Current Affairs Ukraine

[NathDogg]

NATO are strengthening their borders. They are starting to say what they think is unacceptable enough for intervention (no chemical warfare) and giving Ukraine assistance enough to thoroughly destress* Russia's efforts. In my view, Ukraine is being used as a time buffer for NATO to ready up such that there is no further escalation up to WW3.

Big question now is how long does this go on for and how much can Russia can take over and by what methods - independent states, ceding of lands, international recognition of Russian sovereignty over areas such as Crimea, and/or a tame government in charge.

I think all sides should be resigned to not getting total control of what they want here.

*to avoid another inappropriate word warning.

"In war, whichever side may call itself the victor, there are no winners, but all are losers."

One thing Chamberlain got right.

 

[tsubaki]

"In war, whichever side may call itself the victor, there are no winners, but all are losers."

One thing Chamberlain got right.

He’s stolen that off the Duke of Wellington (who after Waterloo said that apart from a battle lost, there was nothing so terrible as a battle won).

 

[NathDogg]

He’s stolen that off the Duke of Wellington (who after Waterloo said that apart from a battle lost, there was nothing so terrible as a battle won).

Not like a Tory to steal mate...

 

[PhilM]

I just can't see this not escalating, the Russians are saying some worrying stuff now. The Poles won't take lightly to some of the rhetoric being spouted about de-nazifying them. Worrying but WW3 is on an edge if you ask me, the Russian hierarchy are unstable.

Hope I'm over exaggerating, be glad if others can shut me down on this.

While I appreciate it's a valid concern and the situation is a tinder box, I do believe (well, hope) that it will not escalate to actual combat between powers.

Beyond the rhetoric and perhaps a few close calls, I still feel that a compromise will eventually be made. Putin may be despot, but does he want armageddon?

More so, will those around him let it get that far? I suspect not. However, I do feel that tensions will be heightened for a long time and that'll impact in other ways.

 

[Terrarian]

While I appreciate it's a valid concern and the situation is a tinder box, I do believe (well, hope) that it will not escalate to actual combat between powers.

Beyond the rhetoric and perhaps a few close calls, I still feel that a compromise will eventually be made. Putin may be despot, but does he want armageddon?

More so, will those around him let it get that far. I suspect not.

I hope you're right and you're much more knowledgeable about these situations than I am Phil.

 

[PhilM]

I hope you're right and you're much more knowledgeable about these situations than I am Phil.

While the compliment is appreciate, I think it's more a case of being hopeful that humanity in general, while not perfect, will hold back from annihilation.

Putin probably won't want to die and has children. Nor will his cronies, nor will Biden et al. Think back to the Cuban Missile Crisis and how that panned out.

 

[Terrarian]

While the compliment is appreciate, I think it's more a case of being hopeful that humanity in general, while not perfect, will hold back from annihilation.

Putin probably won't want to die and has children. Nor will his cronies, nor will Biden et al. Think back to the Cuban Missile Crisis and how that panned out.

I'd like to think people would stop him in his tracks but not convinced the Russians are all that stable at the moment, hopefully someone on his own side will be brave enough to stop him, by hook or by crook. He needs taking out though imo, why people like him are still running countries is disgraceful in this day and age and he's nowhere near the worst tyrant.

 

[Spadge Vernacular]

Putin has shown that he is a gambler and clearly sees fear as a powerful weapon.

If things continue to go wrong for him, and NATO weapons are seen as key to this I would not be surprised to see the idiot use a tactical nuke in the hope that it puts the fear of Armageddon into 'rational western minds'.

The fella is a complete d'head.

 

[NathDogg]

I'd like to think people would stop him in his tracks but not convinced the Russians are all that stable at the moment, hopefully someone on his own side will be brave enough to stop him, by hook or by crook. He needs taking out though imo, why people like him are still running countries is disgraceful in this day and age and he's nowhere near the worst tyrant.

Should have happened a few years back but he's made too many people stupidly wealthy, surrounded himself by yes men or just scared, threatened, tortured, arrested and killed anyone that was opposed to him. The west has appeased for far too long regarding Donbass and we get the current mental situation.

Too far gone now, sadly, unless members of the politburo inner circle have a sudden crisis of conscience and do the right thing.

Slava Ukraini!

 

[verreauxi]

 

[Yarrgh]

Maybe it's just my view but i'm inclined to take the same view as Terrarian in the previous post. I see this
as a precursor to an escalation. It might be a show of unity and a deterrent, to further advances by Russia, but it is also moves on a chess board (I know very little about chess).

As for your last point, no chance. You look at what has happened to Ukraine and their people. Their loss will not be in vein. The only outcome is where Putin is resigned to not getting control of what he wants, or is taken out by force.

Don't confuse the outcome you want with the outcomes available.

For Ukraine's sake I fear for the worst and hope for the best.

 

[devogue]

 

[Tramps_mate]

Oh no, how terribly sad and sickening. This war needs to end.

Ukraine reports 300 died in Russian strike on theater in Mariupol

In a vain attempt to protect those inside, an enormous inscription reading “CHILDREN” in Russian had been posted outside the building and was visible from the air.

www.tampabay.com

 

[Tramps_mate]

The Ukrainians need to get a sniper on this guy ASAP....

Russian general demands to know why soldier 'has not had ears cut off'

Colonel-General Mikhail Mizintsev was heard berating a junior officer for not cutting off the ears of a private who had been caught not wearing his uniform properly in an intercepted phone call.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[efcfanwirral]

I just can't see this not escalating, the Russians are saying some worrying stuff now. The Poles won't take lightly to some of the rhetoric being spouted about de-nazifying them. Worrying but WW3 is on an edge if you ask me, the Russian hierarchy are unstable.

Hope I'm over exaggerating, be glad if others can shut me down on this.

Either they're going to invade Poland or the talk of their military losses/the state of their military and them being pushed back in Ukraine is untrue. I don't think it's likely they'll be going any further than Ukraine if the second part is true