Gravitas
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Menu There is no diplomatic solutionIsrael should declare three nos;
no to nuclear Iran, no to two-state solution, no to bi-national state
no to nuclear Iran, no to two-state solution, no to bi-national state
The argument which is made by the reporter in this report suggests that Russia is targeting Odessa to gain ‘complete control’ of the Black Sea. This is not at all a reasonable conclusion. In truth, Russia, even with the conquest of Odessa, would leave Russia dependent upon Turkey for ‘control’ of the Black Sea, much as it has throughout the entire of this conflict. Turkey of course is a member of NATO, but of course, Turkey is Turkey and does as it pleases and has seen fit to prevent movement of warships into or out of the Black Sea.
Beyond this, both Romania and Bulgaria border the Black Sea and should the US/NATO care to harry the Russian Black Sea fleet, these territories could be used to launch surreptitious attacks as needed. Even more relevant than this, though, is the fact that there is no need for NATO to gain water way access to the Black Sea to attack the Russian Black Sea fleet, given their ready access to missiles and air borne drones which could easily effect any attack they choose to conduct.
So, no, the reason for taking Odessa, if indeed this is the goal, would be much more related to the fact that Odessa is a Russian city, with an importance to Russia which is integral to the city which stands quite apart from its bordering the Black Sea. It also will turn the rump of Ukraine into a landlocked nation, devoid of any port not under Russian control thru which to ship Ukraine’s maritime commodities, or at least those Ukrainian commodities which are not already also held in the territory to be gained by Russia in this foolish war.