IMO (as was discussed here several months back) they (govt.) don't want the Irish embassy closed down. It would be if they expel a large number from the Russian one here, and Russia responds in kind. Would agree it is wrong.
Anyway, saw this on RTE (taken from Belgian state broadcaster I think?) a couple of days ago about spying + the Russian embassies around Europe.
Re the Russian embassy, let’s say this is hugely advantageous to Russia’s espionage…
You think the US doesn’t have a word in Leo’s shell like? If the Muscovy spies are making hay out of this base, you can be sure it’s not as advantageous as to what is being learned about the Russians.
Otherwise it gets shut down. Simples.
Ireland has contributed €55 million worth of military aid to Ukraine since the Russia invasion seven months ago.
This represents Ireland’s “full share” of the €2.5 billion military aid package provided to Ukraine through the EU, according to figures from the Department of Defence.
The funding is delivered through the European Peace Facility (EPF). - Irish Times.
GDP is also not an appropriate measure, as everyone (including you) knows due to the use of Ireland as an access point to the EU market Irelands GDP is not representative of the actual wealth of the country. Multinationals just headquarter here, the money passes through. That money justs rests in our account.
Lot of reports of a multi pronged pre-counter offensive recon in force attacks by UAF in last 24 hours on many channels.
And another interesting article about Prigozhin's Wagner group.
Gogol Novel Character, MD on Twitter: "In case you want to know about #Sudan and you don’t know what Russia has been doing. Here is brief history. In 2017 Russians, using their Nazi SS #WagnerGroup bribed then leader Omar al-Bashir to let them control gold mines as Russian territory. Same as they did with mines" / Twitter
And the same goes for every other EU country that's a net contributor to EU finances, many of which, like the Netherlands then go and contribute several more billions on top of that. I use GDP because GNI isn't used by the Kiel institute. GNI is 76% of GDP so using that doesn't improve the picture much.
Implying Irish poverty, is unconvincing: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_wealth_per_adult
I am a a taxpayer and I would like to see a lot more of what I contrubute in taxes go to Ukraine. This is the most significant conflict since WW2 and it's outcome matters - a lot!
Nothing new ,
Saw a one boat cross a river a with a few lads in suddenly it was a beach head as part of the Big counter offensive,
Except it's been happening for months
Russian airforce dropping glide bombs again today
It improves the picture by a mere 24%. Just say 1/4.
Kiel isn't painting the full picture. Nor are you by simply discounting the great help to refugees.
The lines won't hold if men are busy worrying about their families safety. Every second guy would be ducking out to load up the car with his wife and kids. (a cascade/bank run effect would follow)
You can probably calculate how many men we have freed up to go and fight by looking at the refugee numbers.
@greencap The lines won't hold if men are busy worrying about their families safety. Every second guy would be ducking out to load up the car with his wife and kids. (a cascade/bank run effect would follow).
Nonsense, the last 12 + months in Ukraine proves you wrong
Don't be silly.
If a man doesn't know his family is first secure he may well abscond, he certainly won't sleep as well or fight as well.
Whats your first priority? Answer it.
Just to be a bit pedantic, when using term "military aid" in above, Ireland has stipulated that its share of funding to the European Peace Facility cannot be spent on "lethal aid" to Ukraine (i.e. weaponry). It would be spent on other stuff for their military though...
And yet hundreds of thousands are maning the front lines,
You seem to be making arguments for arguments sake ,not doing a great job of it either
Those MREs we sent didn't make much of a difference
Every major country uses their embassy for spying on other countries of interest (incl supposed allies). Russia, USA, Britain, China, etc. You'll find radio-transparent structures on the roof of many embassies around the world. Sometimes entire floors with radio-transparent panels on the outside. Hiding inside are antennae for picking up all manner of communications.
https://www.duncancampbell.org/content/embassy-spy-centre-network
A man who knows his family have some safe refuge will absolutely fight better than if he's constantly distracted by his fears for them.
Ireland provided that refuge to 10's of thousands. And thereby strengthened Ukraine's forces significantly.
To discount such aid is ridiculous. This shouldn't need explaining.
How? By conjuring thousands more homes and a functional health service out of thin fúcking air? The government weren't able to manage that before putin's dick measuring exercise, but you think they can magically manage it now? The GDP comparison is imbecilic on a few levels and well you know it, or should. Compare the numbers of refugees to population size. Never mind the most help and investment per refugee of any nation in Europe, and with zero checking with it, just show up. Portugal ranks "higher" than Ireland according to Kiel, they took in 60,000 with a population of 10 million, we took in over 80,000 with a population of 5 million.
Yes you are right it is sort of "normal" (kinds of things mentioned in the article), but Russia's relations with EU members (including Ireland) are very far from normal now.
I wonder if they are worse than the relations with USSR during the Cold War at this stage? (edit: I would say yes in general, even leaving aside they have more of Europe against them...)
Any spying going on has to be viewed in that new context IMO, and clamping down on their embassies' activities (booting people out, stopping them from installing new equipment where possible etc.) is justified.
I think presence of "listening posts" in embassies and the like does have to be viewed in context of who is listening in (a friend or foe) and also use they put their information to.
Not the first time river crossings have been mentioned in relation to Ukrainian forces crossing the Dnipro but a few news sources claiming it may be more than one boat with a few lads.
Europeans have been asleep on the job for many years and now the place is infested with every kind of Russian vermin.
Well call me strange, but I'd fight with greater determination and be more motivated if my family were in the same country whose existence I was fighting for than if they were safe and sound in another country.
Two armoured thrusts with modern leopards leading will attack to the west and south
Ha!
more of this please.
(snap)
A good article on the most likely end to the conflict. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/23/truce-stalemate-ukraine-spring-offensive-volodymyr-zelenskiy
Assuming the counter offensive is a one shot deal it all comes down to how much territory is regained before Ukraine is, in public at least, politely nudged to the negotiating table.
There is some speculation the offensive may be about to start but the mud has returned in the last few days in the north and east so that may mean a delay there.
“Assuming the counter offensive is a one shot deal…”
Nope. Next post please.
Exactly. Training is complete and assembly of two massive panzer fists led by Leopard II tanks will deliver very decisive blows that will end the war favourably for Ukraine
According to RT news Washington won't grant visas to Russian media represtatives.
Lavrov says US only pretends to care about free speech and that Western countries spoon feed propaganda to it's citizens.
He says it's violating UN purpose by limiting the flow of information
The pot and the kettle
Also showing after effects of Ukrainian shelling in Donetsk. Possible war crime they say . Civilians killed. 2 sisters apparently
Nonsense argument,
Simply put neither Europe or the US has infinite resources and equipment to give ukraine unlimited counter offensives against Russia,
For instance if the Ukrainans get bogged down anywhere and lose a Fair amount of their newly aquired tanks and IFVs do you think that Europen countries will sit there and say ah sure don't worry we will send another couple of hundred of modern armoured vehicles,for a second or possibly third counter attack,
Moskva was the only big ticket ship they sank at least 10 are operating in the black sea most days,and they have repaired the bridge,
Russia are still dangerous and still have cards to play,
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