Ukraine

[Kimbers]

11 minutes ago, Bibs said:

The way the war is going, I'd not be surprised if Ukraine end up with Crimea back too at this rate! 

I think there'd be an enormous bang before that happened!

[ChrisJ]

Interesting couple of reads

What to Do About Russia’s Nuclear Threats - The Atlantic

How the War in Ukraine Might End | The New Yorker

 

[C8RKH]

The New Yorker article is both sobering and chilling. Excellent journalism too.

[ChrisJ]

 

[ramjet]

She certainly has drunk the Kool-Aid and then stole some other people's as well.

[ChrisJ]

 

[ChrisJ]

Have you seen that Kaliningrad has held a referendum and has voted to join the Czech Republic. There's now a travel website

Czech Petition on Annexing Kaliningrad From Russia Signed by Thousands (newsweek.com)

Czechs troll Russia with mock annexation of Kaliningrad (nypost.com)

 

 

[ramjet]

I said to Liz the other night regarding something like this. We decided to have a referendum and with 100% of people signing, Liz and I, we now have annexed Russia. Should be nice to add to the backyard. Who di I need to let know that Liz and I now control the joint? Local embassy?

[ChrisJ]

Oh dear, someone has been smoking on the Kerch Bridge

 

 

[ChrisJ]

 

[PaulCP]

So, according to Putin the attack on the Crimea-Russia bridge was a terrorist attack by Ukraine. How did Putin get those magic mirrors that he has all around his premises?

You know the ones I mean, those that when he looks in to them he sees the reflection of an Angel🤔

 

[ChrisJ]

 

[ramjet]

I wonder what the causes of this are?

1) Impaired vision? 
2) Can’t surrender as I have family still in Russia. 
3) Can’t refuse as superior officer might shoot me for refusing an order. 
4) If we get injured, we get to go home hopefully without any repercussions. Might end up dead though in trying to get ‘just injured’.

 

 

[Escape]

I'd say all but the first one, unless you'd put it down to poor training.

[ramjet]

I keep seeing reports about how Russia says it is open to sitting down with the West if approached regarding peace talks if its goals in Ukraine are met.

Maybe I'm just stupid. Russia shouldn't be wanting to talk with the West. I would have thought, they just need to bugger off back across the border to Russia and give back Crimea, then open the cheque book and start paying for all the repairs to a place that they should have just left alone.

Job's right.

And if Ukraine wants to join NATO, that sure as hell has nothing to do with Russia and Putin can only blame himself.

Or am I just naive?

[Escape]

I'd say you are right, but also naive. Politics is rarely about what's right...

[PaulCP]

@ramjetPutin is trying to demonstrate strength because he knows how much NATO back off when he does.

So far it’s a war of kindergarten words and really time that NATO showed some balls and called his bluff. Needs planning carefully and the US &Biden need to keep their mouths shut about what they are doing. Why does the US want to tell the World what they are doing rather than just getting on with it. They are always revealing their hand to Putin and he is just laughing at them.

One thing for sure, but they can’t let him continue as is

BTW, a bit off topic but I hope the floods in Victoria currently being reported here haven’t adversely affected you

[ramjet]

Thanks for the enquiry Paul. The floods are more up in the North of Victoria. Only minor flooding here in Geelong.

[Spinney]

6 hours ago, PaulCP said:

@ramjetPutin is trying to demonstrate strength because he knows how much NATO back off when he does.

So far it’s a war of kindergarten words and really time that NATO showed some balls and called his bluff. Needs planning carefully and the US &Biden need to keep their mouths shut about what they are doing. Why does the US want to tell the World what they are doing rather than just getting on with it. They are always revealing their hand to Putin and he is just laughing at them.

One thing for sure, but they can’t let him continue as is

BTW, a bit off topic but I hope the floods in Victoria currently being reported here haven’t adversely affected you

I generally agree with what you say but I was heartened yesterday to read that NATO have at last said if Putin uses nukes, they will annihilate his army using conventional weapons. 

I wonder if that is responsible for Putins seemingly more conciliatory tone today. 🤔

[ramjet]

'Speaking on Friday, Vladimir Putin repeated the Kremlin position that Russia was willing to hold talks, although he said they would require international mediation if Ukraine was prepared to take part.'

-------------

Here it is again. If he is going to hold talks, of course Ukraine has to be involved. That's who he had in his crosshairs. Why does he always seem to include Ukraine as an extra? There is always this implication that Russia has to hold ceasefire talks with someone (the West presumably) and 'Oh, Ukraine can be involved as well.'

Bugs the hell out of me.

[Escape]

Could it be he's actually realised he's fighting a lost cause and has finally come to his senses somewhat? Ending the mobilisation in Russia sounds like he wants to make sure he doesn't lose all support.

[LotusLeftLotusRight]

I don’t interpret it like ramjet. I read it that he is prepared to hold talks with Ukraine, if a 3rd Party nation/organisation mediates. Like they did a while back in Turkey I assume.

[C8RKH]

The only talks with Putin should be to confirm the date and time for his war crimes trial in the hague and to confirm the bill he will be asking his people to pay to repair the damage. Both should be short, simple conversations.

Oh, and I'm just waiting for two more explosions on the bridge. That will put it out of action indefinitely. Cut off Crimeas supplies and allow the Ukrainians to walk back in to their OWN backyard!

[ramjet]

On 15/10/2022 at 18:21, LotusLeftLotusRight said:

I don’t interpret it like ramjet. I read it that he is prepared to hold talks with Ukraine, if a 3rd Party nation/organisation mediates. Like they did a while back in Turkey I assume.

Quote still seems odd in that if Russia was going to hold peace talks, of course Ukraine has to be there.

Maybe it is a literal translation which can sometimes muck up the intent of a sentence.

[DanR]

On 15/10/2022 at 17:26, Escape said:

Could it be he's actually realised he's fighting a lost cause and has finally come to his senses somewhat? Ending the mobilisation in Russia sounds like he wants to make sure he doesn't lose all support.

Putin tends to do the opposite of what he says. Stalling for time?

I fear he's evacuating Kherson because he plans to nuke it once Ukraine wins it back.

As for Kerch Bridge this video offers lots of reasons why Ukraine wants it to stay. Made before its partial destruction so perhaps restricting its usability is now part of their plan.