Russia-Ukraine War (continuing)

Could be Ukraine,could be factions within the Russian state going after each other....either way,the more of this the better.

Meanwhile, Russia announced plans to give Russian passports to those living in the Moldovan breakaway region of Transnistria. In response, Moldova plans to block any Russian passport holders from moving through its territory.

For all that we sometimes hear that Western Europeans could not understand the menace/threat of Russia, their govt.'s were far too eager to open up trade and make themselves dependent on Russian energy etc., it seems to be former Warsaw pact countries that are ahead in voluntarily electing pro Russian govt.'s that want to cut off aid to Ukraine, despite all that has happened. I really don't know enough to diagnose the malfunctions of voters though. Is it just demographics and elderly brains boiled in Russian propaganda or something more?

Even in Warsaw Pact days Bulgaria was seen as the most slavishly devoted of the 'fraternal allies'. It was largely inevitable that it would revert to type. I really hope the EU does not allow another Orban situation to develop. There needs to be a procedure for suspending the membership and funding of member states that literally collaborate with the enemy.

Slovakia and the Czech Rep also have far-right govts with a soft spot for Putin - apparently 1968 thought them nothing.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg02541ykpo

Germany and France and I believe Spain had joined, have cancelled their 6th generation fighter project which Macron and Merkel announced in 2017.

It was meant to replace the euro fighter and Rafael. This further highlights how dependant we are on American weapons and probably always will be.

@midlander12 @CelticRambler

Thanks for those comments. Hadn't considered propaganda (of a different flavour) is just as likely to be effective on their youth via social media but should have of course given we see the influence of it here too. I thought Bulgaria was probably the EU member state with most sympathetic views of Russia among the population, so the previous govt. being so willing to aid Ukraine and push forward things like joining the Euro was a little bit of a surprise to me.

@z80CPU

Also on Serbia, they are a bit different as they are not in the EU currently, their govt.'s are probably still fence straddling to an extent, and even if they distance themselves further from Putin's failing Russia, they look to me unlikely to join soon. They'd probably be another extremely awkward member, with the EU crossing its fingers every election.

I don't think India is a good partner for France. Whatever they all end up going with a large number of airframes will continue to be bought from the US.

Ukraine are now shooting Flamingo's that are not pink. Zelenski should resign immediately.

Its the danger of expanding the EU too quickly and why just lobbing membership at Ukraine because it applies isn't necessarily the best route to go down. As you say - whack-a-mole… Putin has too many former Soviet nations in the EU too mess around in and foment division. When you see how fractured politics in countries like the UK, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands is becoming, after decades of building the EU project and strengthening democratic foundations, you wonder how wise it is to open the door to countries whose democracies are relatively young and undeveloped.

Not sure if a two-tier EU membership structure is the answer, but it's a debate that needs to be had. We can't afford to go from Poland to Hungary, to Slovakia, to Bulgaria - holding our breadth every time there's a populist right winger running for election… it all serves to embolden the likes of Farage closer to home. Who's to know what party/ leader will be in charge in Ukraine in 7/ 8 years time and what their views on alignment with the West will be.

Agree generally with all that. It does raise the question of what to do with ground that Russia does pull back from. The traditional view being that while you can clear ground by air, tank and missiles, you need infantry to hold it. Leaving it un-held runs the risk of the Russians just walking back in (relatively) unmolested when/ if the battlefield complexion changes. As opposed to taking the ground and moving first line defences up. Just a thought, it's clearly a very complex issue given the proliferation of drone warfare now and, as you say, if it ain't broke don't fix it.

I think its a simple case of Russian interference and the bombardment of social media/ mainstream media with certain messages and mantras. You only need to look at how the behaviour of the Irish has changed in the last 7/ 8 years with the previously unthinkable rise of English-style right wing, anti-immigrant protests, violence and unsubstantiated bullshit online. Imagine how much easier it must be to stir up that kind of confusion, paranoia and hatred in poorer countries with traditional ties to the East as opposed to the West.

In other news - the Telegraph's Ukraine The Latest podcast mentioning the plant in Limerick again on Monday (in the context of Ireland assuming the presidency soon). Good to see the pressure being maintained and Mealy Mouthed Martin not being left off the hook.

All very concerning.