The General Who Predicted The Russian Invasion on What's Next | Ep.9 Gen. Richard Shirreff

➡️ PATREON: / decodinggeopolitics
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This is a conversation with General Richard Shirref. General Shirreff was one of the highest ranking British military commanders and a second in command of NATO forces. He has been warning of the Russian threat long before it became mainstream and in 2016, after he left the military he published a book called War with Russia in which Russia attacks Ukraine and afterwards continues to invade the Baltics, catching NATO completely unprepared - a book that was meant as a warning for what might be coming.
War with Russia: amzn.to/3HJQ60F
In this conversation, we talk about why he was one of the few people who saw the threat clearly years before everyone else, why it would be extremely dangerous to underestimate the Russians and how prepared is NATO for a Russian aggression. Richard is extremely candid in his answers and he's not afraid to be critical and say things as they really are and so I think it's an extremely interesting conversation. Thank you to everyone who supports this show on Patreon because you make this possible, and now enjoy the podcast.
00:00 - Intro
01:17 - Predicting Russian Invasion
06:51 - Why we refused to see the Russian threat
11:09 - Russian Invasion in 2022
13:15 - Underestimating the Ukrainians
18:05 - Overestimating the Russians
21:55 - The Russian Threat for NATO
34:06 - How Prepared is NATO?
36:54 - The state of the British Military
40:42 - Do we need to introduce conscription?
44:31 - Is Taiwan a window of opportunity for Russia
46:47 - Can Europe defend itself without the U.S.?

[@DecodingGeopoliticsPodcast]

Thank you everyone for the support, it means a lot. In the coming weeks, I'm going to be talking with Lawrence Freedman, Vlad Vexler, David Rennie from Drum Tower and many other really interesting guests. If you'd like me to ask them your questions, you can go to my Patreon and become a supporter. But whatever you do, I'm happy that you're here and enjoying these discussions as much as I do. You can also get Richard's book War with Russia here: amzn.to/3HJQ60F

[@davidosalsero2519]

He says "...this year..." at 27:00 ish. I guess that suggests that the vid was RECORDED in late 2023? Please let us know.

[@DarrenJamiesonJamieson]

He doesnt even know Putin (born Wesr Mid Hosp. Reg: Hounslow). What a bullshitter! He speaks gaily if you've not noticed.

[@bengraham5699]

interesting ... a newly created account of the "Intelligence Community" to manipulate public opinion with politically correct propaganda 😉

[@thelastaustralian7583]

The greatest Enemy of the real Australians is not Russia ....

[@DarrenJamiesonJamieson]

​@@thelastaustralian7583 I heard that you all have forgiven The Japs and are willing to do anything for them!

[@Si-Horrocks]

Russia. Never as strong as you fear. Never as weak as you hope.

[@mikhaelshadow]

I gotta say that's an amazing quote. I'll have to try and remember it.

[@ferney2936]

@@mikhaelshadow from Otto von Bismarck in 1871.

[@mikhaelshadow]

@@ferney2936 That's where that quote is from!? Thanks

[@user-hf8nb9mb4e]

monstrous people who want to conquer Europe

[@Dadecorban]

@@ferney2936 Bismarck "I'd send police to arrest them" quote refers to what he'd do if British invaded Germany.

[@Blanka1100]

Russia's neighbours have been warning for years. Polish president said back in 2008 standing in front of Tibilisi crowd "Today Georgia, tomorrow Ukraine, the day after that Baltic States or even my country of Poland" He said it in 2008!

[@Robert44607]

Please read about Michał Sikolonicki, and you’ll under why the Polish loves the Russian too much!!!! 😂😂😂

[@Pierluigi_Di_Lorenzo]

It was Georgia that started the war with a military offensive to retake South Ossetia, launched on the night of August 7, 2008. Admittedly, it was a Russian trap, but President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili (currently in jail) was foolish enough to step into it.

[@Blanka1100]

Russia has no red lines. Russia has excuses to invade and annex. Russia is neither super power nor a special need baby to demand anything. Other country's pact choice is none of Russia's decission. Putin acts like an abusive husband who blames his wife for filing for divorce and calling the police because she did not want to be hurt by him anymore. Russia's neighbours are independent states, their security matters, their freedom matters, they are not soviet slaves anymore and Russia is not their master. Russia is a bully which uses every exuse it can fing to justify its greed and paranoia. It does not matter what West did or did not do. Russia simply keeps expanding everytime it can and just because it wants to because Russia is always the same and never had any respect for its neighbours. Russia must stop playing the victim card. We owe Russia nothing. If Ukraine had been in Nato, Putin would have never started this war and he knows it. @@sergei.w

[@Robert44607]

@@sergei.w They Never Learn and They Never show Respect!!!! They believe they’re more Superior, More Powerful and all those kinds of BS!!!!

[@Robert44607]

They know Georgia Started the war, but they will never admit to that, because they want to portray Russia as the aggressor that needs to be Contained……. It’s a historic problem, just go and study what the “Great Game” was all about and you can see, it’s never stopped! Look too into Michał Sokolonicki, and you get to understand the Western psyche against Russia!!!!

[@dzeo001]

Writing here from latvia. These people have felt this aggression from russia for centuries. The estonians have a saying - Nothing good ever comes from the East. This is spot on. Thank you.

[@anatoliypankevych4853]

Thank you, Latvia 🤝

[@hymen2393]

Tieši tā!

[@mariekebootsma4346]

😢so true, I am Dutch but for many years I know Putin is a dictator, with no morals

[@siegfrieddworak8435]

Felt Aggression 😂 ? How and when? When does Putin did something to your country?? Putin is in Ukraine for a reasin.

[@mariekebootsma4346]

@@siegfrieddworak8435 , you are so ignorant

[@matrixberzins465]

As a Latvian, it is interesting for me to listen to this interview. I remember the days when Western society considered the Baltic states paranoid, when we kept saying that Russia was a threat. Today we all see it - and Poland, the Baltic states and now Finland - we have been preparing for this terrible conflict for years, but what worries us the most? Western countries and Western society are not ready - the West still lives in some kind of world of illusions, that the war is far away, that Russia will not attack, because Putin says all the time that it is a conflict between Russia and Ukraine. No - this is a conflict about values ​​- and Russia's existence as an old empire has only one path - territorial expansion, because it needs resources. If Russia becomes truly democratic, it will begin to collapse, as it already began to happen in Russia under Boris Yeltsin (probably the only period in Russian history when there were any real early signs of democracy). In all that chaos of the Russian Federation, the republics of the Caucasus - such as Chechnya - began to break away. If we want peace in Europe today, then we must prepare for war as quickly as possible, because Russia tends to attack the weaker and is afraid to strike the stronger, because Russia and Russians as people only respect brute force!

[@robjus1601]

Slava

[@matthewharper7333]

America is ready. Europe, who knows?

[@ak47ava]

That would make sense if NATO didn't expand to Russians border. Just saying 😅

[@Lukas-er4nd]

​@@matthewharper7333I don't think America is ready either. Big, expensive weapons sure. How good are the shell supplies? And the more important, more numerable, thus cheaper combat equipment. Can lost equipment be replenished in time? To that accord, how's domestic manufacture is doing?

[@matthewharper7333]

@@ak47ava NATO wouldn't have expanded if Russia stopped invading other nations. Just saying 😂

[@Rickuttto]

As a Latvian, I really appreciate this discussion. I’ve had a bad feeling for so long, but I do not allow myself to fester in fear. I’ve spent my 50 years on this planet angry towards the Soviets and Russians, and especially towards Putin. I am tired of it. Thank you for caring (: 💙💪💛💙🌻🌻 Putin is a monster.

[@szynszyllavanilla3401]

I have just the same feeling since some years. Hard to live without thinking about it. Putin is a monster.Indeed... Greetings from Poland.

[@andysloan7040]

PERESTROIKA DECEPTION. Putin October, 2022: It's possible to create a single space from Vladivostok to Lisbon. "It's possible to imagine this. It seems this will happen one way or another. I spoke about Eurasia as a whole in my speech, including this European part.” tass.ru/ekonomika/16177737 Soviet Defector Mr Anatoliy Golitsyn: "This strategy reflects the central strategic objective of asserting 'irreversible' Soviet hegemony over Eurasia, thus establishing the primary geographical component of the intended World Government." text page 210, last paragraph www.chinhnghia.com/GOLITSYN(Anatoliy)-Perestroika_Deception_(1998).pdf

[@viliusm.8232]

@@szynszyllavanilla3401 We do care, and we all share the same thoughts and fears here in Lithuania too, my dear friends

[@viliusm.8232]

But I have a feeling that Trump is making all Europe to wake up and see real danger here. He is strong leader as an unpredictable one. I think he coul and he would stop russian invasion by pure threat with power. It is not my country to decide thou, but as I see Biden lack of strength I hope that any other leader will be much better option.

[@kocyszemaitis2310]

SVEIKI GYVI.

[@arthurallen8251]

I Like this chap. He is not reading from notes. He is speaking what is in his head. Without prompts from things writen on a page. He wrote a prophetic book, because his mind is engaged with reality, and he has to say what needs to be said. It is bursting out of him. I take my hat off to him.

[@toxictroll7843]

problem is that his head is filled with manure

[@GoodMan_000]

BS

[@javareda]

There is no prophecy, it is just a realist evaluation of a reaction to the actions from Nato and the west ....Gl Shirref knows exactly what and how those actions were executed and now he is speculating on the reactions that were under & poorly evaluated initially

[@obriets]

Well said Arthur

[@javareda]

@@GoodMan_000 well said, they have been provoking for 20 years and now they can predict the future like visionnaries. It is just a manipulation of stupid people who have no understanding if the dynamics of historical events

[@adrianstuart921]

1914 1939 problem all over again! Totally unprepared militarily unprepared with the politicians in total in denial and incapable too act!

[@davidelliott5843]

1914-18 was triggered by a Serbian gunman who shot an Austrian-Hungarian monarch. No. The war was started by Russia who backed Serbia against the Austrian-Hungarians. Everyone else jumped in to “help”. It was an idiotic situation that NATO is supposed to avoid. However NATO is now doing everything to avoid a war including stepping back and ignoring Russian aggression. Our leaders are being taken for fools if not being actual fools.

[@ch39547]

These are questions that come to mind for me: Were efforts made to deepen economic and cultural ties with Russia? Would Russia still be aggressive if strong economic ties (beyond just selling oil and gas) linked it to Europe? Why was Russia not admitted to NATO? Wouldn't NATO membership have removed its aggressive stance towards Europe?

[@DanOneOne]

Because the UK and EU still lies to itself about Russia and he still doesn't understand what happened, nor whom they support in Ukraine. He still paints Russia as bad and them as good. That's a road nowhere.

[@vaakdemandante8772]

Poland knew it all along, even before joining NATO in the '90. After joining in she warned NATO of the Russian threat as early as 2008 when Georgia's territories were invaded.

[@GoodMan_000]

Invaded ? Are you an ignorant ? Russians were piece keepers which were attacked by Sakashwily, you know one who eat ties. And like every amarocan puppet he thought NATO will hell him to defeat Rossia. Game of fly and cow.

[@wolfthequarrelsome504]

The polish caused WW2 also. They're the cause.

[@wolfthequarrelsome504]

NATO caused that when they invited Georgia to join NATO. what is Russia supposed to do? Allow it?

[@szymonbaranowski8184]

​@@wolfthequarrelsome504 obviously yes it's not their nation

[@ennediend2865]

The Poles know the Soviets ideology better than we do👍

[@Jezz01977]

I've been following the progression of this war since the beginning. I've seen many interviews with many experts, military bloggers, soldiers, commanders... But the sheer wisdom of general Shirreff has surprised me. He has crystal clear view of the situation and possible outcomes of it, and I agree 100% with him. Great interview, congrats.

[@jf7243]

Yes indeed, I agree completely. Shireff is one of the most thoughtful and cogent experts.

[@mysterioanonymous3206]

One point though: the human wave attacks. I think they're underestimating the Russians there. They famously recruited prisoners for the army... and intentionally so, to dispose of them in a useful manner, that being a way to strain the Ukrainian defense, diminish their (UKR) elite infantry on the Frontline all while getting rid of an internal issue. While the Russian conscript gangster army leapfrogs the professional Russian infantry to get chewed up on the Ukrainian Frontline, the well trained, professional Russian army stays behind to rotate, recover, replenish and eventually scoop in on a diminished Ukrainian army that has been under constant duress and has lost its best soldiers while Russia has lost its worst soldiers. It's not the worst tactic, given their circumstances. I think the west isn't ready for that level of cold bloodednes...

[@j.jwhitty5861]

To my knowledge and correct me if I'm wrong but Richard Shirreff did not accurately predict a specific Russian invasion of Ukraine.

[@Jezz01977]

@@j.jwhitty5861 This is not about predictions. It's about knowing the enemy and what is capable of.

[@Lamarck922]

If you've been following the war from the beginning, then you know, this guy is full of crap, and has no idea what he's talking about. Russia doesn't possess the armed forces to threaten all of Eastern Europe much less western Europe, but they would like to sell oil and gas to Europe, which they will end up doing because it's far too expensive depend on the United States. The Europeans have been using the United States as a crutch for 70 years and that's why you're so weak. Western Europe is pathetic.

[@LawrenceReitan]

I am an Italian immigrant who is waiting for the results of the British Citizenship application. Once I get it, I will apply to join the reserves, I am happy to defend democracy and the country that gave me all the opportunities Italy didn't give to me. Italy gave me a very good education, but forgot about the rest...

[@justjules3042]

Thank you and good luck

[@sebastianliwinski222]

Good luck to you 🙏👍

[@Michael-fj5sh]

Good luck mate

[@MarcoArezzo76]

So many italians love Russia and its colture. And dislike Zelensky and Ukraine. I think we'll never fight against Russia.

[@user-mh7ng4vn9l]

I’m an italian immigrant too, and I stand *unequivocally* with Ukraine!

[@steppenwolf1872]

It's a shame that people like the Gen.Shireff are not in charge as political decision makers.

[@ralfklonowski3740]

Thank you for this excellent conversation! I am a 59yo (West-)German who served as a conscript in the Bundeswehr in the mid/late 1980s, when full-scale Russian attacks on NATO like described in "Red Storm Rising" were considered the most likely threat. It is eeriy to see this come back again. Some points: 1) Since February 2022 it very much feels like the time the Spanish Civil War raged. It was a clear sign of things to come. Yet, the big conflict only started some months after its smaller predecessor ended. Am I scared? Yes. Barring a miracle, it's coming for us in one form or another. I am starting to understand how France felt in 1938. 2) Is Germany ready? Definetly no. This is partly due to developments that happened in many Western countries, as described by General Shirref, but also due to the pacifist reeducation of the German populace. My generation was raised on "Never again shall war come out of Germany." Certainly words to live by, but they left us a bit blind to the fact that there might be other bad guys in the room who would bring war to our doorstep without us inviting them. The slowish reaction of the current German gouvernment after the start of the Russian invasion two years ago can be partly explained this way. 3) Having said that I have to tell you that the turnaround in German politics has been quite remarkable. I would not have believed anyone who told me three years ago that we would supply Leopard 2s to a country that was in open war, and with Russia at that. We have done a lot, more than could have reasonably been expected knowing the state of our politics. On the other hand, I agree with the general that it is not enough and we have to do more. I am for instance totally at a loss why we apparently have not really ratched up ammunition fabrication. Setting up a voluntary Territorial Army of weekend soldiers would also be a wayy forward 4) I once promised to defend my country, but that was long ago. If it comes to the crunch now, I'll be too old, too slow, too overweight and too shortsighted to be of any use out there. No Valhalla for me, I guess, unless building Molotov cocktails counts as fighting. Let's get to work and hope for the best. And again, thank you for the time, work and resources it took to make this video!

[@randymarshall7665]

How do like your energy bills?? Probably about how i like mine. Germany and Russia were trade partners before 2022. Nordstream 2 was a joint effort that benefiited everybody. As Peace and Trade are wont to do. War benefits no one except the elite who profit off it through the industries that support war. Wtf is a "pacifist re-education"?? Do you mean teaching children how peaceably solving differences is ALWAYS the best way to go about things or that WAR SUCKS, WHICH IT FUCKING DOES, is a bad thing?? Mankind is on shaky fucking ground right now. We have become way too profficient at destroying each other to continue this way. Its time to evolve. As a Species. I dont understand the fear. Putin obviiously wanted to sell germany ( and western eur) oil and nat gas. Russia already has more territory than most of europe combined and its FULL of natural resources. Russia, thanks to idiots in our respective governments, has a thriving economy. Most of the world, besides western europe and n. America, is joining brics, so they wont even need to trade w/germany. Seems to me they woukdnt want anything to do with all the countries that ATTACKED THEM using Ukraine as a disposable proxy. You should really start worrying about your government. They are already fucking you. Just like mine.

[@Sota2d]

as a Ukrainian I could admit that these are some wise words.

[@ridethecurve55]

As a democrat in the US, I am incensed that the Trumpian/MAGA Party is All-In on Putin's Russia. The Republican Party no longer exists, so you can get that name out of your lexicon. The extreme MAGA wing on congress has Fully abdicated its responsibilities concerning a strong national security and defence of NATO and other allies. They are shameless nihilists only beholden to Trump. God Help us if he somehow gets back into the White House.

[@chrisbremner8992]

Germany remains an occupied vassal state of the US, do what your are told! As it has long been said the role of NATO is to keep America in, Russia out and Germany down. Obey you lost 2 wars and your independence, suffer and deindustrialize enjoy the effects of massive dollar printing on your prices, host the millions of refugees from American and NATO wars in Africa and the middle east., the Germans are now slaves.

[@user-hk5gu3gw8s]

brilliant that a man who can see whats happening and yet all the politicians have got there head in the sand and wont act .mk my words if we dont act soon and prepare when the time comes it will be to late because we didnt act when we had to chance

[@motomono]

Don’t forget Polish president Lech Kaczyński who also was warning about Russians and where it all is navigating. He was later was killed in mysterious circumstances in his plane crash in Russia (as Putin’s enemies tend to)

[@Nameofoglon]

There is a huge investigation by Mark Solonin about the plane crash of Kačinsky. The detailed explanation shows, that the only way the pmane could crash, was explosion on board

[@Rob-zp3hn]

I can't believe I didn't know that. Wow.

[@CommanderLodrag]

There was nothing suspicious about that plane crash . Pilots pressured in to attempting to land in weather conditions far below limits ( extremely poor visibility ) . Tragic , but true .

[@sumobear2031]

Gen Shirreff is someone the government needs to listen to, he is a mind of information and a true leader that can see beyond the present. What a waste and shame that such a man just retires and fade into the background. He deserves the highest level of respect as he tells the truth how he see's a situation without fear of upsetting those in power.

[@neildear-wn9eo]

The government is too busy listening to uni graduates with degrees in media, sociology, and politics. and maybe David Beckham studies (This idiotic course actually exists). The fire safety officers who used to be drawn from senior Firemen and run by the Brigade, have been replaced by private companies, who employ? uni graduates(With zero experience). (Hence Grenfell Tower -Firemen would never have allowed the cladding) I could go on. This is one reason our country is falling to pieces. Financial managers, like Sunak(Not A leader--A Geek) and lawyers, make up the government. The older experienced people are sidelined. It Is a sadness.

[@chadbrownlee3144]

After the collapse of the Soviet Union we really hoped Russia would've adopted a more western values approach. So much so we ignored many red flags. We have been so naive about Russian leadership.

[@untje]

'Western values' Ur naive Chad

[@chadbrownlee3144]

@@untje nope, I have a firm grasp on things. Please don't project your naivety on to me.

[@untje]

@@chadbrownlee3144 Then say what you really mean because 'Western values' ain't it

[@chadbrownlee3144]

@untje I already did. You clearly don't understand what western values are.

[@untje]

@@chadbrownlee3144 enlighten me

[@ekondigg6751]

Unfortunately, here in Europe, as I speak with people around me many (but not all) are simply in denial. They can't conceive of the possibility of war coming to us, and things being hugely different if Russian aggression is unchecked. How to break through this state of being "in denial"?

[@koutouloufas7]

yeah, do you believe that Russia can conquer all of Europe? Or has interest in it?

[@ekondigg6751]

@@koutouloufas7 I don't believe that Russia can conquer all of Europe, but Putin has gone on record more than once that he wants all that the USSR had, back. That includes the Baltic states, Poland, even E. Germany, among others. He was foolish enough to invade Ukraine at huge loss, if he isn't stopped, he is likely to go ahead in his dangerous foolishness, as Russia re-arms, provoking an even more terrible war.

[@stefanweilhartner4415]

@@koutouloufas7 putin will conquere everything that is weak enough. and europe? what is europe? is ukraine europe or not? is poland europe or not?

[@koutouloufas7]

@@stefanweilhartner4415 are you serious? You think Poland has a weak army? And Russians are not stupid to attack a NATO country.

[@misanthrope_jr]

@@koutouloufas7 I read many commentators and I am surprised - they really believe that Russia will attack tomorrow. But nobody thinks that it is Russia that needs it the least. Who benefits? Hint - who has the world's largest debt?

[@beam3819]

The west "letting" putin get away with invading crimea and donbas was the worst mistake. The battle of Kiev was unbelivable. Ukraine's victory made it possible to win over the muskowitz. As a Norwegian I was angry that NATO dragged its feet because I saw the devastation of my country and at least eastern Europe was imminent if Ukraine was occupied. That would have made Putin and Russia able to invade Europe at any moment and at least shift the global leadership to the far east .Thanks to Britains support and someone in the high offices in NATO need to hire this general asap.

[@BranislavB-hx9zy]

When will the entire West have a consensus about its geo-political big blunder in the 90s? The West, precisely the EU and NATO countries, by allowing Serbia to expand its borders with the wars of 1991-98, has given Putin the presidency to do the same as Milosevic on a larger scale! Serbia partially ethnically cleansed Vojvodina which is part of Serbia now Vojvodina which never was before in history. Serbia controls 48% of Bosnia which Dodik now demands should also become part of Greater Serbia as Vojvodina and Dodik is a friend of Putin. The two aforementioned land areas are over 46,000 km2 in size, which is over 2 times the size of Israel! NATO countries in the EU have rewarded Serbia with billions of Euros in financial support and EU companies have opened hundreds of thousands of new jobs in Serbia. As Milosevic said, the fact that he ends up in the Hague court does not matter as long as he has succeeded in expanding Serbia into Greater Serbia, and of course Putin knows this. Serbia is pro-Putin and has not paid 1 Euro in war reparations, but the EU rewards that country, it's a shame! Serbia's acts of war were not defined as genocide in the 90s because Russia used its VETO in the UN!

[@franceyneireland1633]

The US, UK and Canada troops were in Ukraine training Ukraine military and security personnel in battlefield tactics and advanced military skills since 2015, they stopped briefly when Russia did their full scale invasion in 2022 but resumed in nearby European countries. They are UK, US and Canadian troops in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania since Russia annexed Crimea, under operation Reassurance.

[@studdstuff7645]

Georgia was the sacrificial lamb in hopes Russia wouldn’t continue to “expand”. In hopes war would not happen. Alas it didn’t work out that way.

[@atmamont]

It is quite painful to accept this and then accept that no one else takes this seriously and this is just a matter of human nature - ignoring threats and hiding our heads in the sand

[@catinthehat906]

I think the politicians vastly overestimated the effect of economic links with Russia and had the view that Russia would not do anything to jeopardise their energy sales to Europe. They underestimated the nationalist expansionist ideology that drives Putin who sees himself as a successor to Peter the Great.

[@LA-kc7ev]

It is profoundly unsettling, as an American, to listen to General Richard Shirreff, who I believe is correct on all points, especially that of the "need of bold leadership from our political class" and a change of mindset regarding European security. I am loathe to imagine the day the US would abandon Europe to its fate with Russia, our partners in defense, and our partners in values and beliefs. I would wish the same address to our political class for bold leadership, resolve, and the maintenance of partnership with our allies.

[@beam3819]

If USA dont care about the fall of Europe, the global security will shift towards China, Russia. That would be a disaster for the whole planet, including US. So as a Norwegian, I really pray and hope that US continue to support Ukraine.

[@bpeper1365]

Do you mean gender bender beliefs and full sprectrum dominance?

[@SueFerreira75]

Trump, an ignorant psychopath, has stated his intention to remove the US from NATO. As Richard Sherriff states about Hitler and Putin, when autocratic psychopaths state their intentions ahead of time, believe them.

[@George-vf7ss]

The Europeans idea of bold leadership is to depend on a bunch of working class kids from Georgia, So. Carolina, and Idaho to come save them, as they discuss how crude and uncultured the Americans are.

[@Steve-gx9ot]

Ever heard of Winston Churchill???? He said Russians ARE NOT TO BE TRUSTED During world War 2 !!!!!

[@steveclemons8191]

What a great understanding this man has. EVERY person in Europe and America needs to listen to this interview!

[@georgek1234]

Agree 100%... and then hit the replay button so it really sinks in.

[@Blanka1100]

Europe and America did not want to listen to Russia's neighbours and their warnings. They knew it was coming.

[@bubbajones6907]

I can't help thinking this guy feels threatened by Putin's homophobia.

[@grasshopper4098]

The General should debate Col. Douglas Macgregor and profesor Miershimer.

[@Blanka1100]

JM does not care about Eastern Europe's voice and wil in all of this. @@grasshopper4098

[@plwre8]

I'm from Latvia. Thank you for this interview. Evenmore, I'm ethnic Ukrainian, but my mother language is Russian, my mom is Ukrainian, my dad is half Russian. First days, weeks and months after 24th Feb 2022 were the worst in my life. Because it was a collapse of 36-year old mentality. I could never imagine, believe that Russian people are capable to do smth like that. This made me overthink and restudy the history of 20th century. Now I have no illusions and I'm almost sure that if the Western world does not stop them, they will go for more and more.

[@Darronsanderson]

“History Doesn't Repeat Itself, but It Often Rhymes” - Mark Twain.

[@matthewnewnham-runner-writer]

Exactly, As a former NATO fighter pilot in the Cold War, this is where my thinking has always been, as I believe it has been for most of us with that background. As for Putin's speech that Gen. Shirreff alludes to, the Maya Angelou adage applies: "When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time."

[@Ork20111]

Yeah. Its just so much more convinient to pretend otherwise. Because if you would acknowledge it you would have to act.

[@Nill757]

So what?

[@Mortablunt]

Hence why Russia has decided it will defend itself and look after security before the West invades and kills millions of them again, like with Napoleon like with the Kaiser, like with Hitler, like with Gustavus, like with Sobieski!

[@rreece90]

All of Central-Eastern Europe saw it coming, but we were being ridiculed!!! Now, we see an invasion of the Baltics coming in the next few years, but again, people in the West LAUGH AGAIN, call it fearmongering. And when it happens, they will act super surprised and say, that nobody could have known!!

[@Blanka1100]

French could not care less about Russia's Eastern European neighbours. All they care about is their morning coffee and early retirement. They still consider Russia to be a land of Tolstoy and ballet only.

[@44lucas]

NATO forward presence is well beefed up in the Baltics right now. The Swedes and Poles will certainly not leave you at the mercy of Russians, I'm pretty confident Brits will be by your side too.

[@Doc4Teaching]

❤100% agree with you!

[@BranislavB-hx9zy]

When will the entire West have a consensus about its geo-political big blunder in the 90s? The West, precisely the EU and NATO countries, by allowing Serbia to expand its borders with the wars of 1991-98, has given Putin the presidency to do the same as Milosevic on a larger scale! Serbia partially ethnically cleansed Vojvodina which is part of Serbia now Vojvodina which never was before in history. Serbia controls 48% of Bosnia which Dodik now demands should also become part of Greater Serbia as Vojvodina and Dodik is a friend of Putin. The two aforementioned land areas are over 46,000 km2 in size, which is over 2 times the size of Israel! NATO countries in the EU have rewarded Serbia with billions of Euros in financial support and EU companies have opened hundreds of thousands of new jobs in Serbia. As Milosevic said, the fact that he ends up in the Hague court does not matter as long as he has succeeded in expanding Serbia into Greater Serbia, and of course Putin knows this.

[@AndrewJacobson-cq2om]

Not everybody certainly not me, and I'm thousands of miles away in illinois......

[@michaelw6816]

An extremely important and valuable interview with a military professional who has been at the top level of both British and NATO military policy/strategy-making, including direct negotiation with the top Russian military. It has recast my view of the urgency of the need to support Ukraine, as the US, as it has done so consistently, betrays its Ukrainian Ally, as do Berlin & Paris. The urgent need to rebuild the British Army, including some form of conscription and mass training, is clear.

[@islandmonusvi]

Perhaps the answer is more Dreadnaughts …medals and gold braid. Brits love their ceremonies and bling…

[@44lucas]

Poles and Balts were ringing alarm bells long before your guest voiced his concerns. Back in 2008, when Russia attacked Georgia, Polish president Lech Kaczyński (whom I don't judge well on other things) famously said: first Georgia, latter Ukraine, Baltics after that and at the end Russia might attack my country, Poland. It was quite arrogant of the Germans, French and others to dismiss concerns of countries on NATO's eastern flank as alarmist, but at the end we were proven right...

[@Blanka1100]

Exacty. I did not like him but he was so right back then. The problem is it is easy to be blind and not to care if you have no common border with Russia and no such experience as Russia's neighbours.

[@Luca-sz5uy]

most young people around me are kind of oblivious to this kind of threat. They care about specific social issues but with absolute disregard for the global context. I really like young Eastern Europeans for being less lost about this....

[@neildear-wn9eo]

They are more pragmatic, being closer to danger and the history of war hovering over them. We in Western Europe and the UK are spoilt brats in comparison. debating in parliament whether to be called we, she, they, them, and other fatuous matters like can a man turn into a woman by saying it is so. That and other absurdities. One of these days we will get an almighty slap in the face. we deserve it in my opinion. Covid was a wake-up call about Global problems running riot. People who said China was experimenting with gain-of-function genetic engineering, and being sloppy in BSL 4 laboratories, were called conspiracy theorists-look what happened? now we are vindicated. I feel sorry for young people because things are going to get worse and worse. The UK is a mess already. it is just starting.

[@turbanheadless]

This is what happens when grandmas and grandads point their fingers to the woods and fields near their house and tell their grandkids all the horrible things that happened in that particular place. This and many more experiences is the main reason why young western europeans are oblivious to what is happening compared to the east youngins

[@neildear-wn9eo]

@@turbanheadless When we had some terror attacks in the UK a few years back. People went into a heightened state of awareness of danger very quickly and forgot quickly. The Eastern European people are more experienced because of the frequency in the history of Russian aggression. As I said below, we in the UK are complacent. Well, not all of us are. Political leaders in UK are very short-term in their thinking. Very annoying to me.

[@sabre22b]

Never have I agreed 90% with another officer. Sombre. Salient. Measured. Rousing.

[@KserkS]

Great interview, thanks for making it happen

[@SimonWallwork]

We signalled in 2014- that we'd do nothing. What did we expect to happen?

[@jimboAndersenReviews]

48 minutes in, is where I spotted, that I was not subscribed to this channel. That's the moment where I thought "This is the thing I have been thinking, that some public figure must say". I am very happy to have browsed my way here.

[@GoodMan_000]

Well Jimbo , then you must have veeery big ears.

[@davidtsereteli4148]

General, I appreciate you referencing Russia’s aggression against Georgia in 2008. At the same time, I believe that the collective West’s complacency in response to 2008 war shall be viewed as an example of a skewed policy that shall not be repeated.

[@dougm3016]

Excellent interviewer with an excellent interviewee. Will be seeking out his book. In the meantime I've made a contribution to the channel. First time I've ever done that, which shows how worthwhile I found it. Agree it's now the time for universal military service / reservists in the U.K. along Swiss/Finnish lines. Slava Ukraïni.

[@mattgordon9179]

I love seeing older highly experienced folk engage with young bright minds

[@Coneman3]

Yes, both are needed. And working together is sooo important.

[@johnadam2885]

The older will send the younger to their deaths.

[@brianflaherty4517]

I can't believe the gall of the general to say Trump if elected will come in and end the war with a bad deal for Ukraine. Joe Biden came in and has completely undone every Trump policy foreign and domestic and the results are catastrophic. We have boarder in America that is totally out of control a raging war in Ukraine and a total mess in the Middle East. Just because Trump questioned the need for NATO and wanted countries to pay their fair share the general holds a grudge. Trump is way better at negotiating and doesn't take the short end of the stick like Joe Biden. The only person worse than Joe Biden is his DEI vice president Kamala Harris. I guess the general is quite comfortable with a guy who can't find his way off a stage without direction ,continually loses his train of thought in a speech and a vice president who gives word salad speeches nobody can understand. I think the generals take on Ukraine is right but his take on Trump is dead wrong.

[@mattgordon9179]

@@johnadam2885 Its not that older will send younger to there death in Liberal democracies. We are all in the existential fight here for Democracy young and old and there may be a time very shortly that we as pussies should not rely on Ukraine to do work that we are all responsible for including the young.

[@sailor67duilio27]

@@johnadam2885 personally I'm 73 and I would go happily to defend my children and gran children . They are the future.

[@matthewnewnham-runner-writer]

Even with my background as a former fighter pilot (and hence a bias towards air power), I agree with Gen. Shirreff that the strategic direction of the British forces has seen its land war fighting capabilities dismantled. Advanced fighter jets and aircraft carriers have their place but war, if it comes, requires a ready, professional army.

[@davidelliott5843]

Ukraine has proved that a few excellent tanks are useless against massed hordes of men backed by slightly hardened vehicles. NATO has to adapt now, but its leaders are just looking for ways to pretend Article 5 does not exist.

[@KPVFarmer]

Thank you for your content. Great insight, General! You aren’t alone with your concerns if Trump gets elected. I have faith the silent majority won’t let that happen. Just Say’n 🇺🇸🦅🇺🇦

[@markcorbett9916]

Geopolitical Analyst Peter Zeihan has been talking about Russia’s strategy for years.

[@firststeps2freedom998]

The worrying thing is he says we need bold strong leadership😂......and our political class is likely the worst we've ever had!

[@bh-zj4yt]

We ask for bold leadership and we get Marjorie Taylor Green

[@pikador4000]

Ahoj z Polska, Dominik!👋🏻Thank you for this great interview! It's always good on war issues to listen to military men, practitioners with experience of all kinds of stages and levels. What General Shirreff is talking about here we also often hear from our military and experts in Poland. From myself, I'd perhaps add a few comments on Ukraine's war strategy actively supported by the West. The point is that Ukraine simply has to get the West's permission to use Western weaponry to strike targets deep inside Russia. There's no other option!!! You can't win a war if you don't fight it, and limit yourself to defensive actions only!! There's no more room for ossification or fear on the part of the West. Everything is clear, we know Russia's intentions - they want to move forward regardless of whether we enable Ukraine to wage a real war or not. In fine, more ammo, more armaments, long-range missiles and permission to attack targets deep inside Russia. And not a step back!💪🏻✌🏻

[@lonpfrb]

AFU have dealt with the constraints of their supporters by building a sovereign UAV capability that allows them to strike deep into the infrastructure of the terrorist state beyond weapon stores into the manufacturing and even raw materials that enable the invaders illegal war. For its' part the supporters seem to be doing a frog boiling exercise slowly releasing better capabilities to AFU in the hope that the Crimlin doesn't notice within their chaotic information picture. Since Chairman Xi hasn't authorised tactical nuclear weapons, the RF is stuck with having to generate more conventional capacity which suits the 'unlimited friendship' described by Xi. In other words CCP is delighted to manufacture the conventional weapons that Iraq, North Korea and RF require to be part of the Special Military Operation. It justifies the CCP manufacturing complex and ensures that the Han have something to do every day.

[@user-to2xi9gu9c]

Hi from Ukraine

[@andysloan7040]

PERESTROIKA DECEPTION. Putin October, 2022: It's possible to create a single space from Vladivostok to Lisbon. "It's possible to imagine this. It seems this will happen one way or another. I spoke about Eurasia as a whole in my speech, including this European part.” tass.ru/ekonomika/16177737 Soviet Defector Mr Anatoliy Golitsyn: "This strategy reflects the central strategic objective of asserting 'irreversible' Soviet hegemony over Eurasia, thus establishing the primary geographical component of the intended WorldGovernment." text page 210, last paragraph www.chinhnghia.com/GOLITSYN(Anatoliy)-Perestroika_Deception_(1998).pdf

[@michaelcudby787]

Sadly the US has always fought wars with one arm tied behind their backs, by the politicians.The politicians will lose this war

[@janicebrowningaquino792]

THANK YOU FOR THIS INTERVIEW.

[@apergiel]

Clear thinking, clearly spoken. Thank you.

[@TERRYB0688]

This guy need to be sitting in NATO he has a better insight into what’s going on than most, give Ukraine what they need to push back Russia

[@peterpan8147]

24:09 Dear General, if it's true what you say, and I have no reason to doubt, why then does it appear that the West is giving Ukraine just so much that they don't lose, but not enough that they win? This also means prolonged agony for Ukraine. And we're harming ourselves, as you say further on.

[@etherealtb6021]

Because like in the US, they are shortsighted and didn't explain the threat to people properly. Or a whole network is convincing people supporting Ukraine is a waste of money and American lives are more important. While ignoring to explain to people the massive amount of American lives that would be lost in WWII!

[@ronnie9187]

Thank you Dominik. Very valuable work you are doing here.

[@lesleepetersen87]

Thank you! Excellent interview!

[@jamesgeorge8915]

My polish colleague told me in 2007 that europe wasnt listening to polish warnings about russia. Never turn your back on russia, even i realised my colleague might know more than me, a brit, but i knew europe were too arrogant to hear the news.

[@Blanka1100]

Late Polish President Lech Kaczyński said in 2008 "Today Georgia, tomorrow Ukraine, the day after that Baltic States or even my country of Poland". I did not like him but he was so right back then. Poles heard they were "oversensitive". We are russoexperienced. We border Russia and we knew Russia would never stop. Russia simply has a break and comes back with every excuse Russia can find. It is Russia/USSR which created Putin, not opposite.

[@Zyzyx442]

Not arrogant, heard of WW2? it destroyed all wealth accumulated up to that point. PTSD and willful ignorance, perhaps.

[@jamesgeorge8915]

@@Zyzyx442 I got the feeling Europe was very confident in their expansion and wealth created after the war and thought the possiblity of war with Russia was no longer existential threat. Polish concerns were not EU concerns.

[@epincion]

@@Blanka1100Yes Poland and the Baltic nations have always been realistic about the danger Russian nationalism (which is pervasive in Russia) poses. To me what’s worrying now is that Putin has friends in the EU especially Viktor Orban in Hungary who openly flouts EU sanctions on Russia plus refuses to contribute to the defence of Ukraine even to the extent of not allowing weapons to cross Hungary on the way to Ukraine. We are also seeing support for Putin in the right wing in Germany, Austria, Italy, France and most importantly in the US where right wing control of Congress is blocking US aid to Ukraine.

[@Zyzyx442]

@@epincion Putlerism is a problem in both the far left and the far right in Europa, but Hungary where Orban is playing a very dangerous game, at best he is doing realpolitik in Hungary's interest, at worst he is a traitor and stooge of Putler. When it comes to Germany and Italy the lure of cheap siberian gas means long term economic stability, we can't exclude Russian gas from Europe indefinitely and in that they are right, that being said helping Ukraine win the war should come first.

[@yungadryas1734]

Very impressed with this interview . As a son of a Gurkha officer , I think the general is bang on here. We are facing a bully in Putin and Europe must, unfortunately, re-arm,

[@danielmartin7838]

An abundance of weapons is not enough. There is an unraveling of western society occurring from Europe to America and down to Australia. The success of the infiltration of ideological tools placed in governments and institutions has been immensely successful. The west needs to kiss and make up with itself before uniting as a people if we have any hope to win. This is not just a kinetic war, it’s very much an unconventional and ideological one

[@user-iz3dj2lk8e]

Ahahaha 🤡🤡🤡

[@bobmcgrath1272]

Such a great interview Amazing clarity of thought from General Shirreff

[@Riderules73]

TOP talk! I wish we had this kind of level of discussion on the BBC as well. THANK YOU

[@Mortablunt]

This is just more bullshit to push the neoconservative Atlanticist perspective that more empire is necessary and western hegemony is an absolute good that must be achieved. Tell me, 6 trillion oil welcome extracted from Iraq after the invasion. Where was your check from that. Over $1 billion come from Afghan poppies that were only planted after the western invasion of Afghanistan. Where has your check been from that? American forces occupy the Syrian oil fields. Where is your check from that? Have any of these imperial hegemonic adventures sent a single coin to your personal benefit your way? No, they’ve all been waged on the governments, ever raising taxes, and demanding more and more of your money to do it to none of your benefit! So what good comes from imperialistic war against Russia? Where is the benefit in it for you?

[@alexandradekanova771]

I am really ashamed for Slovakia, my country. Nevertheless there are still many people supporting Ukraine.

[@sherion80]

Yeah, your government joined the pro-putin Orban group - a clear sign of the long russian arm, which already corrupted a lot of Western politicians.

[@trespasser121]

How are you supporting it, how much money did you send and how much more and for how long? Did you enlist as a volunteer, or you just write comments on YT and expect others to do it?

[@larissazagorova3334]

I feel sorry for you brainwashed people...

[@r.guerreiro140]

May I ask you What reasons are driving Slovakia to take this position?

[@trespasser121]

@@r.guerreiro140 I don't know if the OP intends to respond, but I'll tell you "out of money and out of ammo" to send. Unless Europe is ready to give up its way of life and gear for a war economy, all those promises for sticking with Ukraine are just to scare the Russians and apparently they didn't work. Some are realizing now (what many of us knew) that it's not worth giving up our way of life (including freedoms, democracy and prosperity) to defend an unwise Kiev regime who wasted every opportunity to make peace.

[@jackmelkonian7410]

Having listened to the end of this interview I must say that what the general says matches my thoughts 100%. I have travelled the East of Europe since 1964 and the USSR since 1968, and by doing so I have learned to read the mind of Poles, Russians and most of the others. The Russians in particular took me longest. A Russian sculptor told me way back in the 70’s that Russians have a double blood stream overlooked by the West. Putin is classical example. But Russians only believe in force and power and that goes down to the ordinary man in the street. Politicians in the West should log in into this interview.

[@WingkKong]

America only believe in bomb

[@Nill757]

Thanks mind reader

[@Mortablunt]

Bullshit. You didn’t get a single lecture about Soviet friendship, or the intellectual and artistic inclination of the Soviet people?

[@WingkKong]

Sorry the west only believe in gun boat diplomacy

[@RizzlaTheCat]

Great Conversation, Thanks!

[@nataliaaguiar6801]

Eye opening conversation. Great !!!

[@thomasullmann7447]

Ive done a number of long distance cycling trips, was fairly often in Ukraine. One one trip in 2017 I was traveling across the blalck sea back from Batumi to Odessa. A story in itself was that we had hit a refueling ship at sea the night before requiring the readying of lifecraft. Relevant to this video, the next day we were postponed at sea as Russia was playing war games with its black sea fleet outside of Odessa. This was 2017. The signs are often clear to sea prior to events. Weapons are a waste of state money, ideally. In practice they can act as a deterrent, and at some point countries need to defend themselves. As a brit living in Germany I hope not to have to fight, but I can't live in a country/region enjoying my freedoms if I'm not willing to fight for them, despite it not being to my nature. I am very concerned by the attitude in the UK that fighting in europe is not for the benefit of the UK. A europe controlled by Russia is the end of th4e UK, just as Nazi controlled europe would have been. In truth Russia is already controlling the far right in europe and trying to fragment our countries, he seems to have suceeded in the US and we should be preparing in europe to have to go it alone.

[@fraumahler5934]

I fear you are right. Europe for many years over relied on USA military spending and Article 5 to keep us safe. Japans mistake in WW2 was to wake the sleeping dragon, USA, but Putin has made the same mistake by waking the sleeping European dragon.

[@JFKxprinc]

In essence both far right and far left politicians suit the Russian interests just fine.

[@thomasullmann7447]

Certainly plenty of isolationists on the far left but the far right have a lot more influence in our countries at this time, and historically so.@@JFKxprinc

[@scarba]

@@thomasullmann7447also a Brit in Germany. I don’t know about you but AfD with 20% of the vote and in second place well above the SPD and the Greens, I am pretty terrified. I know there’s been a lot of protests against them but all it takes threats of violence by the minority to intimidate the majority. Look at the power of the farmers with their AfD slogans have to block access to airports and hospitals etc. it would only take those 20% or half of them to hold us all to ransom

[@rolandnelson6722]

My guess is that if the war jumps into NATO countries more Brits will sign up, despite Brexit than - proportionately- any other state that’s soil hasn’t been touched. Brits such as yourself have that view that security has to be fought for even if it is not “in my nature”. The paradox is, it is.

[@rafaelsanz3441]

The best interview I have ever heard in 2 years of war. I lived in Riga, my son is half-Latvian, and having a deep knowledge of Russia and Latvian history, I cannot but just agree 100% with Gen. Richard Shirreff. He is just brilliant, we have impending WWIII, Russia shall never ever change, is the same that under the Czars or the Soviets.

[@stockdale829]

So it was not a good idea to provoke them.

[@rafaelsanz3441]

​@@stockdale829russian bot, Hitler mass murdered jews saying they had provoked him, now Putin he is mass murdering ukrainians because he has been provoked and that he wants to mass murder Baltics, Poles, Scandinavian, German and British people because they have provoked him. Russian bots...

[@ewartmouton]

"Russia would view further (NATO) eastward expansion as a potential military threat" "In Ukraine, these include fears that the issue could potentially split the country in two, leading to violence or even, some claim, civil war, which would force Russia to decide whether to intervene." "Not only does Russia perceive encirclement, and efforts to undermine Russia's influence in the region, but it also fears unpredictable and uncontrolled consequences which would seriously affect Russian security interests." 1 Feb 2008, leaked cable "RUSSIA'S NATO ENLARGEMENT REDLINE" by William Burns, former Ambassador to Russia, current CIA director

[@zulubeatz1]

I also predicted this years ago. My family actually called me Russophobic, which is strange as I know so much more about Eastern Europe than they do and even speak a little Russian. I just saw what Putin was about. I knew that the things he was doing to his own people are things that dictators always eventually try to do to other countries. I could see the scale of propaganda and influence Russia was using in the West was going to lead to military action.

[@vruychev]

People are so conditioned to move on nowadays, they already forgot the fear of Feb 24th 2022... and this shall be the demise of the democratic world. Unless we wake up!

[@NathansHVAC]

Nope

[@davidbrancaleone3039]

​@@NathansHVACTROLL INCOMING what is it they do? Deny what Kremlin's up to. His reference to Mein Kampf is accurate. Hitler dreams of "lebensraum" there. Which is what Putin wants. Retake Baltic states move West. Destabilize. Steal, plunder, land grabbing, rape, genocide. So denial ("nope") just doesn't cut the mustard, Ivan troll

[@user-go4bg4fp5u]

I think it's the price of prosperity. For too long we in the West have lived in a world in which war didn't affect us personally. Even if our country was at war. It was just something that was on TV. No one had to pay for war bonds, be conscripted, work in the amunition factory, etc. We have become a weak people unable or unwilling to make any sacrifice for the future. Everything is "me" and "now". Look at personal savings rates. Look at our national debt. Look at our education system. We are just want to be fat and happy and not be bothered while we drink, smoke, watch sports, have s x, etc. It's the roaring 1920s. And it will be a very very rude awakening when all that comes crashing down. Unfortunately in a repeat for yet another War in Europe.

[@michaelnorling5062]

Jag är rädd för att det stämmer! Och rotorsaken är att vi inte lär oss av historien samt att vi har så lätt för att glömma!

[@edwardcarberry1095]

It is Always good to Have Others do the Thinking of those WHO , WEF are not able to !!! So your good with that of the Harvesting of Adreanachrome then ,with the child trafficking going on there for a lot of years then !!!? How about the Money Laundering going on there???, Is that good with you ????

[@vonries]

Thanks. Glory to Ukraine. God Bless Ukraine and her people. 🇺🇦🇺🇸

[@yagushka]

I’m Polish 🇵🇱 living in Oxford, not thinking of going back but very worried about the next step Putin is going to take

[@BaibaVulgaris]

I'm Latvian living in spain and also ....not happy with what's going on there😥😥😥

[@zulubeatz1]

It is great to hear someone who sees the situation as it is. The reason that Russia pushes the NATO expansion theory is not only to give their own people an enemy. It is also to influence leaders in the West into thinking that it is a response to their previous aggressive actions and that if they do not provoke Russia it will bring peace.

[@henriikkak2091]

🎯

[@edwardkennedy6443]

Many of us here in Ukraine have foreseen this since the occupation of Crimea. Unfortunately, many also decided that things would not go further, even when subsequent events in Donbass proved otherwise. When in the fall of 2021 the United States announced that Russia was preparing for an invasion, few took it seriously, and when on the expected day nothing happened, it caused some to exhale and others to laugh, accusing Washington of lying, including russians themselves. For us, the guessing ended on the evening of February 23rd. Our territorial defense units gathered in designated places, received weapons and communications equipment (which turned out to be unnecessary, because the Russians did not even think about jamming communications) and moved out to help the border guards, the National Guard and the police. The rest is history.

[@lonpfrb]

The bad actions of gangster Joe Stalin to ruzzify the soviet socialist republics have provided kaputin with a pretext for invasion to safeguard ruzzians. The answer is simple, all ruzzian passport holders or sympathisers must return to the motherland after the inevitable RF defeat so that Ukraine is only for Ukrainians or their friends. There will be no confusion that Ukraine is only for Ukrainians because it is a sovereign democratic nation. RF is for ruzzians. There is no confusion.

[@stephencarter1469]

Not blowing up the connections with Crimea was a treasonous crime; Who has been held responsible for this!?

[@etherealtb6021]

Sad. I'm sorry. I'm sure Ukrainian leaders knew he'd wait until after the Olympics, as he did in Crimea, so they knew they had at least two weeks. I'll bet that helped. I wish politicians would learn from history, maybe we could prevent these situations completely.

[@Hades_Space_Engineer]

this is an extraordinary contribution. Very moving to me

[@GuillaumeVrac]

I wish Macron, Schulz and all leaders of Europe will listen to Richard Shirreff.

[@richardpeychers4076]

Yes they could all be in the front line when it all hits the fan.

[@manuelreen]

all european leaders ate vasals of the gringos, not working for the european interests, felons

[@boobopish]

I was thinking the exact same thing.

[@LeafsIn2024]

Brilliant questions, answers, and interview overall! A new subscriber. Thank you. 👏👏👏🙏🇨🇦🇬🇧🇺🇦

[@shirleydrury5565]

Thank you for this interview. It’s sad truth but we must wake up to it.😢😢

[@goglebert]

thank you and cheers from Kyiv!

[@jackbrown6788]

There is one reason Russia has been able to get to this point. Greed. Those in power turned a blind eye because Russian money was flowing out in to the hands of Western countries.

[@VM-hl8ms]

this is true. but greed is world wide universal human trait. no need to attribute it to western countries only.

[@jackbrown6788]

@@VM-hl8ms Well, I wouldn't disagree with that but in this instance we are talking about Western banks that are happy to hold Russian cash and oligarchs have been allowed to buy expensive properties, sports teams and other assets. Western countries are still trading with Russia, while telling us our children might need to be conscripted!

[@wgreiter]

I wouldn't say "give" as in gift. Any exchange at the national/geopolitical level requires a win/win ratio. As a grossly simplistic, hypothetical example. U.S. provides "gifts", in exchange, client country purchases(not exclusively, but a hefty cut of the whole) military hardware from the largest arms exporter on the planet. Client country can scale back it's budget for military spending to around 2% of GDP annually. Typical average is around 5%. There are a lot more bells and whistles at play of course.. this again, is a "shadow on the wall" example of reality. It may not seem like much, but on average, a country will spend 1/3 of it's GDP on government expenditure. An extra 3%(i.e. 10% of total govt. budget) at the end of the year means bigger pockets for politicians. @@davedave3611

[@VM-hl8ms]

@@jackbrown6788 "our children might need to be conscripted". unkrainian children are being murdered already.

[@jackbrown6788]

@@VM-hl8ms I know, and I feel for them. It's terrible what is happening in Ukraine and Putin is an utter c*nt. I'm all for helping Ukraine fight Russia and taking in Ukrainian refugees. I'm happy that the UK is providing weapons and training support to Ukraine but children are being killed all over the World due to conflict and I don't want to send my kids over there to fight their battles. My country has been getting involved in conflicts for centuries now and most of the World hates us for it. No one hates Switzerland.

[@leighkite1164]

Yeah... He hit the nail right on the head when he talked about how our fathers and grandfathers fought wars so we didn't have to. I've thought of that point a lot since before this all began, which was probably back in 2012 when the Russian strategic nuclear bombers re-commenced patrols. The denial is dangerous, and in the West we're dealing with three generations of people who's idea of catastrophe is a fall in the value of their assets, or the inability to find a socket to charge their iPhones. Everything's always just been alright, but it isn't going to be anymore. 😐

[@dmytrolysak1366]

Being in Ukraine, I am not optimistic at all. Western countries lost the opportunity to defeat Russia when they were stopped by the fear of the implications of that defeat. Now, even if we are given literally everything we request, we are out of manpower. In the first two years, the army consisted mostly of volunteers. Those volunteers were exhausted in the failed counteroffensive last year, now those who are drafted are often drafted by force. A lot of people desert, a lot of men flee the country illegally. Russians, on the other hand, established paid recruitment system that seems to work, and launched their heavy industry to double speed. They also acquired allies that supply them with weapons. The situation does not look good for us. In addition, Zelensky's presidential term lapses this spring, which will certainly subtract some of his legitimacy. In fear of being undermined by the top general, he changed the whole military command top brass, and these new ones are unpopular among soldiers. The "shabby deal" you are talking about is already being prepared.

[@Komodo1312]

This is one of the few realistic and level headed comments I've read

[@guilhermegarcia8750]

You and the rest of eastern europe never stood a chance.

[@dmytrolysak1366]

@@guilhermegarcia8750 I am certain no one with your attitude stands a chance, sir.

[@etherealtb6021]

And the US Congress squabbles about stupid 💩 while if Ukraine falls, we're ALL in danger! Stupid people who don't learn from history.

[@mattreb5748]

Damn bro those words are hurtful but truthful. The world rights itself from evil one way or another hopefully things turn around

[@philipsturtivant9385]

I'm a 68 yr old retired British Army veteran with 16 years of the Cold War under my belt, along with the euphoria of The Wall falling, and experience of NATO intervention in Bosnia-Herzegovina in the aftermath of that upheaval. Richard Shirreff's response to the Orci invasion of Ukraine on 24 Feb (12m 10s into the video) matches my own - desperate fear that my three sons may have to go to war to stop Russia.

[@misanthrope_jr]

why do you even think Russia has to be stopped? The problem is the economic crisis that the politicians created. And fear is the best weapon to control the people, to channel their energy in the direction desired by the elite

[@stefanweilhartner4415]

@BB-xx3dv maybe fight against a country that will screw you even more?

[@misanthrope_jr]

"Orci invasion" ... bloody Ukrainian narrative

[@KingofInterns]

Russian Fed is no where near as strong as USSR. Economically in particular. It cannot wage an effective non nuclear war against NATO.

[@misanthrope_jr]

why do you even think Russia has to be stopped? The problem is the economic crisis that the politicians created. And fear is the best weapon to control the people, to channel their energy in the direction desired by the elite

[@johnhopkins4012]

I concur on our young men and women serving and they are second to none but successive governments have denuded this country of its ability to defend it self.

[@user-mc8dl8ym8h]

Greedy caused to grow China so much and feeded Russia (Nord Stream gas pipeline etc.) and enabled them to attack another countries again. We financed their growth/ recovery. What is even more tragic - now, when everything is so obvious and predictions became true - West is still undecisive hoping maybe they will get away effortlessly....somewhat like in the beggining of WW2 - we all know, how it ended...Well, yes - less consequences for Western Europe than for Eastern but still pretty tragicly....

[@RodicaMihutArmando]

Thank you for this video.

[@jamesclayton3388]

Thing is, Britain is an island, and as such this has made us complacent. Preparations for war need to be taken now, as Britain did in the 1930s . Better be prepared for the worst and hope for the best.

[@tornoricco]

Long live the West from Italy !

[@jeffincanada5060]

Another spot-on interview. Very fine work.

[@richardbernard6845]

An insightful and necessary discussion - well done

[@maritaschweizer1117]

Great interview with an amazing clear and precise language. The deep historical understanding of the Russian imperial ambitions is essential to understand this war.

[@camillalotus1177]

Great podcast. General Shirreff"s warning should be taken very seriously. 🇺🇦✌️

[@klaasvakie]

😂😂😂😂

[@markmorris1105]

👍✅️putin is a modern age Monster

[@Evenflovv]

Great man, great talk.

[@BRMCaptChaos]

I served under Gen Shirreff on operations, at the time and in hindsight, unsuccessfully. A stopped clock is right twice a day though. He was right about Russia's intentions, however, i believe he is incorrect in the reasons why Russia did what it did, or omits this. He alluded to it early on, Putins suggesying "a spring will push back" rightly suggests NATO expansion east was the dominant threat to Russia. He then declares a ring of steel is needed including Ukraine being party to NATO! How on earth does he feel this would be acceptable to any Russian or Russia? The West's house is currently disorderly and seemingly aggressive. Blackrock contracts in Ukraine post conflixt stinks. Russia are now more threatening to NATO tha ever before, entirely due to our own hand. This is before we get started on Obama and Crimea.

[@mivapusa]

Europe rearming is one of the few boons to come from this nightmare. We need to remember NATO isn't just an American project, we all need to get serious. My own country outsourced most of its arms production to Spain, which to all but the politicians was an obvious mistake.

[@robertcook9201]

Rearming? If only! The problem with a democracy is that the apathetic majority is always prioritises immediate self interest, and the insecure politicians do not have the confidence to lead from the front.

[@StritarD]

This channel is a goldmine of information and knowledge.

[@bertilpersson3214]

Thanks for the interview. But why go for water across the pond. As being Swedish and working in Poland since 2009 this isn’t news to me. There's plenty of books and essays in several magazines and newspapers that this would happen all the way to the late 90's in Poland. I'm actually extremely amazed that these "experts" woke up just recently. Look what's happening in Moldova right this moment. Cheers

[@jonathanturnerrhyolite133]

Thank you General for your insight.

[@alexanderjung1005]

"Whe are at war." - The most important note. Great interview.👍

[@davidosalsero2519]

"Whe"?

[@rightcheer5096]

@@davidosalsero2519 WHEEE! We at war!

[@antonioangeloviii4748]

wheels of war are in motion. lol

[@user-mk5bz5qi1b]

Western propaganda is the best in the World .. So many people believe it.

[@guilhermegarcia8750]

Granpa stated that 2 years late lol

[@johnhopkins4012]

Politicians need to wake up. Keep your strategic steel industry, up weapons manufacture, etc etc etc

[@ewartmouton]

"Anyone who doesn't regret the passing of the Soviet Union has no heart. Anyone who wants it restored has no brains.", 20 Feb 2000

[@annalehman93941]

Oh thanks. I tried to translate it by myself but your version is much better

[@eddijkstra6029]

I would lhave loved that any political leader of the West would check this episode and learn. Even in my country you hear more and more 'its not our war', but it is. I was a soldier in the 80's as a conscript and still think it never should have stopped. We stopped with conscripts, we sold our tanks (and now leasing a few) and never will be able to have enough boots on the ground if facing the relendless waves of bodies and equipment that a country like Russia can throw to us. I truly hope our political leaders start to wake up and act. And not delay or only use words. But act. Thanks General Richard for sharing his insights.

[@jpedrocp]

Extraordinary interview. Thank you very much. Let's all share it widely.

[@lehilehi8636]

This man knows what he is talking about.

[@altonstuchlik8501]

Děkuji Dominiku za diskuzi!

[@draganjagodic4056]

Sincere respect for gen. Shirreff from Croatia. Must admit, I also thought the book was "...exaggeration...Putin would not be crazy like Hitler...." How wrong I was. However, from the very first day after the war started, having heard them speak, was convinced that gen. Shirreff, gen. Hodges, gen. Breedlove and all other experts should have been heeded.

[@draganjagodic4056]

@@saccount-z3 Serbs certainly do suck to Vladolf Putler.

[@guilhermegarcia8750]

Hitler was an isane homosexual, Putin is not insane nor alone, he a chessmaster of death.

[@gooner72]

I think he's 100% correct, they will not give up so we need to be ready.

[@Ozzybob-ts7yj]

Well it wasn't hard to predict the Russian attack when you consider we started the war in 2014.