On Putin's Speech
China and Russia are intent on destroying and remaking the existing world order. They've even put it in writing. Earlier statements might have attempted to cast that aspiration in a slightly more positive light than today's speech. Putin is now acting and speaking, quite plainly, like a thug who intends to seize far more than Ukraine. Get in his way and he'll kill you (or worse).
We should believe him.
If Putin wants an off-ramp now make him ask for one. We should take his words at face value and respond accordingly. And while we are at it, we shouldn't limit our planning or preemptive actions to the current crisis. Today he shared a much more ambitious vision and we'd be wise to start countering it with an equally ambitious and long-range set of plans now. This battle will rage as long as Putin remains in power. The sooner we accept this reality and act on it, the better our chance to constrain him and limit the horrific potential of his intentions.
A few more thoughts on the subject from Twitter:
Very clear from Putin's speech that this isn't just about recognizing the LNR/DNR. Russia has more ambitious political goals.
— Rob Lee (@RALee85) February 21, 2022
If you want to know how Ukrainians react to Putin's speech, here's a glimpse: moms on Facebook discuss putting stickers on their children's clothes, when they go to school, indicating their blood type. Make no mistake: this speech was perceived as a declaration of war on Ukraine
— Olga Tokariuk (@olgatokariuk) February 21, 2022
Obviously I expected Putin to be aggressive and uncompromising, but this is downright scary. This is a war speech.
— max seddon (@maxseddon) February 21, 2022
Accepting apologies now here for all the patronizing nonsense from Western Europeans I had to listen to for 31 years telling me we Estonians were "paranoid" about Russian behavior.
— toomas hendrik ilves (@IlvesToomas) February 21, 2022
The main takeaway today for me from not the content of Putin's speech -- he wrote that Ukraine had no right to statehood months ago -- but its deranged delivery and how distant and terrified that same inner circle that made the decision to seize Crimea have become from him.
— Ben Judah (@b_judah) February 21, 2022
What will it take to finally smash the western fantasy? Russian troops have crossed the border. Putin has further invaded a European democracy
— Paul Massaro (@apmassaro3) February 21, 2022
When you describe Russian soldiers invading Ukraine right now as "peacekeepers", even when you use quotation marks, you are using language that Putin wants you to use. Call it what it is -- an invasion.
— Michael McFaul (@McFaul) February 21, 2022
This exchange between Putin and Naryshkin was amazing
— Dmitri Alperovitch (@DAlperovitch) February 21, 2022
Head of Russia’s premier intelligence agency (SVR, one of successors to KGB) was flustered and seems to have had no clue that the topic of the 1.5 hour meeting was proposal to recognize Donbas independence and not annexation! https://t.co/kIcEm2ZfBP
Intelligence officials, even senior ones, can feel nervous when briefing policymakers. It’s a natural, human thing.
— David Priess (@DavidPriess) February 21, 2022
This shifting, stammering, and discomfort from the Russian foreign intel chief when Putin asks about Ukraine reflects something more sinister. It looks like fear. https://t.co/b5gJg5AWdB
Here's my take on Putin's double-bill today, which feels like one of the most significant moments in his 22-years-and-counting rule over Russiahttps://t.co/6Gb484MCjq
— Shaun Walker (@shaunwalker7) February 21, 2022
After Putin’s surreal speech and decision to recognize the LNR and DNR, isn’t it time to shed any illusions that we are dealing w someone who was ever interested in diplomacy.
— Dr Alina Polyakova (@apolyakova) February 21, 2022
Notice how NATO was a small slice of Putin's speech? That's because at its root this crisis has always been about Putin's belief that Ukraine in its current boundaries is not a legitimate nation and has robbed Russia of some of its rightful territory by an accident of history.
— Paul Sonne (@PaulSonne) February 21, 2022
Well, one thing about Putin's speech: at least it's all out in the open now. No more equivocation from him, so none from us now....please?
— David Patrikarakos (@dpatrikarakos) February 21, 2022
Putin's Speech (the short version) pic.twitter.com/6naw6gNOUJ
— Zachery Tyson (@ZaknafeinDC) February 21, 2022