This is an invasion of an independent country, so 1938-39 actions by an aggressor are apt comparisons. The Czechs were part of the extended Soviet empire. Judging by Putin, Ukraine is not the last country he has his eye on and if he he ventures over into any other country that will make it pan-European.
Russia threatening Finland and Sweden for contemplating NATO membership
Thinking of joining NATO? That's an invading
Expelling them puts forward a view and the only one worth articulating at this moment.
Maybe not the thread for it but related.
why are we not in NATO?
And what's the view after it's all forgotten in less than a day?
You don't have a view on anything then because you have no conduit to the government in question.
Question is, what would the West do if Putin lobbed two tactical nukes at Helsinki and Stockholm if they said they would join NATO but had not officially signed up
Russian threats to Finland and Sweden seem pretty hollow, seeing as Lisbon has a mutual aid clause.
Article 42.7 Lisbon Treaty (EU)
If a Member State is the victim of armed aggression on its territory, the other Member States shall have towards it an obligation of aid and assistance by all the means in their power, in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
Commitments and cooperation in this area shall be consistent with commitments under the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, which, for those States which are members of it, remains the foundation of their collective defence and the forum for its implementation.”
Because we are supposedly neutral with a Mickey mouse military
Same question if putin decides to lob one at us!!
I agree with you on this point seamus regarding SWIFT. A lot of people on here spit out knee-jerk recommendations without taking a second to contemplate the possible side-effects or even direct consequences. Ejecting Russia from SWIFT isn't as easy or as favourable as these people think. Also if the US are so quick to boot someone off the SWIFT network it will only hasten the desire by many countries for an alternative. Many countries on the SWIFT network would see such a move with a degree of trepidation. Despite being loyal servants of the US controlled banking system it would only be prudent for them to investigate alternatives to cover their asses in future.
Considering the huge imbalance in amed forces and power, the Russians are seriously **** this up.
The Ukrainians are fighting with some determination, energy and spirit.
They don't listen to anyone's view anyway so what difference does it make. They also still have phones.
They deserve diplomatic, sporting, cultural, political and financial isolation.
We have the ira
Oh look what the rat dragged in
Nato beefing up troops in the east
We are probably the most exposed country in Europe at the moment.
Except maybe Moldova but I imagine they at least have radar.
and the Kinahans
Its proving for many to see that Russia still are pretty behind technology wise even the paltry amounts of advanced weapons supplied by NATO countries is helping Ukraine seriously even the odds. Also as you say the determination and anger among Ukrainian armed forces and civilians is a big game changer compared to Russias young unmotivated armed forces.
The car or tank?
https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/801951.html
Yep, seems they're claiming the entire Black Sea and are now bombing vessels to prevent resupplies. Getting messy.
NATO offers no value to us and we would add nothing to them. The furthest island west of Russia is useless to NATO. 2% GDP spend on defense would be so reckless for a country desperate for far better public services and has no credible national security threat.
Ukraine are actually looking for people to travel from abroad to help them fight, so the option is there for the have a go heroes.
Sorry that armoured car. Thought that was clear from "occupants".
Because it's best to be neutral it seems.
If we joined NATO we would have the protection of NATO.
We have no protection at the moment.
We have very limited defence forces.
The US convinced Sweden to abandon its own nuclear weapons program. Presumably it gave guarantees to Sweden to include it under their "nuclear umbrella" (?) but I don't know that - can't find any confirmation.
American missiles are pointed directly at St. Petersburg from the Baltic States.
Yeah, been a long week. Sorry!
SWIFT given it's core importance can potentially be a weapon of financial destruction i.e. the permanent exclusion from the system. In the situation here with an aggressor, if the intermediary or beneficiary BIC is a code in the aggressors country then payments, transfers etc can be rejected via confirmation message permanently.
No one is conducting a massive air and seaborne invasion of Ireland, certainly not Russia.
We are in the EU, there is also a defence alliance of EU states. NATO really just offers the might of the US military. Putin isn't going invading the EU, don't worry.
We do actually, under Article 42 of the Lisbon Treaty! Go back a few posts.
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