Chinahand Posted February 25, 2022 Posted February 25, 2022 Aw gawd my spelling. H U N G A R Y. Why doesn't Twitter have an edit function! Quote
code99 Posted February 25, 2022 Posted February 25, 2022 @La_Dolce_Vita At the moment Putin is gaslighting his own population by spreading self-serving propaganda that he is on the mission to rid Ukraine of 'Nazis'. As a matter of fact, there are numerous neo-Nazis in Russia itself, but they speak highly of him (and Trump). Somehow he differentiates between 'good Nazis' i.e. the Russian ones and the 'bad Nazis' in Ukraine. Philosophical pontifications are easy, but the bottom line is this - gutless/ spineless/ compromised Western leaders are prepared to sacrifice 40 million Ukrainians to the murderous thug. This tragedy is only possible because greedy/ stupid/ lazy and politically myopic Western leaders for many years turned the blind eye to the aggression and provocations of this international maniac. What nobody knows how far is a KGB officer like Putin is prepared to go. But westerners should not kid ourselves that we can just sit this one out without being severely harmed. Putin has unleashed some very dark forces and after this unprovoked attack the 'life in the shires' for the hobbits will never be the same again - this is going to be much worse for the whole of Europe than the Balkans war was, IMHO. I have seen the TV footage from Ukraine and all I can see is frightening people including small children hugging their Teddy bears - one day this is could be any European city, even in Britain. 4 Quote
Shake me up Judy Posted February 25, 2022 Posted February 25, 2022 The bigger chess game here is that Ukraine knows that its only chance of survival is if they can draw Nato in militarily. Putin knows that too. 3 Quote
Chinahand Posted February 25, 2022 Posted February 25, 2022 Nah, though many Chancelleries will be calculating the risks of funding and arming a Ukrainian resistance and Putin's reaction to that. Once someone cries Havoc it can get very nasty very quickly. Quote
Chinahand Posted February 25, 2022 Posted February 25, 2022 The Japanese constitution article 9 says: [We] ... renounce wars as a sovereign right of a nation and the threat or use of force as a means of settling international disputes. You can only achieve that with effective deterrence. Putin hasn't been deterred over the last 20 years as he's gained a taste for letting his tanks roll to get his way. Murderous cunt; deliberately and in cold blood too. 4 Quote
manxman1980 Posted February 25, 2022 Posted February 25, 2022 9 hours ago, La_Dolce_Vita said: I mean the threat posed by NATO. The United States set up compliant and friendly regimes. It's not a good thing but that's how it has been. Why is Russian influence over Belarus and other nations so remarkable? NATO is an alliance of sovereign countries. Belarus is a puppet state to Russia which is not comparable to the relationship between the USA and other NATO members. Non NATO countries such as Afghanistan have been used for decades by Russia and the USA to fight proxy wars. That isn't right but it was not NATO who posed the threat. 9 hours ago, La_Dolce_Vita said: The Ukraine may feel it is under threat, and it is. That doesn't mean NATO membership should be extended. Why not neutrality? Arguably the continued expansion of NATO could be seen as a breach of previous agreements, however, Russia have also been increasing their sphere of influence including taking control of regions such as the Crimea, murdering people in NATO countries and various cyber attacks. That is also ignoring the alleged interference in western democratic elections. Have you notice that the report into Russian interference in the Brexit referendum and elections has been buried? 2 1 Quote
Chinahand Posted February 25, 2022 Posted February 25, 2022 Meanwhile ... Taiwan is quietly shitting itself and trying to stay strong: Statement by 蔡英文 Tsai Ing-Wen the Taiwanese President. Interestingly she's signed with her name in the Western tradition, surname last, not the Chinese. 2 Quote
Mr. Sausages Posted February 25, 2022 Posted February 25, 2022 (edited) Desperate situation for people fleeing Edited February 25, 2022 by Mr. Sausages Quote
The Phantom Posted February 25, 2022 Posted February 25, 2022 Anonymous (the hackers) are having a go. More than anyone else in the west... https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/russia-ukraine-war-anonymous-hackers-launch-cyberwar-against-russia-taking-down-government-websites/articleshow/89817168.cms I can't believe (well unfortunately I can) that the UK is pushing for Russia to be excluded from SWIFT and the big EU players are blocking it as they won't be able to buy gas from Russia. Quote
opusManx Posted February 25, 2022 Posted February 25, 2022 (edited) 15 minutes ago, The Phantom said: Anonymous (the hackers) are having a go. More than anyone else in the west... https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/russia-ukraine-war-anonymous-hackers-launch-cyberwar-against-russia-taking-down-government-websites/articleshow/89817168.cms I can't believe (well unfortunately I can) that the UK is pushing for Russia to be excluded from SWIFT and the big EU players are blocking it as they won't be able to buy gas from Russia. Since the open conflict in eastern Ukraine started in 2014, rather than focus on resolving it, Germany built Nordstream 2 (which would cause Ukraine to lose fuel transit fees, so they were against it) and Nato continued to build up forces on Russia's doorstep. 40% of German energy needs flow through Nordstream 1 ( Nordstream 2 is the one Germany just cancelled). So they have to keep paying Russia at this very same moment that we are hearing all these harsh words, thoughts, prayers, BS, etc. I dont know if these conflicting interests are down to stupidity, immorality, cynicism, sinister motives or some combo thereof. Edited February 25, 2022 by opusManx Quote
opusManx Posted February 25, 2022 Posted February 25, 2022 (edited) 3 minutes ago, opusManx said: Duplicate post removed Edited February 25, 2022 by opusManx Quote
The Phantom Posted February 25, 2022 Posted February 25, 2022 4 minutes ago, opusManx said: Since the open conflict in eastern Ukraine started in 2014, rather than focus on resolving it, Germany built Nordstream 2 and Nato continued to build up forces om Russia's doorstep. 40% of German energy needs flow through Nordstream 1 ( Nordstream 2 is the one Germany just cancelled). So that have to keep paying Russia at this very same moment that we are hearing all these harsh words, thoughts, prayers, BS, etc. I dont know if this hypocrisy is down to stupidity, immorality, cynicism, sinister motives or some combo thereof. Germany especially and remarkably seems to have completely forgotten about what happened at the end of WW2. We did quite a bit of Eastern European Cold War doctrine at Sandhurst. This is VERY worrying. Is there not an international force at Chernobyl? Russia have also already 'accidentally' bombed a Turkish boat who are part of NATO. 1 Quote
opusManx Posted February 25, 2022 Posted February 25, 2022 (edited) 7 minutes ago, The Phantom said: Germany especially and remarkably seems to have completely forgotten about what happened at the end of WW2. We did quite a bit of Eastern European Cold War doctrine at Sandhurst. This is VERY worrying. Is there not an international force at Chernobyl? Russia have also already 'accidentally' bombed a Turkish boat who are part of NATO. I heard an analysis on DW that referenced a culture of "owing a historical moral debt to Russia" in the German psyche going back to WW2 events (thus colouring their geopolitical and trade decisons. The panelists pointed out the illogic of this as many more Ukrainians died in that conflict. No idea of objective proof of the above but interesting and plausible. Addendum: I think guilt colours much of their behaviour e.g. letting in one million refugees in that first wave from Syria (though many have cited Merkel's suffering under East German oppression) Edited February 25, 2022 by opusManx Quote
opusManx Posted February 25, 2022 Posted February 25, 2022 (edited) 13 minutes ago, The Phantom said: Germany especially and remarkably seems to have completely forgotten about what happened at the end of WW2. We did quite a bit of Eastern European Cold War doctrine at Sandhurst. This is VERY worrying. Is there not an international force at Chernobyl? Russia have also already 'accidentally' bombed a Turkish boat who are part of NATO. Not sure if just a rhetorical question. Chernobyl was defended by Ukraine forces...though Ive read conflicting reports...from no one was there to fierce fighting. Now in Russian hands. Edited February 25, 2022 by opusManx Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.