Current Affairs Ukraine

[Yarrgh]

This has been 7 years in the making. But while money was flowing the west weren’t arsed

I'm surrprised it's taken so long since the coup 8 years ago for Russia to act. I presume covid and lowish oil snd gas prices were the reason; potentially some whiff of NATO membership too.

I'll be surprised if it takes 7 days from here. Does the Ukraine submit and then subvert or does it drag it out by fighting back? No good options for them.

Also what sanctions do you place now that makes a difference? Probably one's that can be set aside for giving "autonomy" back to Ukraine. A bit of pain in the short term for Russia followed by a return to the status quo with a compliment Ukraine back in their pocket. Once a couple of western companies start fracking there it's all over.

I'd be strengthening the resilience of the Baltic nations against Russian influence now. We need to be working for the next reset with Russia and Ukraine which will be 5-10 years away as Putin loses his grip.

 

[Frenk]

So the US had Nord stream 2(?) sanctions in place, took them away and has now reinstated them. Are these the mother of all sanctions they are on about?

On another note is there no way western intelligence agencies couldn’t hack into their social media platforms and bombard them with some truth? Can’t imagine how they paint the Ukraine over there. Lol

 

[Yarrgh]

That doesn’t look to be true checking the replies

They admitted that they got the wrong files. It could have been filmed 3 years ago and no difference to the outcome.

 

[wainy]

The West’s response to this is vital, doing nothing will only embolden China with their expansionist ideas too (yes I am aware of their so called stance on Russia doing this). All in all a very worrying situation for everybody, could very easily escalate into something much, much worse.

 

[Kev The Rat]

A terrible situation for who? Once the military stage is over, that's not the end for the Ukranian people - they'll be dictated over, oppressed and persecuted.

Their terrible situation will continue while you may think the world has gone back to normal. Maybe your crypto will stabilise, which will make you happy.

If they reduce the effectiveness of the Russian war machine and political regime, it may provide Ukraine leeway in terms of their defence here and now.

In the long-term, it may help the Ukrainian people continue to fight against the country that has invaded them. This is the invasion of a sovereign nation.

Or it may anger an already enraged and possibly mentally unbalanced Putin, who will intesify and blame NATO even more than he is already, become even more reactionary, and look towards to the Baltics and even Poland, if he manages to gain a measure of control over Ukraine, but faces resistance.

BTW if you think NATO will prevent it going further, as mentioned yesterday, the US have 60k troops in Japan, and people there wonder if they would hang around to fight, if China came calling.

 

[Jebus_lives]

Wonder if we will be willing to accept any Ukrainian refugees...

 

[Kev The Rat]

The West’s response to this is vital, doing nothing will only embolden China with their expansionist ideas too (yes I am aware of their so called stance on Russia doing this). All in all a very worrying situation for everybody, could very easily escalate into something much, much worse.

Agree China is the one to keep an eye on.

 

[Mrk]

Just gutted that it has come to this. What a complete and utter catastrophe.

 

[Yarrgh]

The West’s response to this is vital, doing nothing will only embolden China with their expansionist ideas too (yes I am aware of their so called stance on Russia doing this). All in all a very worrying situation for everybody, could very easily escalate into something much, much worse.

Taking an eye off China now could potentially lead to the biggest problems of all.

 

[The binman chronicles]

I hope Putin chokes on his steak later today.

One of his inner circle should cap him off before he does something else stupid.

 

[PhilM]

The West’s response to this is vital, doing nothing will only embolden China with their expansionist ideas too (yes I am aware of their so called stance on Russia doing this). All in all a very worrying situation for everybody, could very easily escalate into something much, much worse.

China will stay mute over this even though they won't be / aren't overtly supportive of Russian actions because they have a growing relationships.

If Russia becomes a pariah in the West, they will move closer to China with their requirements in terms of energy and resources. It'll strengthen their hand.

India and African states won't turn the back on Russia too.

 

[Kev The Rat]

Taking an eye off China now could potentially lead to the biggest problems of all.

60k US troops in Japan, but many people have no confidence in them sticking around to fight if China attacked

That should make people think twice about NATO.

 

[PhilM]

60k US troops in Japan, but many people have no confidence in them sticking around to fight if China attacked

That should make people think twice about NATO.

China wouldn't attack Japan with US there or at least for a long time. The JSD is also a very well manned and equipped military. It's all fanciful talk.

That's before mentioning that China do not have the capability to attack Japan in terms of any sizeable number of troops.

 

[tsubaki]

Wonder if we will be willing to accept any Ukrainian refugees...

An influx of helpless blonde, blue eyed women? Can’t see the Mail fulminating about “swarms” of them.

 

[Noisy noise annoys]

I hope Putin chokes on his steak later today.

One of his inner circle should cap him off before he does something else stupid.

Was saying this to my wife yesterday, he needs stopping and only his inner circle can get to him