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

[Eric the meek]

Has anyone noticed that Russia seems to be experiencing an awful lot of bad luck of late? It's just one thing after another.

Here's a bridge collapse - a bridge with traffic on it, a railway line and a gas pipeline, all in one.

 

[raymondo]

Has anyone noticed that Russia seems to be experiencing an awful lot of bad luck of late? It's just one thing after another.

Here's a bridge collapse - a bridge with traffic on it, a railway line and a gas pipeline, all in one.

Their economy (and focus) may be strong enough to fund their war (so far) but not to look after their infrastructure as well

 

[Eric the meek]

Their economy (and focus) may be strong enough to fund their war (so far) but not to look after their infrastructure as well

You are so right. To emphasise that point, the bridge is in Smolensk, on the main route from Moscow to Minsk in Belarus.

And this is in the supposedly wealthy west of the Russian federation, where ethnic Russians live, far away from the neglected, exploited non-Russian regions to the south and east of Moscow.

 

[Eric the meek]

Another Russian airfield has been attacked by drones - this time at the Borisoglebsk aviation training centre in Voronezh, 550 km from Kharkiv:

 

[raymondo]

I always enjoy news of a citizen protest in Russia.

Rare protest rocks Russia after dam bursts near Kazakh border

Around 10,000 homes in the Orenburg region were flooded, with water levels continuing to rise, according to Russian state media.

www.euronews.com

 

[raymondo]

French FM: Discussions with Russia not in Paris's interest due to Moscow's false statements

Paris is no longer interested in discussions with Russia after Moscow published differing accounts on the latest call between French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu and his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu, French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne said in an interview for France 24 on April 8.

kyivindependent.com

 

[Eric the meek]

French FM: Discussions with Russia not in Paris's interest due to Moscow's false statements

Paris is no longer interested in discussions with Russia after Moscow published differing accounts on the latest call between French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu and his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu, French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne said in an interview for France 24 on April 8.

kyivindependent.com

It's an interesting change of tack, reflecting the opinion 'what a load of Russian bollox' we are all familiar with in social media land, and therefore a departure from the usual diplomacy-speak, which Russia doesn't participate in anyway.

At global diplomacy level, I don't recall a nation ever calling another nation a bunch of liars before. I guess it is designed to further isolate Russia on the international stage, which is no bad thing.

 

[raymondo]

It's an interesting change of tack, reflecting the opinion 'what a load of Russian bollox' we are all familiar with in social media land, and therefore a departure from the usual diplomacy-speak, which Russia doesn't participate in anyway.

At global diplomacy level, I don't recall a nation ever calling another nation a bunch of liars before. I guess it is designed to further isolate Russia on the international stage, which is no bad thing.

Indeed, I think the superficial sham of some diplomacy is being replaced by ,,"let's just be real".
In January France (rolling president)refused Russia 's request of an emergency Security Council meeting because of downed plane, instead scheduling the meeting for the following day.
AND, the Czech Republic had this to say in December...note again the use of "lies".

Czechs refuse to attend UN security council meeting called by Russia

The Czech Republic is refusing to attend an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting that was called by Russia, arguing Moscow was responsible for the nearly two-year war in Ukraine. “We r…

thehill.com

 

[Eric the meek]

Indeed, I think the superficial sham of some diplomacy is being replaced by ,,"let's just be real".
In January France (rolling president)refused Russia 's request of an emergency Security Council meeting because of downed plane, instead scheduling the meeting for the following day.
AND, the Czech Republic had this to say in December...note again the use of "lies".

Czechs refuse to attend UN security council meeting called by Russia

The Czech Republic is refusing to attend an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting that was called by Russia, arguing Moscow was responsible for the nearly two-year war in Ukraine. “We r…

thehill.com

I hope you're right.

Throw Russia off the UN, permanently. They are abusing their membership. Remove their G20 status. It will save time later.

 

[raymondo]

It's all kicking off in Georgia

 

[Sirnormangall]

It's all kicking off in Georgia

Another neighbour of Russia that Putin won’t tolerate being under western influence.

 

[raymondo]

Another neighbour of Russia that Putin won’t tolerate being under western influence.

He will have to spread his military forces more thinly if he wants to control it. Let's hope for another Russian neighbour kicking off soon.

 

[Eric the meek]

He will have to spread his military forces more thinly if he wants to control it. Let's hope for another Russian neighbour kicking off soon.

Might be awkward for the Russians who fled to Georgia to avoid conscription.

 

[raymondo]

Might be awkward for the Russians who fled to Georgia to avoid conscription.

Yes, I was wondering about them too.
Maybe like an Arsenal supporter in the home end at the Amex,

 

[peterward]

Well I have to fess up and say I genuinely didn't like Guy Verhodstadt previously with his partisan attacks on brexit Britain, but times a great healer and he has bee a remarkable champion of Ukraine.

Today was meant to be an EU budget meeting, but he gave a barnstorming speech in Kyiv defense, demanded budget talks moved to next meeting and that this meeting must be dedicated to providing Ukraine with the 7 patriot batteries it desperately needs and his motion won pretty unanimously.

Zero to hero Guy. Keep it up!

 

[raymondo]

Well I have to fess up and say I genuinely didn't like Guy Verhodstadt previously with his partisan attacks on brexit Britain, but times a great healer and he has bee a remarkable champion of Ukraine.

Today was meant to be an EU budget meeting, but he gave a barnstorming speech in Kyiv defense, demanded budget talks moved to next meeting and that this meeting must be dedicated to providing Ukraine with the 7 patriot batteries it desperately needs and his motion won pretty unanimously.

Zero to hero Guy. Keep it up!

What.a.speech. The guys with strong moral compass are stepping up. It's time to get real!

 

[crookie]

They certainly need them. A main power station was destroyed today. About time Schulz provided them with long range missiles. Fear of escalation ? Jesus, they'll freeze this winter at this rate

 

[Sirnormangall]

He will have to spread his military forces more thinly if he wants to control it. Let's hope for another Russian neighbour kicking off soon.

Georgia is a relatively small country (4m population?) but an important buffer for Russia. Let’s hope it doesn’t kick off there - already been too much unnecessary killing by Putin - but hope also that Georgia doesn’t roll over to Russian threats.

 

[jcdenton08]

They certainly need them. A main power station was destroyed today. About time Schulz provided them with long range missiles. Fear of escalation ? Jesus, they'll freeze this winter at this rate

Scholz is an embarrassment. Too busy joining TikTok to due his duty to European peace. He’s a coward.

 

[raymondo]

Please excuse the untidy screenshot, but well done Norway