Thanks for the reply. On the above, with Russia being economically so weak, and all the internal problems why add additional problems with a country that doesn’t want to belong to Russia. That together with bringing the West together closer than ever against Russia just doesn’t make sense.
The major issue here is assuming that Putin has a similar worldview to you or I. He doesn't. His stated aim is to restore great power politics, which involved the application of direct force. He views the collapse of the Soviet Union as a tragedy. He does not recognise the right of Ukraine to exist as a sovereign country. He views Russia's historic colonies as rightful territories of Russia. These are statements he has put on public record; initially in an essay last summer, which many Western analysts failed to take seriously, but now in televised appearances this week.
You should also not assume Putin is entirely rational, nor that what Putin views as rational can be easily understood. There is widespread concern among the highest ranks of European governments familiar with Putin that he is now somewhat detached from reality - including the French government, where President Macron has had multiple close meetings with Putin in recent years. Macron has come away from recent meetings and the feeling in the French government is one of deep concern over Putin's mental state. His recent televised appearances in Russia have also been bizarre and almost certainly filmed well in advance of their proposed live broadcast.
I definitely didn’t want to offend anyone nor did I want to be seen as a supporter of Putin, I’m definitely not. I will just refrain from posting about it, or just answer via PN.
Well, that's good to know. But if you want to understand the situation you need to read, and read more widely, and not assume that all parties are equally guilty. Putin has launched the largest war of aggression since the Second World War in Europe. As many mistakes have been made in the West's dealings with Russia, this is not a bolt out of the blue. It is the culmination of years of military campaigns launched by Putin, as well as misinformation campaigns and electoral interference campaigns of various degrees of success in the US, the UK, France, Ireland, and other European countries. Putin has also prepared the Russian economy for sanctions by stockpiling foreign currency reserves, reducing the national debt, and increasing trade with China, while effectively blackmailing European countries using gas and oil. Putin and the Russian government have financed and supported far right movements around the world and planted mercenary groups in parts of Africa, too.
This is not some tragic misunderstanding that escalated. This is the action of a dangerous authoritarian, who has spent years preparing, testing his perceived enemies and weakening democratic regimes around the world, and who may now be mentally unstable. It is a dark and tragic day for all of us who believe in the principles of peace, equality, and self-determination, and an especially tragic day for Ukraine and its people.
), so I'm happy it did well for you. 
