My post was meant as a possible explanation, not a definitive conclusion
[QUOTE=Hestendk;2675540]I total not agree.
I'm still in Ukraine running supplies from west to central Ukrain.
Stayed in Central ukraine 150 Km west of Dnipro until 7 days ago, had to move more west due to the family.
But I'm still running supplies back and forth, and I not seen any negativity against me, more on the checkpost they like WTF why you still here.
Most people I speak with also understand why Nato just not can't close the sky, but the weapons that's coming in are helping.
Those who say this is a loosing battle have no clue about what's going on here on the ground, I don't say Ukraine will win yet, but they dint loose any SET yet if we can use tennis terms.[/QUOTE]After reading some expressions of concern about possible anti-foreigner sentiment, I thought it was worth pointing out how extreme stress can affect people. My hope was to promote a level of patience and understanding for anyone who might have a negative encounter.
I'm very glad to hear about your positive experiences and I fervently hope and pray for your continued safety. You didn't mention your country of origin but, from your writing style (please correct me if I'm wrong) I'm guessing it's not the US or UK, which is one of the variable factors I discussed in my post. You also mentioned two other things: family and the fact that you're helping out by transporting supplies. I'm guessing that people with significant ties to Ukraine, like family connections, speaking the language, residing in the country, helping in the war effort (and similar), are going to be viewed differently. Again, I'm happy to hear about your positive experience. Long may it continue!
BTW, I completely agree with your assessment of Putin's non-progress. This is a war of attrition and the longer Ukraine holds out (with NATO's help) the more the pressure on Putin mounts. I have no crystal ball for the future, but what's clear thus far is that Russia's initial plan has failed and Russia has become a pariah state.
Discussion re why Putin may have overestimated pro-Russia sentiment in Ukraine
[URL]https://mobile.twitter.com/kamilkazani/status/1504103672019513345[/URL]
A bit long, but worth a read, IMO. The author makes the point that Russia's mismanagement of areas it's controlled, such as Crimea and Donbass, has had a negative effect on pro-Russia attitudes.
Those who have lived in Ukraine can validate, or refute, from their personal knowledge. It's beyond my experience, but it does make for an interesting hypothesis as to why cities like Kharkiv are strongly resisting, rather than welcoming Russia.
The unpredictability of sanctions, one way or the other
[QUOTE=PokerLover11;2675508]Russia supplies the world with fertilizer for their crops they have sanctioned the US to not receive any until at least after December, the only thing that is crippling is this administration.[/QUOTE]No single sanction, by or against Russia, is likely to be the definitive and final blow. I'm not a farmer but it won't surprise me if they figure out alternatives, even if those are significantly more expensive.
What matters is the totality of the sanctions regime and which side can hold out longer. Russia is getting some assistance from China, although the Chinese are walking a tightrope and I've read mixed reports of their helpfulness. A few other countries haven't completely cut off Russia but nobody (including China) wants to risk getting caught up in the West's anti-Russia sanctions campaign.
What I don't think gets enough attention is the extraordinary number of private companies that have abandoned Russia, or are refusing to do business with it. How long will Russian planes be able to fly domestically without support and maintenance from Boeing and Airbus? I recently read that one Russian aviation official was fired after he let it slip that China was refusing to supply aircraft parts. But the point is that there are literally hundreds and thousands of variables, with each sanction triggering attempts to evade. It's literally a "Death of a Thousand Cuts" strategy by each side.
Hard, if not impossible, to make a prediction, IMO. My gut feeling, and that's all it is, is that Russia is more isolated and therefore more vulnerable. But sanctions aren't the whole story because, the more pressure Putin feels, the more dangerous he could become.
Happiest Countries in The World.
[QUOTE=Jojosun;2671240]The Warsaw pact countries led by The Evil Empire invaded Czechoslovakia in August 1968,occupied it for few months, set up a puppet government, then withdrew their armies.
The rest is now history, But how does the Czech Republic now stand in world rankings?
'The Czech Republic Among the 20 Happiest Countries In The World'. [URL]https://www.praguemorning.cz/the-czech-republic-among-the-20-happiest-countries-in-the-world/[/URL].
[URL]https://kafkadesk.org/2019/10/02/czech-republic-ranked-in-worlds-top-10-best-countries-for-expats/[/URL][/QUOTE]The Czech&Slovak people didn't resist, Dubceck didn't ask Nato to intervene, Nato didn't intervene.
Now in March 2022 [URL]https://www.praguemorning.cz/world-happiness-report-[/URL].
2022/ text=Share%20 via%3 A,of%20 Happiness%20 on%20 March%2020.
Czechoslovakia was one of the original Warsaw Pact countries
[QUOTE=Jojosun;2675875]The Czech&Slovak people didn't resist, Dubceck didn't ask Nato to intervene, Nato didn't intervene.
Now in March 2022 [URL]https://www.praguemorning.cz/world-happiness-report-[/URL].
2022/ text=Share%20 via%3 A,of%20 Happiness%20 on%20 March%2020.[/QUOTE]So, when the Soviet Union (aided by Poland, Hungary, and Bulgaria) removed the Dubcek government in 1968, it was essentially an internal matter between Warsaw Pact countries. Seen in a Cold War context (and with the US involved in Vietnam) how likely was it that NATO would intervene? Answer, not very.
Fast forward to today: the USSR and Warsaw Pact are defunct, the Czech Republic is firmly ensconced in the bosom of the West AND is now a member of NATO. Therefore, in looking at the totality of historical events, I would argue that Czech happiness is a direct result of no longer being under the Soviet yoke, or being chained by the Warsaw Pact, and being able to freely run their own country.
Also, given what we're now seeing in Ukraine, I'm thinking that Czech happiness is even more enhanced by the security they feel under the NATO umbrella. I wonder if anyone has done a recent opinion poll (among Czechs) re favorable vs unfavorable sentiment toward NATO? I'd love to see the results.