Russia-Ukraine war and related tensions Megathread

[Person Man]

Albanian reunification soon?

https://mobile.twitter.com/tedreinert/status/1498026822822293507

What do we have to lose at this point?

[OSR stands with Israel]

https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2022/02/27/romney-russia-putin-geopolitical-foe-obama-sot-reax-bash-sotu-vpx.cnn

Wow Romney bashes President Bush here to just not Obama and Trump

Bush pussied out on Russia just like Obama and Trump did

Bush was tricked by him. Obama was naive and Trump was complicit.

That's a fair analysis tbh

I would go so far as to say that we wouldn’t be talking about Russia now if 20162012 was different.

FTFY

[Gass3268]

https://twitter.com/amichaistein1/status/1498030112230592512?s=21

[Person Man]

https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2022/02/27/romney-russia-putin-geopolitical-foe-obama-sot-reax-bash-sotu-vpx.cnn

Wow Romney bashes President Bush here to just not Obama and Trump

Bush pussied out on Russia just like Obama and Trump did

Bush was tricked by him. Obama was naive and Trump was complicit.

That's a fair analysis tbh

I would go so far as to say that we wouldn’t be talking about Russia now if 20162012 was different.

FTFY

Probably tbh.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2022/02/27/romney-russia-putin-geopolitical-foe-obama-sot-reax-bash-sotu-vpx.cnn

Wow Romney bashes President Bush here to just not Obama and Trump

Bush pussied out on Russia just like Obama and Trump did

Bush was tricked by him. Obama was naive and Trump was complicit.

That's a fair analysis tbh

I would go so far as to say that we wouldn’t be talking about Russia now if 20162012 was different.

FTFY

This is true. Obama's administration openly supported the 2014 protests that toppled Ukraine's pro-Russian president. This was a mistake that Romney would be unlikely to make, though for sure, he would make others. Obama talked about a "new start" with Russia, but his administration poisoned the well (unintentionally). Of course, it's not clear how Romney actually would have dealt with Russia. Most likely, the next Ukrainian election after 2014's protests just results in the election of another pro-Russian president.

[OSR stands with Israel]

https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2022/02/27/romney-russia-putin-geopolitical-foe-obama-sot-reax-bash-sotu-vpx.cnn

Wow Romney bashes President Bush here to just not Obama and Trump

Bush pussied out on Russia just like Obama and Trump did

Bush was tricked by him. Obama was naive and Trump was complicit.

That's a fair analysis tbh

I would go so far as to say that we wouldn’t be talking about Russia now if 20162012 was different.

FTFY

This is true. Obama's administration openly supported the 2014 protests that toppled Ukraine's pro-Russian president. This was a mistake that Romney would be unlikely to make, though for sure, he would make others. Obama talked about a "new start" with Russia, but his administration poisoned the well (unintentionally). Of course, it's not clear how Romney actually would have dealt with Russia. Most likely, the next Ukrainian election just results in the election of another pro-Russian president.

Romney also keep in mind in 2012 ran on the US taking a far more protectionist approach towards Russia AND China.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2022/02/27/romney-russia-putin-geopolitical-foe-obama-sot-reax-bash-sotu-vpx.cnn

Wow Romney bashes President Bush here to just not Obama and Trump

Bush pussied out on Russia just like Obama and Trump did

Bush was tricked by him. Obama was naive and Trump was complicit.

That's a fair analysis tbh

I would go so far as to say that we wouldn’t be talking about Russia now if 20162012 was different.

FTFY

This is true. Obama's administration openly supported the 2014 protests that toppled Ukraine's pro-Russian president. This was a mistake that Romney would be unlikely to make, though for sure, he would make others. Obama talked about a "new start" with Russia, but his administration poisoned the well (unintentionally). Of course, it's not clear how Romney actually would have dealt with Russia. Most likely, the next Ukrainian election just results in the election of another pro-Russian president.

Romney also keep in mind in 2012 ran on the US taking a far more protectionist approach towards Russia AND China.

Which in most scenarios just advances forward many of the talking points of the Trump years to earlier in the decade, I guess.

[Buffalo Mayor Young Kim]

https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2022/02/27/romney-russia-putin-geopolitical-foe-obama-sot-reax-bash-sotu-vpx.cnn

Wow Romney bashes President Bush here to just not Obama and Trump

Bush pussied out on Russia just like Obama and Trump did

Bush was tricked by him. Obama was naive and Trump was complicit.

That's a fair analysis tbh

I would go so far as to say that we wouldn’t be talking about Russia now if 20162012 was different.

FTFY

This is true. Obama's administration openly supported the 2014 protests that toppled Ukraine's pro-Russian president. This was a mistake that Romney would be unlikely to make, though for sure, he would make others. Obama talked about a "new start" with Russia, but his administration poisoned the well (unintentionally). Of course, it's not clear how Romney actually would have dealt with Russia. Most likely, the next Ukrainian election just results in the election of another pro-Russian president.

[NOVA Green]

New UN Vote upcoming calling for a Russian withdrawal from Ukraine:

"5 min ago

"U.S., Allies Consider New United Nations Vote Targeting Russia

By William Mauldin

The U.S. and its allies are seeking to bring a vote to the United Nations General Assembly calling on Russia to withdraw from Ukraine, according to Western diplomats, after Russia vetoed a similar resolution at the U.N. Security Council.

The Security Council, presided over by Russia this month, has scheduled a meeting for Sunday at 3 p.m. There, some council members are expected to press for an emergency special session of the General Assembly beginning Monday. Russia wouldn't be able to veto the emergency session because the vote would be procedural, according to the diplomats.

Unlike at the Security Council, resolutions that come before the members of the General Assembly aren't binding. Still, a successful vote can send a clear international message, and Russia wouldn't be able to veto a resolution at the General Assembly.

....

"



https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/russia-ukraine-latest-news-2022-02-26

Looks like there will be an emergency session of the UN General Assembly meeting on Ukraine per New York Times update from ~20 minutes ago.

"The UN Security Council adopted a resolution to call for an emergency session of the General Assembly which will convene in the next 24 hours. It is the first time such a session has been called in decades, said U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, because “This is not an ordinary moment. We need to take extraordinary action to meet this threat to our international system and to do everything we can to help Ukraine and its people.” "

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/02/27/world/russia-ukraine-war

[OSR stands with Israel]

https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2022/02/27/romney-russia-putin-geopolitical-foe-obama-sot-reax-bash-sotu-vpx.cnn

Wow Romney bashes President Bush here to just not Obama and Trump

Bush pussied out on Russia just like Obama and Trump did

Bush was tricked by him. Obama was naive and Trump was complicit.

That's a fair analysis tbh

I would go so far as to say that we wouldn’t be talking about Russia now if 20162012 was different.

FTFY

This is true. Obama's administration openly supported the 2014 protests that toppled Ukraine's pro-Russian president. This was a mistake that Romney would be unlikely to make, though for sure, he would make others. Obama talked about a "new start" with Russia, but his administration poisoned the well (unintentionally). Of course, it's not clear how Romney actually would have dealt with Russia. Most likely, the next Ukrainian election just results in the election of another pro-Russian president.

Romney also keep in mind in 2012 ran on the US taking a far more protectionist approach towards Russia AND China.

Which in most scenarios just advances forward many of the talking points of the Trump years to earlier in the decade, I guess.

Well both Russia and China were weaker in 2013 than they were in 2017 so it probably would be eaiser, but keep in mind that Romney unlike Trump doesnt pull out of TPP so he does a mix of protectionism against Russia/China while pushing more trade deals in the pacific, in central and eastern europe, and in Latin America.


Also I doubt Romney reacts earlier against ISIS than Obama which makes it easier for them to be defeated. This means we dont need to put that much focus on the middle east in the mid 2010s as we did in OTL

[NOVA Green]

Kharkiv Kupyansk has surrendered per Washington Post:

"Northeastern Ukrainian city surrenders under threat of bombardment, mayor says

By Isabelle Khurshudyan3:02 p.m.

KHARKIV, Ukraine — At 7:30 a.m. Sunday, the commander of the Russian battalion offered the mayor of the northeastern Ukrainian town an ultimatum: Surrender or face a bombardment.

In a video message posted on the Kupyansk City Council’s Facebook page, Mayor Gennady Matsegora said he chose to surrender and that the town is now under Russian control.

Kupyansk, which has a population of about 28,000, is about 70 miles southeast of Kharkiv, where a Russian advance on the city was rebuffed Sunday afternoon, according to the governor.

Matsegora said the Russians assured him that schools, hospitals and grocery stores would be open Monday. He claimed that Ukrainian military agencies had left the town to fend for itself.

“We must come together and get back to normal life,” Matsegora said in the video. “You can come out of the basements and the bunkers.” "

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/02/27/russia-ukraine-war-kyiv-news/#link-IWSSPIKQJRE4VIXYS7ZOATEJNY

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2022/02/27/romney-russia-putin-geopolitical-foe-obama-sot-reax-bash-sotu-vpx.cnn

Wow Romney bashes President Bush here to just not Obama and Trump

Bush pussied out on Russia just like Obama and Trump did

Bush was tricked by him. Obama was naive and Trump was complicit.

That's a fair analysis tbh

I would go so far as to say that we wouldn’t be talking about Russia now if 20162012 was different.

FTFY

This is true. Obama's administration openly supported the 2014 protests that toppled Ukraine's pro-Russian president. This was a mistake that Romney would be unlikely to make, though for sure, he would make others. Obama talked about a "new start" with Russia, but his administration poisoned the well (unintentionally). Of course, it's not clear how Romney actually would have dealt with Russia. Most likely, the next Ukrainian election just results in the election of another pro-Russian president.

Keeping in mind the fact that a LOT could change post-2012 if Romney wins,  please posit what you think would be a likelier scenario.

[certified hummus supporter 🇵🇸🤝🇺🇸🤝🇺🇦]

I'm surprised there hasn't been a Jeb! wins meme made about him yet.

Edit: Many thanks to TimTurner for remedying this critically important problem

https://mobile.twitter.com/KyivIndependent/status/1498033693222387712

[It’s so Joever]

https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2022/02/27/romney-russia-putin-geopolitical-foe-obama-sot-reax-bash-sotu-vpx.cnn

Wow Romney bashes President Bush here to just not Obama and Trump

Honestly I’m almost considering shilling for Romney at this point. It’s clear the GOP is the majority party, better to reform it with someone who is willing to be flexible on policies when presented with new information as opposed to a hard liner.

[Omega21]

Kharkiv Kupyansk has surrendered per Washington Post:

"Northeastern Ukrainian city surrenders under threat of bombardment, mayor says

By Isabelle Khurshudyan3:02 p.m.

KHARKIV, Ukraine — At 7:30 a.m. Sunday, the commander of the Russian battalion offered the mayor of the northeastern Ukrainian town an ultimatum: Surrender or face a bombardment.

In a video message posted on the Kupyansk City Council’s Facebook page, Mayor Gennady Matsegora said he chose to surrender and that the town is now under Russian control.

Kupyansk, which has a population of about 28,000, is about 70 miles southeast of Kharkiv, where a Russian advance on the city was rebuffed Sunday afternoon, according to the governor.

Matsegora said the Russians assured him that schools, hospitals and grocery stores would be open Monday. He claimed that Ukrainian military agencies had left the town to fend for itself.

“We must come together and get back to normal life,” Matsegora said in the video. “You can come out of the basements and the bunkers.” "

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/02/27/russia-ukraine-war-kyiv-news/#link-IWSSPIKQJRE4VIXYS7ZOATEJNY

Poor man just doing what he has to do in order to protect his citizens. Gun to the head scenario.

Hope those like him do not get labeled "traitors" or "collaborators".

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

https://twitter.com/timkmak/status/1498034247122231296?t=c_0ACiA5fbjPKIUTl8wmwg&...

[Storr]

I'm simply going to say: this would absolutely not be happening if the Russian Air Force had already gained superiority in the sky, which all analysis I read claimed it had the capability to achieve in the first 72 hours at most:

https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1498033061027627008?s=20&t=b8yxCkvf1...

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

https://twitter.com/santiagomayer_/status/1498008997009387521

[Splash]

Nice job, Putin.

https://twitter.com/EuropeElects/status/1498035056174149640

[BlueSwan]

https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2022/02/27/romney-russia-putin-geopolitical-foe-obama-sot-reax-bash-sotu-vpx.cnn

Wow Romney bashes President Bush here to just not Obama and Trump

Honestly I’m almost considering shilling for Romney at this point. It’s clear the GOP is the majority party, better to reform it with someone who is willing to be flexible on policies when presented with new information as opposed to a hard liner.

Lol, how is the GOP the majority party. They’ve won the NPV in ONE presidential election since 1992.

[certified hummus supporter 🇵🇸🤝🇺🇸🤝🇺🇦]

 

https://mobile.twitter.com/Caucasuswar/status/1498038593373224961

[Flyersfan232]

https://mobile.twitter.com/Caucasuswar/status/1498038593373224961

Pipe line?

[rc18]

I assume this means the Russians have brought out the thermobarics, this is gonna get real nasty.

https://twitter.com/nexta_tv/status/1498037904496418817?s=20&t=06qxSG-uBQZFA...

[BlueSwan]

Nice job, Putin.

https://twitter.com/EuropeElects/status/1498035056174149640

Obviously this must mean that even the Russian oriented parts of Ukraine are backing Zelensky.

[Storr]

The only way Turkey closes the Bosphorus would be if they feel Russia is too weak/preoccupied to force the strait to reopen:

https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1498038656875081740?s=20&t=p7zLIjGZr...