Okay. Maybe I was mistaken. But I had to post that video in honor of the western media’s reaction today to Putin’s speech announcing partial mobilization and declaring that Russian would use all of its weapons to defend itself. Instead of taking Putin at face value and acknowledging that he is not one to make idle threats, western pundits and politicians rushed to set the meme–i.e., Putin is hysterical and panicked. He is a desperate man ready to do desperate things because Ukraine is beating the crap out of Russia. Etc. Denethor is an island of tranquility compared to the anguished, despondent Putin. Or so we are told.
If it is said by “authorities” on television and repeated multiple times, it has to be true. There is no room for an alternative explanation. Does Vlad look rattled to you?
Do you know why a skunk has a white stripe down its back or a porcupine quills? Those are visible signs to warn unsuspecting souls that there is potential danger with those creatures. Putin’s body language should be viewed the same way. He is leaning forward and not quivering one bit. He is direct and firm and leaves no room for nuance.
The reaction of western political leaders to Putin’s speech is alarming. Most seem to believe that Putin is just bluffing because he is losing. Therefore they promise to continue sending advanced weaponry to Ukraine that will be used to attack Russian civilians. Let me remind you specifically what Putin said about these threats:
We will without questions use ALL means at our disposal to protect Russia and our people. This is not a bluff. And those who try to blackmail us with nuclear weapons should know that the “prevailing winds” can also blow in their direction.
Putin’s decision to declare a partial mobilization of men with prior military service was not precipitated by a significant attrition in the existing force. The facts are clear–the militias of Dontesk and Luhansk represent the majority of the Russian allied forces doing the fighting in the Donbas. The militias are reinforced by contract soldiers from the Wagner Group and the Chechens. This explains why Russia has less than 5,800 kia since February 24–Russians are not the primary force on the frontlines of the battles.
The number of Russians fighting in Ukraine is going to change dramatically. But the arrival of Russian units in force is at least a month away. The referenda in the Ukrainian oblasts come first and will be followed by the Government of Russia and the Russian legislature accepting the results and approving the annexation of these territories. After that, any attack on the new Russian republics would be treated as an act of war against Russia.
While Ukraine has carried out some spotty attacks in the Crimea and Belgorod in the last six months, Russia has shrugged these off and continued with its mission to secure Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. The referenda is a watershed and the special military operation will be replaced by Russia going on a war footing. The west will be well advised to acknowledge this fact rather than pretend that Russia is on the verge of collapse.
The reality is that western leaders, not Putin, are behaving like the deranged Denethor. We need a Gandalf with a big white wand to knock some sense into them. Otherwise, the world is entering some very dangerous waters and heightened risk of nuclear war.
The post The Rantings And Ravings of Vladimir Putin – He’s On The Ropes appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.