Mac1958
Diamond Member
Interesting point by Hollande here:
www.politico.eu
Vladimir Putin is a “radically rational” leader who is betting that Western countries will grow tired of backing Ukraine and agree a negotiated end to the conflict that will be favorable to Russia.
The neat thing about being a heartless, sociopathic dictator -- at least theoretically -- is that you don't have to worry about public opinion. Putin can just keep throwing bodies at Ukraine until the will of the West weakens and we eventually cave. Just stay in the fight and wait if out. Then he gets rewarded for his invasion. I say "theoretically" because it's possible that Russia's increasing isolation and economic decay could motivate those around him to act against him.
Putin thinks the West -- which he has put in a terribly difficult position -- is soft. Looks like we're going to find out.

Putin is not mad, just ‘radically rational,’ says former French president
François Hollande warns that Turkey and China will seek to act as mediators in the Ukraine war.

Vladimir Putin is a “radically rational” leader who is betting that Western countries will grow tired of backing Ukraine and agree a negotiated end to the conflict that will be favorable to Russia.
The neat thing about being a heartless, sociopathic dictator -- at least theoretically -- is that you don't have to worry about public opinion. Putin can just keep throwing bodies at Ukraine until the will of the West weakens and we eventually cave. Just stay in the fight and wait if out. Then he gets rewarded for his invasion. I say "theoretically" because it's possible that Russia's increasing isolation and economic decay could motivate those around him to act against him.
Putin thinks the West -- which he has put in a terribly difficult position -- is soft. Looks like we're going to find out.
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