So Moldova is poor, corrupt, and has an ongoing international boundary dispute with Russia-aligned Transnistria. Sounds like the perfect candidate for NATO membership. Perhaps Jens can propose them when the NATO bigwigs gather this summer for their 75th anniversary celebration.
Moldova is also perfect as yet another bottomless black hole for U.S. taxpayer dollars. Sign them up!
The Moldovan situation is more loaded than as presented; Pres Sandu is doing her utmost best to make Moldova "Romanian", including making it the official language in Parliament (instead of Russian). Romania has always felt robbed when the borders were defined under Soviet rule. Hungary, and Poland for that matter, also have historical claims to western oblasts in Ukraine. The Transnistrian (Russian) enclave is landlocked (by Moldova and Ukraine), though it does have a trip-wire Russian army presence (with allegedly a vast Soviet era weapons/ammo storage facility which Ukraine would love to raid). It is the gateway to Odessa.
Regarding the comment below on Ukrainian soldiers in Odessa who identify as Russians would rebel against Kiev; never underestimate the Neo-nazi (Azov, Territorial Brigades et al) "punisher" presence in all parts of the front; they are there to kill all who would surrender/retreat/desert. They are "licensed" to enforce (murder/torture) their sick vision of racial supremacy no matter where they are, or whether in uniform or not.
All in all it is a highly thorny issue with which to grapple;
There was no mention, either, of new Moldovan tariffs applied to trade with Transnistria, in an attempt to further pressure the autonomous strip along the Dniester.
In some ways the secession parallels the Donbas - but it occured 24 years ago as Moldova tried to repress Russian identity across the river.
The similar oppression in the Donbas followed later; the overturning by Kiev in 1991 of a free and fair vote for Crimean autonomy in 1990 is I guess a closer parallel.
What has surprised me so far is the relative calm on the Dniester, as though there were a tacit agreement not to extend the military conflict from East and Southeast to Southwest Ukraine.
But a month ago a special congress met in Transnistria to consider the increasing tensions.
Some expected it to apply for membership of the Russian Federation, joining the four oblasts in Ukraine - but instead they took a sort of middle course, appealing to Russia for increased 'protection'.
I don't think Putin wants to extend the war there... but Budanov wants to extend it just about everywhere.
The problem with a deployment to Odessa is that the Russians are there already. For the time being they're in Ukrainian uniforms. How many would stay loyal if the government in Kiev unravels? Imagine a force composed of Ukrainian POWs approaching Odessa. Would the defenders fire upon their own people? The temptation to defect to the winning side would be rather strong. I mean, even the Poles chose to fight alongside the Red Army during the latter stage of World War II. The situation is a complete trap.
Because we can. Western soft power is such that by definition, our pets are The Freest And Moastest Democractic Evah, even as they behave like fascists.
Moldova is in no position to fight Russia, any fighting that would result from possible scenario's centring around Moldova would be done by NATO armies, but not under NATO banner. The outcome of any such fighting is a forgone conclusion imo.
Fighting in Moldova would cause a substantial portion of the Romanian population to flee to Romania. Russia could then hold a referendum in which the now-majority Russian population would vote to be reunified with Russia. Problem solved, no more Moldova.
Meanwhile, Budanov says that Ukraine has almost everything it needs to destroy the Kerch Bridge. (Basically, Ukraine has received Taurus missiles, which is why we suddenly stopped hearing the constant mewling for them.)
If this were not obvious enough, yesterday Ben Hodges said that “the siege of Crimea had begun”..
Do you think destroying a part of the Kerch bridge is going change anything? Russia doesn't need 8 years to repair a bridge. In 8 years Russian can build a bridge straight to Washinton DC. And how will Russia respond to that attack? How much infrastructure and lifes does Ukraine want to see destroyed? Are those symbolic victories worth if getting repaid fivefold? I think it's stupid but ok.
But I remind you also that Romania has been the welcome house for CIA torture prisons since 2001 in the so called "war on terrorism" that should be called the new "nazi US war to Europe and Middle East" as if somebody still believes 9/11 was organized and executed by a bunch of fool Saudis is even more fool then them!
God help Moldova, the political Gnosticism of the liberal imperium will destroy them and leave chaos in it’s wake. How many countries are we going to destroy, Moldova will be Libya.
Is the occupation and destruction of countries by the United States your freedom? Is the murder of millions of people around the world by the United States your freedom? The kidnapping and torture of people around the world by the CIA is your freedom? And which one of us is an orc after that?
Stephen - What would a “buffer zone” look like in practice and would it still be controlled by a pro-Russian regime in Kiev? Where do you think it would be?
So Moldova is poor, corrupt, and has an ongoing international boundary dispute with Russia-aligned Transnistria. Sounds like the perfect candidate for NATO membership. Perhaps Jens can propose them when the NATO bigwigs gather this summer for their 75th anniversary celebration.
Moldova is also perfect as yet another bottomless black hole for U.S. taxpayer dollars. Sign them up!
I somehow miss the enthusiasm in your comment ! Would I really feel some malice ? :)
The Moldovan situation is more loaded than as presented; Pres Sandu is doing her utmost best to make Moldova "Romanian", including making it the official language in Parliament (instead of Russian). Romania has always felt robbed when the borders were defined under Soviet rule. Hungary, and Poland for that matter, also have historical claims to western oblasts in Ukraine. The Transnistrian (Russian) enclave is landlocked (by Moldova and Ukraine), though it does have a trip-wire Russian army presence (with allegedly a vast Soviet era weapons/ammo storage facility which Ukraine would love to raid). It is the gateway to Odessa.
Regarding the comment below on Ukrainian soldiers in Odessa who identify as Russians would rebel against Kiev; never underestimate the Neo-nazi (Azov, Territorial Brigades et al) "punisher" presence in all parts of the front; they are there to kill all who would surrender/retreat/desert. They are "licensed" to enforce (murder/torture) their sick vision of racial supremacy no matter where they are, or whether in uniform or not.
All in all it is a highly thorny issue with which to grapple;
There was no mention, either, of new Moldovan tariffs applied to trade with Transnistria, in an attempt to further pressure the autonomous strip along the Dniester.
In some ways the secession parallels the Donbas - but it occured 24 years ago as Moldova tried to repress Russian identity across the river.
The similar oppression in the Donbas followed later; the overturning by Kiev in 1991 of a free and fair vote for Crimean autonomy in 1990 is I guess a closer parallel.
What has surprised me so far is the relative calm on the Dniester, as though there were a tacit agreement not to extend the military conflict from East and Southeast to Southwest Ukraine.
But a month ago a special congress met in Transnistria to consider the increasing tensions.
Some expected it to apply for membership of the Russian Federation, joining the four oblasts in Ukraine - but instead they took a sort of middle course, appealing to Russia for increased 'protection'.
I don't think Putin wants to extend the war there... but Budanov wants to extend it just about everywhere.
It is wonderful and heartening to find other informed voices in the wilderness!
Sandu's "moldovanization" is also fundamentally a political statement.
The problem with a deployment to Odessa is that the Russians are there already. For the time being they're in Ukrainian uniforms. How many would stay loyal if the government in Kiev unravels? Imagine a force composed of Ukrainian POWs approaching Odessa. Would the defenders fire upon their own people? The temptation to defect to the winning side would be rather strong. I mean, even the Poles chose to fight alongside the Red Army during the latter stage of World War II. The situation is a complete trap.
$320 million in aid in a country the outlaws the opposition. We sure know how to pick'em.
Because we can. Western soft power is such that by definition, our pets are The Freest And Moastest Democractic Evah, even as they behave like fascists.
Moldova is in no position to fight Russia, any fighting that would result from possible scenario's centring around Moldova would be done by NATO armies, but not under NATO banner. The outcome of any such fighting is a forgone conclusion imo.
Fighting in Moldova would cause a substantial portion of the Romanian population to flee to Romania. Russia could then hold a referendum in which the now-majority Russian population would vote to be reunified with Russia. Problem solved, no more Moldova.
Meanwhile, Budanov says that Ukraine has almost everything it needs to destroy the Kerch Bridge. (Basically, Ukraine has received Taurus missiles, which is why we suddenly stopped hearing the constant mewling for them.)
If this were not obvious enough, yesterday Ben Hodges said that “the siege of Crimea had begun”..
French troops to be deployed in April.
https://t.me/DDGeopolitics/106736
The West only continues to double down while Russia dithers.
Do you think destroying a part of the Kerch bridge is going change anything? Russia doesn't need 8 years to repair a bridge. In 8 years Russian can build a bridge straight to Washinton DC. And how will Russia respond to that attack? How much infrastructure and lifes does Ukraine want to see destroyed? Are those symbolic victories worth if getting repaid fivefold? I think it's stupid but ok.
Budanov also warned on 2 April that the new railway link over the 'land bridge' is 'almost ready'...
Please provide a specific link to Hodges' statement
https://twitter.com/general_ben/status/1774341634332721216
Google is your friend, sometimes at least.
Google and friend does not really fit, but thanks for the link and all the best for the future
Can Russia destroy the Tower or Brooklyn Bridge with its missiles?
Will Russia do so? Throughout this war, Russia has been loathe to escalate, while the West is itching for more war.
The West may force Russia to launch such strikes.
Nothing would delight NATO more.
Will nuclear war please NATO? But then everyone will die!
IIRC, the Taurus has a longer range.
Good point.
Here some other point of view https://korybko.substack.com/p/romanias-draft-law-on-dispatching
But I remind you also that Romania has been the welcome house for CIA torture prisons since 2001 in the so called "war on terrorism" that should be called the new "nazi US war to Europe and Middle East" as if somebody still believes 9/11 was organized and executed by a bunch of fool Saudis is even more fool then them!
God help Moldova, the political Gnosticism of the liberal imperium will destroy them and leave chaos in it’s wake. How many countries are we going to destroy, Moldova will be Libya.
WTF does the current American administration know about pluralistic media or border control?
Everyone should read this article by Dmitri Trenin. Everyone who think Russia won't use nuclear weapons should think again:
https://profile.ru/abroad/kak-rossiya-mozhet-pokonchit-s-deficitom-straha-v-otnosheniyah-s-zapadom-1456137/
Nothing would make NATO more delighted.
Has the afternoon shift started in Russia already? Where did the day go?!?
#Transdniestria to ship all excess munitions to #Ukraine inmediatamente por favor! Else, … 🦅
After liberation from the NATO occupation, Moldova will be returned to Russia and life in it will become richer.
Clearly to prevent a (breathless pause) “Crisis in Moldova”, Ukraine must be fully supported and Putin must be defeated!
Thanks for your valuable contribution to the rationale for Russia’s defeat and collapse!
Your dreams are not coming true.
My only dream is of freedom, and that is eternal. It can’t be subjugated or crushed. Sorry orc.
Is the occupation and destruction of countries by the United States your freedom? Is the murder of millions of people around the world by the United States your freedom? The kidnapping and torture of people around the world by the CIA is your freedom? And which one of us is an orc after that?
A funny definition of freedom you have there....
I’m not American so frankly I don’t know what the funk you are talking about. lol!
Of course you're not an American. The European occupiers of North America killed all Americans long ago.
Great satire :-)
Stephen - What would a “buffer zone” look like in practice and would it still be controlled by a pro-Russian regime in Kiev? Where do you think it would be?
If it can be defined it will be up to the west bank of the Dnieper. A buffer zone would not protect Crimea.
https://korybko.substack.com/p/would-nato-really-hang-france-out?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=835783&post_id=143290302&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=1cc3o&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email
Korybko says the obvious.
Very informative. Thank you.