In response to the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces, countries that are part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) are sending troops and vehicles to neighboring countries in an effort to contain a possible Russian advance, in case President Vladimir Putin decides to extend his invasion plans past Ukraine’s borders. But despite the aggressive assault on a sovereign country—and the horrific effect it has on the citizens of Ukraine—Western powers are reluctant to step in with direct military assistance for fear that it may prompt Putin to escalate what is currently a conventional conflict into nuclear war.
“We’re trying everything we can to make sure it doesn’t lead to World War III,” according to the acting U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, Kristina Kvien. “But ultimately… that depends on the actions of President Putin.
“We have sent extra troops to Poland and other NATO allies that border Ukraine to make sure that they have the security they need,” Kvien continued. But, “if Russia takes one step, one inch into NATO territory, NATO will be prepared to respond.”
The escalation into a broader conventional war would be bad enough, but Putin has indirectly threatened that he is willing to take things one step further if Western powers get directly involved and use nuclear weapons on the battlefield. On the day of the invasion, he warned that outside intervention would be met with “consequences that you have never encountered in your history,” and on February 27 it was announced that Putin had ordered “the minister of defence and the chief of general staff to put deterrent forces on special combat duty,” stepping up the readiness of personnel responsible for Russia’s nuclear arsenal.
Numerous officials believe that Putin is bluffing, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, but the Deputy Director-General of the Royal United Services Institute, Professor Malcolm Chalmers, says that Putin is “in a corner. Somebody in a corner in that situation does become more dangerous, and more prepared to take risks.” Chalmers adds that he doesn’t want to cause unnecessary alarm because he believes the probability of Putin resorting to the nuclear option is low, “but it’s not zero.”
Although not immediately related to nuclear weapons, Russian forces have also captured the defunct Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant on February 24, and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in southeast Ukraine on February 28; the fighting at Zaporizhzhia caused damage to the plant, although the reactors and their support systems remain undamaged. Power was cut at the Chernobyl site on March 9: although none of the site’s four reactors are active and thus not in danger of melting down, there is a substantial amount of spent nuclear fuel being stored at the site that poses a radiation leak risk if power cannot be restored to the facility.
Numerous ceasefire talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials have been hosted, but each meeting has failed to produce any meaningful results, although the establishment of safe corridors to evacuate Ukrainian civilians—over 2.3 million have been displaced so far—was agreed upon by Russian representatives, although there are still reports of refugees being killed while traveling in the Mariupol evacuation corridor.
But does Putin actually want peace? A victory editorial article titled The arrival of Russia and a new world was accidentally posted by state-run RIA-Novosti news agency on February 26, outlining Putin’s plans to rebuild the Russian Empire of old by bringing Belarus and Ukraine back into the fold of Russian influence. The propaganda piece, of which was quickly deleted, was described as “extremely shocking, even for Kremlin standards” by Bulgarian investigative journalist Christo Grozev.
Presumably, the article was scheduled to be posted in accordance with a timeline set by the Kremlin, anticipating a swift occupation of Ukraine, and the article may have been posted automatically; however, this easy victory did not happen, with Russian forces meeting heavy resistance from both the Ukrainian military and the country’s civilians. Although the essay was removed in short order by RIA-Novosti, it is still posted on the Sputnik news site (also a state-owned media outlet). The original RIA-Novosti posting has been preserved on the Wayback Machine archives, and can be read in English on the Ukrainian Military Center’s website.
Story Editor’s note: It is now, more than ever, vitally important to remember the old adage “in war, the first casualty is truth”: although Russia’s long-running propaganda campaign against Ukraine is well documented, both sides will be using misinformation as weapons of war; regardless of whether or not either side is justified in using these tactics, those of us watching the conflict from the outside need to take all reports coming from the battlefield with a healthy dose of skepticism, and wait for confirmation on events before becoming too emotionally invested in the news we receive.
Whitley has posted Life, Liberty, the Pursuit of Happiness and Russia and Ukraine, a new Journal entry that calls out the actions of dictators and their shared violation of human rights and freedoms, in light of Putin’s actions against Ukraine.
With co-author James Kunetka, Whitley navigates the post-apocalyptic Warday, a harrowing and realistic depiction of the ecological, economic and sociological devastation that follows in the wake of nuclear war.
Subscribers, to watch the subscriber version of the video, first log in then click on Dreamland Subscriber-Only Video Podcast link.
Well now, not a single mention of the guilt of America in this article. Fair enough.
America has backed Russia into a corner and Europeans, both Eastern and Western are now at risk of serious harm as Kamala Harris giggles like a demented child at mention of refugees being taken in.
As the cold war faded, America has not honoured any of its promises to restrict the growth of NATO on Russia’s borders. Missile or military bases in Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania have been a stark reminder that the breathtaking arrogance of various US Administrations has been a constant threat to Russian domestic security.
I see no Russian troops or missiles on American borders, though this is likely to change, albeit by proxy.
The Bear is showing its teeth. This is currently a limited war, rapidly turning very ugly. Russia will mainly stand off and destroy cities, kill civilians and vaporise infrastructure. This serves as a warning to existing (as they would say) American Bit**es Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia & Romania to remember that Russia is just a heartbeat away.
I don’t like seeing any of this but I am absolutely clear that this is the fault of America and its creeping aggression toward Russian homelands. You cannot trust Russia. You just can’t. They’ll always choose themselves over you and to a point, I guess that’s fair enough.
As a Brit and a peripheral continental European, I absolutely understand Russia’s response and am equally saddened to see innocent Ukranians suffer as a result.
Just remember though that this Ukrainian Government is indeed a fascist entity. Pro-EU fascist entity that shut down 3 TV stations because they challenged official policy and imprisoned the leader of the opposition party on trumped up charges. Don’t even get me started on the Azov fighters.
I am a ‘conservative and a right winger’ but I oppose the fascist Ukrainian dictatorship, fronted by a comedian. I just don’t like fascists, never have.
All the Ukrainian Government has to do to stop this is agree to say NO to NATO membership and recognise the Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic. That’s it. They won’t though, will they?
As Kamala Harris cackles like Caligula and the true face of the current US ‘admistrashun’ reveals itself, we Europeans are beginning to look very differently at America, even though, I agree, the average working American doesn’t deserve it.
Peace.
I tried to post an alternative viewpoint on these awful goings-on but was met with ‘already posted’. I understand that this is a glitch and certainly don’t think it deliberate.
I would still like to offer my point of view and if I can I will. Doesn’t appear currently possible as this is largely an anti-US foreign policy view.
OK, trying again..
Well now, not a single mention of the guilt of America in this article. Fair enough.
America has backed Russia into a corner and Europeans, both Eastern and Western are now at risk of serious harm as Kamala Harris giggles like a demented child at mention of refugees being taken in.
As the cold war faded, America has not honoured any of its promises to restrict the growth of NATO on Russia’s borders. Missile or military bases in Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania have been a stark reminder that the breathtaking arrogance of various US Administrations has been a constant threat to Russian domestic security.
I see no Russian troops or missiles on American borders, though this is likely to change, albeit by proxy.
The Bear is showing its teeth. This is currently a limited war, rapidly turning very ugly. Russia will mainly stand off and destroy cities, kill civilians and vaporise infrastructure. This serves as a warning to existing (as they would say) American Bit**es Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia & Romania to remember that Russia is just a heartbeat away.
I don’t like seeing any of this but I am absolutely clear that this is the fault of America and its creeping aggression toward Russian homelands. You cannot trust Russia. You just can’t. They’ll always choose themselves over you and to a point, I guess that’s fair enough.
As a Brit and a peripheral continental European, I absolutely understand Russia’s response and am equally saddened to see innocent Ukranians suffer as a result.
Just remember though that this Ukrainian Government is indeed a fascist entity. Pro-EU fascist entity that shut down 3 TV stations because they challenged official policy and imprisoned the leader of the opposition party on trumped up charges. Don’t even get me started on the Azov fighters.
I am a ‘conservative and a right winger’ but I oppose the fascist Ukrainian dictatorship, fronted by a comedian. I just don’t like fascists, never have.
All the Ukrainian Government has to do to stop this is agree to say NO to NATO membership and recognise the Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic. That’s it. They won’t though, will they?
As Kamala Harris cackles like Caligula and the true face of the current US ‘admistrashun’ reveals itself, we Europeans are beginning to look very differently at America, even though, I agree, the working American doesn’t deserve it.
Peace.
I greatly appreciate your comment VON HAUSENBERG! I know in my gut that this situation is clearly being misrepresented and used for some greater agenda – likely to do with more centralization of power and resources. I’m no whiz on geopolitics, but this is my view and intuition. Also, i’m so
saddened with my nation’s part in all this (US) – and our own terrible history with invading/bombing countries (Libya, Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, etc..). It just seems so hypocritical. I love my country and its land and people, but I know the government is not a government for the people and by the people. What is one to do? I suppose it comes down to personal responsibility. As an individual, I can practice loving-kidness, continue working on my spiritual life, serve the best way I can and pray fervently for peace and the evolution of consciousness!! Shanti – Peace!
Well said CJAZZ.
Ordinary people always get the brunt end of the stick. We must avoid blanket labelling of populations and I know the average American can think for his or her self.
Media brainwashing is so powerful though. I read news articles of women being shot by the Russians while getting water and I have to count to ten and hold on to a clear mind.
One thing, other than media showing explosions or the aftermath, there is little video of actual combat. I’ve tried to witness credible combat footage but can’t find any?
Fascist Ukrainian dictatorship? Please provide evidence of that. People seem to be fighting very hard for the fascist state. That doesn’t seem likely.
The good people of Ukraine are indeed resisting the Russians and putting up a good show of force.
You are right to challenge me on my labelling of the pro-EU Ukrainian government as Fascist. I’ll quickly refer to this article as a brief pointer, though secondary and tertiary references are easily enough found.
https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-zelenskiy-bans-three-opposition-tv-stations/a-56438505
I’m sure we’ll all agree that the whole situation is awful and the Russians will not come out of this smelling of roses but they simply don’t care. That is why the Ukrainian government (third party steered) obstinacy is so dangerous.
They must agree to the perfectly reasonable Russian terms and this stops. Ukraine is historically several regions grouped together with different outward facing cultures. Donetsk and Luhansk gravitate toward Russia just as other areas gravitate toward Hungary, speaking Magyar.
Inevitably I feel that the current Ukrainian government must fall for the people to be allowed to get on with their lives. Their comedian leader, prize EU schill, isn’t doing them any favours.
Peace.
So if NATO didn’t expand do you really think Putin doesn’t go after those countries? He went after Georgia and Chechnya. Your argument of Russia is going to act like they always do so why poke at them isn’t very convincing.
Fascist Ukrainian Dictatorship? This would be the one site wherein there’s a reasonable expectation of fundamental skills associated with discriminative or critical thinking skills. Most don’t write a statement of conclusion that is so outside the purview of reality without a molecule of evidence. What you’ve offered is irrelevant, incompetent, and immaterial to your conclusion of a Fascist Ukrainian Dictatorship. Why not spend some time writing about an area in which you’ve gained some measure of knowledge and wisdom? I think the dummy index has risen to an all-time high in the USA!
Perhaps ‘Fascist Dictatorship’ is a bit hyperbolic but not more so than many of the outrageous claims aimed at the last U.S. President. That said, the Ukraine is hardly a functioning democracy. Not that long ago the news media was happily running stories about how Ukraine is the most corrupt nation in Europe. Von Hausenberg is not tht far off the mark. And yes, Ukraine does have an problem with the neo-nazis in the Azov battalion. Is ‘denazification’ as reason for invasion propaganda? Of course, but it doesn’t mean it’s not a factor somewhere in this whole mess.
Zelensky, has shut down opposition media and rival political parties, that’s pretty dictatorial. Why? Oh, because they ‘have links to Russia’ so that’s fine, right?
Both sides are propagandizing – that’s true in any war – to make it seem like Russia is engaging in uniquely outrageous propaganda claims that only a “madman” like Putin could make is ridiculous.
What i notice is that the people smugly wagging their finger at others to call out their apparently poor critical thinking skills are usually pretty well propagandized themselves. Fortunately, I don’t rely on Unknowncountry, Matthew Frizzell or the MSM in the West to singularly guide my opinion on global matters. Try seeking out some more independent voices
I’ve become “almost convinced” that far fewer events are accidental than seem.
As to the current event:
https://www.straight.com/news/nukes-kill-1-billion-defence-expert-recalls-2019-us-simulation-of-nato-russia-war-over-ukraine
P.S.
This conflict may end up like Germany post WWII:
Ukraine divided between East Ukraine (controlled by Russia) and West Ukraine controlled by NATO.
I didn’t address “America’s guilt” here because, aside from not having anything to do with the subject of this article, that is an extremely broad subject.
Despite what Putin claims, the US never promised to block any countries from entering NATO. He’s twisting a situation-specific agreement against Western advancement within West Germany, a promise that had nothing to do with any other nation. According to Gorbachev himself:
https://www.rbth.com/international/2014/10/16/mikhail_gorbachev_i_am_against_all_walls_40673.html
This article from The Conversation offers a succinct outline outline regarding the various defence alliances that were formed amongst the former Soviet Bloc states, and how Moscow never had a problem with neighbouring countries joining NATO (current NATO members Estonia, Latvia and Norway share a border with Russia; Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey have ports on the Black Sea):
https://theconversation.com/ukraine-the-history-behind-russias-claim-that-nato-promised-not-to-expand-to-the-east-177085
That is, until Putin came on the scene, and began re-characterizing NATO as an invading force, instead of the long-standing mutual-defence organization that it has proven to be. NATO has proven that it isn’t even willing to stand up to Russia, let alone invade the country.
Regardless of the Ukrainian government’s slow lean toward autocracy (more context regarding those television station closures can be found here), Putin’s claims of nazi-sponsored genocide are fairy tales, propaganda aimed at painting the invasion as a humanitarian operation. This, along with other fictions, were completely undermined by Russian state media accidentally tipping their hand in the reveal that the true aim was simply Putin’s expansionist agenda (English translation). Regardless of how Putin falsely claims that Russia is the victim in all of this, this invasion was never justified.
Vladimir Putin and I share the same birth date. He 7th October 1952, and me 7th October 1946. We are both Librans. No, I’m not an astrologer, just a long-time fascinated student of the subject, and I’ve spent quite some time, over the past few years, trying to figure him out, by comparing my Libran nature with his. Needless to say, this activity has taken-on a new pace in recent weeks, and a number of fundamental differences in our typically Libran traits have come to my attention. Not least of these is his habit of surrounding himself with opulence and beauty (usually beautiful women).
In truth, I love beauty too, in all its forms, but overt, very public opulence is definitely not my style. And therein, I believe, lies an important question. Given Putin’s lavish material tastes, and his apparent interest in elaborate and showy Czarist extravagance, would he really be willing to destroy all those magnificent buildings and their trappings in a nuclear conflict of mutually assured destruction? Indeed, would his Libran leanings persuade him to risk a nightmarish, post-nuclear, dystopian wasteland? I have my doubts.