Russia - threadbanned users in OP

So much nonsense in one post.

Now that's how you do a curse.

I'll add to that. May those Russians rot in hell for eternity.

Why aren't we hearing other leaders calling out Germany/ Seems there is complete silence from Biden, Boris, Macron ect...

Yes that thought struck me as well. Maybe they are happy enough to have a few ‘reputable’ countries like China, Germany , India not to have completely trashed relations with Russia this side of a Nuclear strike so there will be further isolation that can be imposed on Russia when they do reach for the Nukes although you would imagine it would be all irrelevant by then. Perhaps the hope is that the threat of complete international isolation will hold off the Russians from a nuclear strike. That’s the only logic I can see. You’d imagine that if Russia lost the support of China and Germany especially they would not last long. US/U.K. want this war to stay conventional at all costs.

I'm reading that state TV has stopped showing maps of the Donbass region and southern / eastern Ukraine on its daily broadcasts, as it is painfully obvious that the army is making absolutely zero progress in the region.

One wonders when the penny will start to drop with the Russian public that the war is being lost. They will surely smell a rat at some point.....we're two months into the war and the regime has made virtually zero progress.

As well as that the German gas situation is a convenient mud guard for many EU countries. I’m sure most of them are happy enough that Russian gas is still pumping into EU energy supply with the Germans taking all the political flak. You won’t hear any complaints from them about German policy.

I have a funny feeling that if russia and the russian people dont get to grips with the fact they are NOT a world power ...and their military is weak ...karma will happen.

They have a lot of neighbors who don't like them who are ...less moral than some. If they sense weakness....it will haunt them nukes or no nukes there are many ways to skin a cat

Do we think Ukraine can actually kick the russians out and get them to stop bombing by air eventually without giving territory? oooorrr

I mean will russia give up in a year or so??? Putin will get a hobby like?

im not sure that is a way to win but more like hoping your enemy gives up ....

All of this is so very true. But they can just lie and say there are nato troops there.

I don't think it would help much. I think will see them doing more. Feels like a long time ago given how much has happened since, but the starting position pre war was that German govt. was not going to provide any weapons to Ukraine or even allow others to re-export their German sourced weapons. Seems to be disputes in the govt. over it (the "large" weapons), public wants more done too I think I've read.

The UK govt. is the only one that might castigate Germany publically e.g. saw an opinion piece in the Daily Telegraph arguing for trade sanctions to be extended to Germany. Crazy on face of it, but sometimes that newspaper reflects the Tory party politicians' thinking on issues.

On the energy trade embargo, well just feel very doubtful it can be cut off tomorrow morning as demanded without economic crisis and effects of this rippling out all across the EU. Including here. Now there is an argument that the price is worth it - that we're basically in a new cold war with Russia in all but name and citizens of all EU member states will just need to accept what this means + how they are going to suffer for it for some time to come.

Would almost like to see Germany actually try and do it (immediate embargo)...the crying and wailing around Europe + potential politcal explosions if I'm right in my feelings about impacts when it starts to hit home (including here) could be quite something to behold. I am a bit sceptical of extent of desire to suffer for a higher purpose. The Irish public apparently (think I read this morning), wants a cap instituted on the Ukrainian refugees...enough is enough and would Putin be a good lad now and stop it as far too many have now come for us to cope with (20-25k or so?).

Putting Germany + China and India all into the same box...I suppose this is the way with an echo chamber where the comments just get more and more extreme as time passes + no one (as far as I can see) says, well, hold on a sec lads?

"Germany" is not in support of Russia here edit: even if it can be argued they are not doing enough for Ukraine.

For all the talk (assuming there is not a sudden cut off done at EU level?) it will be interesting to come back and see what countries manage to successfully work to decouple themselves from Russia after a few months + get the energy monkey off their own backs, what countries are just going along to get along + even start quietly bending the sanctions to make a few more bob etc.