meet a single Orthodox person in an apartment building or at work. It is not customary to talk in the church, but those catechisters who conducted conversations before baptism say that there are many who are baptized in the orthodox faith, but do not know their faith and do not live according to it. Plus there are splits. In Russia, many Orthodox are now involved in politics, and in Ukraine there is a struggle for churches between two denominations (the ancient canonical UOC and the newly created OCU). Therefore, they are not busy studying the faith and working on themselves to become good Christians. Now the goal is to survive this war and save at least most of the temples from the captureing of the OCU.

As for LGBT people, Ukrainians have no sympathy for them either. In the Bible it is written: "Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit God's kingdom? Do not be deceived. Neither sexually-immoral ones, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals... the kingdom of heaven will not will inherit".

In the Constitution of Ukraine from 1996 until today, there are words that marriage is a voluntary union of a man and a woman. Конституція України
But the Ukrainians were driven into a dead end. When the Russians have an advantage in weapons, they mercilessly kill our people, lying that we are all Nazis, drug addicts and homosexuals (so says their propaganda). On the other hand, the West provides aid only in exchange for certain concessions, as I understood.

If we were strong and rich like Japan, we would also strongly reject LGBT pressure. But our people die en masse in the war from a stronger enemy. And the help of the West seems to be in exchange for concessions: If you want the Russians not to kill you, follow EU laws. Don't think I approve of LGBT concessions. But the majority of the population in both Russia and Ukraine is not a believer in Jesus Christ. No one wants to be killed, maimed, raped or robbed. Therefore, Russia is now helping LGBT people in this way.

We see how ordinary Russian soldiers do not want to fight now. And we don't want Ukrainians or Russians to die. Of course, the best option for Ukraine and Russia is for Russia to independently withdraw at least to the borders on February 23, 2022.

Thank you for your response.


It breaks my heart that orthodox are at war with other orthodox.

Your response is very insightful.


I agree with you…I’ve known cradle orthodox that do not know the rules of the Church and faith. I’ve also seen many converts think there is an Orthodox Utopia in one of the orthodox countries. All I know is that we live in a fallen world and we cannot force people to do anything. The Lord has give us and respects our free will so therefore I should do the same for others. Doesn’t mean I agree with some peoples choices but there is a saying in English, “you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make the horse drink”. I hope I make sense.


May the Lord be with you, my friend.

 

[Dogheaded]

“If the Americans wanted it, peace would come the next morning. Why Americans don’t want that is a question that puzzles the entire world. We didn’t get an answer at the NATO summit... Ukraine has lost any real sovereignty." - Orban

All of Ukraine's natural resources have been given over to American companies for exploitation. What Russia might do by force of arms, America will do through it's typical neocolonialist processes. The children who aren't dead will be impoverished as everything the US sends to Ukraine is a loan to be paid back with interest. And the US will require the dismantling of the moral and cultural fiber of Ukraine. But please, let's confuse total cultural imperialism with 'pride parades.' If Ukraine wins the war, it will be in the hands of it's hostile allies that are already getting rich off Slavic deaths - Zelensky included with his new American mansion.

Maybe if Ukraine wants their territory back, they should first cede the Hungarian lands they are actively occupying. I'm sure the Hungarians being persecuted by Kiev in those regions would like it.

And I guess Kiev would like to be able to continue to slaughter civilians in the Donbass like it did before the war - Zelensky has already stated that they'd slaughter them all for gladly taking up with Russia. Seems like a great way to end the war. Sure, call for peace, while Ukraine gathers up my Godparents family for the firing squad.

Meanwhile, what about the 'defensive' bioweapons the Pentagon has admitted to developing in labs in Eastern Ukraine, you know, the ones developing aerosol drone capabilities. Meanwhile Ukrainian commanders have admitted to have been preparing to initiate war with Russia and Germany has admitted that Ukraine refused pre-war Peace negotiations.

Of course, the FBI has been proven to be infringing on 1st amendment speech on social media for the sake of pushing for NATO's Ukraine Proxy Genocide. There may be currently a court injunction against the filthy feds for this infringement, but the feds wage this propaganda and censorship war against the American people because supporting Ukraine is wholly morally unjustifiable and wholly complete practical lunacy.

 

[Dogheaded]

One of my Marine friends was getting deployed, so we had a party at a bar. There was not a single Marine - active or retired - that supported Ukraine. Rather, they gave toasts to Russia's success at war.

Meanwhile, because only NATO and NATO protectorates support Ukraine (almost like the claim that Ukraine was being Nato-fied is true), the US has determined to punish the third world by withholding food aid. Because supporting Ukraine means starving African children to death. "Compassion" they say. Just like how America killed Gaddafi for attempting to create an African Bank that would have freed Africa from Western Imperialist Usury. Just like how America chose to support genocidal factions in Syria - leading the Orthodox minority to be reduced 10x in Syria - while blocking them from being accepted as refugees in America and elsewhere. Same with the Yezidi and other groups. Go on AFR into the archives, not one Syrian Christian presented by AFR supported the US's actions in Syria.

NATO is the Axis of Evil in this world today. And Ukrainians shouldn't be so deceived to think that America means them any good.

 

[Lukaris]

Until this war on Ukraine I had a reluctant respect for Putin and felt he made most of his decisions intelligently ( sometimes also with cruelty). Since the end of the Warsaw Pact, I believe NATO should been have reduced or almost dismantled.

Ukraine might as well have quicksand to its right and left but it has to move just by natural reflexes. It seems like Ukraine could be blamed just for trying to survive.

History info on Warsaw Pact.

Warsaw Pact - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

.

 

[SamanthaAnastasia]

One of my Marine friends was getting deployed, so we had a party at a bar. There was not a single Marine - active or retired - that supported Ukraine. Rather, they gave toasts to Russia's success at war.

Meanwhile, because only NATO and NATO protectorates support Ukraine (almost like the claim that Ukraine was being Nato-fied is true), the US has determined to punish the third world by withholding food aid. Because supporting Ukraine means starving African children to death. "Compassion" they say. Just like how America killed Gaddafi for attempting to create an African Bank that would have freed Africa from Western Imperialist Usury. Just like how America chose to support genocidal factions in Syria - leading the Orthodox minority to be reduced 10x in Syria - while blocking them from being accepted as refugees in America and elsewhere. Same with the Yezidi and other groups. Go on AFR into the archives, not one Syrian Christian presented by AFR supported the US's actions in Syria.

NATO is the Axis of Evil in this world today. And Ukrainians shouldn't be so deceived to think that America means them any good.

I’m a military wife and the military members regardless of the branch are overwhelmingly in support of Ukraine.

I’m not sure what type of Marines you’re talking to.

 

[Dogheaded]

Until this war on Ukraine I had a reluctant respect for Putin and felt he made most of his decisions intelligently ( sometimes also with cruelty). Since the end of the Warsaw Pact, I believe NATO should been have reduced or almost dismantled.

Ukraine might as well have quicksand to its right and left but it has to move just by natural reflexes. It seems like Ukraine could be blamed just for trying to survive.

History info on Warsaw Pact.

Warsaw Pact - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

.

You speak of Ukraine as though it's still a real thing. The nation fell to NATO years ago and only now has that been revealed in full. The people of Ukraine you could speak about, but their own domestic enemies who retain political power are making a killing, pun intended, on war - the people of Ukraine have already been sold off. Don't get me wrong, I wish all good for the people, but none of what the West has done has been for Ukrainian people.

7 dead Ukrainian 'soldiers' for every 1 dead Russian soldier according to the leaked Pentagon documents. Just like with Vietnam, however, these leaks prove that the Pentagon is lying to the American people and congressional oversight concerning the true status of the war. Again, hence why the FBI was censoring Americans. And pipe dreams for Ukraine getting it's territory back - it has no cards to play in that kind of negotiations. NATO's hegemonic capacities have ebbed too low to sanction Russia into a pariah state - and they've ebbed so low because of decades now of imperialist abuses such as the enforced impoverishment of Africa. The idea of Ukraine having it's regions back is totally contrary to the real situation.

If NATO actually intended a chance of that kind of Ukrainian victory, they'd of had to have done things differently from the start - such as producing an adequate amount of military support early into the war instead of slowly delivering items at the pace Russia can easily destroy and running out Western munitions. If such logistics were beyond NATO's capacities, then why then take the tact to kill as many slabs as possible - something some Western leaders have been caught

Unfortunately for those who'd like the war to continue, Ukraine is not an electorally advantageous thing to support in America. The most viable presidential candidates already have vowed to pull military support - because that's popular. And already candidates have lost lower offices by being too vocal in Ukraine support. The war will end, setting aside the possibility of critical escalation, at the end of the Biden regime.

 

[Lukaris]

I don’t know how the casualty rate could be 7:1 in Russia’s favor. Ukraine should have been steamrolled by already with Russian forces on the Polish border. In WW 2, Soviet forces suffered higher casualties than Nazi Germany & defeated them faster ( as far as territory & time) than Russia is supposed to be defeating Ukraine ( especially with an alleged 7:1 efficiency in casualties).

 

[Dogheaded]

I’m a military wife and the military members regardless of the branch are overwhelmingly in support of Ukraine.

I’m not sure what type of Marines you’re talking to.

"The Law perverted! The Law - and in it's wake the collective forces of the nation - the Law, I say, not only diverted from it's proper direction, but made to pursue one entirely contrary! The Law become the tool of every kind of avarice, instead of being its check! The Law guilty of the very iniquity which it was it's mission to punish!" - Bastiat

USMC Marines. Not officers. Honestly, some of them don't stop talking about how much they support Russia. And they say if there's war, they will refuse to fight the Russians.

My brother is actively developing drone strategies for the UDF as part of NATO's intervention. That's his job.

I would fight and die for America, but as President John Quincy Adams said of the Mexican war (which he called a 'war solely for slavery') as his last speech before the' Senate (regarding a proposal for honoring the veterans of that war...) "No, they fought for nothing." And the same should be true of the Veterans for our evil foreign wars - you may think you fight for America but you serve America's domestic enemies. Those who have ears let them hear. See the Wisdom of the founders of the Republic. The military should be no grand and privileged class in society when they fight for interests diametrically opposed to the Republic - the imperial interest driven wars.

The Pentagon is breaking federal law as usual in order to kill people on the behest of corporations. A complete perversion of the Republic.

 

[Dogheaded]

I don’t know how the casualty rate could be 7:1 in Russia’s favor. Ukraine should have been steamrolled by already with Russian forces on the Polish border. In WW 2, Soviet forces suffered higher casualties than Nazi Germany & defeated them faster ( as far as territory & time) than Russia is supposed to be defeating Ukraine ( especially with an alleged 7:1 efficiency in casualties).

Do you dispute the Pentagon's internal numbers and on what basis?

And I'll add that considering that, in modern war, the majority of casualties are from artillery and considering the extreme lack of parity in artillery munitions that is very largely in favor of Russia, what exactly do you expect the rates to look like?

 

[ValeriyK2022]

It breaks my heart that orthodox are at war with other orthodox.

In September 1872, the synod, chaired by Patriarch Anthimus VI of Constantinople, with Sophronius IV of Alexandria, Hierotheos of Antioch, Sophronios III of Cyprus, and representatives of the Church of Greece participating, issued an official condemnation (excommunication) of what it deemed to be ethnic nationalism within the church, or "ethno-phyletism", as well as its theological argumentation. In condemning "phyletism", the synod in Constantinople had, in fact, defined a basic problem of modern Eastern Orthodoxy.[

In the winter, the Russians declared that they, together with the Muslims (Chechens), were waging a holy war against Ukraine and NATO. As if there are no Orthodox in NATO, and Muslims and Orthodox Christians are already one and the same thing... Before that, Russia waged war against Orthodox Georgia. Before that, Russian Orthodox and Moldovan Orthodox quarreled in Transnistria (Moldova) until bloodshed.

Unfortunately, this is also very common among Russian Orthodox Christians. Many of them consider themselves better Orthodox than Orthodox Greeks, Serbs or Bulgarians, even better than Ukrainian Orthodox and even better than American and other Western Orthodox. Jesus Christ said that the Jews should not boast about their ancestor Abraham. The apostle Paul spoke about the grafted branch (from the Gentiles), that if God did not spare the natural branch (Jews), then He will not spare the grafted branch either. But all this was forgotten in Russia and Ukraine.

For Russia and Ukraine, the state has become higher than Jesus Christ. And this is the tragedy of our peoples. I think that this is why our nations are dying.

 

[Lukaris]

Do you dispute the Pentagon's internal numbers and on what basis?

And I'll add that considering that, in modern war, the majority of casualties are from artillery and considering the extreme lack of parity in artillery munitions that is very largely in favor of Russia, what exactly do you expect the rates to look like?

From what I gather, it seems that no one really knows what the true casualties are. I believe my comparison to WW 2 has validity since if Ukraine did suffer 7 times as many casualties then this war probably should have been a done deal already. I don’t know what internal documents you are supposedly citing.

Problems with casualty reports:

Riddle this: How many casualties are there, truly, on both sides of Ukraine war?

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) wants to force the administration to tell Congress what they know, if they know it.

responsiblestatecraft.org

 

[Dogheaded]

From what I gather, it seems that no one really knows what the true casualties are. I believe my comparison to WW 2 has validity since if Ukraine did suffer 7 times as many casualties then this war probably should have been a done deal already. I don’t know what internal documents you are supposedly citing.

Problems with casualty reports:

Riddle this: How many casualties are there, truly, on both sides of Ukraine war?

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) wants to force the administration to tell Congress what they know, if they know it.

responsiblestatecraft.org

I am speaking of the documents leaked by a serviceman recently. The rapidity and harshness of response against the man shows the validity of the documents.

 

[Lukaris]

If the documents leaked are those by airman Jack Teixeira, then there seems to be no evidence of higher Ukrainian casualties than those of Russia. The only possible bright spot for Russian combat seems to have been around Bakhmut. Since the leak, it seems like the war has stagnated further.

2022–2023 Pentagon document leaks - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[Dogheaded]

If the documents leaked are those by airman Jack Teixeira, then there seems to be no evidence of higher Ukrainian casualties than those of Russia. The only possible bright spot for Russian combat seems to have been around Bakhmut. Since the leak, it seems like the war has stagnated further.

2022–2023 Pentagon document leaks - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Wikipedia isn't a valid source, not are it's propaganda outlets it uses for sources. Look at the documents themselves. Which despite what's said, Pentagon documents are not Russian propaganda.

 

[Lukaris]

Wikipedia isn't a valid source, not are it's propaganda outlets it uses for sources. Look at the documents themselves. Which despite what's said, Pentagon documents are not Russian propaganda.

Wikipedia varies per article on it. I didn’t see anything inherently wrong in the article I linked. If I can, I will look further into it….

 

[Dogheaded]

“America’s foreign policy establishment manipulated their country into war… Now, rather than acknowledge failure, Biden admin prepares to sacrifice American lives too,” - RFK Jr

 

[Nick1000]

A lot of talk about NATO. The usual stuff. Cuba 1964, NATO allegedly threatened Russia and the Motherland, so on and so forth.

To respond to NATO, Putin led the effort to form the Russian-led version of NATO. The Collective Security Treaty Organization - comprised of six former Soviet Republics.

But, of interest, you may note that NOT ONE of the CSTO members has sent troops to Ukraine, despite daily- and I do mean to say daily- arm twisting and threatening by Putin. Belarus has come the closest because they are an extension of Russia but even Lukashenko has not sent troops- despite weekly demands to come to Moscow to take his weekly beating from Putin.

None of the CSTO countries want to try to put lipstick on Putin's pig. They see exactly what is going on and they are not willing to take their countries down the toilet just because Putin thought he could make a quick move on Ukraine. Even Prigozhin said it was a dumb, stupid move concocted by egomaniacs in Moscow- giving the impression that he was referring to Shoigu and Gerasimov but Putin was in the crosshairs as well.

Meanwhile, Day 500 plus of the Three-Day War.

Putin, the one who convinced Russians that he would restore Russian World grandeur, is now the one who is turning Russia into a colony of China. I wonder how much interest Xi has in Orthodoxy and all the Russian World hoopla.

Putin could withdraw to the pre- February lines and the Americans would get him out of it with Russia keeping Crimea - even though the Ukrainians would object. Putin would then survive and home.

The other alternative is already well underway which is the Ukrainians -however bloody it is- successfully reach the Sea of Azov and cut Russia's land bridge to Crimea, and then take the Kerch Bridge down- effectively cutting Russia off from Crimea. If that happens, Putin's problems In Moscow will be like nothing that has happened before, and that includes a near-coup just a few weeks ago.

I wish he would take the first alternative and he will wish he had too. But the two idiots - Shoigu and Gerasimov- who sold him on the 3-Day War plan are still his closest two advisors. Not good.

And in the true Russian spirit, Putin is actively purging anyone who disagrees with him. We have seen this movie before.

What a mess.

Anyway, my original point was: Why has Putin not been able to get any of his CSTO allies to participate in the war against Ukraine? NEVERMIND!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Dogheaded]

A lot of talk about NATO. The usual stuff. Cuba 1964, NATO allegedly threatened Russia and the Motherland, so on and so forth.

To respond to NATO, Putin led the effort to form the Russian-led version of NATO. The Collective Security Treaty Organization - comprised of six former Soviet Republics.

But, of interest, you may note that NOT ONE of the CSTO members has sent troops to Ukraine, despite daily- and I do mean to say daily- arm twisting and threatening by Putin. Belarus has come the closest because they are an extension of Russia but even Lukashenko has not sent troops- despite weekly demands to come to Moscow to take his weekly beating from Putin.

None of the CSTO countries want to try to put lipstick on Putin's pig. They see exactly what is going on and they are not willing to take their countries down the toilet just because Putin thought he could make a quick move on Ukraine. Even Prigozhin said it was a dumb, stupid move concocted by egomaniacs in Moscow- giving the impression that he was referring to Shoigu and Gerasimov but Putin was in the crosshairs as well.

Meanwhile, Day 500 plus of the Three-Day War.

Putin, the one who convinced Russians that he would restore Russian World grandeur, is now the one who is turning Russia into a colony of China. I wonder how much interest Xi has in Orthodoxy and all the Russian World hoopla.

Putin could withdraw to the pre- February lines and the Americans would get him out of it with Russia keeping Crimea - even though the Ukrainians would object. Putin would then survive and home.

The other alternative is already well underway which is the Ukrainians -however bloody it is- successfully reach the Sea of Azov and cut Russia's land bridge to Crimea, and then take the Kerch Bridge down- effectively cutting Russia off from Crimea. If that happens, Putin's problems In Moscow will be like nothing that has happened before, and that includes a near-coup just a few weeks ago.

I wish he would take the first alternative and he will wish he had too. But the two idiots - Shoigu and Gerasimov- who sold him on the 3-Day War plan are still his closest two advisors. Not good.

And in the true Russian spirit, Putin is actively purging anyone who disagrees with him. We have seen this movie before.

What a mess.

Anyway, my original point was: Why has Putin not been able to get any of his CSTO allies to participate in the war against Ukraine? NEVERMIND!!!!!!!!!!!!

Meanwhile NATO failed to rally any non-NATO (or protectorates) to participate in it's soft power initiatives against Russia and is now starving African children just to kill more slavs.

Meanwhile Belarus participated in the war by allowing troop movements in the Kiev feint - the feint that allowed Russia to take territory and entrench itself while Ukrainian soldiers splat in ill-thought spring offenses. Meanwhile Kazakhstan has provided thousands of volunteer troops and tanks.

Interesting how CSTO is acting in military support just like... NATO as to Ukraine... Almost like the claims against NATO have merit.

 

[Dogheaded]

A lot of talk about NATO. The usual stuff. Cuba 1964, NATO allegedly threatened Russia and the Motherland, so on and so forth.

To respond to NATO, Putin led the effort to form the Russian-led version of NATO. The Collective Security Treaty Organization - comprised of six former Soviet Republics.

But, of interest, you may note that NOT ONE of the CSTO members has sent troops to Ukraine, despite daily- and I do mean to say daily- arm twisting and threatening by Putin. Belarus has come the closest because they are an extension of Russia but even Lukashenko has not sent troops- despite weekly demands to come to Moscow to take his weekly beating from Putin.

None of the CSTO countries want to try to put lipstick on Putin's pig. They see exactly what is going on and they are not willing to take their countries down the toilet just because Putin thought he could make a quick move on Ukraine. Even Prigozhin said it was a dumb, stupid move concocted by egomaniacs in Moscow- giving the impression that he was referring to Shoigu and Gerasimov but Putin was in the crosshairs as well.

Meanwhile, Day 500 plus of the Three-Day War.

Putin, the one who convinced Russians that he would restore Russian World grandeur, is now the one who is turning Russia into a colony of China. I wonder how much interest Xi has in Orthodoxy and all the Russian World hoopla.

Putin could withdraw to the pre- February lines and the Americans would get him out of it with Russia keeping Crimea - even though the Ukrainians would object. Putin would then survive and home.

The other alternative is already well underway which is the Ukrainians -however bloody it is- successfully reach the Sea of Azov and cut Russia's land bridge to Crimea, and then take the Kerch Bridge down- effectively cutting Russia off from Crimea. If that happens, Putin's problems In Moscow will be like nothing that has happened before, and that includes a near-coup just a few weeks ago.

I wish he would take the first alternative and he will wish he had too. But the two idiots - Shoigu and Gerasimov- who sold him on the 3-Day War plan are still his closest two advisors. Not good.

And in the true Russian spirit, Putin is actively purging anyone who disagrees with him. We have seen this movie before.

What a mess.

Anyway, my original point was: Why has Putin not been able to get any of his CSTO allies to participate in the war against Ukraine? NEVERMIND!!!!!!!!!!!!

And pre-Feb lines would be disastrous. Subjecting a people who don't want Ukrainian governance and are killed for it to Ukrainian governance - why? Is it just spite?

Anyways, I guess we throw out American principles of self-governance the moment corporate interests see natural resources to exploit and warhawkes a stupid game to play.

Nevertheless, perhaps instead of a Call of Duty power fantasy about somehow going back in time to February we look at realistic possibilities for peace.