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Original poster

To wonder if Putin is serious.

128 replies

Ciaram55 · 27/02/2022 19:50

It was on channel 4 news that Putin has ordered his nuclear deterrent on high alert. But tomorrow there's supposed to be peace talks. What the hell is up with the man. I must admit to feeling even more worried now.

OP posts:
toastfiend · 27/02/2022 23:17

@Alcoh

Am so happy some people on here are laughing and saying there won’t be a nuclear war. And that this is all scaremongering. The guy is a lunatic. How do people on mumsnet know it’s all going to be ok. Confused
They don't, this is their way of dealing with the situation. They're being optimistic and pragmatic, which is not necessarily misguided, there is a longstanding tradition of non-use of nuclear weapons, even when that use has been threatened, and also a surprising number of "near-misses" in our collective world history where the checks and balances that are part of the system fortunately have done their job. Hopefully this situation will be one of those times.

I don't think Putin is the kind of man to not be serious about this, though. We've already underestimated him over the invasion itself, with lots of people predicting that he wouldn't do it before he went and did it. I think he's been backed into a corner and I think that makes him very dangerous. There's no way he'll accept losing face over this so an off ramp that allows for deescalation without him feeling humiliated needs to come to fruition, or he succeeds with his aims, or we hope that those checks and balances work.

I still think/hope that, on the balance of probabilities, it's unlikely, but I'm not comfortable with how much less unlikely it is now than it was a month ago. I'd quite like to be able to fast forward the next few months. The uncertainty is what really gets to me anxiety wise.

JPI7 · 27/02/2022 23:25

Whilst you cannot let a bully prosper, you have to ensure that you don’t back a rat into a corner or else it will attack you. There always Needs to be a way out.

BadHairDayExpert · 27/02/2022 23:25

www.bbc.co.uk/news/60477712

In response to the speech the pp posted upthread

TheBeesKnee · 27/02/2022 23:28

This came up on the BBC newsfeed as well - chilling.

To wonder if Putin is serious.
DoorWasAJar · 27/02/2022 23:28

@Ciaram55

Wonder what his two daughters think of it. Hmm
One of his daughters posted a no war hashtag on her Instagram or Twitter but it was taken down fast, I believe. In China the CCP police anti-Russian posts on social media.
DoorWasAJar · 27/02/2022 23:29

*that should be ‘anti-Russian war posts’ above

Deliberateplanning · 27/02/2022 23:29

It's scary no doubt. I hurl between being scared witless and erm well being fairly scared

forinborin · 27/02/2022 23:31

@battenburgHatday

I worry he would use a small nuclear device in Ukraine just to see what he can get away with and assert himself as someone who carries through with their threats
This is my biggest worry at the moment, and not an implausible scenario at all.
Akire · 27/02/2022 23:33

I can’t see military agreeing press buttons to nuke rest of the world. Even if other countries didn’t have time to send them back then amount destruction, radiation and death would mean no one could survive. The whole point is he makes his mark on history not end history altogether. Hopefully Russian people are making plans to get rid I’m sure they don’t agree that if they can’t win they might as all be dead.

Livelovebehappy · 27/02/2022 23:34

My anxiety levels are through the roof. I’ve hardly slept for two days, and I know that that might make me irrational, but I just feel so scared about the whole situation. I’ve even googled where the nuclear bunkers are in the U.K. to find our if I’m near one! I clearly need to come off all hews articles and stay away for social media for a bit to try and get some sanity back into my head.

boatyardblues · 27/02/2022 23:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ceramicheart · 27/02/2022 23:47

[quote strawberrycheesecake1989]I think so much is distorted. It’s really hard to know exactly what’s going on. A friend at my park place sent me this. It’s a direct translation of Putin’s address to the people of Russia today. It was quite an eye opener. Haven’t seen this anywhere else

thesaker.is/address-by-the-president-of-the-russian-federation-february-24-2022/[/quote]
Fascinating.

boatyardblues · 27/02/2022 23:47

Sorry, wrong thread. Will ask MNHQ to delete.

TabithaTittlemouse · 27/02/2022 23:59

@boatyardblues

I was trying to avoid spoilers. I meant her conversation with Song Kang afterwards, over a meal.
I wish you did have a spoiler for this.
Jux · 28/02/2022 00:01

For my entire childhood, and dh's, we were waiting for the 4 minute warning.

Putin doesn't frighten me with his silly pronouncements.

I'm hoping that one (or all) of his generals will decide that enough is enough and poison or shoot or knife him. I'm sure they all want to.

SirVixofVixHall · 28/02/2022 00:01

@JPI7

Whilst you cannot let a bully prosper, you have to ensure that you don’t back a rat into a corner or else it will attack you. There always Needs to be a way out.
Yes I agree with this.
Londoncallingme · 28/02/2022 00:05

@biggreenhouse

he has very little to lose now at this point.. which is a worrying position to be in.
This is what’s concerning, he won’t back down so may just go out with a bang! Literally!
Londoncallingme · 28/02/2022 00:06

Absolutely right. This is the worry. There needs to be a way he can retreat but save face.

LemonJuiceFromConcentrate · 28/02/2022 00:16

I’m normally not super anxious, but this situation has me frightened.

Then again, it’s partly that it’s nighttime — nights are always worse for worry and fear. I was okay (in the sense of managing not to think about it) this morning in the sun.

HelpMeHiveMind · 28/02/2022 00:18

@ceramicheart that translation is eye opening. Although how much can the translation itself be trusted as unbiased? If it is entirely accurate, then Putin's motive is almost entirely to wage war on NATO - mainly the US. Ukraine is almost just a pawn in that process. He also states that "all decisions have already been taken...regardless of how events unfold" e.g. he's already made up his mind and briefed his circle on what needs to be done, regardless of each scenario which would suggest he's really just maneuvering into place and waiting for NATO to play the move that allows him to play his full hand. His speech sounds mainly like the attempt to get his people on side with what he has already decided will be done. Scary stuff.

ladygaga14 · 28/02/2022 00:19

@salemcat

He seriously needs fucking assassinated!!!
I can't believe it's not been done already!
Mamanyt · 28/02/2022 00:26

Putin is posturing, and his oligarchs are almost certainly planning on taking him down after he got them cut off from SWIFT. He's a bully, and trying to scare the world into backing off.

PickAChew · 28/02/2022 00:29

@Nubbled

He may be suffering from dementia and not care
He will be diagnosed as autistic, next Hmm
changeyourname11111 · 28/02/2022 00:30

When has that happened (the tyrant assassinated by their own) in history - in full swing of battle I mean. Genuinely asking. I also want it to happen.

Player456 · 28/02/2022 00:31

@strawberrycheesecake1989 that wasn't Putin's speech from yesterday, that was from the day the invasion started, it was also widely available from that day on the Kremlin's website and shared on here.

It wasn't what was said today, so nothing has been distorted! Confused