Woke up early to Putin's "State of the Russian Federation" remarks. It's mostly being reported due to his comments about him deciding to end the New Start Treaty agreements.
While that was significant, there was MUCH more. 1/
While that was significant, there was MUCH more. 1/
Putin "vowed" to "systemically" continue the offensive in Ukraine.
As I said in this @washingtonpost piece published yesterday, Putin's military has failed, in all 5 phases of this war, in achieving his strategic objectives. 2/
wapo.st/3YRnCcs.
As I said in this @washingtonpost piece published yesterday, Putin's military has failed, in all 5 phases of this war, in achieving his strategic objectives. 2/
wapo.st/3YRnCcs.
Putin was bold enough to say:
"Ukraine is not just a neighboring country. It is an inalienable part of our own history, culture & spiritual space. These are our comrades, those dearest to us."
As he spoke, RU forces hit Kherson killing 6 "comrades." 3/
nytimes.com/video/world/eu…
"Ukraine is not just a neighboring country. It is an inalienable part of our own history, culture & spiritual space. These are our comrades, those dearest to us."
As he spoke, RU forces hit Kherson killing 6 "comrades." 3/
nytimes.com/video/world/eu…
One ironic line from the man jailing Navalny & other journalists:
"We see more and more acts enabling the Ukrainian military & law enforcement agencies to crack down on the freedom of speech, dissent, and going after their opposition." 4/
amnesty.org/en/latest/news…
"We see more and more acts enabling the Ukrainian military & law enforcement agencies to crack down on the freedom of speech, dissent, and going after their opposition." 4/
amnesty.org/en/latest/news…
On NATO:
"The governments of E. European countries - speculating on Russophobia - brought their complexes & stereotypes about Russian threats to NATO insisting on building the collective defense against Russia."
Wonder why? 5/
fpri.org/article/2020/1…
"The governments of E. European countries - speculating on Russophobia - brought their complexes & stereotypes about Russian threats to NATO insisting on building the collective defense against Russia."
Wonder why? 5/
fpri.org/article/2020/1…
There were several other "interesting" topics:
-Pedophilia is the norm in the west
-The west -primarily US but also all of NATO- actually started the war in Ukraine
-"western elites" are the ones pushing Ukraine to escalate, as real Ukrainians know they are part of Russia. 6/
-Pedophilia is the norm in the west
-The west -primarily US but also all of NATO- actually started the war in Ukraine
-"western elites" are the ones pushing Ukraine to escalate, as real Ukrainians know they are part of Russia. 6/
Interestingly, those "traitors" in Russia who refuse mobilization or protest the war "will be punished." 7/
vox.com/2022/9/25/2337…
vox.com/2022/9/25/2337…
Bloggers in Russia and even several Russian media outlets declared the speech "the same rhetoric," and "repeats of past messages."
It was a sleeper. So much so that many were yawning and spening some of the speech catching up on rest. 8/
dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1…
It was a sleeper. So much so that many were yawning and spening some of the speech catching up on rest. 8/
dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1…
Oh...and his "chef," Prigohzin- while not naming Putin directly - insulted him in a nuanced way, further dividing military elements inside of the Kremlin.
This kind of open commentary isn't normal. 9/
rferl.org/a/russia-prigo…
This kind of open commentary isn't normal. 9/
rferl.org/a/russia-prigo…
A pretty sporty "State of the Federation," though no one shouted out "liar" & there were more poker faces than smirks. So that's a plus.
Problem is, as @fpleitgenCNN & others report, he still has the outward support of Russians in the capital.
Autocratic kleptocracy. 10/10
Problem is, as @fpleitgenCNN & others report, he still has the outward support of Russians in the capital.
Autocratic kleptocracy. 10/10
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
