Is Russia at war with Europe? UK thinks so, possibly by 2030. Is Ireland ready defence wise?

Hotblack Desiato · 20-06-2026 08:26PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124566497#Comment_124566497

They have their heads firmly inserted in their arses thinking "neutrality" makes us great guys and respected and morally superior (when it actually makes us the opposite on all three). And why wouldn't they think that when they've been fed a diet of kumbaya shite for the last 80+ years. Our current and massively electorally popular president being one of the worst spouters of that brainless kumbaya shite. In the face of actual Russian aggression on Europe she talks about "being a beacon for peace" 🙄 our previous president's wife wrote a letter to the Irish Times saying Ukraine should capitulate.

The world is not a nice place populated by nice people who play nicely by the rules. Unfortunately.

Hotblack Desiato · 20-06-2026 08:27PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124566514#Comment_124566514

Far from being an excuse to continue to do nothing, that makes it even more important to get going asap to build up our capability

Flinty997 · 20-06-2026 10:49PM

The reality vast majority in Ireland are happy not spending money on defence of any kind. They see neutrality as a means of avoiding all costs associated with it.

They will kick the can down the road until some crisis occurs.

Hotblack Desiato · 21-06-2026 12:13AM

Proper neutrality means being able to defend yourself regardless of who the aggessor is.

This is the policy Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, Austria pursued ever since WWII.

We did nothing and adopted a policy of "shure aren't we great lads, everyone likes us".

Being totally reliant on the kindness of others (who we have actually refused to enter into an alliance with) is not a defence policy worthy of the name and it's certainly not neutrality in any rational sense.

Going forward, not spending on defence is just not an option. We are going to have to massively increase our capability on the cyberwarfare front for one, the HSE attack was just a little taster.

tom1ie · 21-06-2026 01:01AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124566025#Comment_124566025

So has anyone on this thread got any comment on this or is this one of these threads that are just back and forwards between 3 or 4 posters?
If so let me know and I’ll bail out thanks.

Manic Moran · 21-06-2026 01:30AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124566474#Comment_124566474

None of which is particularly helpful to Ukraine in dealing with its immediate problem of kicking the Russians out. For that it needs weapons, of which Ireland has almost none to spare (a few trucks and old radar systems seems to have been the end of it), personnel (I believe Ukraine has been making noises about its miltary aged personnel elsewhere in Europe) and money, which is not being generated for Ukraine by people elsewhere in Europe when they are not in the Ukrainian economy either helping with quality of life, manufacturing weapons, or just paying income tax. When it seemed like Ukraine was going to be conquered, the policy had merit on compassionate grounds. That is no longer the case, and I doubt such an end state would be accepted for EU or NATO countries. Government-in-exile was not acceptable in the 1940s, I doubt it is any more acceptable today.

This idiocy about Ireland being militarily neutral but not politically neutral is a sop which no other country recognises. The use of the miltary is a practical extension of politics, just as are the other three elements of national power. If you want to take a side, and Ireland has taken sides before, then take a side. The Swiss are taking political flak for being neutral, but at least they are holding to their guns. (Literally, given the failed attempts to transfer Swiss arms to Ukraine). They aren't trying to mealy-mouth their position.

Ireland's policy of general neutrality has indeed served it well enough in the past. There is a massive thread about its position in WW2 currently ongoing over in the History forum, I have there expressed my opinion that Ireland's position was understandable and reasonable as a practical matter, even if morally questionable. But Ireland is no longer in the past. The world has moved on, as has Ireland's relationships with the rest of the world.

However, that's a larger issue. Whilst I may think that Ireland's neutrality should go the way of Sweden's or Finland's, I accept that it would be politically unacceptable for the Irish citizenry who want to hold on to their sacred cow, even if it's existence is contrary to their "political aneutrality" or their positions on the rights of self-determination. At the very least, cow or no cow, Ireland does need to understand that it provides to a hostile power a means to an end and needs the protective capabilities commensurate with this. Which it does not have, and has no known plans or intention of obtaining them. If the first and primary function of a government is to ensure the safety of its citizens, the Irish government is failing.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124566017#Comment_124566017

Whilst acknowledging that in a later post you express disagreement with the positions of some EU governments (I think every person can find something to complain about in that context, witness opinions on Orban for example), Ireland has still chosen to enter into an economic alliance every bit as important and consequential as a military one. Unless you are arguing that the difference in shared values is so great as to advocate Ireland leaving the EU, this falls under the heading of specific disagreements, not overarching problems. The EU consists of generally democratic nations with acceptable human rights standards (note how Turkey is still not a member) who want to operate free of foreign interference. Are these not shared values you believe should be protected, regardless of any specific policy differences by those respective democratic governments?

Flinty997 · 21-06-2026 01:38AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124567321#Comment_124567321

Weren't Sweden occupied and Finland lost it's war with Russia ...

Polar101 · 21-06-2026 02:21AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124567409#Comment_124567409

Sweden hasn't been at war for 200 years.

Hotblack Desiato · 21-06-2026 02:33AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124567409#Comment_124567409

?? which part of "since WWII" did you overlook?

Flinty997 · 21-06-2026 06:18AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124567429#Comment_124567429

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124567439#Comment_124567439

Not much point in overlooking WW2 when it comes to fantasy definition of neutrality.

Ireland needs a military capability to police it's territory not fight a war. That's a very different shopping list.

GHendrix · 21-06-2026 08:13AM

I’m all for us investing more so we can police our own territory better. But we’re a tiny country with no beef with anyone. The chances of an invasion anytime soon are tiny.

And due to our economic ties, political alliances and geographic location, there is no way the US, UK or EU could afford us to be invaded.

The fact that Northern Ireland is part of the UK means that you can’t invade Ireland anyways without invading the UK.

LambshankRedemption · 21-06-2026 08:33AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124566025#Comment_124566025

Firstly, we have more money than we currently know what to do with so could easily buy the stuff we need ourselves.

Secondly, while I'm sure the EU would be only too happy to help, someone from Ireland has to ask them.

The fact that Helen McEntee is our Minister of Defence shows that our government has nothing but contempt for the subject of defence.

brickster69 · 21-06-2026 08:51AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124567482#Comment_124567482

Would Ireland not consider making an effort to open channels with the Kremlin ? Given how successful dialogue and diplomacy has played a part in bringing peace between the parties not so long ago, surely an opening is there to at least make an effort.

If you look what is happening in Geneva at the moment the Swiss still seem to be considered a place to help resolve conflicts which enhances their standing. They are only a small country but gain a lot of soft power globally by acting as a venue for peace talks.

GalwayMark · 21-06-2026 10:57AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124567592#Comment_124567592

Erm the Kremlin has rejected peace talks which don't involve Ukrainian capitulation and you can't reason with a monster like Putin because he needs to keep war going to stay in power.

Sudden Valley · 21-06-2026 10:58AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124567482#Comment_124567482

I think that would be a message that would resonate with the public and hopefully gain popular support for increased military spending: build an effective defensive force. This talk of building an army to send abroad to fight in foreign wars is just not a popular message.

Sudden Valley · 21-06-2026 11:02AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124567797#Comment_124567797

It seems some people here think the war is already lost as the suggestion is Russia will attack another European country by 2030.

brickster69 · 21-06-2026 11:43AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124567797#Comment_124567797

Well someone somewhere in the world will soon enough. Then it is no good complaining we are not a part of the talks and being sidelined

rock22 · 21-06-2026 01:20PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124567797#Comment_124567797

According to the US ( Trump) a peace process is close. Both sides have laid out red lines which clearly cannot all be sustained in a final settlement. See links for some of these.

https://political.org/2026/06/07/zelensky-merz-and-macron-converge-at-downing-street-as-ukraine-war-diplomacy-intensifies/

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/joint-e3-leaders-statement-with-president-volodymyr-zelenskyy-of-ukraine-7-june-2026

But surely there is a pressing need to convene talks, even if it is only talks about talks at this stage, in order to move the agenda from the battlefield to the conference room.

LambshankRedemption · 21-06-2026 02:21PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124568080#Comment_124568080

After Putin heard of the 300 billion Iran is getting he might be more motivated for peace talks if he can get a similar deal.

Sudden Valley · 21-06-2026 02:44PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124568214#Comment_124568214

I dont think Putin, as a dictator, could survive if he sign a deal that looks like Russia lost the war, so giving up Crimea or Eastern Ukraine would not be part of a deal. I dont think there is enough middle ground for a deal to be agreed.

LambshankRedemption · 21-06-2026 02:56PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124568272#Comment_124568272

As a dictator he can get away with pretty much anything he wants. He has sent nearly half a million Russian men off to die in Ukraine and no-one at home is saying much about it. He could probably spin it that he has sold Crimea for 300 billion for the benefit of the Russian people.

Sudden Valley · 21-06-2026 03:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124568317#Comment_124568317

I dont think he is that desperate yet to even think about giving up Crimea. He did see Gadaffi and Saddam lose their lives so knows dictators can suddenly have their regimes collapse.

LambshankRedemption · 21-06-2026 04:00PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124568372#Comment_124568372

You missed my point completely.

Greyfox · 21-06-2026 04:31PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124567573#Comment_124567573

Ireland has important issues like the housing and cost of living crises they need to spend more on, someone invading Ireland is pure fantasy. Im strongly against spending more on defence as Irish govenments cannot be trusted when it comes to spending wisely.

LambshankRedemption · 21-06-2026 04:58PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124568743#Comment_124568743

Well I agree with you, the government is absolutely hopeless at spending money and forward planning.

There are 2 ads i regularly hear on the radio that piss me off each time I hear them. One is for a private hospital in Belfast that if you need a procedure done you can go to them and they will get reimbursed by the HSE. The other is from the SEAI advertising the grants available for retrofitting houses with heating solutions, including 12k for a heat pump or 35k for a full refit. Another thing that annoys me is the explosion in greenway developments. There are currently over 70 greenway projects underway across the country, with a combined budget of 360 million.

A D-Day style invasion is fantasy. What is not fantasy is Russia sabotaging the undersea cables. It would be great if we had a Navy that was able to patrol our waters considering we are an Island.

https://www.businessinsider.com/russian-agents-went-to-ireland-to-inspect-undersea-cables-report-2020-2

Also not fantasy is the russian drones that were seen near Dublin during Zelenskiy's visit back in December. Wouldn't be nice if we had a couple of strike fighters that could take them down.

https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2025/1210/1548308-ireland-politics/

Strumms · 21-06-2026 05:00PM

an island nation of 5.5 million people and not a single jet fighter aircraft.

3,100 kilometres plus of coastline and thousands more kilometres of territorial waters yet… only 8 small to medium sized maritime patrol vessels.

for an island the lack of resources and spending allocated to defence is obscenely incompetent…

Billions of our taxpayers money leave these shores annually to help others. Yet ^

LambshankRedemption · 21-06-2026 05:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124568819#Comment_124568819

Additionally, the current 360 million budget for the development of the greenway network would buy 10 F-16s and give change.

Sudden Valley · 21-06-2026 05:22PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124568865#Comment_124568865

What is your argument, are you against the greenway project? Do we want 10 f-16s even.

LambshankRedemption · 21-06-2026 05:35PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124568876#Comment_124568876

Well what I am saying is it doesnt need to be either/or. Its not even about money as we have loads, it comes down to apathy by the government.

If it was about money, considering there are 26 counties in Ireland, how about, instead of 70 greenway projects we just do 35 and buy only 5 F16's?

Switzerland, a neutral country, population 9 million, has 30 F18s and 53 F5s.

But as I said it's not about money, it's about the government sticking their heads in the sand. Which is why we have outsourced defence during the EU presidency to France.

https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/06/18/ireland-france-military-protectorate-outsourcing-defense-procurement/

Sudden Valley · 21-06-2026 05:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124568900#Comment_124568900

Ah OK. I think probably its about the general public too. It doesnt appear to be a vote gain for any party to talk about investing in defence and the figures always look large in isolation.

Is Russia at war with Europe? UK thinks so, possibly by 2030. Is Ireland ready defence wise?

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