Thread by @sumlenny

Many people urge (until now!) for a "deal" with Putin. Let's have a look on his promises. On Aug 28th 2008, after Russian attack on Georgia, Putin gave his interview to Germany's biggest TV channel ARD and said very clear, Russia recognises Ukrainian borders incl. Crimea. /1

As one clear sees in this interview, Putin aggressively denies any ideas about Russian plans to annex Crimea or attack Ukraine in another way. He literally says to a journalist, that Georgia is an emergency case, and Russia will stop after gaining control over S.Ossetia. /2

Actually, "this is my last conquest, I'll stop now" is the most popular lie among aggressive people - not only dictators, but also abusers, thieves, blackmailers. Adolf Hilter promised the West "to stop" many times: in AUT and CZE. Putin repeatedly used this lie too, watch: /3

On March 18th 2014, after annexation of Crimea, Putin hold his speech in Moscow, saying: "Don’t believe those who try to frighten you with Russia and who scream that other regions will follow after Crimea. We don't want a partition of Ukraine". He lied. /4

As we know, in just a few weeks, Russia attacked other regions of Ukraine, invading Donbas and starting a 8-years-long war. But they continued to repeat their lies about "this is the last thing what we take" because they knew, this is the lie Western politicians want to hear /5

Just before the upcoming full-scale invasion with missile strikes on ALL Ukrainian cities, Russia turned their lies on for a maximum volume. On Dec 08th 2021, Putin called a question about a possible attack on Ukraine "a provocation", and Russia: "a peaceful state" /6

Many Western politicians continued to gladly swallow this bite, saying "Putin himself denies such attack plans, what can we do?" On Jan 19th 2022, Russian Deputy FM Ryabkov stated, Russia has no plan for any aggressive actions. We will not attack, strike or invade Ukraine". /7

On 20th Feb 2022, 4 days before invasion, Russian ambassador to the US Antonov said, Russia recognises Donbas as a part of Ukraine, does not have any claims on Ukrainian lands, does not have plans of any attack and considers the Crimea issue closed. /8

Effectively, until the last hour before the invasion, Russia openly lied about its aggressive plans, and was obligation. The same happed to other statements of Russia before. Let us have a look for example on Syria case. /9

On Sept 28th 2015, Putin said in his interview to BBC, Russia has no plans to get involved in war in Syria /10

Of course, he lied and sent his troops to Syria. In 2 years, on Dec 11th 2017, Putin said, Russian troops have fulfilled their mission in Syria, and gave an order to return his troops to Russia. He lied again, Russian troops are still present and fighting in Syria /11

Why am I writing this? To demonstrate that no single word or promise Putin and ministers make, can be taken as something real. They lie, and lie again, and lie again. Their words cost nothing, and the only policy towards Russia would be to stop any negotiations with Russia. /12

This is actually very logical. Imagine you have a business partner who ALWAYS lies. He breaks any promise, steals your money, does not pay for your service, damages your property and lies again. Would you expect, NEXT TIME HE DOES THINGS RIGHT? Of course not. /13

So the only logical way to deal with Russia is to create conditions when Russia CAN'T act aggressively. To have strong army, to impose sanctions for any violation, to force Russia back into normality. This works perfectly in our society, which knows how to deal with sociopaths.

This will also work perfectly with Russia, which is not a "special" country and has no "mysterious soul". It is rogue state, a spoiled mobster, who used to bully its neighbours and to bribe influential politicians. It can be put back into its place very easily. /END