- Nov 11, 2009
- 12,378
"Deep concern"
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[Politics] Russia invades Ukraine (24/02/2022)
- Thread starter vegster
- Start date
Doug-ees-evil
Active member
- Nov 18, 2011
- 87
This should be the top news item on all mediums 24/7 across the west.
At any point in our lifetimes, a coalition of enemies collaborating and participating in an invasion of a European democratic country would be the most critical geopolitical crisis of the moment (since 1945 one could argue).
Anyone else feel like we are living in some kind of (scary) alternative reality at the moment?
Press silence, Government silence, population denial (apart from the contributors to this thread). Weak leaders (managers) everywhere. Terrifying really.
- Aug 24, 2020
- 7,466
Last week, it was reported that Russia had lost 1250 troops in one day.
At that rate of attrition, 10,000 NK troops, if they're lucky, given the oldest and most ineffective arms, sent straight to the front line, will last 8 days.
Doug-ees-evil
Active member
- Nov 18, 2011
- 87
or 5000 will defect/desert hopefully.
- Aug 24, 2020
- 7,466
Once they get a sniff of western food, or any food, there'll be no stopping them.
- Aug 24, 2020
- 7,466
Zelensky's victory plan:
Yes. The West's response should be.... 'because Russia increasingly uses N Korean shells and troops, Iranian shells, missiles and drones...we give Ukraine permission to fire missiles and shells as deep into Russian territory as they damn well want. It's called defence.'
armchairclubber
Well-known member
Mmm, I'd say it has long escalated beyond that
Doug-ees-evil
Active member
- Nov 18, 2011
- 87
A relief someone has a plan. Some days it doesn't feel that way. Zelensky is just immense.
Oh to fast forward to the US elections being over, Trump thrashed (one can only pray) and a serious ramping-up of the collective western response thereafter.
Doug-ees-evil
Active member
- Nov 18, 2011
- 87
100%. Can you imagine someone telling Churchill, shortly after the balance tipped in our favour after the Battle of Britain, that he wasn't allowed to go after German targets and the source of the attacks!
- Aug 24, 2020
- 7,466
That actually rings a bell. I seem to recall a good while ago, that there was talk that S Korea was going to / considering supplying weapons to Ukraine.Maybe N Korea's involvement will result in S Korea becoming a major provider of shells etc to Ukraine
But that's all I know. I don't know if it subsequently happened.
- Aug 24, 2020
- 7,466
- Aug 24, 2020
- 7,466
Exactly. It's the 'game' played by the allies (well, some very influential ones).... whether it's for domestic political reasons, real fears about Russian red lines, whatever...it's effing dangerous. Russia does what it wants and Ukraine fights with both arms tied behind its back.
Well Fico is pro-Putin, so I expect he is praying for a Trump victory, blocking EU resolutions (alongside Orban), a quick offering up of much of Ukraine's territory to Russia, and a payment into his offshore bank account from Putin.
The REAL allies of Ukraine had better be steeling themselves for a tough few months at least.
- Aug 24, 2020
- 7,466
Indeed. We know Fico is pro-Putin, so whatever he is in favour of, and against, it is likely to align with what Putin wants.
The interesting bit is Fico is against Ukraine joining NATO for some spurious reason. The west can use this is leverage. Having seen more NATO during his war (Sweden and Finland), it would be a strategic failure for Putin to see Ukraine join NATO as well. Then there is the possibility of feeding Fico false information, in the knowledge/assumption that it will find its way to Putin.
Finally, you could ask why is Fico revealing all this? Is he privy to something? Is Putin putting out the feelers? Does Putin want out?
Obviously, we should see everything Fico says with eyes wide open, but that is no reason to disregard it.
Perhaps it's time that Hungary and Turkey - and now it appears Slovakia too - need to be reminded about what commitments are involved with their membership of NATO - and that their continued membership may not be an option for them if their foreign policies continue to be inappropriate for NATO membership.
I also realise that the EU is keen on expansion (partly why they tried to make [the 'B' word] difficult) but perhaps they need to remind one or two more easterly leaders that continuing membership could also be in jeopardy too if they continue with policies that are incompatible with EU membership.
I also realise that the EU is keen on expansion (partly why they tried to make [the 'B' word] difficult) but perhaps they need to remind one or two more easterly leaders that continuing membership could also be in jeopardy too if they continue with policies that are incompatible with EU membership.
Yes, it's a good question..."why is Fico revealing this" hmmm. That's if he's revealing rather than just fear mongering to create a bit more chaos. Maybe we'll know in a few weeks.
Sirnormangall
Well-known member
- Sep 21, 2017
- 3,241
The Polish Foreign Secretary (Sikorsky) recent punchy address to the UN is worth watching (apologies I can’t provide a link). Amongst the many questions he posed to the Russian ambassador he asked for an explanation as to how their behaviour differs to Nazi Germany in WW2. Good man Sikorsky