Topic: Ukraine
Rock's photo
Wed 01/26/22 09:24 PM


Thanks Rock for pointing out:

The MAP IS as of Nov 26

and the tiny squares scattered show the then
'newly arrived Russian troops,

mainly inside Belarus as: 9000 (new)
and on Russia-Ukraine border as: 6000


Your link gives an update as of 23 Jan 22:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-23/russian-troops-ukraine-threat-war-global-stakes-west-power/100772162

If we go as per Map - then 50,000 Russian troops were spread along the border in Nov and,

Since most news reports give the updated figure as 100,000 the additional 50,000 may have been deployed in Dec / Jan Still a cause for deepest concern.


For Indians reading this,
abc.net.au link is blocked in India by ministry here.



Hopefully, YouTube isn't blocked.


http://youtu.be/gbDvUHEm1ms

jaish's photo
Wed 01/26/22 09:56 PM
Thanks !

jaish's photo
Thu 01/27/22 02:41 AM

Hopefully, YouTube isn't blocked.


By the way,



the Indian government has awarded Padma Bhushan to Google's CEO Sundar Pichai


Padma Bhushan is the third-highest civilian award in the country


Reasonable to expect Google / YouTube algorithms to vary from country to country

jaish's photo
Thu 01/27/22 06:58 PM
Edited by jaish on Thu 01/27/22 07:12 PM
From BBC:
In reality Russia wants Nato to return to its pre-1997 borders

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56720589

President Biden has threatened Russia's leader with measures "like none he's ever seen" if Ukraine is attacked. So what would they involve?

1. Disconnecting Russia's banking system from the international Swift payment system.

2. President Biden has warned that he would consider personal sanctions on Vladimir Putin, if Russia invades Ukraine.

3. Prevent the opening of Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in Germany, and approval for that is currently being decided by Germany's energy regulator.



Josep Borrell, EU foreign policy chief says "It's not just the US and Russia. If you want to talk about security in Europe, Europeans have to be at the table and the agenda isn't just the issues Russia has put on the table"


Rock's photo
Thu 01/27/22 08:28 PM
Biden also threatened to withhold 5G
technology from Russia, if an attack is
carried out.

jaish's photo
Tue 02/01/22 08:53 PM
In pursuit of his happiness Biden has brought up the matter to UNSC.



Thomas-Greenfield said, ‘Russia’s aggression not only threatens Ukraine and Europe, but the international order the @UN Security Council is charged with upholding. What would it mean for the world if former empires had license to start reclaiming territory by force? This would set us down a dangerous path.


India's response:


India abstained on the procedural vote taken in the Security Council ahead of a meeting to discuss the tense situation on the Ukraine border. ‘As we expected, it was nothing but a PR stunt, classic example of ‘megaphone diplomacy’. No facts, only allegations and unsubstantiated claims.’



This 'abstained' or abstinence has no effect as the Security Council requires just 10 votes to go ahead and discuss the situation in Ukraine.

Security Council member countries with US:

UK - Boris Johnson who needs a war to keep his hob
Ireland - ?
Norway - large exporter of weapons
France -
Brazil - borderline drug country
Mexico

What I like about Brazil is: 'possessing drugs for personal use is a crime that does not carry a penalty of imprisonment. Those convicted of the charges can be subject to the following penalties: a warning, community service, or attending an educational course.' - the free education.

Countries with Russia:
China


Countries - neutral
India
Kenya
Gabon - Gabon who?

"You are either with us, or you are against' - old American saying

So India's position of neutrality, although we have hostile relations with China; is now questionable.

India's reason for abstaining: "This is nothing but a PR stunt, a classic example of ‘megaphone diplomacy’ (propelled by US determination to declare sanctions and more)."

Personally, I think Ukraine should continue as it was, without NATO weapons on its lands.

I also think that US has already won the first round since Ukraine's defense system has been strengthened with hi-tech weapons and ongoing training. A few steps closer to acquiring the NATO shield.

[If one looks at Ukraine's location, NATO missiles there will be like a knife touching the belly of Russia]

To paraphrase from what Boris Johnson recently said, 'In the event of war, Ukraine will be reduced to 'no-man's land' and as Russia claims that citizens from both countries share 'Slav ethnicity'; not in Russia's interest at all'.

Unfortunately Boris, your recent behavior has been irresponsible - or so projected by Media & in the UK Parliament that your intentions are questionable.

no photo
Tue 02/01/22 10:37 PM


Thanks Rock for pointing out:

The MAP IS as of Nov 26

and the tiny squares scattered show the then
'newly arrived Russian troops,

mainly inside Belarus as: 9000 (new)
and on Russia-Ukraine border as: 6000


Your link gives an update as of 23 Jan 22:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-23/russian-troops-ukraine-threat-war-global-stakes-west-power/100772162

If we go as per Map - then 50,000 Russian troops were spread along the border in Nov and,

Since most news reports give the updated figure as 100,000 the additional 50,000 may have been deployed in Dec / Jan Still a cause for deepest concern.


For Indians reading this,
abc.net.au link is blocked in India by ministry here.

When might the Russian invasion happen? What are they waiting on?

The weather.

They won't invade without tanks. In the Ukraine, the ground isn't frozen yet. The longer they wait, their chances go down. It's now February. Chances are it won't freeze. Their next chance if it doesn't? Not until summer when it dries out. If it does.

A fierce-some invasion force. That's held up if it rains.

jaish's photo
Fri 02/04/22 08:13 PM
Edited by jaish on Fri 02/04/22 08:16 PM

We are openly warning Russia that the U.S. may soon bring Ukraine and Georgia into NATO, which would entail a U.S. war guarantee to fight on those nations’ behalf in a future military clash with Moscow.

We are openly warning Iran that time is running out, that if Tehran does not return to negotiations on the nuclear deal and compliance with its terms, a U.S. attack on Iran cannot be ruled out.

We are putting China on notice that we do not accept its broad claims to the islets of the East and South China Seas, and we may be there to fight alongside our allies to sustain their claims.

Now congressional leaders in both parties are crafting measures to give Biden authorization to take us to war with China to protect Taiwan, whose declaration of independence, warns Beijing, would cross its “red line” and mean war.

Patrick J. Buchanan is the author of Nixon’s White House Wars: The Battles That Made and Broke a President and Divided America Forever and a founding editor of The American Conservative.



Personally, I believe Antony J. Blinken is no Henry Kissinger.

jaish's photo
Mon 02/07/22 03:29 AM

French President Emmanuel Macron has said he thinks a deal to avoid full scale war in Ukraine is possible and that it is legitimate for Russia to raise its own security concerns.

Before talks in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, he called for a "new balance" to protect European states and appease Russia.

He restated that the sovereignty of Ukraine was not up for discussion.

Mr Macron told the Journal du Dimanche newspaper that Russia's objective was "not Ukraine, but a clarification of the rules... with Nato and the EU".

He said he hoped his dialogue with the Russian president would be enough to prevent military conflict, and that he believed Mr Putin would be open to discussing wider issues.

Mr Macron, who also spoke with US President Joe Biden on Sunday, cautioned against expecting Moscow to take unilateral measures to de-escalate the situation and said Russia had the right to raise its own concerns.

But he said setting up dialogue with Russia could not "pass through the weakening of any European state".

"We must protect our European brothers by proposing a new balance capable of preserving their sovereignty and peace," he said.

"This must be done while respecting Russia and understanding the contemporary traumas of this great people and great nation."

The trip to Moscow and then to Ukraine's capital Kyiv the following day is being co-ordinated with German and American allies.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60281863


It would have been nicer if France or any other EU nation had resolved this issue with Russia earlier and Washington had remained in the background. Why was Europe sleeping?

Ryan 's photo
Tue 02/08/22 05:45 AM
It was very predictable to see Germany sitting on the fence and not sending weapons to the Ukraine ( other then helmets). Germany...one of ghe strongest nations in Europe will not act other then to basically say to Russia "hey come on guys.. dont do that". They can spin it any way they want but it comes down to...oil . They can't piss off Russia because they get the bulk of their oil from them.
BTW, when ( not if) Russia invades the Ukraine it is estimated by the U.S that the Ukraine will fall in days
and that $650 million in war aid and weapons we sent to them ( not to mention what other countries sent them) will fall into ghe hands of Russia...just like what happened in Afghanistan
We should have just hit them hard with sanctions when they were building up. Russia is doing this now because we have a very weak President...and China is watching this very closely...they will be the next to make their move

Richard 's photo
Tue 02/08/22 12:37 PM

Russia is on the verge of a armed conflict and insurgency into the Ukraine. Putin called for ( and had a discussion) with Biden on this subject 2 weeks ago. And Biden threatened severe sanctions should Russia attack, clearly that did not bother Putin. Actually many in the U.S. feel Biden o.k'd the attack to some degree by stating that " small insurgencies will bring smaller sactions"
But we are not close to this situation as is the European countries so my question is really geared towards them.
What is your position on this threat?. Europe gets alot of their oil from Russia ( Germany over 40%) , does that not handcuff alot of what can be done


I'm willing to bet, its just maneuvers like Putin says.
it's just an opportunity to help Biden, for all his support while Biden was VP.
just a political shell game. for 2 of the 3 major leaders to play patty cake for the camera's.

no photo
Wed 02/09/22 11:31 AM
Flightradar 24. If you can access this app in the states then take a look over the Eastern UK, Ukraine, Poland, black sea. You can see how much equipment (aircraft) we (UK and USA) are investing in this. Usually in the daytime. Rivet joint and other surveillance aircraft plus refuelling tanker both British and American. Not sure why they would have their transponder on, maybe it's just a message. You can guarantee there's many more you can't see!

no photo
Wed 02/16/22 03:39 AM
The Russian threat is just propaganda and actually no one would be happier if Russia cross the border then Nato and their financial backers. The reason for this latest media scam is to provoke and rally common man to believe a new war is imminent and stem any protests(No more Vietnam protests). Main target is to take over Ukraine's economy wich is one of the largest in Europe. The western risk capitalist wants to take over the Ukrainian banking system and also Russian in the long run. There is few places left in the world where they can expand and exploit people. As for Germany and now retired Merkel they are the ones who started this mess by supporting Ukraine's neo nazi movement in to power some years ago. It goes way back to Germany having interests in Ukraine between before WW1 and WW2. In German view they are just slaves and can be used and controlled. I don't like Putin, but in reality he is the only person alive that keep capitalism in check. He is the better of two evil and as long as western politicians are blind about facts, I hope he lives a long life. Longer then mine! Ps. By law in many countries it is illegal to mention a certain race in any negative manner, so I don't point any finger in that direction even though it would be justified Ds.

SparklingCrystal 💖💎's photo
Wed 02/16/22 04:39 AM
Edited by SparklingCrystal 💖💎 on Wed 02/16/22 04:44 AM

Biden has mentioned sending 5,000 troops to the Baltic region. In my opinion it is the European community who needs to lead in this, especially with manpower.
And
Frankly I do not think the European community has any confidence in Biden to lead. The word I read many times from the European press when describing Biden is. incompetent
Same word used here in the States

Personally what I feel... the arrogance to think that the US has to be the leader op Europe. We don't need you. I think that's what most have a problem with, the US sticking its nose into everything. It's not because we need you, it's because the US is protecting its own benefits (money & power).
You often cause problems by barging into a country, even for no reason whatsoever except the one the US made up itself just to have an excuse.
That forces other countries to also either join in because otherwise said countries' agreements with the US start to wobble, or not.
And it will always force large countries like Russia and nowadays China to take a stand too.
What I feel the US should learn is to stop thinking it's the leader of the world. It isn't. That's just arrogance and that line of thinking is what I read here too, so apparently you Americans generally genuinely think this way.

What the world needs is for these so called superpowers to stop their "I got the biggest baws" game which is always at the expensive of the rest of the world.
That includes the US, Russia, and nowadays China, possibly even N Korea.

Now as for standing together when the chit hits the fan, like in WW2, that's another thing entirely. And even then you didn't do it to help us, the US didn't give a toss. "Not our war." The US only got involved because Pearl Harbor was attacked. The US only does stuff to protect its own benefits and position.


As for Ukraine... difficult situation but it should be possible to be resolved peacefully.
And yes, the US has big part in this as they will be the ones to have NATO and forces move into Ukraine. Quite logical Russia is not happy about that. They've kept saying that for a few months now, yet everyone in the west, which will be mostly US, doesn't give a toss.
But if it'd be the other way round, Russia wanting to forge an alliance that bordered US territory so it could then also move forces in, very close to US territory, the US would do the EXACT same thing Russia is doing now: also move troops to the US border.
In that sense the answer is, yes, it IS your problem. And you threw it in our European lap.
So my idea... back the bleep out and mind your own business. Agree on no NATO presence for now at least in the Ukraine.
Maybe it can be a kind of neutral country, a kind of buffer.
It's highly likely that if the US backs down, agrees to no NATO and no forces in the Ukraine, Russia will also relax.
Problem sorted.
But if US and possibly other western countries keep pushing this issue...

Ryan 's photo
Wed 02/16/22 05:00 AM
I agree
After living in a Marine Corp town for a number of years and talking to scores of Marines who trained in European countries they all told me the same thing
They were hated by the people of those countries. They were made to feel unwelcome to the point that many told me they didn't leave the base.
Europe is made up og many countries that in my opinion can fight for themselves. I would pull all our troops out of Europe. even the ones in Germany.
dont go where you are not welcome

SparklingCrystal 💖💎's photo
Wed 02/16/22 05:01 AM
Oh, and we need gas from Russia. That runs through Germany.
So if the west gets in trouble with Russia because of the US' need for getting its way we're in chit here.
And prices for what little gas there still is sky-rocketing and becoming unaffordable.

No gas means no heating and no cooking...

SparklingCrystal 💖💎's photo
Wed 02/16/22 05:20 AM

I agree
After living in a Marine Corp town for a number of years and talking to scores of Marines who trained in European countries they all told me the same thing
They were hated by the people of those countries. They were made to feel unwelcome to the point that many told me they didn't leave the base.
Europe is made up og many countries that in my opinion can fight for themselves. I would pull all our troops out of Europe. even the ones in Germany.
dont go where you are not welcome


Well, don't confuse the 'not welcome' with 'not needed'.
Think of you in the US having foreign troops everywhere. You wouldn't be chuffed about it either.
There's a thing of working together when need be, which to me means you bugger off when the need has gone. We have our own countries, governments etc. There's too much American interference in Europe as it is that seeps into our daily lives via the EU.
Anywho, I agree with Russia's take on this that presence itself can be provocative.
It is. Russia is a huge big entity. No need to poke a dog when it's asleep, hihi.
It might actually be a good time to take a nap yourself :)
Point being we'll never get a more peaceful world when parties keep the red alert alive.
So maybe indeed less presence and see how that shifts things, or not.

As for what you're saying... my girl when still married to an American army pilot went to Berlin. They didn't like it as the people were not nice to them.
I suspected it'd have to do with him being American. What you say confirms that.
Not much later 2 of my English friends went to Berlin and had a whale of a good time! VERY friendly people, a great trip.

As for Germany itself... Germans are a very typical people. When it comes to the crunch I think they're one -if not the- most resilient strong stubborn people in the world.
Not just now, this goes back some 2 thousand years. Not even the Romans could conquer them so in the end they decided it was better and easier to simply trade with the Germans.
They're the toughest, strongest MF in the world.
Basically the UK is also German people, except for the Scottish. The UK is also a powerful country.

Oh well... time for shopping, haha.


Ryan 's photo
Wed 02/16/22 06:19 AM
My son did 10 years in the Marines at Camp Lejeune MCB. 3 years on the rifle range training Marines from our Allied countries. You would see these Marines in town everyday they stood out because of their different uniforms. They were always met with a smile or kind word or a suggestion on where to eat. They are welcomed here.
A few years ago I was contracted to build a factory in China, in order to do that I had to live there for 2 years... not pleasant. But I did get a prespective of looking in at America from the outside and gained a view of how we are perceived from other countries. And the best way to put it is that America is that big strong retarded kid on your street, you want him to fight for you but you don't want to hang out with him. If we are not needed and not liked and our usefulness is not longer appreciated then by all means we should " bugger off" ..and pull our troops.

jaish's photo
Wed 02/16/22 09:11 AM

...

A few years ago I was contracted to build a factory in China, in order to do that I had to live there for 2 years... not pleasant. But I did get a prespective of looking in at America from the outside and gained a view of how we are perceived from other countries. And the best way to put it is that America is that big strong retarded kid on your street, you want him to fight for you but you don't want to hang out with him. If we are not needed and not liked and our usefulness is not longer appreciated then by all means we should " bugger off" ..and pull our troops.



What about the Chinese in Taiwan?

Ryan 's photo
Wed 02/16/22 10:33 AM
I worked in China. I didn't agree with them .And I was contracted by a Hong Kong company with western ties to build the factory. I was reminded I was in a communist country everyday...they knew where I was and what I was doing.