Toxic Putin is going for bust. The west must stop him before this contagion spreads

[Lonestarblue]

28. I have to disagree. Putin has made public statements about expanding Russia's sphere of influence.

He took Crimea with a very weak response from the West. Prior to that, he waged brutal wars in Georgia and Chechnya. In Chechnya alone, estimates are that Russian troops killed as many as a quarter million citizens.

Leaders of the non-NATO nations that were formerly part of the USSR have also stated their fears that they are next. Putin has maintained power over a country with a declining economy by murdering his political opponents, by giving oligarchs free reign to steal the assets of the nation, and by using propaganda to brainwash the Russian people in believing that Western nations hate them and are constantly trying to hurt the country—making them victims of the West that he is protecting, thus his frequent wars to show that he is “on the job.” Putin maintains almost total control over the news that Russians get, and thus they are still supporting him.

Putin falsely used national security as a reason to invade Ukraine, but neither Ukraine nor any of Russia’s neighbors had any desire or capability to attack Russia. Yes, Putin sees Ukraine as the crown jewel in this collection of countries as he reestablishes Imperial Russia with himself as its modern-day czar. I believe it makes no sense for Putin to invade other countries, but it made no sense for him to invade Ukraine. Nor does it make sense for him to occupy Ukraine because it will strain his forces and the Ukrainians will fight for decades if necessary to free themselves. Plus, the US and the EU nations will continue to fund and equip them in their fight. Yet Putin pushes on with ever more brutal attacks. If he claims Kviv,,he will declare himself the winner. It may take a year or so to regroup, but he’ll have the next country in his sights. That’s a big reason why severe sanctions should remain in place indefinitely. This time, Putin needs to be taught a lesson.