Ukraine

[niemeyjt]

I would have preferred Finland and Sweden to remain out of NATO - but Ukraine has changed the landscape.

It will be ironic if Putin achieves exactly the opposite of what he wants and strengthens NATO.

[Bayleaf]

I'd say that's exactly what is happening - and quite naive of him to think otherwise! Not sure he thought this through at all really. Also hoping that something or someone takes him out asap. Big heart attack would shut him up for a while!

[Blaze]

I agree J, Putin risks pushing them towards NATO. Both countries were shocked when he suggested that any move to join NATO could have military consequences but he'd be hard pushed to do anything at the moment so for now it's just a threat.
Indiscriminate bombardment is Russia's tactic - sap the morale and starve them out.

TF1 news showed a Russian general (?) broadcasting a pack of lies to the Russians, with Ukraine seen as the aggressor. With foreign press being systematically kicked out and repressed, what chance have the Russia people of knowing the truth ?

[niemeyjt]

Independent experts say he needs 280k troops to repress 48M Ukrainians - he does not have that many. He cannot start any more wars (well he can, but not resource them).

As for Russians - not all rely on MSM - my pharma contact in Moscow showed me a few of the very graphic videos doing the rounds and she is very anti-Putin and anti-war. But yes, Putin has closed down any opposition to him so some Russians are indeed brainwashed and braindead.

edit: to add, this will have much wider ramifications. Ukrainian wheat exports went to many countries, and their removal from the market may lead to higher world market costs this year. Food prices were a catalyst in many of the Arab Spring uprisings - so may happen again.

[ExMontpelliérain]

Meanwhile, Trump has a cunning plan:
“ Former President Trump told donors that the US should put Chinese flags on America's F-22s and then 'bomb the shit' out of Russia, leading to conflict between Beijing and Moscow while 'we sit back and watch'.”

Sometimes I miss the guy (although that feeling passes very quickly).

[Sparkle]

"Big heart attack would shut him up for a while!"

Quite agree with you although I'd prefer it to shut him up for good!

[Sparkle]

very interesting.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/arti ... crisy.html

[Bayleaf]

Not sure I can take anything from the daily fail seriously.... I wonder who paid him to say all that.

[exile]

Ukrainian wheat exports went to many countries, and their removal from the market may lead to higher world market costs this year. Food prices were a catalyst in many of the Arab Spring uprisings - so may happen again.

Often not realised, because we are taught that the Ukraine is the bread basket of Europe, Russia produces three times the amount of hard wheat and exports - better said exported - more.

[Sparkle]

Not sure I can take anything from the daily fail seriously.... I wonder who paid him to say all that.

I don't believe everything that is reported by anyone, anywhere to be 'gospel'. OH has a Finnish BIL who has interesting views on the situation.