The Brink
As Ukraine teeters on the brink of a Russian Invasion; the rhetoric flows, thick and fast. Poisoned somewhat by a meddling US President not in full control of his Mojo, who appears to bumble. Whilst; what it would take to see Vlad back-off, is open to speculation, Since the sum total; of available chutzpah on either side appears to have evaporated.
Meanwhile; the extent to which Russian interests are threatened by NATO appears to be minimal, the West cannot appear to be vacillating. The real danger for Russia though; is the extent to which sentiment is influenced by misconceptions, buried deep in the Vlad psyche.
What he cannot afford; is a perception in Russia that he is not, on top of his game. For though opposition to the way he governs Russia, is limited somewhat; by the tactics he perfected, in East Germany. During his tenure; as the KGB's main man of the Cold War, endures.
In this new, era; where self destruct, enjoys a hair trigger momentum. It could quite easily escalate out of all proportion, to any real threat of decisive action by NATO and its potential, not to intervene. Whilst leaving any threat of retaliation suspended; not out of any clear intention of de-escalation, more so out of indifference,
So the perceptions and misconceptions will rumble on; while the supply of gas to Europe powerfully illustrates. It was naive to believe; Vlad would not use it as a weapon of intimidation. A rather grave and ambiguous mistake. The West and Germany could live to regret.
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