Yes, I agree Russia is a totally independent nation and I wish them well in their endeavor to distance themselves from communism and move towards a more free state for the people. Putting the ruble on a gold standard would be a brilliant move (IMHO) and it looks like they just might do it. Russia is a resource rich (especially oil and gas) nation, which works enormously in their favor on a world trade scale.

With all that said I do not believe Russia could wage a war to take down western Europe regardless of its natural resources. One case in point I made with term2 is their war machine would be dependent on getting refined fuel to run it and that supply line would likely be bombed out of commission within the first two days.

Even in the war in Ukraine, Russia is not facing swarms of NATO aircraft bombing Russian infrastructure back into the 18th century. I don't think it will come to that as, IMHO, the two scenarios I mentioned elsewhere are more likely.

Edit add: It would be more in Russia's interest to eventually buy Western Europe than to blow it up, but as someone else mentioned elsewhere, why would the Russians want custody of a bunch of failing welfare states?

PDS

Me, too! I have "feelings". But reality and credibility are based on factual data. not feelings.
..................
A: I don't like my neighbor C two doors down the street.
Why?
A: Cause everybody knows he is a bad person.
A: Therefore I am arming B, the neighbor between us, and paying him to shoot at the bad man's dogs
Why?
A: Because C's planning to attack me.
Has he ever said he is going to attack you?
A: No, but I know he is planning to attack me.
How do you know that?
A: Because it's true!
So you're starting a war with him because you're afraid he will start a war with you?
A: Yes!

You are incredible!

Russia has "little farming." LOL! The world's leading exporter of grain. They are now sending FREE shiploads of grain to Somalia!
Yeah, I know, your CNN and MSN_LSD ""trustworthy" buddies did not inform you of reality!

Right! Europe's "advantaged" (LOL!) farmers are blockading Ukrainian borders and demonstrating in Paris against astronomical taxes, TODAY, spraying the cops with manure fertilizer,
What? That wasn't on Fox and Friends or Newsmax? LMAO!

I appreciate the humor!

Russia is independent of the US now. Totally independent. It has plenty of gold, but does not need gold. it is already winning and outshelling Ukraine 10 to 1, and that's with the combined efforts of 30 HATO countries and thousands of Pentagoon personnel working satellites Starlinks, mercenaries and thousands more NATO military stationed in Poland bases directing every military move by "Ukrainian" Nazi's .

Russia used to control "all of them"? France? Belgium? LOL!

Your comment doesn't make any sense. What are you talking about?.

I think Ukraine will have 1 of 2 outcomes:

1) "Forever war" where the lines are similar to now and neither side gives up. This war will waffle between hot and cold from time to time like what we've seen in the Middle East. Neither side actually wins.
2) The war ends with a treaty where Ukraine gets redrawn on the map with the mainly Russian parts ceded to Russia or turned into an independent nation of its own. Russia mainly wins, but the fighting will be over.

Interesting that Putin complains about the same things happening in Ukraine that he does to Navalny in Russia!

"Sweden preparing for war with Belgium."
Really?!?

Actually someone is giving me zeroes.

I think Putin thought he could over run Ukraine in a few days and get away with it. He was wrong, but he will eventually get it under Biden though.

Putin wont go after Poland until he successfully invades Ukraine. He nearly captured all of Europe by allowing them stupidly to rely on their total energy needs from Russia. He was close to blackmailing them into giving into Russia...

Good points, term2. However, IMHO, if Russia steps into Western Europe I doubt it will have enough gold to finance the endeavor to completion and the Russian people can't eat gold no matter how much they have. Making war on Western Europe and by association the USA the Russian ability to supply oil to their war machine and the populous might last 48 hours or so and their war machine will grind to a halt. Nuclear is a very doubtful option since the prevailing westerly winds will drop tons of fallout on Russia and other parts East. I'm reasonably sure Russia can do more than it is doing now, but I'm doubtful it can overrun NATO nations (regardless of how screwed up they are).

Side note: I expect the Chinese will stay neutral in that mess.

Russia is a long way from here, and has little control over my life at the current time. Our own enfeebled government has far more effect on my life at this time, and China is a close #2. I have little direct information about Russia except for a few items:

1) Putin is a vicious dictator who has killed off anyone who is remotely a threat to him. He has a very fatherly demeanor that came out in Oliver Stone interview which I watched. I suspect as long as his position of power is not threatened in any way, he is a reasonable person.
2) Putin is big time into staying in control. He has enough enemies to keep him worried about losing power.
3)"Mother Russia" seems to be a big unifying factor in Russian life, and Putin seems to know this
4)Putin is getting old and wants to create a long lasting legacy. Restoring "mother russia" to the previous position as USSR seems to have considerable appeal to him.
5) Putin is an opportunist. He takes what he can get away with. He waited for Biden to be in power in the USA because he knew Biden would at most only do half hearted defense of Ukraine. He wouldn't have tried invasion of Ukraine if Trump were president.
6) I have to go by my assessment of the data I have been exposed to.
7) If I lived in Poland, I would feel the ned to investigate in more depth, since tomorrow I could be attacked by Russia.
4)

It used to control all of them for years. Dictatorial power makes it easier. No need for elections. Just use fear to control. Russian territory is not really great territory in itself. Little farming. Europe has a lot of advantages for russia

Things are complicated enough just as it relates to my own life that I concentrate on making sure that I verify things that affect directly my life currently, and then have to rely somewhat on what I can obtain from others after filtering them as best I can.

Relating to Russia, Its far away, appears to be interested in returning to the old USSR size and power, so I don't keep logs of who said what. For better or worse, I have to make do with what I can remember and analyze. I don't believe much information that is out there, and I have to listen to a person like Putin in the Oliver Stone interviews, and integrate that with the fact he is a pretty nasty dictator, and seems to be very afraid of losing his position (eliminates rivals). I put 2 and 2 together and am more likely to accept that he wants his legacy to be he restored mother Russia to the power and influence of the USSR- and to push for that in whatever way he can get away with. If I lived in Poland, I would feel the need to analyze Putin in far more detail. The Polish people should be acutely aware of what Putin might do if he wins in Ukraine.

Russia does have quite a horde of gold, so it might just have the resources, along with oil to do quite a bit

Oh. I though t Sweden was preparing for war with Belgium. The Brits got out pretty easy, but I don't expect everybody to.

Not to sound too pro-Russian, but Crimea ~used~ to be part of Russia, about 100 years ago. They just finally took it back. Probably understandable, with its strategic naval importance.

You are scoring points in a game of "Imclevererthanyouare"? The forum, It is supposed to be for the exchange of factual and documented data, so we will all be better informed and understanding. Besides I am gathering data for my book, by throwing out my opinions and seeing if they are valid or not. And don't stop the comic relief. If you saw the stuff I saw, in Ukraine, you would want to forget it, too.

Source?

The once mighty Vikings are now Woke.
A shame, really.
That said, what strategic value is Sweden?
And, unlike You-Crain, there are no Russians in Sweden being oppressed by the Swedish government.

I was talking the childishness of the first response "I dunno what he said when he said it or where he said but he said it," and this one."i didn;t do it you did it."

...or hopefully, dead.

Sounds like you're still playing. LOL