Russia - threadbanned users in OP

The EU's self-defence clause isn't really about large-scale or conventional military conflicts; NATO membership is what provides EU countries with military security and this fact is even encoded in the EU's mutual defence article.

For example if Russia were to attack an EU state which wasn't a member of NATO there is no obligation on NATO members of the EU to come to that countries aid as per the mutual defence clause; or rather that any aid would likely fall far short of "boots on the ground" much as with Ukraine.

Problem is there will be no war crimes trial

You stated Sweden didn't trust the EU's defence clause in the context of a NATO application; i.e. because they're afraid of Russian attacks.

I'm saying that the EU mutual defence clause was never likely to be used for military support in the event of a Russian invasion; for example. So it has nothing to do with "trust"; it's about the fact there is nothing in the treaty which ensures they will be given military aid.

Again and has been repeated multiple times: the military defence treaty which protects European nations is NATO. It is not (and has never been) the EU.

No .

But it does show 2 civilians getting shot

And it's grainy in the distance for the most part. I watched it and didn't feel bad about gore or anything like that. The actions performed by the russians are bad (putting it likely), but it's not gory. It's the kind of thing that can be seen on a news channel.

There's some remarkable similarities in these two beasts, and not just in their both having invaded countries because of their claims that the minority were being persecuted, but also their atrocious war crimes and supposed mental frame of mind.

But I've also noticed there are some uncanny similarities in their respective physical appearance:

The eyes: piercing and evil, that look right through you

The ears: almost identical in shape and size

The chins: both well rounded jaw bones

The lips: thin and giving a mean appearance

Height: Both alleged to be approximately 5ft 7in to 5ft 8in

Weight: Both alleged to be approximately 157 pounds

Testicles: Hitler's medical records prove he only had one testicle. And Putin has no balls at all, threatening the world with nukes

They could almost be related.

They could also both be said to be Frankenstein.

For as Frankenstein said: "As the memory of past misfortunes pressed upon me, I began to reflect upon their cause—the monster whom I had created, the miserable daemon whom I had sent abroad into the world". Later acknowledging that the “cause” of his misfortunes is something he himself “created.”

I'm quoting and paraphrasing what it said in the article. Take it up with the Spectator editors if you have any issues there.

As for the word "trust" you seem to have issue with. Let me quote the piece I paraphrased

"In theory, the European Union has a mutual defence clause (Article 42.7 of the Lisbon Treaty) – so if Sweden was attacked, the rest of the EU would come to its aid. But this does not seem to assure the Swedes any more than it assures the Poles or the Baltics. Sweden has sought, and will tomorrow be offered, a place under Britain’s nuclear umbrella – with the UK offering interim protection that has (so far) been denied"

As detailed the EU mutual defence clause does indeed cover where an "EU Member State is the target of armed aggression on its territory, the other Member States must assist it by all the means in their power". And yeah that would include bigbillybollix incursions or other physical threats to a countries sovereignity by the likes of Russia. We're not necessarily talking over Russia going Nuclear. Plenty of stuff below that level. I believe the issue is not with the clause rather the likes of Germany and others who appear to increasingly less interested in EU cohesion and more interested in showing they won't upset Russia. Hence the Swedes hightailing it over to Blighty for the interim

If you think otherwise to that oped fine.

Again and what has been repeated many time, Not all EU countries are in NATO. So NATO can't "protect European nations" regardless

I have heard the phrase “they will teach this in military school” used a lot since the war started but I think in this case it’s true

I'm pretty sure he just fat-fingered his post; 150 would be a much more reasonable estimate. Not even an entire BTG and all of its staff including logistics/engineering/infantry etc. would add up to 1,500.

150 would still be a significant loss from a single engagement; and clearly their loss in equipment was also substantial.

Russian soldiers apparently murder two civilians

Macrons idea is how they are going to dodge the issue of Ukrainian membership.

..

A broken up Russia will quickly become a Chinese dominated region.