Europe's Eastern flank was fine before 2013 when Ukraine was well under control of Russian influence.
There have been a few clowns on here wondering if Putin would have dared to do this while Trump was in power. Well, we now know what former President Trump would have done. Applaud.
The less chance of a deal the more death. Thats how wars work. Even in NI with the bitter hate between sides it wasn't until the enemy's sat down and made a deal that Ireland because peaceful.
It’s not Ukraine’s military vs Russia’s military. It’s Ukraine vs Russia’s military.
Sky News is alleging that the Ukrainian military is dwarfed by Russia's. In that case, the hardware they do have would want to be really, really cutting edge to try and make up the shortfall.
It should be important to them tho it's a massive power move by Russia , they need to be checked militarily.
That's somewhat a bit of a myth, whilst they do account for the most vetos by a P5 member most (but of course not all) relate to issues in the Middle East.
With regards to the Ukraine they have only ever vetoed 3 times in relation to issues there, however, if there is to be a UN peacekeeping mission voted upon by the UN then in such a case Russia must abstain from such a vote and can not veto because they are now a party to the dispute.
They won’t do that, Ukraine is not an important country to the US.
They can the US can just call Russia's nuke bluff easy and install a strong defense in Ukraine and say any attacks they will respond.
Putin at that point can either destroy his own nation including himself or stop attacking.
I think some of the above posters don’t realise that the Ukraine has one of if not the biggest army in Europe outside of Russia that is armed to the teeth
Exactly, it will go that way..
look at a map of Europe/Eu.
if nato cant directly get involved long over due now arming ukraine to the teeth..
only problem is putin will start pulling puppet strings in latvia/estonia next ...
All I'm saying is he wont be stopped with diplomacy and it's wishful thinking to think sanctions are enough to deter him, I don't want soldiers or anyone to go into Ukraine and be put at risk, but unfortunately that's the only thing that would make him think twice.
That's the reality of the current situation.
He's a man in the twilight of his life, he want's his place in history and I don't think he cares about what happens to Russia or the world after he's gone, he only cares about his legacy.
...which is why a more rational, high-ranking member of the Russian military should perhaps think about doing something.
This isn't about only Ukraine. It's about Europe's eastern flank and all ex soviet republics. This is a danger to Europe. Back to the Cold War.
Not till China makes a move. Ukraine is small potatoes.
Why don't you go to the frontlines in Ukraine if you feel so strongly about military responses. Pick up a gun and fight.
Approaching minsk as we speak
Does it show that? UEFA have plenty of sponsors and close to the most successful product in world sport. UEFA could live off the tv rights money alone.
Man Utd are sponsored by Aeroflot, they cancelled their flight with that company and selected a different carrier today. Russia is going to be a pariah.
Uefa are pretty much as bad as Fifa...Platini charged with fraud...match fixing...financial scandals...the list goes on and on.
To be fair, that's not a high bar to clear...
Because there was no major agitation to change the venue after that. This will be different. Also fifa and uefa are not the same thing. UEFA are more respectable than fifa.
Boris said earlier it shouldn't go ahead. Not sure who he supports though.
With FIFA allowing World Cup to go ahead in Qatar, UEFA might be happy to stick with St. Petersburg.
good point, the only bright hope was Lavrov, the fact that Putin seems to be pushing him away shows how out of touch Putin has become, really morphing into a true megalomaniac now. Lavrov was at least amenable
Probably, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see UEFA brazen it out. They’ve never really let human rights and crime get in their way of money. Gazprom are one of their main CL funders, it just shows you how many European enterprises are wholly reliant on Russian cash.
Lets be honest, sanctions no matter how bad or severe wont deter him, stopping him wont happen through sanctions, Putin needs to be stood up to by a show of real force, military force.
Sending Nato troops into Ukraine is the only thing that would make him think twice.
Now it's a major step and not without sever risk and the fact Ukraine isn't a member state may make that too much of a leap, but if nations are really serious about halting him it's the only genuine shot they have.
Putin is a dictator who craves the revival of the old soviet union, only god knows if he'll stop at Ukraine or if he's really mad enough to attack Nato states, at this stage you couldn't put anything past him, he's a megalomaniac looking to solidify his place in history.
FIFA allowed them to keep the world cup despite the initial invasion and occupation of Ukraine and shooting down flight MH17.
I also wonder, in all seriousness, about how Russian army discipline will cope with occupation in a country with large supplies of vodka.
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