If I was in charge of Russia, any serious conflict with Japan, and I would immediately go nuclear. Nothing else will work
That's the point. This talk from some media or opinions in West that Putin Russia is only bluffing on nuclear is not taken account when Russia found themselves push in to the corner, they will use everything they got including nuclear. It can be argue that Russia push themselves into the corner, however it doesn't matter. When a regime with nuclear weapons found its situation being push in to the corner, the will try everything too survive. After all that's what make North Korean Kim's build nukes in first place (despite being financially broke).
Question right now is where the red line for Putin Russia that they themselves consider as being push in to the corner.
The other point to be mentioned is that our governments do not control the media and while different media sites do have their own agenda's, this does not necessarily reflect the governments position as they are free to express those agenda's
That's mean everything from the West is not free from disinformation and propaganda. This means for non western especially those in the fences, doesn't mean has to take everything from West as truths.
I have already put in one of much earlier post in this thread that for many of non western, yes Western media is 'somewhat' more dependable then say Russia or Chinese media and sources. However we also see how Western bias from Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel-Palestine, etc. Especially in this war, we can see all the biases from both sides (as Ukraine sides basically Western sides). For that many of us choose to see both sides of the coins, and that doesn't make us Pro Russian, or Pro Putin, or try to spin his opinion. As one from financial markets, I can see even my western colleagues doing same thing as my self done.
Everyone has bias, and for those who sit in fences on this conflict means take everything from both sides as much salt unless already being collaborate with event in the ground. Even Pro Russian telegrams going to admitting if their position being push back or not eventually.
For Russia to use that as an excuse to beef up their ability to attack is ridiculous - unless Russia is planning to attack.
It is not ridiculous as this is just part of development in the situation. Whether Russia attack Ukraine is unprovoked as many in West believe (in which I can see even some Republicans in US don't really believe that in their online pods), doesn't matter. Counter positions of US and Western allies, make them now has to see possibilities on being attacked on every fronts. That's their believes, whatever everyone in West can say that West is not going to attack first, and only retaliate if Russia attack first.
What West believe and what Russian believe are already in different opposite situations. There are practically no trust from both sides at this moment. What you are point out in your post is what Western believe. Why it is ridiculous if Russian believe on the opposite?
Add:
Mods, fell free to remove my reply in this post toward the Russia-West thread. Although in my opinion it is also related to what transcends as situation derive from this war. This argument yes has been talked (especially point #2 and #3) several times in the past anyways.
@Ananda We have no intention of moving your reply because it is relevant to the topic.
Ngatimozart.
