Ukraine Crisis

[Archery1969]

7 Sept 2022 Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned Western sanctions imposed because of the war in Ukraine as a fever that poses a threat to the entire world.

In a speech to an economic forum in the Russian city of Vladivostok, he said Russia was coping with the West's economic "aggression".

The Russian leader condemned one proposal for a cap on Russian gas prices as stupid, and said Moscow would react to a cap by halting supplies completely. That means gas, oil and coal.

[greenmark]

7 Sept 2022 Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned Western sanctions imposed because of the war in Ukraine as a fever that poses a threat to the entire world.

In a speech to an economic forum in the Russian city of Vladivostok, he said Russia was coping with the West's economic "aggression".

The Russian leader condemned one proposal for a cap on Russian gas prices as stupid, and said Moscow would react to a cap by halting supplies completely. That means gas, oil and coal.

And the EU gas storage is already up to 82%. Oil can be bought from OPEC countries. They'll be only to pleased to supply the West.
Putin's proclamation suggests to me he realises the West is going to rapidly reduce his energy stranglehold. You can't p*** off one of your biggest customers.
And all for a vanity project, a feeble attempt to roll back borders to post-ww2 USSR. If it wasn't so tragic it would be funny.
Sure he has nukes, but I honestly don't think he so daft that he doesn't realise Western tech has proven superior in Ukraine. And the same probably applies to nukes and anti-nuke defences.
The smart move for evey player is to negotiate, avoid humilliating the opponent and get back to life. If the Donbas is the sacrifice. Fine. Let the ethnic Russian's have it. Help the displaced Ukrainians rebuild their lives. It is the far cheaper option financially and in human lives.

[Dallas]

7 Sept 2022 Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned Western sanctions imposed because of the war in Ukraine as a fever that poses a threat to the entire world.

In a speech to an economic forum in the Russian city of Vladivostok, he said Russia was coping with the West's economic "aggression".

The Russian leader condemned one proposal for a cap on Russian gas prices as stupid, and said Moscow would react to a cap by halting supplies completely. That means gas, oil and coal.

And the EU gas storage is already up to 82%. Oil can be bought from OPEC countries. They'll be only to pleased to supply the West.
Putin's proclamation suggests to me he realises the West is going to rapidly reduce his energy stranglehold. You can't p*** off one of your biggest customers.
And all for a vanity project, a feeble attempt to roll back borders to post-ww2 USSR. If it wasn't so tragic it would be funny.
Sure he has nukes, but I honestly don't think he so daft that he doesn't realise Western tech has proven superior in Ukraine. And the same probably applies to nukes and anti-nuke defences.
The smart move for evey player is to negotiate, avoid humilliating the opponent and get back to life. If the Donbas is the sacrifice. Fine. Let the ethnic Russian's have it. Help the displaced Ukrainians rebuild their lives. It is the far cheaper option financially and in human lives.

I think I saw a report earlier that he was going to halt the grain export agreement, which to me looks like turning off the gas will have far far greater impact on Russia than is being let on so he's now reverting to world food as a weapon

[greenmark]

7 Sept 2022 Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned Western sanctions imposed because of the war in Ukraine as a fever that poses a threat to the entire world.

In a speech to an economic forum in the Russian city of Vladivostok, he said Russia was coping with the West's economic "aggression".

The Russian leader condemned one proposal for a cap on Russian gas prices as stupid, and said Moscow would react to a cap by halting supplies completely. That means gas, oil and coal.

And the EU gas storage is already up to 82%. Oil can be bought from OPEC countries. They'll be only to pleased to supply the West.
Putin's proclamation suggests to me he realises the West is going to rapidly reduce his energy stranglehold. You can't p*** off one of your biggest customers.
And all for a vanity project, a feeble attempt to roll back borders to post-ww2 USSR. If it wasn't so tragic it would be funny.
Sure he has nukes, but I honestly don't think he so daft that he doesn't realise Western tech has proven superior in Ukraine. And the same probably applies to nukes and anti-nuke defences.
The smart move for evey player is to negotiate, avoid humilliating the opponent and get back to life. If the Donbas is the sacrifice. Fine. Let the ethnic Russian's have it. Help the displaced Ukrainians rebuild their lives. It is the far cheaper option financially and in human lives.

I think I saw a report earlier that he was going to halt the grain export agreement, which to me looks like turning off the gas will have far far greater impact on Russia than is being let on so he's now reverting to world food as a weapon

All his comments are skewed to influencing opinion in Russia. No-one else believes that the Ukraine grain has mainly gone to EU countries.
That internal agenda is probably the most worrying thing of all. His strategy is isolating Russa and that's not good.
Sanctions really only hurt the guy/gal in the street and take yonks (if ever) to sway a political elite. The sanctioning of his oligarch pal's just might be the difference. But holding breath, not!

[napshnap]

And the EU gas storage is already up to 82%. Oil can be bought from OPEC countries. They'll be only to pleased to supply the West.
Putin's proclamation suggests to me he realises the West is going to rapidly reduce his energy stranglehold. You can't p*** off one of your biggest customers.
And all for a vanity project, a feeble attempt to roll back borders to post-ww2 USSR. If it wasn't so tragic it would be funny.
Sure he has nukes, but I honestly don't think he so daft that he doesn't realise Western tech has proven superior in Ukraine. And the same probably applies to nukes and anti-nuke defences.
The smart move for evey player is to negotiate, avoid humilliating the opponent and get back to life. If the Donbas is the sacrifice. Fine. Let the ethnic Russian's have it. Help the displaced Ukrainians rebuild their lives. It is the far cheaper option financially and in human lives.

I think I saw a report earlier that he was going to halt the grain export agreement, which to me looks like turning off the gas will have far far greater impact on Russia than is being let on so he's now reverting to world food as a weapon

All his comments are skewed to influencing opinion in Russia. No-one else believes that the Ukraine grain has mainly gone to EU countries.
That internal agenda is probably the most worrying thing of all. His strategy is isolating Russa and that's not good.
Sanctions really only hurt the guy/gal in the street and take yonks (if ever) to sway a political elite. The sanctioning of his oligarch pal's just might be the difference. But holding breath, not!

It would be nice to see real numbers, but I've no idea where to look. Local media say: 1. only a small part of grain went to developing countries. 2. Russian agro products (whose buyers mainly are developing countries) being blocked despite reached agreements.

About the unfairness of sanctions - true, a few "teflon" oligarchs managed to avoid sanctions, and I've read that sanctions been lifted for some oligarchs.

[Emmson]

The big news this week is how the Russian front has been collapsing, conscripts who don't believe in the war don't want any part of this invasion.

[napshnap]

The big news this week is how the Russian front has been collapsing, conscripts who don't believe in the war don't want any part of this invasion.

A few bridges being blown up, a few settlement being captured, nothing too dramatic. Let's wait and see.

[Emmson]

The big news this week is how the Russian front has been collapsing, conscripts who don't believe in the war don't want any part of this invasion.

A few bridges being blown up, a few settlement being captured, nothing too dramatic. Let's wait and see.

I now look forward to an encirclement

Glory To Ukraine!

Their victory will be my victory!

[napshnap]

The big news this week is how the Russian front has been collapsing, conscripts who don't believe in the war don't want any part of this invasion.

A few bridges being blown up, a few settlement being captured, nothing too dramatic. Let's wait and see.

...

Their victory will be my victory!

Do you mean like your state will finally stop wasting your taxpayers money on "fighting the dragon" (WARNING! - I found out it has a hilarious "urban slang" meaning)?

[greenmark]

I think I saw a report earlier that he was going to halt the grain export agreement, which to me looks like turning off the gas will have far far greater impact on Russia than is being let on so he's now reverting to world food as a weapon

All his comments are skewed to influencing opinion in Russia. No-one else believes that the Ukraine grain has mainly gone to EU countries.
That internal agenda is probably the most worrying thing of all. His strategy is isolating Russa and that's not good.
Sanctions really only hurt the guy/gal in the street and take yonks (if ever) to sway a political elite. The sanctioning of his oligarch pal's just might be the difference. But holding breath, not!

It would be nice to see real numbers, but I've no idea where to look. Local media say: 1. only a small part of grain went to developing countries. 2. Russian agro products (whose buyers mainly are developing countries) being blocked despite reached agreements.

About the unfairness of sanctions - true, a few "teflon" oligarchs managed to avoid sanctions, and I've read that sanctions been lifted for some oligarchs.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/9/7 ... ions-putin
There was graphic on the BBC Realitycheck that suggested Turkey took a big chunk of the grain etc. The rest has been distributed widely.
I've not read anything about Russian agro being blocked.

[Archery1969]

The UK has completed training 14200 Ukraine soldiers. They went through the Army’s basic training course in a condensed period.

Each one has been given new combat uniform, body armour, Kevlar helmet, Sig side arm and latest digital comms kit.

That’s allot of expensive kit given Kevlar helmets alone are £680.

Will it make a difference, probably not but it gives them a much better fighting chance individually and as a group.

They are outnumbered 4 to 1 but history has shown that a smaller well trained army with superior equipment can work miracles.

Winter is coming and will be bleak for many in Europe but spare a thought for a people and country fighting for their very existence.

[Derek27]

The UK has completed training 14200 Ukraine soldiers. They went through the Army’s basic training course in a condensed period.

Each one has been given new combat uniform, body armour, Kevlar helmet, Sig side arm and latest digital comms kit.

That’s allot of expensive kit given Kevlar helmets alone are £680.

Will it make a difference, probably not but it gives them a much better fighting chance individually and as a group.

They are outnumbered 4 to 1 but history has shown that a smaller well trained army with superior equipment can work miracles.

Winter is coming and will be bleak for many in Europe but spare a thought for a people and country fighting for their very existence.

I'm pretty sure it will make a big difference. One of the reasons the Ukrainian army is always a step ahead of Russia it that the Russians lack radios that work and relied on mobile phones that are easily intercepted.

[Kai]

Complete collapse of the Kharkiv frontline already? Initial reports claim that both Izyum and Kupyansk have been liberated, this is blitzkrieg level if true.

Incredible how often history repeats itself.

[Derek27]

It really beggars belief that the news channels have stopped reporting from Ukraine in favour of repeating and re-repeating people eulogising the former queen.

[Archery1969]

Ukrainian forces have entered the key eastern town of Kupiansk. Russian forces are in full retreat after suffering large loses due to heavy fighting street by street.

They must be so tired coming up against a so called superpower.

Wish I was 20 years younger.

To Ukraine, smash them.