Thread by @JBelcourt73

So let's talk reality. By now I am sure you have seen that Russia is threatening a complete rupture of relations with the Us including possible breaking off of formal diplomatic ties. What does this threat actually mean? Honestly, I don't think it means what Russia wants it to

mean. Russia is a bully who has not yet twigged to the fact that the world changed. For decades, Russia has built up the infrastructure of the threat. She corrupted media and elites, maintained the world's biggest nuclear arsenal including (allegedly) real dooms day

level systems designed to wreck entire continents with a single blast. By hook (cheap) and by crook (funding green movements) she weaned Europe off of non-Russian energy to create dependence on her gas and oil. With the removal of Nord Stream 2 sanctions in May 21 and completion

of construction in Sep 21 all the pieces were set. This however is when the world began to shift and Russia did not notice it. The buildup in Russia and Belarus backed by Russian energy dominance was supposed to be a big enough threat that the US and EU would back down and leave

leave Ukraine to Russia's tender imperial mercies. Except, the West did not back down. So, Russia invaded thinking that energy dominance, influence operations and a quick victory would limit the fall out and mute western response. We all know how that went. We are now six months

into a 3 day special military operation that has wrecked the Russian economy, more than decimated their military and see Russia continually ratchet up the threats. At this point Russia has threatened nuclear war, nuclear terrorism, global famine, territorial aggrandizement on a

continental scale, people freezing to deaths in their homes this winter because of an energy shortage... None of it has achieved what Russia wanted which was an end to Western Military support for Ukraine and Western leaders pushing Ukraine to sign over large and productive parts

of her territory and millions of her people. Breaking off relations is just the latest threat by a bully who does not realize that the rules have changed. These threats increasingly fall on deaf ears as they sound increasingly more and more like the desperate cries of an almost

cartoon like villain as the cops arrive, "I'll get you next time captain freedom"! as they wave their fist trying to keep agent Good Guy from putting the cuffs on. The only way out for Russia no longer involves any metric that can be spun as a win. Sure, she has wrecked Ukraine

physically, but bricks and mortar can be repaired. She has killed untold thousands, but the survivors have their eye on the ball because Russia has not been able to defeat the spirit that animates Ukraine. From the very first day of the war, Ukraine has said NO! Every blown up

Russian tank, the counter-offensive/ Russian retreat that pushed the Bear away from Kyiv, the impending battle of Kherson. Everywhere Ukraine says NO! Each NO! has brought with it more and more western aid because success breeds success. Even Germany has sent "some" heavy weapons

despite her addiction to Russian energy and pro-Eastern political cliche at the helm. Other nations have done far more, from Poland and the Baltics throwing everything they have into Ukraine's armories, to my own nation where wave after wave of support has been sent.

As I have said before, being an Arkansan and knowing that 1. @JohnBoozman @SenTomCotton and @RepFrenchHill support Ukraine and that Arkansas makes the game changing HIMARS is a source of personal pride. WPS Go HOGS! Collectively, Ukrainian valor, western arms and a unified NO!

to Russian threats should have taught Russia that there was a new way of doing things. That might makes right doesn't work when you are not mighty. Sigh, Russia is not the quickest student.... So instead of pulling out of Ukraine she keeps making threats against the West.

a threat many welcome. Like so many of my fellow #Fellas and other Ukraine supporters, we think such a rupture is long past due. That Russia should not be part of the global order until she reforms and confronts her past and role in a #GenocideOfUkrainians

So many of us have stopped listening to Russia, its always the same song. Much more interesting are the voices from Ukraine. Though a word of caution here. I do not know of any Ukrainians nearby to me. I think @Teoyaomiquu in Texas is the closest person I know. But for many of my

readers, Ukrainians will be members of your community. I saw a post by @krides here

https://twitter.com/krides/status/1558752831615664128?s=20&t=xPD1xyxTyRwdUwktOwh16w

I think we all should practice active listening with everyone in general, but Ukrainians in particular. Western cultures do tend to be a tad chauvinistic blinded by the

levels of wealth, comfort and security we have enjoyed since 1945. Getting outside of our comfort zone and actively listening is good for us. Its why I like to tune into @MriyaReport every day is basically a series of interactive ted talks. Ted talks that also help fund an

awesome charity @MriyaAid that just delivered another medical shipment to Ukraine and is starting another CAT tourniquet drive to help save Ukrainian lives.

https://twitter.com/MriyaAid/status/1558777214090579968?s=20&t=xPD1xyxTyRwdUwktOwh16w

Another worthy goal for donations is @georgian_legion . So far #WeAreNAFO has raised over $125K to help #feedthewolves and the amount is only going to go up because #NAFOexpanision is non-negotiable. Fear not Russia's threats, she will or she wont but neither must be allowed to

impact our support of Ukraine until she wins on her terms. Slava Ukraini! #russiaisaterrorisstate #RussianWarCrimes #Ukrainewillwin @mfa_russia<--- feel free to see yourself off the global stage because you are still losing.

@threadreaderapp unroll please