>Ukraine, even with volunteers from other countries, cannot take Moscow.
it definitely can't now. The destruction of Kiev, if it is to happen, will change a lot. Many more Russians would want to get rid of Putin, including many in the army. Ukraine and allies may not want to invade Russia, yet they may have no choice as leaving that regime in power would be a threat to their own safety. Similarly to how in WWII USSR couldn't just stop at the borders and had to go all the way to Berlin.
Has just heard on the Ukrainian TV, channel 5, "We're going to win. And this is our chance to destroy Russian Empire, and we're going to use it. .... That self-proclaimed genius strategist and strong man whom the leaders of powerful rich countries are so afraid of is getting beaten by just a good guy who recently was just a showman. We Christened Russia, and we're going to give it the last rites." - it is a very significant change of tone from the previous days.
Definitely change of tone - they are having a blast on TV - "To see Kiev and die. Looks like you're insisting on doing it in that your own peculiar way - well, be my guest."
>And why do you believe that an authoritarian regime will hesitate to use nukes on its own soil, if its survival is at stake?
Nuking those Russian heavily populated areas there would definitely be suicidal, even if somebody manage to press the button.
Again, we aren't at that point yet. And such a scenario isn't given. Instead Putin can pause/freeze the war - pull away from Kiev, and keep the several beachheads they've gotten so far. The promise of frozen (in reality slow burning) war instead of hot would as usually calm down the Europe/NATO and will make it a local Ukrainian problem again ... for some number of years until some new development ...
it definitely can't now. The destruction of Kiev, if it is to happen, will change a lot. Many more Russians would want to get rid of Putin, including many in the army. Ukraine and allies may not want to invade Russia, yet they may have no choice as leaving that regime in power would be a threat to their own safety. Similarly to how in WWII USSR couldn't just stop at the borders and had to go all the way to Berlin.
Has just heard on the Ukrainian TV, channel 5, "We're going to win. And this is our chance to destroy Russian Empire, and we're going to use it. .... That self-proclaimed genius strategist and strong man whom the leaders of powerful rich countries are so afraid of is getting beaten by just a good guy who recently was just a showman. We Christened Russia, and we're going to give it the last rites." - it is a very significant change of tone from the previous days.
Definitely change of tone - they are having a blast on TV - "To see Kiev and die. Looks like you're insisting on doing it in that your own peculiar way - well, be my guest."
>And why do you believe that an authoritarian regime will hesitate to use nukes on its own soil, if its survival is at stake?
Nuking those Russian heavily populated areas there would definitely be suicidal, even if somebody manage to press the button.
Again, we aren't at that point yet. And such a scenario isn't given. Instead Putin can pause/freeze the war - pull away from Kiev, and keep the several beachheads they've gotten so far. The promise of frozen (in reality slow burning) war instead of hot would as usually calm down the Europe/NATO and will make it a local Ukrainian problem again ... for some number of years until some new development ...