War with Russia

[Pinno718]

Another tanker boom - in the Med

 

[CXRAndy]

Looks likely Zelensky will drag EU into war by attacking ships in the Mediterranean

Get ready you fellas, willing to die for Starmer

🚀🚀🚀🚀

 

[Blazing Saddles]

Looks likely Zelensky will drag EU into war by attacking ships in the Mediterranean

Get ready you fellas, willing to die for Starmer

🚀🚀🚀🚀

Auditioning for the Politburo again, comrade?

 

[BoldonLad]

Another tanker boom - in the Med

As much as I want Zelensky to “win”, IMHO, it is only a matter of time before one side or the other hits an “”external” target in error. If you start firing missiles and drones about the place, sooner or later, there is going to be a “mistake”.

 

[Pblakeney]

As much as I want Zelensky to “win”, IMHO, it is only a matter of time before one side or the other hits an “”external” target in error. If you start firing missiles and drones about the place, sooner or later, there is going to be a “mistake”.

Russia has already hit a Turkish ship. What was the consequences? Nowt.

 

[BoldonLad]

Russia has already hit a Turkish ship. What was the consequences? Nowt.

Yes, well, there have also been incursions into Polish Airspace (allegedly), but, it will depend on what is "accidentally" hit, and, to which Counrty it belongs, or, which Countries Citizens are killed/injured.

In my ignorant opinion, the fact that Putin is even engaging in talks, means he may be feeling the heat, but, alternatively, the West (including USA) are wary of what may follow if Putin falls, better the Devil you know.

 

[Pblakeney]

Yes, well, there have also been incursions into Polish Airspace (allegedly), but, it will depend on what is "accidentally" hit, and, to which Counrty it belongs, or, which Countries Citizens are killed/injured.

In my ignorant opinion, the fact that Putin is even engaging in talks, means he may be feeling the heat, but, alternatively, the West (including USA) are wary of what may follow if Putin falls, better the Devil you know.

I read what Putin said and came to the conclusion that I have heard it all before.

 

[Psamathe]

... the fact that Putin is even engaging in talks, means he may be feeling the heat, but, alternatively, the West (including USA) are wary of what may follow if Putin falls, better the Devil you know.

Several informed commentators seem to be raising the potential of the Russian economy collapsing and saying how the end of the war will be driven by economics rather than front lines.

Which to me fits with Putin sort of engaging in negotiations. I guess the economic failure won't be a sudden event but a gradual decline as things get harder and harder for Russia, Putin has to introduce more severe control, etc. As long as Trump is focusing on front lines Putin might have a very marginal upper hand but as time moves on after EU loan to Ukraine Putin's position might weaken.

It's a way forward that is disappointing in that it would mean deaths and hardships will continue for some time to come.

However, same commentators raise that a lot depends on China and how far they'll go propping up Russia and how the Russian population will react to them all being in hock to China.

I find myself unable to form balanced opinions about the different aspects as most figures come from interested parties and I'm no economist nor strategist and there's always a risk that personal "wishful thinking" can bias personal views.

 

[briantrumpet]

An interesting read on Putin's plight/strategy.

https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-re...sia-losing-time-putins-2026-hybrid-escalation

Since retreating from Kyiv in April 2022, Russia has now failed in four of its five strategic objectives: political subjugation, economic sustainability, regime stability and international standing. Only in territorial control does it hold a pyrrhic advantage. But a declining power is often more dangerous than a rising one. Facing an economic spiral and depleted conventional forces, Vladimir Putin is entering a window of maximum danger. We must prepare not for a resurgent Russia but for a desperate one: 2026 will be the year of hybrid escalation. Escalation, which the UK’s Foreign Secretary, in December 2025, on the 100th anniversary of Locarno, boldly stated was already ‘flagrantly visible’.

 

[All uphill]

I find myself unable to form balanced opinions about the different aspects as most figures come from interested parties and I'm no economist nor strategist and there's always a risk that personal "wishful thinking" can bias personal views.

That's a very sensible view that doesn't often get heard on social media!

My guess is that this war will end when both parties are utterly exhausted. But, as you say, what do I know?

Actually I suspect nobody knows anything with certainty.

 

[Pinno718]

However, same commentators raise that a lot depends on China and how far they'll go propping up Russia and how the Russian population will react to them all being in hock to China.

China is not propping up Russia for free, Russia is borrowing money hand over fist, Like any bank, they will get to a point where the debtors are a liability (if that point hasn't already been reached).

IF Russia's economy collapses as is predicted, the next devil will have f*ck all. A broken country and a mass scramble to own oil and gas production,
Ukraine hits a tanker in the med but it's not in a volatile region - they have the endorsement of Europe.
Now that Zelensky is no longer bound not being able to use long range missiles for strikes inside Russia (which was what he always wanted), this is the reason Ukraine is successfully hitting so many critical targets and changing the conflict from an almost certain capitulation into something potentially positive.

Yes, I believe that Putin is only negotiating because the writing is on the wall if the conflict does not cease because it's becoming physically (personnel) and financially riskier and riskier. Ultimately, Putin needs to save his own skin and failure comes down on his head.

 

[Pinno718]

...and the problem with a lot of these despots is that they are surrounded by sycophants who tell them what they want to hear but eventually, reality catches up and most often, it's too late.

 

[Ian H]

Putin's skillsets include dividing and ruling - he doesn't let any cliques form either against or for him; and doing one thing (interfering with elections, waging war) and plausibly claiming, with a straight face, to be doing another.

...and of course, wrapping Trump round his little finger.

 

[BoldonLad]

I think my slightly less verbose version of the situation holds up reasonably well?

A failed state the size of Russia would not increase world stability 😊

 

[Rusty Nails]

In my ignorant opinion, the fact that Putin is even engaging in talks, means he may be feeling the heat, but, alternatively, the West (including USA) are wary of what may follow if Putin falls, better the Devil you know.

We may have different interpretations of the meaning of “engaging in”.