Russia - threadbanned users in OP

Probably inevitable, disagree with Ropcke, Russia have paid a very large price to take the town, Wagner group broke its back.

They will be sad it fell in Kyiv but confident that Russia can't take cities now if they struggled to take a town of 10k over such a long period.

No doubt that the casualties on the Ukrainian side are in the thousands as well

I think it may be overly optimistic to think that the Russians have spent their forces now. Now is the time to ramp up the military aid and strengthen the defenses - summer 23 will be a particularly bloody one I'd bet. Russians will no doubt continue pushing to encircle Bakhmut (which may fall by late Spring if Russian advance isnt stopped) and then begin the slow push west towards Slavyansk-Kramatorsk-Kostantianivka.

Now is the time to create more lines of defence, entrenched vehicle positions, minefields, the works.

I really don't feel like that's the case.

• Without western support, it's likely the war would have ended in Russia's favour already - the anti-tank and anti-air weapons provided by the west have made a big difference.
• There have been major sanctions against Russia
• Energy purchases from Russia have, if not stopped, at least reduced dramatically
• There's plenty of political and popular support to continue opposing the Russian aggression
• Millions of Ukrainian refugees have been received
• Emergency aid has been provided to Ukraine (clothes, food, generators etc)

I think the Western world has shown remarkable unity, which doesn't to me indicate a lack of backbone.

There is a worse nightmare a Ukraine under the control of Russia, giving it control of over 50% of the world bread wheat and 80% of the world's sunflower oil. As well you have all the rest of Ukraines natural resources.

Russian oil and gas will flow again. It's still flowing just not into Europe. Russia needs a democratic reset.

You're wasting your time there - JustTakeTheTrade is trying to mould/ muddy their onscreen utterances and profile. Go back to when they popped up in December, part of the same mantra which is generally anti NATO, anti USA, anti EU etc etc. Instead of being openly anti EU now, they've just resorted to attacking the EU by saying it's useless. If EU states started pouring heavy weaponry into Ukraine, they'd be criticising the EU as escalating the war etc. JustTakeTheTrade is a euphemism for rolling over, let Russia do what it's wants and take their 'cheap gas' etc

Yes I agree that "remote possibilities need to be respected and never dismissed".

That doesn't I presume extend to doing nothing out of fear though. The way it's developing so far is a steady escalation in terms of supplying Ukraine with what it needs. Too slow at times but done at a pace not to scare the horses. If Ukraine keeps boxing clever, they will prevail with this western help in restoring their borders. We can hope for regime change in Russia to speed things up and all Russian citizens outside their state should be working to influence this change. The tragedy of course is the utter human misery and death as a result of the dreams of a few that believe in a great Russian empire.

There are about 2300 Leopard tanks in NATO countries, talk of 100 tanks alone making significant difference in mounting an offensive

Germany just needs to allow others to send some of the 2300 Leopard tanks in current use in 13 NATO countries.

Given the quality and reputation of their tank, it will be Germany that gets the orders for the replacemens.

So Germany benefit financially, yet solidarity with Russian comrades is still niggling away. It doesn't even have to send it's own stock, what isn't neglected and run down.

You completely missunderstand the situation. You are highlighting parts but your counterpoint is BS. The tanks supplied will not come from Germany. Outside of Germany there is 2k leopard tanks of various upgrades, however with much the same technology.

The Germans have a few fears. First the optics of German tanks fighting against the Russians again. Secondly a few of the eastern European countries may well decide to send there complete complement and replace with cheaper Abrams. But there is other sources too Canada has 130 L2 tanks but more interesting it's has 50+ L1 parked up. The L1 would still be adequate for Ukraine but would probably take 6 months to recommission, Greece has a large quantity of L1 tanks as well.

If Canada sends some then the 400+ target is achievable across all countries. Germany however will lose out as they will not be able to fill replacement orders fast enough.

My point in regards to nuclear weapons was that besides nuclear weapons they have nothing that can seriously threaten Europe .... I don't believe they will use them if the West intervenes actively in Ukraine. Its not part of their doctrine and would be disastrous

Leopard 2s approved going by reports......

But putin has nukes 😂😂😂

Z supporters attempted to crowd fund the development of a drone capable of dropping a 2kg munition.

The project didn't go according to plan and people are annoyed.

Unfortunately, this was inevitable. After Ukraine were forced out of the town centre itself, the terrain they occupied wasn't remotely defensible and a counter attack would have been far too risky.

At least the setback has provoked a meaningful response from the West. Although why it takes such a thing to provide Ukraine what it needs is beyond me.

They were trying to pronounce cnocbui on a German news report about it.

Apparently the prevailing belief is that Belarus troops will be shipped into Orcistan and used to attack Ukraine from there.

I wonder have they wondered what's going to happen back in their former country once they have been removed from it?