Russia - threadbanned users in OP

This really is a conversation for another thread (and another forum really) but large economies that have their own central banks are not pocket books. Everything doesn't need to add up and everything doesn't need to be paid back. All of that debt that the Americans have accumulated will never be paid back fully.

A certain type of politician (usually a Republican) brings it up as an excuse when something that they don't wish to fund gets proposed. When it comes to tax cuts that disproportionately benefit the wealthy (such as Trump's only major piece of legislation which cost $1.9 Trillion over 10 years) they suddenly aren't bothered about the national debt.

I don't buy this.

We're not in a world war. Countries the far side of globe have no more care for the war in Ukraine than European countries during the gulf wars. Saying that China is allied to Russia because they're profiteering from the war is an incorrect analysis I believe.

If the Russians really are behind any of these parties they haven't been spending their money well

The political activist and former top Trump advisor, Steve Bannon, has openly talked about how he's helping prop up right wing movements throughout Europe.

There's probably more than just Russia who would like to see Europe lapse into right-wing authoritarianism. Not that it matters as this should be resisted whoever is trying to push it because the 'solution' it offers is worse than the problems it claims it would solve when all is said and done.

We can see that pretty much every pro-Russian agitator in the West won't actually go live in Russia. What they admire about the place is the embedded in-group/out-group dynamic. Something they hope to replicate in their respective home countries.

I'm not an expert on drawing up peace accords.

But, if you had asked me at the back end of the troubles on this Island, would I favour the continuation of hostilities or perhaps giving peace a try? Of course, the answer is obvious. The violence was taking us nowhere.

And I feel the same about this conflict. The Ukrainians have hit a dead end here, and it's very unlikely that they're going to reclaim these annexed territories now. The Russians are just too strong. More war will only bring more human misery, without any realistic chance of Ukraine securing their objectives.

The west should really be encouraging Ukraine to embrace peace talks, rather than pushing for another endless conflict.

I earlier made a proposal for peace that was commented on here. What's your proposal, we're not asking you to draw up accords. What terms would you endorse? This isn't that difficult.

Unless, you know, you're afraid of being criticized for it.

Just to confirm then, you suggest Ukraine giving up its sovereign territory to Russia in order to bring an end to Russia's war of aggression?

Putin's boy soldiers.

For a country with a population less than Germany and France combined. They really do see themselves as some kind of last Nazi military expansionist up their own hole country. Considered themselves as second to the USA at one stage too I believe.

Thanks… so it's 410,000 casualties (probably closer to 450,000 now) of which 180,000 are killed (again, probably north of 190,000 by now)? 180,000 to 200,000 dead a staggering amount of humans that one man is prepared to sacrifice for his personal thirst for power. Few other nations on earth would tolerate those kind of losses. All for what? Nothing. Even total victory on the battlefield in 2024/ 2025 will not see Russia hold Ukraine for more than 10/ 15 years before the next generational/ societal/ political shift sees it revert back to independence. All those lives lost for nothing.

Nothing at all, in fact that was one of the points I made (Ukraine should of course be inflating its successes and downplaying its losses in public announcements). But we shouldn't be passing off our wishful thinking as fact. Otherwise you end up with Comical Ali situations.

It seems Russia has been pounding it from the air last 2/3 wks. Russian ground forces seems to be not to far from it. I would say we will see Russia ground assault on it within next few days. I wouldn't be surprised if Ukraine getting the USA aid will have sped up the Russian time line to attack it. They might of pounded it for another wk or so before attacking but I say with Ukrainian forces getting the US aid the Russians will attack there within the next few days. But it's definitely critical for Ukraine not to lose this city.

Ukrainian resolve will be steel after the good news of aid on the way and im sure they'll have had some emergency reserve ammo and weapons to bolster any weak spots.

I think the russians are going to be in for a nasty shock the next few days.

Me to @Poon Tang : Is it true you always answer a question with another question?

Poon Tang to me: Who told you that?

That could end up being a blessing in disguise. Granted, Ukraine is apparently stretched pretty thin at the moment, but it has resupplies coming in, and they just have to hold on. Conversely, any forces that Russia throws into a rushed offensive now will not be available for the rumored large summer offensive. They could end up burning themselves out without any major breakthroughs.