Apart from NATO calling Putin a 'very naughty boy', stopping his pocket money, handing out a couple of BB guns, and the occasional token gesture, the West doesn't seem able/want to do much to stop Russia acting like the playground bully: https://coventryobserver.co.uk/news/coventrys-ukrainians-welcome-removal-of-russian-flag-from-council-house-and-shed-light-on-their-history-in-the-city/

The UK has seen this coming and ignored it for a long while. The 'sanctions' we have taken are a joke. The rest of Europe won't want to take action as they rely heavily on Russia for gas. Putin has planned and executed an unopposed master plan.

How much further Putin will dare go, and whether this will embolden the Chinese, remains to be seen. I really don't think anyone wants to see escalation.

Russia could be in for another Afghanistan; the Ukrainians aren't going to give up easily: https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/the-russian-invasion-of-ukraine-how-is-it-going/

And whilst we're looking there, China seems to be eyeing Taiwan!

It also appears that the Russian population are not universally behind Putin, though he is trying to suppress the news. I seriously wonder if the man has become deranged?

I think we may be in for some very uncertain and distressing times. I just hope that the clown in No.10 has the brains to keep the UK out of it.

Taiwan might be a similar story - the USA's been selling military hardware to them for decades (cheap manufacturing/influence in the Pacific/annoying the Chinese), but when it comes to the crunch, letting your voters get nuked doesn't win elections.

I've read/heard reports about protests in Russia, plus top military officers not being too impressed.

Maybe we could be looking at the USA being knocked off top spot in world politics?

Putin's put Russia's nuclear forces on alert. Very worrying: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/27/putin-puts-russias-nuclear-deterrent-forces-on-alert

For once, I agree with Bozo. I don't think Putin will use nukes. The backlash against him as it is has united over half the world.

Of course, if he is as deranged as some suggest, he could press the big red button and sit back watching as the earth is destroyed.

Ukraine is still giving Russia a hard time: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-62860774

Putin's mercenaries have turned on him. A good opportunity for Ukraine to take advantage of the Russians being distracted: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-europe-66006142

Yes, and no. The question is, if Putin is toppled, who will replace him? There are plenty of a much worse disposition than Putin, and at least we have the measure of him. A 'new face' might just be prepared to use nuclear weapons and s*d the consequences.

It's always a case of 'Better the devil you know'. It's a lesson the West always fails to learn.

According to today's Daily Telegraph, we (UK) were well briefed on this little uprising and what to expect. Ukraine was advised not to 'rock the boat' and it is most definitely assured to anyone listening that NATO (or any members) had anything to do with the rebellion. - Yeah!

BAE's jumped on an opportunity: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66679312

Interesting.

Russia has stated that any BAe plant in Ukraine would be a target. I'm unsure if this is a provocative move or not, but the ramifications might be fascinating.

Conscription, this week's bit of scaremongering: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13005835/Is-Britain-ready-World-War-III.html

Scaremongering, but we need to look behind the headlines for the reasons. - Follow the money!