In For A Pound.
As in the Ukraine and Vlad Putin.
The West is in the process of slapping Vlad’s hand for taking the Crimea from the Ukraine. And dear reader, it is not coming back – as I have pointed out in earlier blogs.
The issue now is what happens to the rest of the Ukraine and in that regard, nothing stands in Putin’s way from taking it all, save for the possibility of another hand slap.
So my question to you is – why would he not take the whole enchilada?
Precisely.
Either way, the West will huff and puff and impose sanctions on Russia … as well as – are you ready for it … boot Vlad and his country out of the G-8.
Makes one tremble.
But bear in mind that Putin is on record as saying the greatest geo-political mistake of the last 100 years is the breakup of the USSR. He would like nothing better than to see it restored.
That being the case – pretend you are Vlad Putin – what would you do?
I am not sure of your answer but I know if I was he – I would take it all. (just for the record – I am not he and hence would not take such action – but again – he is he and hence is most likely to entertain the thought … if you get my drift.
The West does not have to be such a milquetoast, it could step up to the plate and go to the brink of war to save the Ukraine – planes – ships and troops to flood the region. If it did that, Putin would back off.
But we in the West have already said we will not do that.
So what is left?
Surprisingly, there remains a step we could successfully take.
We (NATO) could put boots on the ground in the Rest of Ukraine – not to fight, since that will not be necessary – but rather to provide moral support to the beleaguered Ukrainian army. In the face of this, Russia will not move further than where they currently are …i.e. the Crimea.
I proposed this action in a recent blog and since then Red Tory Hugh Segal has come to the same conclusion. (This may be one of the rare occasions where Hugh Segal and I agree).
That said, there is no indication that NATO will take even this modest step.
Accordingly, whether or not the rest of the Ukraine stands or falls rests solely with the Vladster.
Embarrassing n’est pas?
As I see it…
‘K.D. Galagher’
