War with Russia

[Rusty Nails]

I have read the article and what struck me about it was the timing of the agreement. It came at a time of hope and huge change in the Soviet Union and where the Russian leaders were not hawks.

Since Putin came into power that situation has changed and neighbouring countries have either been invaded/attacked by Russia, where Putin makes no secret of his desire for Russia to regain "former glories", or are worried that they may be as a direct result of those statements and actions

When circumstances change old agreements based under those more benign circumstances need changing.

There are no examples of neighbours or NATO disrespecting Russia's borders, but several examples of the other way round, not the least of which is Ukraine.

 

[Psamathe]

I did. As I referred to upthread it is about people deciding the fate of other countries without their input.
Always a mistake.

But interesting in (yet again) highlighting Trümp's view of Europe. Pütin won't talk to Ukraine (which pretty well kills off any peace process) but Europe maybe somewhat more impacted than eg China yet no suggestion of Europe having any input.

 

[Rusty Nails]

I get the feeling that European leaders haven't a clue what to do and are hoping that the situation eventually resolves itself when Trump gets replaced as President at the next election or neutered by the mid-term results....or Pinno's optimism about Russia's struggles is justified.

 

[Psamathe]

I get the feeling that European leaders haven't a clue what to do and are hoping that the situation eventually resolves itself when Trump gets replaced as President at the next election or neutered by the mid-term results....or Pinno's optimism is justified.

I don't think Trūmp has a clue what to do either. At least not beyond corrupt deals making loads of money.

 

[Rusty Nails]

I don't think Trūmp has a clue what to do either. At least not beyond corrupt deals making loads of money.

That goes without saying.

 

[Pblakeney]

I don't think Trūmp has a clue what to do either. At least not beyond corrupt deals making loads of money.

Putin's bidding?

 

[Pblakeney]

But interesting in (yet again) highlighting Trümp's view of Europe. Pütin won't talk to Ukraine (which pretty well kills off any peace process) but Europe maybe somewhat more impacted than eg China yet no suggestion of Europe having any input.

I made a direct reference to that upthread.

 

[Ian H]

I did. As I referred to upthread it is about people deciding the fate of other countries without their input.
Always a mistake.

I'm certain Henry Kissinger would have disagreed with that, and he's merely an exemplar of US foreign policy over the years.

 

[Pblakeney]

I'm certain Henry Kissinger would have disagreed with that, and he's merely an exemplar of US foreign policy over the years.

I'm sure Churchill or Attlee would have too but here we are.

 

[Pinno718]

Why are you attacking the messenger? I'm sure you can read the article and make your own mind up (I suspect you already have). How does what I think change the message?

I am not. Answer my question, stop parrying.

 

[Pinno718]

I get the feeling that European leaders haven't a clue what to do...

I disagree. There iare huge amounts of intel sharing and massive amounts of money being poured into Ukraine. Billions.
Sweden and Finland joined NATO and all the Balkan states are on high alert.
Britain and Denmark are helping develop drones.
Numerous European countries have donated fighter jets.
Add apprehension of shadow fleet vessels by many European countries and do not forget the sanctions that have critically affected Russian aircraft for example, where they are now often just falling out of the sky because they cannot get parts, often savaging older aircraft for spares.

Out with Europe, Australia, NZ and Japan* are assisting (*see my post about the Terra interceptor drone) as other 'leaders' ate concerned.

Crucially, Canada too. Canada looks all set to be an associate member of the EU This has implications for Putin and his ambitions.

Don't forget: Trump is sitting on $400m from the PERL initiative for Patriot systems and missiles.
As yet not delivered and no timeline given.

But if you look at Russia as a whole, it's in dire straits. If you think that's me spreading my own propaganda, then I suggest you keep up with news sources than will corroborate what I say.
I can provide all of the links I use.
Russia's regional authorities (just an example off the top of my head) are $88bn in debt.
There is so much borrowing going in Russia, it's unsustainable and apart from a contrived domestic market for govt. bonds, they are toxic.

There is no guarantee that a Democratic majority will change an awful lot but they will be able to put the brakes on, they will be able subpoena individuals and there will be a level of accountability where Hegseth et al can be brought in at any time. Democrat pressure forced Musk into reversing his barbaric idiocy with Star link/Star shield. (see previous post).
in a recent poll, the majority of Americans are in support of Ukraine. Even 50% of MAGA's!? with only 5% supporting Putin. The rest are slightly less stupid than the 5% unknowns.

 

[First Aspect]

I have read the article and what struck me about it was the timing of the agreement. It came at a time of hope and huge change in the Soviet Union and where the Russian leaders were not hawks.

Since Putin came into power that situation has changed and neighbouring countries have either been invaded/attacked by Russia, where Putin makes no secret of his desire for Russia to regain "former glories", or are worried that they may be as a direct result of those statements and actions

When circumstances change old agreements based under those more benign circumstances need changing.

There are no examples of neighbours or NATO disrespecting Russia's borders, but several examples of the other way round, not the least of which is Ukraine.

There was also no suggestion that Uktraine would join NATO. The actual trigger was Ukraine pushing for closer ties to the EU, which has exposed that Putin just wanted it, full stop.

 

[Rusty Nails]

I disagree. There iare huge amounts of intel sharing and massive amounts of money being poured into Ukraine. Billions.
Sweden and Finland joined NATO and all the Balkan states are on high alert.
Britain and Denmark are helping develop drones.
Numerous European countries have donated fighter jets.
Add apprehension of shadow fleet vessels by many European countries and do not forget the sanctions that have critically affected Russian aircraft for example, where they are now often just falling out of the sky because they cannot get parts, often savaging older aircraft for spares.

Out with Europe, Australia, NZ and Japan* are assisting (*see my post about the Terra interceptor drone) as other 'leaders' ate concerned.

Crucially, Canada too. Canada looks all set to be an associate member of the EU This has implications for Putin and his ambitions.

Don't forget: Trump is sitting on $400m from the PERL initiative for Patriot systems and missiles.
As yet not delivered and no timeline given.

But if you look at Russia as a whole, it's in dire straits. If you think that's me spreading my own propaganda, then I suggest you keep up with news sources than will corroborate what I say.
I can provide all of the links I use.
Russia's regional authorities (just an example off the top of my head) are $88bn in debt.
There is so much borrowing going in Russia, it's unsustainable and apart from a contrived domestic market for govt. bonds because they are toxic.

There is no guarantee that a Democratic majority will change an awful lot but they will be able to put the brakes on, they will be able subpoena individuals and there will be a level of accountability where Hegseth et al can be brought in at any time. Democrat pressure forced Musk into reversing his barbaric idiocy with Star link/Star shield. (see previous post).
in a recent poll, the majority of Americans are in support of Ukraine. Even 50% of MAGA's!? with only 5% supporting Putin. The rest are slightly less stupid than the 5% unknowns.

I didn't mean to criticise your views about the strains on Russia as those strains are genuine, but put the light-hearted reference to you as recognition that other leaders may be waiting for the same thing.

European countries have been of great support to Ukraine but cannot provide the game-changing support that the US could if it were so motivated.

 

[Pinno718]

I didn't mean to criticise your views about the strains on Russia as those strains are genuine, but put the light-hearted reference to you as recognition that other leaders may be waiting for the same thing.

European countries have been of great support to Ukraine but cannot provide the game-changing support that the US could if it were so motivated.

Fair enough.
I think there are some in the EU who are not really doing enough. Not a lot of talk and even less action.
Belgium are the f*ckers* against releasing sanctioned money to assist Ukraine.

You may wonder; I wonder - my belief is that an awful lot of arms dealers are Belgian. Remember when you could buy Russian tanks and Kalashnikov's in the late 90's for pittance?
The Belgian arms dealers profited big time from that period and built up links with Russians. There is a direct link to that and a number of conflicts in Africa, to which we know the Russians and later, the Wagner group was heavily involved in. It's an insidious web and I hold those arms dealers accountable but I also think they have links inside the Belgian government*^.
That period of time leading up to the Iraq conflict was a period of conflicts in the middle east (Kurds being supported by the US?, Afghanistan) and also, I think the Serbian/Bosnia conflict was most probably supplied and fuelled with Russian 'army surplus'.

**See another previous post regarding sales of 'surplus' armaments on the black market by ranking Russian army members during the build up to the SMO. Who did hey sell the arms to?
You need middle men and intermediaries to pass this on.

*I like Belgian beer, classics, frites with Pauwels Sauzen and CX, so don't get me wrong.

 

[briantrumpet]

One of the authors of The Wire makes a valid point...