If Professor Petras' account of the developing war scenario in Ukraine is correct, it would seem that the Russian government has underestimated Washington's mendacity and overestimated European independence and sense of survival.

There is little doubt that hubris has made Washington insane. But it is difficult to account for Europe's insanity. With winter at hand, how can Europe expect to be part of bringing such trouble to Russia and still receive deliveries of natural gas?

Perhaps Europeans are fooling themselves that Russia will stand aside.

If the situation is as dire as it seems, the Russian government must prevent it from unfolding by accepting the request of the eastern and southern provinces to unite with Russia. Then an attack on Donetsk becomes an attack on Russia herself. Such an attack would be suicidal for Washington's puppet regime in Kiev and for Europeans that back such an attack.