Current Affairs Ukraine

[Lobster Johnson]

Indeed. It would be insanity. But then again they attacked Ukraine which is also pretty insane.

Anyway declaration that we'll step in if those countries are attacked will hopefully reinforce the idea to Russia that it would be a very very bad idea.

I doubt they even have the remaining capability. On a resource, diplomatic and strategic level, invading Ukraine has been a disaster it will take Russia years to recover from.

 

[tsubaki]

As long as it actually goes through the right procedures I'm not so worried about this, as it's sending a message clear and without delay that this is the UK's intentions.

I also don't think that Russia will chance it against Finland or Sweden as they will surely be more capable than Ukraine was when it was attacked and look at the toll Russia is paying there - it will not be able to take the damage that Finland and Sweden would impose on any attacking force. This announcement just reinforces this and hopefully goes towards ensuring those countries remain safe.

That might be true, but I do wish more would be made diplomatically of this opportunity.

Sweden and Finland are not the “hegemonic” West, don’t have the history of imperialism and are prominent non-aligned powers. That they feel they need NATO membership is solely down to being unable to trust Russia any more. That issue of trust is something that needs to be deployed, especially with the countries that are neutral / thinking of going along with them.

 

[Tennessee Blue Mike]

I doubt they even have the remaining capability. On a resource, diplomatic and strategic level, invading Ukraine has been a disaster it will take Russia years to recover from.

I Just read yesterday the US has depleted 1/4 of their Javelin stock so I couldn't even to begin to fathom the ordinance used by Russia that will have a extremely hard time replaced. They will have to move quicker if they want temporary victory but all analysis believe this is Afghanistan II for them and they are and will be severely compromised. Expect Russia to go into a shell for at least a decade. Fires are burning all over Russia it will probably get worse.

 

[tsubaki]

I doubt they even have the remaining capability. On a resource, diplomatic and strategic level, invading Ukraine has been a disaster it will take Russia years to recover from.

I am not that sure of that - diplomatically there isn’t much damage beyond the West, and everyone (including us) will go back to some sort of trading relationship the moment we think we can get away with it.

I mean if he did declare victory, an end to combat operations and for talks on May 9 there will be an awful lot of pressure to go along with it.

 

[thirdmantackle]

"Geography is destiny", some countries are certainly blessed with it, or as Otto von Bismarck put it

"The Americans are a very lucky people. They're bordered to the north and south by weak neighbors, and to the east and west by fish"

On other hand someone like Germany in middle of Europe, in peace time their position is beneficial to dominate continent, especially in trade and financially, but in war, its a nightmare. Also look at Russia, its geography that played crucial role in stopping among two largest invasions in history, Napoleon in 1812 and Hitler in 1940s.

didn't stop the Mongols on their ponies

 

[Deleted member 48881]

 

[stipe]

didn't stop the Mongols on their ponies

Steppe horsemen were just different breed, Mongols were just latest in the long run of superb steppe horsemen invading everything, Huns, Sarmatians, Scythians etc.....

I mean Hungary is European relic of those invaders, Hungarians were also originally horsemen invaders from the East, they raided and plundered through Europe during 9th-10th century, then they were defeated (by Germans i think), and settled in what is now Hungary.

 

[Tennessee Blue Mike]

I am not that sure of that - diplomatically there isn’t much damage beyond the West, and everyone (including us) will go back to some sort of trading relationship the moment we think we can get away with it.

I mean if he did declare victory, an end to combat operations and for talks on May 9 there will be an awful lot of pressure to go along with it.

No chance of that. The exemption is Germany watch what they do not what they say. They have had a symbiotic relationship with Russia which is hard for many Westerners to understand. Perhaps the East Germany connection back in the day.
Here is the rub unless Putin is removed from power these sanctions will not be eased one bit. The wheels are turning to tighten the screws on Russia and their warmongering. They are completely compromised.

Question are you feeling the pressure of Inflation were you reside? Think about Russia times ten by the end of the year.

 

[stipe]

No chance of that. The exemption is Germany watch what they do not what they say. They have had a symbiotic relationship with Russia which is hard for many Westerners to understand. Perhaps the East Germany connection back in the day.
Here is the rub unless Putin is removed from power these sanctions will not be eased one bit. The wheels are turning to tighten the screws on Russia and their warmongering. They are completely compromised.

Question are you feeling the pressure of Inflation were you reside? Think about Russia times ten by the end of the year.

Relationship between Germany and Russia is like 1000 years old, it included various periods of wars and peace, mutual trade and alliances, it was rocky and turbulent to say the least.

History didn't started in 1945, so no, relationship and trade between two of them is nothing new. America got close knit relationship with Saudi Arabia, one of the most despicable regime on Earth, why? Because it suits their geo-political interest

Realpolitik at its most cynical.

​

 

[Lobster Johnson]

I Just read yesterday the US has depleted 1/4 of their Javelin stock so I couldn't even to begin to fathom the ordinance used by Russia that will have a extremely hard time replaced. They will have to move quicker if they want temporary victory but all analysis believe this is Afghanistan II for them and they are and will be severely compromised. Expect Russia to go into a shell for at least a decade. Fires are burning all over Russia it will probably get worse.

I'm genuinely curious as to the story there.

 

[summerisle]

I'm genuinely curious as to the story there.

 

[devogue]

 

[Lobster Johnson]

I was meaning more the weapons institutes, oil refineries, bridges and such seem to be spontaneoulsy combusting hundreds of kilometeres inside russian territory.

 

[tsubaki]

No chance of that. The exemption is Germany watch what they do not what they say. They have had a symbiotic relationship with Russia which is hard for many Westerners to understand. Perhaps the East Germany connection back in the day.
Here is the rub unless Putin is removed from power these sanctions will not be eased one bit. The wheels are turning to tighten the screws on Russia and their warmongering. They are completely compromised.

Question are you feeling the pressure of Inflation were you reside? Think about Russia times ten by the end of the year.

I doubt all that very much. If Putin stops at Donbas and what they hold now to enter talks, the lifting of sanctions will be a part of that and we will lift them if the Ukrainians are going ahead with that deal.

 

[Tennessee Blue Mike]

I doubt all that very much. If Putin stops at Donbas and what they hold now to enter talks, the lifting of sanctions will be a part of that and we will lift them if the Ukrainians are going ahead with that deal.

Sorry to disagree. Again Ukraine will be ready to counterattack within days. The West is all in this will be a quagmire. Sleepy Joe albeit late to the party has committed mega money to make this as uncomfortable as possible for Vlad.