US not afraid of escalation from Russia over events in Kursk Oblast
US not afraid of escalation from Russia over events in Kursk Oblast
The Pentagon has expressed no concern regarding the advance of Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, the Pentagon’s press service reports.
The Pentagon has expressed no concern regarding the advance of Ukrainian forces in Russia's Kursk Oblast, the Pentagon's press service reports.
Source: European Pravda, citing Sabrina Singh, Deputy Spokesperson for the Pentagon
Details: "No, because at the end of the day, Ukraine is fighting for its sovereign territory that its neighbour invaded. So, if we want to de-escalate tensions, as we've said from the beginning, the best way to do that is Putin can make that decision today to withdraw troops from Ukraine," Singh stated, when asked about the potential escalation of tensions due to Ukrainian forces entering Kursk Oblast
It’s important to understand Russia’s current economic situation. The sanctions have been brutal, but China has managed to keep them afloat. A significant (nuclear) escalation would turn China against Putin immediately.
China’s economy is also in a precarious position right now. Their massive housing bubble is in the process of bursting. Xi will not tolerate instability on that scale.
Why would China turn against Putin for them using their nukes? I don't keep up much on their relations.
China needs exports to Europe and the US. A nuclear war is not good for anyone
For one, because they gave Ukraine guarantees to that effect. You might also have noticed that Russia threatened the west plenty with nukes, but not Ukraine.
Noone really knows what the exact Chinese policy is there they like their strategic ambiguity but one thing's for sure they are really big on non-proliferation, and thus aren't exactly fans of nuclear blackmail.
I don't think the Chinese would be triggered by Russia nuking its own territory, but then, well, Russia would be nuking its own territory. They could nuke Sudja to get rid of the incursion but they'd be nuking their own defence. Also, their own city. If they withdraw their defence first, Ukraine would gain even more territory and they'd have to nuke even more. Or, differently put: Just because the term "tactical nuke" exists doesn't mean that nukes are sensible tactical weapons.
An exchange of nuclear weapons would be expected to ignite many fires and to spread dust and fallout into the atmosphere - similar to a large scale bush fire, volcanic eruption or a meteorite hit, depending on the size and number of weapons. This would have a chilling and darkening effect on the climate, causing crop failures worldwide. A world-wide nuclear winter effect would impact everyone, not just the parties to the conflict.
That's why, for all the posturing and sabre rattling, even the most belligerent states don't want a nuclear war - it means destruction of all sides, and massive casualties around the world.
You might say that the China housing bubble has already popped. I haven't kept up over the last few weeks, but prices were plummeting weeks ago, and volume was massive.
What escalation? They've thrown everything they have at Ukraine already.
Not everything,
Yeah, that's the elephant in the room. Also, am I crazy or is getting Ukraine nuclear missiles the answer to this artificial power imbalance...? Like, I know no NATO country can just pack and ship Ukraine nukes, but... If we provide them aid to defend their country and they saw fit to somehow purchase nuclear warheads and put them on their missiles... Wouldn't that be a good thing?
They're now a stable, mature, corruption-free country. If they publicly and loudly announced: "We now have nuclear missiles, and they're aimed at Moscow and the homes of everyone in the Kremlin, deal with it."
I'm definitely not one for nuclear proliferation, but that would get rid of Russia's "trump" card and might be the only way they back down...
Its only a special military operation. Why would they need to escalate?
I just hope Ukraine knows what it is doing, as it's calling the bluff of a nuclear power. I don't think Russia will nuke with anything big, but they might give the go ahead for small scale tactical nukes. Then again, Russia was already training for their use, so nothing lost and this means that if they use them, they might have to use it within their own territory and assume those repercussions. Best case, corruption has already disarmed any possibility of using them.
If Russia uses nukes and fallout spreads to Europe, NATO might get involved.
My gut says they've been searching for any nuke that will actually work after decades of Russian maintenance
Yeah, the West appears to be quiet as well. They are pleased with the results. It seems that if Ukraine had told their Western counterparts what they were planning beforehand, they'd be dissuaded. Further threats from Putin might be taken seriously by the West and not call the bluff.
But since the offensive into Kursk was successful and Kremlin is panicking at the moment, the West appears to be satisfied well enough to continue with further incursions. This, in itself, is calling Putin's bluff about escalation.
It seems that if Ukraine had told their Western counterparts what they were planning beforehand, they'd be dissuaded.
"It's easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission."
Ukrayinska Pravda (The Ukrainian Truth) - News Source Context (Click to view Full Report)
Information for Ukrayinska Pravda (The Ukrainian Truth):
MBFC: Left-Center - Credibility: High - Factual Reporting: Mostly Factual - Ukraine
Wikipedia about this sourceSearch topics on Ground.News
What is with this place it kind of seems they have been fighting over it for the length of the war?
Oblast just means "territory" or similar. Which is why you see it appended onto a lot of the names of places the fighting is taking place in.
Russia wants what Ukraine's got, including control over parts of the Black Sea. These are the areas at the border. It seems like they've been fighting over the same parts because they have. Russia hasn't been able to take and hold much if any ground.