He also said today that Russia intends to "liberate" Ukraine from the current regime. So as if wasn't clear already, regime change is now an explicit war aim. What a c*nt. I hope Zelensky has excellent security because as the Russian military stalls as I'm sure they will be desperately trying to assassinate him again
No, I don't think Russia will succeed in its main aim of taking over Ukraine and reabsorbing it back into a new Russian Empire.
But nor do I think Ukraine will succeed in driving Russia back to where it was in January, much less take back Crimea. I hope they do, but I just don't see it happening.
I expect a long,drawn out war with small gains and losses here and there, a lot of suffering and no clear winner.
Sinn Fein and Putin's 'patronage' Woes, Dysfunction and Mistrust in the Ukrainian Embassy in Dublin (Part 2) - KyivPost - Ukraine's Global Voice
For those who consider themselves to be hip-dude, trendy, counter-culture, ear-to-the-ground types
Or who are still on the fence -
THIS IS A PLAIN & SIMPLE LAND GRAB, CONDUCTED UNDER THE CLOAK OF FAUX INSECURITY
NATO IS ABHORED SIMPLY BECAUSE NATO TERRITORY ISN'T EASILY INVADED
Nonono ... it was swamp gas from a weather balloon trapped in a thermal pocket and reflecting the light from Venus.
Lavrov in Egypt complaining about the West stopping them from taking over Ukraine. The same Russia committing war crimes, deporting Ukrainians into Russia for god knows what (although I can guess, and it’s not pleasant).
Fuk you Lavrov.
But the beautiful thing about that BBC report is Russia begging for negotiations. We surmise things are going bad for Russia, they may be about to get worse than we hope (most of us here hope).
Read it and weep. I'd advise you keep your counsel the next time...
Iranian arms depot struck referenced in the article.
https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20220722-israeli-strike-kills-three-syrian-soldiers-near-damascus-syrian-ministry
They sank a ship they did not attack. Russians can do weird stuff.
Poland has managed to collect money for a Bayraktar for Ukraine.
Russia are saying they sank an Ukrainian warship in Odessa. Yesterday they said didn't attack the port at all, so they're effectively admitting they lied yesterday.
This is totally true. I hardly hear anyone talk about the war now unless it's connected to energy and food prices. The average European citizen is indifferent, they care more about the weather and having a good summer, and as you say this thread is proof of it. The casual posters of the early days have long since disappeared. It saddens me but it's always the way, same with Syria a few years ago.
Only Donald f*ckin Trump seems to sustain interest for 6+ years with little notable drop-off
Well its mentioned that Russia / Ukraine supply large amounts of grain to Africa and if the supply was reduced or stopped for any reason, it could lead to famine in many parts of the Continent. Which would of course threaten African leaders hold on power. So I imagine that Lavrov's welcome might be conditional.
Yes, but you seem quite comfortable with it.
I would have expected better from Michael Bolton.
(Except musically.)
So Lavrov is off on tour of Africa,drumming up suport from different African countries, (and will probably get it) the list of countries is very similar to the list of countries that receive international aid from Ireland and elsware in Europe.
It's a fact that people grow weary of war as time goes by and it drops down the headlines. My own circle of friends barely mention it anymore either be it socially or at work. Hell look at this thread as an example if you want further proof. It barely moves now compared to the early days of the conflict as interest decreases. Nothing cruel or crass pointing out that simple fact.
Lavrov is off looking for friends.
10x reduction in Russian rate of artillery fire
At Kramatorsk direction Russian army shelled Starodubivka, Dronivka, Pyskunivka, Siversk, Spirne and Ivano-Daryivka, - General Staff of Armed Forces of Ukraine says in the morning report
I would disagree with that statement. It's still a bit talking point when I am out and about meeting and greeting folks.
Russians are good at creating a Potemkin economy
Do you mean the Baltic states, Sweden, Finland and all the other states bordering Russia??? Russia is fast becoming the pariah of the world, and that's the reality of it. They are a terrorist state.
It's residual Socialist solidarity, long history going back to Soviet block days
Not sure where you mean when you are talking about a white supremacist neo fascist empire. I presume Russia, Why do people pretend Russia is a neo fascist white supremacist state?.
It's coming from a much more brutal and murderous tradition than fascism., It is coming from the tradition, from which fascism is a younger simple brother.
They are flying the Red flag and putting up statues of Lenin in occupied Ukraine.
Putin as a dictator would still be at the milder spectrum of Socialist dictatorship globally and in Communist Russia he would be even gentler than Gorby.
Trot politicians and Scholz of the German Socialist Party are not being equivocal because Russia is"neo fascist" but residual Socialist thought and loyalty .
Without doubt every Russian soldier needs to be shipped home in a box.
The Love island devotees don’t count. Russia and its antics are very much front of mind for those that matter. Sorry.
cough cough... it would be terrible altogether if something were to happen to the big old Bell.... like if it was accidentally hit by an old WW2 sea mine. cough cough, I must do something about my cough! 🙃
the UN is not a country, it's a vehicle through which waring parties can pause.
Yes, but a disorganised bunch of non G7 countries who don't particularly get on well with each other or trust each other. Saying that Brazil, India and China (and others) aren't on the side of Ukraine doesn't really amount to a whole amount.....they don't have much time for Putin and see him mostly as a rival and someone who is to be exploited. Also, they know he is a snake in the grass and cannot be trusted.
The G7 are the real movers and shakers.
If you are referring to developing countries,
the irony of cheering for the {last remaining European white suprematist neo fascist empire trying to acquire more colonies and in process starving said developing countries and fuelling inflation} is intense
And a lot couldn't give a hoot. Ukraine dropped off a lot of people's radar months ago now.
The UN have conducted peace keeping and peace enforcing roles in various 'minor' conflicts, in which we like to send off a few lads for experience.
But when it comes to major players, the UN has been shown up as useless. And that was largely the vision behind the UN replacing the League of Nations etc.
And when something isn't fit for purpose, then change it.
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