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In a public statement today, President Vladimir Putin reminded French President Macron of the fate of Napoleon's campaign: “All the mistakes of our enemies begin here, in not appreciating the character of the Russian person who reflects all Russian cultures.”
It went downhill from there.
At a private meeting today, President Putin his view with regard to Ukraine and the efforts of the US (and EU) to set up "negotiations" with and about Ukraine President Putin made explicitly clear:
“Russia will not give up anything it has to anyone. We will choose a peace formula that suits us, and ensures our security and stable development. We will not make concessions to anyone regarding Ukraine.”
Not much "wiggle-room" in that position. In fact, it seems there is actually none.
For its part, Europe is still "stuck-on-Stupid" - 27 EU heads-of-state met in Brussels today at an "Emergency Meeting" to agree on an 800 Billion EURO spending deal (debt) to "Re-Arm" Europe.
As that meeting was taking place, The Netherlands issued advice to its population to put together an "Emergency Kit" for a "calamity" or "war." (Story Here) What does THAT tell you?
Hal Turner Remarks:
I don't know what is going through the minds of European Leaders, but it looks to me like they are on some sort of suicide mission.
Even if they can put together some funding mechanism to buy all sorts of military gear, how fast do they think they can get it? This stuff isn't just sitting on some warehouse shelf somewhere, waiting for someone to buy it.
Most weaponry today is manufactured to order. It takes MONTHS-to-YEARS to get some of the advanced, high-tech stuff. Even ammunition and artillery shells are in short supply, worldwide, because they've sent so much to Ukraine.
So what, exactly, does Europe think it's doing with their big deal 800 Billion EURO purchase?
Vladimir Putin’s words to Macron, recalling the failure of Napoleon’s campaign, underscore Russia’s determination not to yield on issues concerning its security and development.
Putin reiterated that Russia will not accept compromises on Ukraine and that any peace solution must guarantee Moscow’s strategic interests. This stance clashes with the proposal to extend NATO’s Article 5 protection to Ukraine without the country being a formal member.
Such a move would likely be seen by Russia as an unacceptable provocation, potentially triggering a military escalation.
Europe, already grappling with an energy crisis and economic instability, risks being dragged into a direct conflict with a nuclear superpower.
History teaches that underestimating Russian resolve can lead to disastrous consequences. It is essential that European leaders carefully consider every decision, avoiding actions that could fuel further tensions in an already destabilized region
At best, Ukraine has less than two months military supplies to continue fighting Russia. Europe cannot get their 800 Billion in military gear in two months.
So this entire endeavor by Europe is NOT going to save Ukraine. It may, however, get the Europeans in a lot of hot water depending upon what they cause to happen in Ukraine.
Russian President Putin has been perfectly consistent with Ukraine. Russia wants no NATO in Ukraine, a militarily neutral Ukraine, and to keep all the Territory it has won. Period. Full stop.
Neither the US nor Europe has any cards to play to make this turn out some other way.
