by Larry Johnson
If you take the time to watch Vladimir Putin’s press conference yesterday (Friday) in Astana and then watch any recent cluster fark by Joe Biden, you will understand why the Russians are so calm in dealing with Ukraine. Putin is remarkable. Low key, well informed, articulate and not afraid of tough questions. He did not get any softballs here and, in fact, faced some tough questions. So much for the myth that Russia is a totalitarian state that brokers no dissent and requires everyone to toe a party line. That characterization more aptly describes the United States under the demented Joe Biden.
Here are the highlights with the relevant time stamp:
9:15 Putin asked about Germany’s behavior. He notes incisively that Germany has put priority on serving NATO rather than the interests of its nation and people.
14:40 Putin is asked about attending the G20 and meeting with Joe Biden. Putin said, there is no point. “There is no platform for any kind of negotiations at this point.” And we are in constant contact with some members of the G20, e.g. Turkey.
18;00 Putin is questioned directly about recent arrest of man in Moscow for listening to Ukrainian music. Putin responded that the arrest is wrong and we (Russia) should not behave like the West in trying to cancel a culture, in this case Ukrainian culture. He noted that Ukrainian is still a recognized language in Crimea and would remain so. He emphasized that Neo-Nazis and Nazi symbols on display in Ukraine are NOT Ukrainian culture and must be eliminated.
20:10 Mobilization was a hot topic. Will there be another wave of mobilization? Will there be “total mobilization”? Putin said the Defense Ministry initially planned a smaller number than the 300,000. Putin remarked that he doesn’t see any need right now to expand that number. There are 220,000 mobilized and the work of mobilization will be finished in two weeks.
22:00 Putin was asked about the men who fled Russia for other countries and calls in the Duma to confiscate their property. Putin said it must not be handled based on emotions. Rather it must be dealt with according to the law. In other words, each case must be litigated on an individual basis instead of a blanket action.
24:00 Another reporter cited one person mobilized who died allegedly with no training. Putin emphasized that the mobilized are supposed to receive 5 to 10 days refresher training. Then they go for specialized training that lasts 5 to 15 days. Then they undergo joint combat training. So far 33,000 men mobilized already with front line units and 16,000 in units with combat missions. Putin said he will order a review of the training regimen to ensure it is being done appropriately.
29:15 A reporter asked about the retaliatory strikes in response to the terrorist bombing of the Crimea bridge. Putin said there is no massive retaliation. Russia hit 22 of 29 targets and is now working on hitting the remaining 7. He said he saw no need for “massive retaliation” at this point.
30:00 Final question–NATO says that defeat of Ukraine by Russia will be the defeat of NATO. What happens if NATO deploys troops to Ukraine. Putin said “it could lead to a global catastrophe and I hope that those who talk about this will be smart enough not to undertake such dangerous steps.”Whether you like or despise Putin, give the man his due. He spoke off the cuff. No notes in hand. He did not shy away from any question and he did not get angry or lose his cool. What a contrast with a Joe Biden press encounter.
Consider NATO already defeated, then.
NATO troops are already in Ukraine, and have been.
Puntin’s due is a war-crimes trial in the Hague, but we’ll probably have to settle for his removal from power by the Russians themselves.
WRONG.
This war was started by NATO and the US. It was building for decades, and in no small part because the US literally destabilized Ukraine, installed a puppet using J6th-style techniques, and now have the war they pushed Putin to. It didn’t have to happen and no one can figure out why the West won’t negotiate. Perhaps they want nuclear war, like they wanted a fake pandemic they released?
The myth that this is just “crazy Putin” and that his people “don’t support him and will remove him” is beyond nuts.
Another j*rkoff propaganda post by greg both debunked, and dismissed.
Well said.
The USA has become a totalitarian state. We the People do NOT want this war, and the illegal, installed regime does not represent us.
You can trust Putin’s approval ratings like you can trust Russian state news outlets and Russian social media trolls. There’s a reason Putin has locked down Russian access to the internet and suppresses all news sources that don’t parrot everything he says. There’s a reason a Russian can’t publicly reveal anything about Putin’s “Special Military Operation” without risking a long prison sentence.
There’s also a reason why Putin is now relying on Wagner Group mercenaries to try to hold onto his stolen Ukrainian territories, why over 200,000 Russian males have fled the country to avoid conscription, and why he’s trying to buy weapons and munitions from North Korea and Iran.
It doesn’t take a genius to figure any of this out. Putin has made the worst military miscalculation of the 21st Century. He didn’t understand the resolve of Ukrainian patriots willing to die for their freedom. He didn’t understand the determination and skill of their military. He didn’t even understand the inherent weaknesses of his own military, because no one can tell Putin anything that he doesn’t want to hear.
Russian can’t publicly reveal anything about Putin’s “Special Military Operation” without risking a long prison sentence.
loose lips moron
You are dismissed, junior.
You’re pushing lies and no one is listening.
Enjoy your war.
Even after being destroyed you still have to parrot your bullshit.
Russia has already won this war, and it’s escalated to a global war mainly because NATO and the West as large MISCALCULATED.
No one else.
You are a troll.
We are normal citizens kicking your moronic ass all over the internet.
Enjoy your war. You caused it, and you’ll primarily be the ones paying for it.
YOU ARE DISMISSED.
Wow bro you have it all figured out, the destruction of the pipeline and attempted destruction of the bridge did not galvanize Putins people to his cause. You know things just spontaneously blow themselves up because Russia cant make its own bombs and stuff, genius! Europe isnt having any protests over food and energy prices, or NATO nazis pushing it to a “limited” nuclear war. While they are in line to get coal to and wood to heat their houses wondering where to get money to keep the lights on.The Economy of Russia is not harmed much NATO isnt the entire world sanctions have backfired.
The only people who miscalculated anything live on the Western side of the Polish Border with Ukraine.
greg knows this, but he’s desperate.
Zelensky did the same thing as Putin with media, putting a bounty on reporters behind the Russian lines, reporting the delivery of aid and evacuations.(kidnapping lol) All the news, green-screen and all, is coming out of his propaganda studios, we are sure its all truthful.