Lots of discussions about the threat of nuclear war from the Kremlin and whether Putin is rational. I share my thoughts in this thread. To frame: I do not believe Russia would use nuclear weapons and I believe Putin is a rational actor.
First of all, I want to examine where the questioning of Putin’s rationality started. I think it began because most people, particularly in the West, view his decision to invade Ukraine as utterly irrational. I disagree. It’s horrific, but not irrational.
To understand why the invasion was rational for Putin, we have to step into his shoes. Three beliefs came together at the same time in his calculus: 1. Ukraine’s condition as a country 2. Russian military’s condition 3. The West’s geopolitical condition
@andreivkozyrev It’s not a war. It’s an invasion, a death squad and an occupation.
@andreivkozyrev Yes, youre absolutely correct. Problem is western journalists are so deeply naive they can’t bring themselves to admit “evil” exists.. it has to be because of mental or physical illness or some excuse. The idea of pure rational evil is incredibly disruptive to their world view
@andreivkozyrev I think Putin was jealous of Zelensky and his young idealistic cabinet
@andreivkozyrev There's also the issue that he does not look well: Swollen, puffy face, tired eyes -- looks like he's getting some kind of treatment. What do you think?
@andreivkozyrev @emilyjodell Well put - dressed up in romantic nationalism and pseudo philosophy, but in essence, naked self interest.
@andreivkozyrev What great thing has Putin ever done in his life? He uses fear and surrounds himself with military Generals and rich “Kiss Ass” people. They breathe only because they remain Putin’s little 🐵🙈🙉🙊monkey’s.
@andreivkozyrev @ishiwinozomu Not irrational as psychopath but irrational as healthy human biing.
@andreivkozyrev His speech convinced a lot of people that he did not seem rational, including quite a few Ukrainian friends.
@andreivkozyrev Rational and as a result of decades of broken promises
@andreivkozyrev Difficult to judge, just an armchair critic. Putin's warmongering into other countries probably gave him a sense of getting away with it. He was right. Crimea enforced this. His military acting as if in Syria, Chechnya. His thinking stems from the collapse of the Soviet Union...
@andreivkozyrev @revmagdalen Really helpful perspective, thank you!
@andreivkozyrev He is rational, yes. But, please, do not yank my chain and try to make me believe that man only wants (to rule) Ukraine. There are more land on his list. This is a hungry wolf. Do not stay in the past, change your thinking. This man wants to rule the world with the 4 horses.
@andreivkozyrev Except Biden… I thank the lord everyday that our President knows who Putin was before 1989.
@andreivkozyrev No it’s because somethings off and he’s lookin kinda puffy, so rushed too
@andreivkozyrev Putin may be rational. But he's a rational totalitarian fascist.
@andreivkozyrev Putin may be rational. But he's a rational totalitarian fascist.
@andreivkozyrev Does Putin have too many “yes” men advising him & painting false pictures?
@andreivkozyrev чушь, Путин - совершенно безумный человек
@andreivkozyrev So he’s a rational person with an irrational view of the world?
@andreivkozyrev As Mike McFaul has said, Putin won his last 5 wars, why wouldn’t he think he could win this one? Especially after he waltzed into Crimea.
@andreivkozyrev The fact he’s lying to his own people cutting them off from information so the can’t come to their own rationale - deceived his own troops into destroying a population - yeah it all sounds like the actions of a rational person (?wtf are you thinking?)
@andreivkozyrev It's difficult to rationalize a need for power and control, which equals, Desperation. Putin's Russia has been isolated by current world powers, but he doesn't want to be left out. It's not wise to under estimate a man in his position.
@andreivkozyrev Great thread, if we do not stand strong and united against Putin now he or the next dictator will do this again, Putin is holding the world to ransom, he and anyone else wants to destroy independence nations must be stopped, we cannot take a light hand in this #StopPutinNOW
@andreivkozyrev Someone can take both take a rational act and be pathological.