When Will Russia Actually Start Fighting Back? Top Pundits Marvel at the Kremlin’s Restraint
Semyon Bagdasarov, political analyst: We could expect the war to begin in June or July assess the armaments, troops, and the direction of possible attacks and so on. Unfortunately, it's coming to that. The visit of the US special envoy promotes the escalation, stimulates it. And so does the supply of Javelins which we mustn't underestimate. I heard the deputy commander of one of the corps, a very respectable man, say "We aren't afraid!" Don't underestimate. Javelins are pretty efficient, by the way. The situation is quite similar to the one with Stingers in Afghanistan. The element of surprise. In Afghanistan, they didn't have that many Stingers at first as well. But the element of surprise stopped the Afghan and our aircraft from flying. Within the small territory of DNR and LNR and not huge Afghanistan their goal will remain the same: They'll concentrate their Javelins in one spot deliver a strike, and create a controversy as they see it.
- What's the range of the Javelins?
- Up to 2 km.
- But artillery has a different range, right?
- I'll get to that.
- Can we simply blast the expected coordinates of those Javelins so there's nothing left?
- There are many military solutions of this issue including the supply of the advanced protection equipment that I mentioned three month ago. It's a must. The situation with artillery is complex. Those two corps must receive actual military support. Stop ignoring the reality! I like the Turkish policy. They deploy their troops, arm them, and claim it's their historic territory. By the way, Erdogan made the right choice when he said that he ignored the Treaty of Lausanne of 1921 that limited the Turkish territory and was going to expand the borders. He believes the Treaty of Lausanne to be obsolete. And he's right! It's time we did the same. We claim the Treaty is criminal but still follow it. Many people will say we have no right to do that. We are a great country that had its territory cut off. We are a unified state for everyone be they Russian, Ukrainian, Jews, Armenian, Georgian, or anybody else. We want to restore the unified state. We live in the world of power. Americans do what it please. Yesterday, they bombed the oil rigs that belong to the Syrian government. And they got away with it! Can't we do the same? How much longer will it be like that? We're always saying there are some issues to resolve. Stop it! Stop playing around. Who will resolve them? Our Foreign Ministry with its useless embassies? We don't want to recognize Poroshenko as a legitimate president. Then why haven't we closed our freaking embassy in Ukraine?
- We should close the embassy.
- Why invest in Ukraine? Why supply them with goods? Let's start with imposing sanctions. Every cent that goes to the occupied Ukraine and Ukraine is occupied by some Nazi Bandera scum should be treated as a crime against the people of Ukraine and Russia. It should be severely punished. Make the filthy oligarchs clench their butts and stop devouring everything they see. Next thing. You might say two corps aren't enough. How many Ukrainians are currently residing in Russia? Is it hard to recruit a couple corps? Is it hard to create a government in exile and help it take power in Kiev? It would be a matter of honor for all Russians and all other people living in Russia. Enough empty chatter! How long will we be afraid what the US envoy might say about us? What the hell is this dingus doing at our borders anyway? Go watch the Mexican or Canadian border! We might be there soon.
Mr. Kedmi was right when he said that in our current situation the international law doesn't work and there's no sense in calling for it. Survival of the fittest. Either we take advantages of our possibilities or we hesitate constantly unable to make up our mind. We would waste our time and money on empty talk. We have to act. You've mentioned Turkey and the government. Turkey's got Syrian government. They have the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense. They defined the territory. "Those we do recognize, those we do not." Why can't we do the same thing? Where's the Ukrainian government in exile? Why is it in Donetsk? Why are there two republics? It's not Novorossiya, it's the Republic of Ukraine. Stop playing with the feelings of Ukrainians. They've got feelings too. I have Ukrainian friends who live in Russia, many of them served in the army one of them used to be a minister. And they get offended. We should be careful with what we say. It's Ukrainian People's Republic with a temporary capital in Donetsk which will later move to Kiev or Kharkov. Stop fooling around. But there's another question — who will take care of that? Our Foreign Ministry? Nah, they won't bother with that. A civilian authority can't be entrusted with such a serious matter, they'll ruin everything. They shouldn't even try. So we need…
- You are right. If civilians are so smart why don't they march in lines?
- That's a civilian joke. They don't understand that marching knits the unit together.
- Does the Israeli army have marching drills?
- Sure, even Monaco has it.
- But the Israeli army doesn't have it, right, Yakov?
- They've got girls carrying UZI's, what drills are you talking about?
Yakov Kedmi: We do have a series of marching drills.
- But you don't focus on it.
- Yeah.
Semyon Bagdasarov: - That's why our army is the strongest in the world — our marching is the best.
- Just imagine Jews marching, Mr. Bagdasarov.
- The Soviet army had Jews marching together with Russians, Armenians, and Kirghiz.
- The approach was different back then.
- That's why we should treat the situation seriously. We must clearly show the people of Ukraine that we want their leader to be a Ukrainian patriot that treats Russia as a friend. The majority of Ukrainian people respect Russia. A small number of bastards have seized the power and uses it to their advantage. We must eliminate those bastards to prevent them from claiming the throne. And they'll do that once they are armed. The resolution of this issue is long overdue. But it's fine. If there's a major conflict we must show them what we've got. We must have a clear plan. There is Ukrainian government in Donetsk. There is an agreement with the Ukrainian government on military assistance, on the supply of weaponry. We should begin a large-scale military operation to liberate Ukraine, at least, the southeast. What's that? Mariupol is nearby, they control Azov there, and so on. What a nonsense! Because there are some games of the oligarchs. Oligarchs are the enemies of the Ukrainian and Russian people! They must all get the hell out! Those connected with the oligarchy can't be patriots and develop a competent policy that pursues their country's interests.
- Can a big businessman do?
- Any big businessman is an oligarch.
- At what stage does a businessman become an oligarch?
- None.
- That's all.
- There were no oligarchs in the machinery of Stalin. All existed on a salary, a good one.
- It should be noted, that under Stalin's machinery there was practically communism. And money, cars and so on were handed out.
- I once worked with a person, who told me about salaries, but they had had some limitations. It was forbidden to have a personal car, a country house. Let's impose it on our government.
- I can offer you a president of Ukraine, that you'll like. Here, look at the screen.
- I've heard, that you'll run for the president of Ukraine.
Ivo Bobul, Ukrainian people's artist: Sure, I'm going to... First of all, I'm collecting money, because I need it. People will definitely support me, I'm 100% sure. No doubts.
- You've made a statement, and I'm confused. I do not know who to vote for: Zelensky, Vakarchuk or for you.
- We all three will meet in the second round and then decide.
- The future President of Ukraine is singing. Ivo Bobul. By the way, note that the interview is in the language of the enemy. It seems they can't do without the Russian language. After that, you want us to take your presidential elections seriously. I would not be surprised if Ivo Bobul beats Poroshenko in the next elections. Do you like Ivo Bobul?
- You know, I'm deeply surprised today.
- You left the country for three days and Ivo Bobul has appeared.