Agent23
Ни шагу назад!
He needs to stay alive and in the west or he needs to die in a mundane, impersonal way, IMO, a missile taking out his helicopter or something like that.Zelensky will probably run. The reasons for that are as pragmatic as they are personal. If Zelensky is killed or taken--along with his administration, then Russia wins. Zelensky will either need to go underground--then avoid the KGB (or whatever they call themselves these days) for years or slip across the Ukrainian border and live a luxury life in exile while cheering on his "comrades" in Ukraine from afar.
The key is when and how Zelensky runs. It can't be a cowardly retreat (ie, ahead of enemy forces) which is to his credit, not something he's done. He also can't be killed while fleeing the battlefield. Optimally, he should sacrifice himself fighting against the Russians, then let a competent number two take over.
I don't think he has a number two, his whole party was based around his ego and charisma and probably US dark money, and Poroshenko, who is hated IMO, will probably be the one to pick up the pieces.
This Ukrainian lady probably sums up the views of the current Ukrainian government quite well:
There are alternate platforms and the non-mainstream right, from weeaboos to Trump supporters are flocking there, I am talking places like Minds and Gab, and Rumble, and Bitchute.Russia won't win the war on the media front. That was never going to happen. The West's liberal powers control those forums. If the Alt-Right can't win on those platforms, the Russians don't stand a chance.
Also, the west is not the only game in town.
Perhaps a more measured campaign in Ukraine as compared to US shock and awe, Kadirov's social media antics and the hypocrisy of the west in slapping down Russia so hard vs. condoning and fomenting stuff that happens in places like Syria, Libya and Yemen can help Russia win over more of the Islamic World/Middle East.
Yeah, Poroshenko will probably be the best option for thatActually, he can still surrender. Because a formal surrender would end all legitimacy a resistance movement will have and will save Russia a great deal of trouble. Expect Russia to want to capture as many of his administration alive as possible. Because they need SOMEONE with authority to give a formal surrender to Moscow. That bolsters Russia's credibility. It isn't necessary, but it would be a feather in Putin's cap.
There is a separatist part of Moldova called Transnistria, perhaps they will take that while they are at it.Unless I misremember, it's not that Moldova is going to be conquered--it's that the Russian troops already stationed in Moldova may engage in the attack on Ukraine. Or at least allow entry so Russia can open another avenue of attack. Moldova is better off seen as a separate, but Russian backed entity. It allows Moscow more maneuverability. As was the case with Belarus.