Current Affairs Ukraine

[BlueTX]

A lot of that is the people who I was on about though, using their media power to influence the rest into backing something that is indefensible otherwise.

I mean there isn’t a grassroots support of Russia, is there? It’s just the same talking head traitors again.

I don't really know that there is a load of outward support for what Russia has done to Ukraine but there doesn't seem to be, yet, a ton of outrage, either. That said, among certain people (Evangelicals, white supremacists and far-right groups), there is, for different reasons, a level of admiration for Putin.

I'd think it is an extension of the cult-ish adulation for Trump, the supposed strongman (who is, honestly, weak AF).

 

[Spadge Vernacular]

Jesus christ no. Hitler lost.

I mean in actions not the outcome.

 

[Gabagool]

God damn you Putin. You power hungry imperialst. Let them have Ukraine. Do you not have enough?

 

[tsubaki]

Would he risk the nuclear obliteration of Moscow to occupy three small countries?

From ICBMs based in the Baltics he’d be able to sleep safe in his bed.

 

[Walken]

It depends on America, as it always has, and Biden hasn't shown any more real interest in being the "global policeman" than Trump did. He hasn't been such an overt knobhead about it as Trump, but he hightailed it out of Afghanistan as quickly as possible, and a large chunk of his base defended him doing so, saying it wasn't their fight.

A bit anecdotal but when I was in Cuba last month just chatting to locals and guides, they said things improved for them greatly when Obama was in charge with more money coming in and his visits legitimising them. When Trump got in everything stopped and the cruel attempts to starve them out started again, Biden got in and he has done or changed nothing at all from Trump, according to the locals I spoke to.

I haven't been too encouraged by his attitude towards international politics

 

[daza_1973]

Would he risk the nuclear obliteration of Moscow civilisation to occupy three small countries?

*fixed

 

[FrenchDarrenBent]

From ICBMs based in the Baltics he’d be able to sleep safe in his bed.

MRBMs!

 

[tsubaki]

MRBMs!

That would be more appropriate, but even then it’s a bit of a provocation.

 

[Terrarian]

Apparently the Ukraine government encouraging non combatants to prepare Molotov cocktails

Shameful that a government uses residents as sacrificial cannon fodder

How dare they defend themselves, jesus wept kev

 

[tsubaki]

A bit anecdotal but when I was in Cuba last month just chatting to locals and guides, they said things improved for them greatly when Obama was in charge with more money coming in and his visits legitimising them. When Trump got in everything stopped and the cruel attempts to starve them out started again, Biden got in and he has done or changed nothing at all from Trump, according to the locals I spoke to.

I haven't been too encouraged by his attitude towards international politics

Indeed, like a lot of his policies it’s all triangulation of the kind that failed 15-20 years ago.

 

[tsubaki]

How dare they defend themselves, jesus wept kev

How dare they take on the invader AND try to disprove Kevs victory algorithms.

 

[NathDogg]

Let's get it right here, the western leaders are hiding & cowering behind the non-membership by ukraine of NATO as the reason why we cannot do anything aside from rhetoric and sabre rattle meaningless worthless sanctions that will do nothing to deter mad Vlad and his bloodlust. Putin has played them like fiddles, and appeasement (which is what the west is doing) only ends one way.

it shouldn't have anything to do with money, membership of organisations or anything else - Ukraine is a sovereign country being invaded by an agressor and the country, its leaders and it's innocent people deserve our military assistance now. It's about right or wrong.

PUtin won't stop going with Ukraine imo - I don't think the NATO threat will hold him off after how pathetically weak the west's response has been. He wants the USSR/imererial Russia back to what it was, the absolute maniac.

Slava Ukraini!

 

[PhilM]

But we keep saying UKR is not a member and so on. But when they pressed for membership we told them it's too risky.

So in the end, it's not bcs of technicality, NATO lacks the coordination to fight v Russia as of today, be it for a member or a non member.

Not really. Back in 2016, it was stated that for Ukraine to join NATO would take approximately twenty-years for a multitude of factors - some right, some wrong.

The domestic division and, at the time, ongoing disputes in the Donbas etc. were the key barriers as membership is based on meeting specific criteria.

The political divide and ongoing conflict, with Russia's support, meant that in laymen's terms Ukraine needed to sort the issues out and show stability.

Now I'm not saying that's right, but rather saying it how it is. So, for Ukraine to be admitted without all that, would firstly potentially damage the alliance.

Also, Russia knowing all the above, would see it as a direct threat to their state, which would only fuel Putin more and lead to what he did here.

A horrible double-edged sword in some ways as we (NATO) would have been forced in, unprepared and with a Russia that would be incensed by it all.

This has sadly been a result of long-term indecision and, to give them credit, masterful political manoeuvres by Putin who has been able to get away with it.

I was reliably told today they'd amassed a minimum of $70bn to weather the financial storm they expect to happen.

 

[Lobster Johnson]

A bit anecdotal but when I was in Cuba last month just chatting to locals and guides, they said things improved for them greatly when Obama was in charge with more money coming in and his visits legitimising them. When Trump got in everything stopped and the cruel attempts to starve them out started again, Biden got in and he has done or changed nothing at all from Trump, according to the locals I spoke to.

I haven't been too encouraged by his attitude towards international politics

I think for at least his first term he has to walk a fine line with an isolationist congress and public.

 

[Deleted member 48881]

Not really. Back in 2016, it was stated that for Ukraine to join NATO would take approximately twenty-years for a multitude of factors - some right, some wrong.

The domestic division and, at the time, ongoing disputes in the Donbas etc. were the key barriers as membership is based on meeting specific criteria.

The political divide and ongoing conflict, with Russia's support, meant that in laymen's terms Ukraine needed to sort the issues out and show stability.

Now I'm not saying that's right, but rather saying it how it is. So, for Ukraine to be admitted without all that, would firstly potentially damage the alliance.

Also, Russia knowing all the above, would see it as a direct threat to their state, which would only fuel Putin more and lead to what he did here.

A horrible double-edged sword in some ways as we (NATO) would have been forced in, unprepared and with a Russia that would be incensed by it all.

This has sadly been a result of long-term indecision and, to give them credit, masterful political manoeuvres by Putin who has been able to get away with it.

I was reliably told today they'd amassed a minimum of $70bn to weather the financial storm they expect to happen.

Why would it be seen as a direct threat tho? Just bcs it is their neighbour? They have other neighbours who are NATO members.