Betting on middle-class Russians to decide the outcome misunderstands Russia IMO - we meet them, we hear lots about them because they're the usual contacts for journalists in Moscow. But they�… (View Post)

Not up to us, but If I was Ukraine I'd evaluate it on what it would mean for Ukraine rather than guessing what the Russian state of mind might be. Otherwise one gets into no-win negotiations whe… (View Post)

On a lighter note, here's the impressive Ukrainian ration kit that's keeping them going in the chilly surroundings (-1 in Kyiv at the moment): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID_eFoIemjU (View Post)

What it achieves is preventing what's happened in the Balkan States and Poland, with NATO troops right up to the Russian border. Neutrality would mean no Russian, American or other foreign troop… (View Post)

A few unconfirmed reports from various sources which people may not all have seen (Guardian, NZZ (Swiss, pro-Ukrainian), Haaretz (Israeli), Interfax (pro-Russian): "Small positive signs" in… (View Post)