@aries
Post #8959, page: 448, V8:
"It's pretty clear that the US and it's allies could annihilate Russia in pretty short order. The only possible repercussion is the 'nuclear' threat which is most certainly a bluff.
Yes, the rest of NATO would want the US to lead but I've never seen the rest of NATO so resolute about any one issue. This isn't some Iraq invasion built on a flaky WMD claim or 'peacekeeping' in Afghanistan. I don't know the numbers but I've heard (from serving and ex-soldiers) there is quite a sizeable number of British soldiers going AWOL to help in Ukraine as well as many ex-soldiers. The British media are burying it though. I bet it's not just British soldiers either. As long as NATO sticks to pushing Russia out of Ukraine, there will be no risk of nuclear threat.
Everybody is now aware that NATO would decimate Russian forces, including Putin. As long as it's clear they just get out of Ukraine, and we aren't invading Russia, no one is using nukes."
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It is one thing to fight to take another country most Russians don't give 'two-shits' about, a whole other animal when someone is invading your country. Russian conviction to defend the motherland would be as strong, if not stronger, than the current Ukrainian will to fight. This would now bring out the will to fight back that Russians had against the French and the Soviets against the Nazis. You would not have to ask for volunteers, they would join in droves.
All the British soldiers currently helping out in Ukraine are all retired. The British government has no active-duty soldiers on the ground in Ukraine. Same for American soldiers in Ukraine - all retired. I think you are underestimating the nuclear danger in this conflict. That is something no one knows for sure. Certainly not worth the risk. What makes you think Russia won't be concerned about a NATO invasion of Russia in defense of Ukraine (border-crossing)? Remember how the Chinese joined the North Koreans during the Korean war when the US got too close to the Chinese border. China managed to push US forces back South to the 38th parallel in 1952. It was a pretty good defeat for US forces. This after a great US victory in Europe and the Pacific after WWII. Both Russia and China are paranoid about their border.