So, it's come to pass: Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine early this morning. The BBC has a live thread running.
Have I missed something or has Putin gone completely nuts? He spoke of the 'denazification' of Ukraine?!? Mind you we did very little when they took Crimea and what with their friends in Belarus (who had in no way anything to do with enabling Russia, honest guv...) Ukraine has been caught in a pincer snare for some time Maybe bojo can ask his nice oligarch chums who donate to the Tories to have a word. No? Edit: we got any Russians or Ukrainians on the forum? I really would like to hear what they make of it because I haven't the faintest.
We did very little when they sent a literal kill squad to operate on UK soil. I mean... surely that should have been a breaking point?
Maybe this is the wake up call to the world that Russia has taken a step too far, and has done something that has to be dealt with.
I consider myself a very peaceful person who priortises compromise. However, its plain that Putin is a bully that has gotten away with overstepping the mark for decades now with nothing more than a ticking off - he needs to get a bloody nose. Nato/UN needs to take drastic steps to get him back inline. I know Ukraine isn't part of NATO but if all NATO countries see this as unacceptable aggression why not defend Ukraine anyway. More spineless 'sanctions' will do nothing to Putin and pals who have billions smuggled away so only harms the average Russian citizen. We have a nuclear deterrent for a reason, this looks like a good case for deterring further military aggression but more wishey washey condemnation seems to be the only US and NATO response so far. As always in war the average citizen who just wants a peaceful life gets screwed whilst the rich and powerful play war from their palaces.
Belarus offering troops to Russia if needed and Lithuania sending its troops to defend its own borders. Escalating pretty quickly. Sounds like Putin is not disguising what he means by him having weapons of 'retributuon' if he needs them. What is it with our continent and frickin wars?
So, at first, Putin was citing the expansion of NATO in Europe and the possibility of Ukraine joining becoming a direct threat to Russian security. Now he claims Ukraine is governed by a Nazi regime, and claims fighting genocide as a reason to invade - despite Ukraine having a Jewish president!?! Economic sanctions won't do jack **** if he's planning a European land grab
NATO won't be intervening in the Ukraine and I don't think awayone is suggesting it should, save the Russian media. But the Eastern Nato states have all invoked article 4 which is asking NATO to consult about the risk to their security. Where this need to got in pretty sizable and solid deployments to those countries, particularly the Baltics. It needs to be made clear that there is no chance of him putting a toe across the border when he decided that they are also "Nazis committing genocide against Russians". And certainly if Ukraine requests defensive military supplies they should get them fast and generously. Perhaps Poland might find room for a large NATO base near the eastern border to facilitate.......
Some EU countries and the UK dragging their heels over wanting certain oligarchs not to be affected in any sanctions. Jeeeessssus..... By the time we've all discussed the minutia Ukraine will be no more. Are there no Generals with Putin's ear that have got any sense? This is madness.
I suspect anyone preaching diplomacy and restraint has tragically fallen from a high window in recent years.
True enough. I mean you go and protest in a group of one and are arrested. Hang on, isn't that what they're trying to push through here..?
Well let's see, but not every Russian in London was exactly best buddies with Vlad. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikhail_Khodorkovsky Well if they have any sense for their own survival they will do exactly what he says, alas. Anyway militarily, in the short term the invasion will be a success. In the medium term and politically, less so.
I don't know if you folks follow US politics, but the whole Trumpy wing has gone full in on Vlad-love over this. You have Tucker Carlson, the top rated @#%$£ on Fox coming up with lines that RT might think a bit strong. https://www.thebulwark.com/father-carlson/ Of course the extremes always seem to end up with him. All over Europ far left and far right seem to be pro-Putin.
It's almost like Russia's intelligence agencies have been sowing discontent and misinformation on purpose in US and Europe to split countries along political lines, weakening resolve and opposition to Putin's BS. Trump has dropped any pretence of not being Putin's puppet and is now going in for full support of him. Crazy to think that right wing Americans used to quiver in their boots at the mere thought of anything positive about Russia.
