[Politics] Russia invades Ukraine (24/02/2022)

[Triggaaar]

If they stuffed it under the mattress, then they will have lost through rampant inflation. And if they think of spending it imported goods, as opposed to that substandard Russian stuff, then that will also cost them more due to the ruble falling.

They should try and get it into another currency if they can.

 

[raymondo]

If they stuffed it under the mattress, then they will have lost through rampant inflation. And if they think of spending it imported goods, as opposed to that substandard Russian stuff, then that will also cost them more due to the ruble falling.

Yes true...are they getting 21% interest in their current accounts nice!

 

[raymondo]

They should try and get it into another currency if they can.

I'd go for Bricks currency... did I spell that correctly

 

[raymondo]

It was ‘proven’ on witness accounts in the room - There were phone recordings too iirc.

Best to read back on the Trump thread for Trump’s approach to Ukraine - suffice to say Trump’s approach to Ukraine has remained the same throughout his first Term and throughout Biden’s administration and that is one of appeasement to Putin and blocking or stalling military aid to Ukraine both to appeal to an increasingly isolationist American electorate and to Putin..

I rather suspect the change of policy by Biden in allowing Ukraine to use US missiles against targets inside Russia is to precipitate an end to the war ( or at least give Ukraine a cushion of advantage from which to negotiate a peace settlement) before Trump takes over the White House in January.

As for nuclear deterrence, I’ve said it before but Putin has successfully weaponised the idea of nuclear deterrence with his rhetoric on the use of tactical nuclear weapons to the point NATO were the ones deterred from confronting Russia in the early days of the war.

- NATO has looked like rabbits in the headlights ever since.

My emotions tells me that we should turn the nuclear rhetoric around and hold it over Putin as he is doing with NATO -we must be prepared to use tactical nuclear weapons or at least convince him of such. Short of NATO putting boots on the ground in Ukraine, I can’t see an alternative battle plan. A very high risk strategy though.

My head however, tells me the East and West requires a Peace Plan based on something like a new North/South axis of neutrality - consisting maybe of Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Ukraine, and Moldova - an axis of neutrality acting as a buffer zone between the East and West - an axis that is protected jointly by Russia and NATO and being an area of free trade/economic development with both the East and West and most importantly, an axis of neutrality that leaves Ukraine in full control of its sovereign territory.

There's no way the Baltics would agree to being in an axis of neutrality.
Ukraine was neutral, gave up it's nuclear weapons for joint protection by the US, Russia, UK...that didn't end well for them.

 

[Eric the meek]

Yes true...are they getting 21% interest in their current accounts nice!

Until the banks pull their shutters down. Then it's not nice.

 

[Eric the meek]

The options for Russian investors and savers are not that great are they?

Perhaps they should focus on wheelbarrows, which are good for transporting turnips, rubles and dead soldiers.

 

[raymondo]

A solid neutral statement from Zelenskiy - no need for Ukraine to say what they've used or may use.

 

[Zeberdi]

There's no way the Baltics would agree to being in an axis of neutrality.
Ukraine was neutral, gave up it's nuclear weapons for joint protection by the US, Russia, UK...that didn't end well for them.

Yeah - it was a stupid suggestion really.

Apologies for the intrusion into the thread
Will leave it to the usual experts to carry on with the discussion

Edit - you incorrectly assumed btw my off the cuff suggestion was that in my mind such an ‘axis’ would be demilitarised/have no nuclear deterrent - ‘neutrality’ means (in the context I was thinking) not a part of Russia nor a NATO/EU member but politically neutral - that doesn’t necessarily have mean mutually exclusive of having a nuclear deterrent. (IMHO of course)

 

[raymondo]

Yeah probably- silly idea.

As you were- apologies for the intrusion into the thread was just offering some input on Trump and overstepped - will leave it to the usual crowd of experts to carry on

I didn't see it as an intrusion, and I agree with the rest of your post,and it's pretty clear that regular posters on here are not experts and don't pretend to be.
I just didn't think that idea would work - and no, I don't know what will work - my apologies for replying.

 

[Triggaaar]

Will leave it to the usual experts to carry on with the discussion

There are experts on here?

 

[Eric the meek]

There are experts on here?

**** Looks from side to side and then behind ****

Who was he referring to?

 

[Zeberdi]

I didn't see it as an intrusion, and I agree with the rest of your post,and it's pretty clear that regular posters on here are not experts and don't pretend to be.
I just didn't think that idea would work - and no, I don't know what will work - my apologies for replying.

I was not being facetious - I think the regular posters on here are very well informed and are experts compared to someone like me - not having followed this thread much or so infrequently having commented on it, I am really not up to speed with the topic at all tbh. hence my apologies for butting in.

You certainly don’t need to apologise for replying to my post - I was not looking for an argument nor making a dig at anyone I was being genuinely apologetic for sticking my nose in and suggesting what was a stupid idea - one that betrayed my ignorance of the issues compared to the regular posters here.

Please carry on.

I’ll shut up now

 

[Eric the meek]

 

[Eric the meek]

Russian propagandists becoming even more unhinged as their economy slides slowly down the pan:

N.b. Portugal?

 

[Zeberdi]

There are experts on here?

Certainly looks like it compared to some of us numpties

 

[GoldstoneVintage]

 

[GoldstoneVintage]

Books I have found really helpful in understanding the current situation.

 

[Triggaaar]

I'm having a dumb moment - what does that mean?

Certainly looks like it compared to some of us numpties

No offence meant to the contributors, but I think they're just invested enthusiasts like me

 

[Eric the meek]

I'm having a dumb moment - what does that mean?

Oh I didn't read it. I just saw the places and assumed it was another random threat. Berlin and Paris, sure, but Portugal?

 

[The Clamp]

I’m expecting some desperate and dangerous plays by Russia over the coming days and weeks.