aintforever Posted 15 May, 2022 Share Posted 15 May, 2022 6 minutes ago, Weston Super Saint said: Did they decide what land Ukraine should give up? Dunno, I wasn’t there when they spoke. Macon can’t decide anything, he can just suggest a possible solution. If he can find a middle ground that can be agreed upon then great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexLaw76 Posted 15 May, 2022 Share Posted 15 May, 2022 10 minutes ago, aintforever said: Dunno, I wasn’t there when they spoke. Macon can’t decide anything, he can just suggest a possible solution. If he can find a middle ground that can be agreed upon then great. Agree. France Germany, UK and the USA will want this over sooner rather than later. We can't keep ploughing in 10s of billions of £ every few months, let alone the other effects of the war on society/cost of living Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy_D Posted 15 May, 2022 Share Posted 15 May, 2022 7 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said: Agree. France Germany, UK and the USA will want this over sooner rather than later. We can't keep ploughing in 10s of billions of £ every few months, let alone the other effects of the war on society/cost of living Of course everyone wants the war to be over, but it’ll be finished on Ukraine’s terms. The USA putting $40B in with bipartisan support, in addition to $9B that was already available, shows that they’re not going to leave Ukraine high and dry. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyle04 Posted 15 May, 2022 Share Posted 15 May, 2022 54 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said: Agree. France Germany, UK and the USA will want this over sooner rather than later. We can't keep ploughing in 10s of billions of £ every few months, let alone the other effects of the war on society/cost of living I think that's what Putin is counting on. soft westerners having to go without a holiday because energy/fuel prices are so high. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farawaysaint Posted 15 May, 2022 Share Posted 15 May, 2022 2 hours ago, Jimmy_D said: Of course everyone wants the war to be over, but it’ll be finished on Ukraine’s terms. The USA putting $40B in with bipartisan support, in addition to $9B that was already available, shows that they’re not going to leave Ukraine high and dry. The USA putting in 40billion is a bit misleading given how the lend lease works if I think but feel free to tell me I am talking bollocks. Basically it’s 40bn that has to be spent on American equipment from American arms manufacturers I believe? So it is basically the American government indirectly subsidising their own arms industry to produce arms for Ukraine which of course has massive benefits for the American defence industry as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy_D Posted 15 May, 2022 Share Posted 15 May, 2022 27 minutes ago, farawaysaint said: The USA putting in 40billion is a bit misleading given how the lend lease works if I think but feel free to tell me I am talking bollocks. Basically it’s 40bn that has to be spent on American equipment from American arms manufacturers I believe? So it is basically the American government indirectly subsidising their own arms industry to produce arms for Ukraine which of course has massive benefits for the American defence industry as well. The lend-lease bill is something separate that was already signed to make it easier to lend or lease existing military stock to Ukraine. In effect anything provided with that will returned to the USA if possible. The $40B is a separate aid package that will in effect be a donation to Ukraine. It was prevented from being fast-track ratified by a single US Sentator, Rand Paul, objecting, but it has bipartisan support and will easily be approved by the US Senate once it's fully debated. EDIT: You're correct in that it'll be US produced arms that are sent, but that's the entire point, to arm the Ukraine Army with more/better weapons than they have. The dollar value is just there to simplify the decision on whether it's approved or not. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 15 May, 2022 Share Posted 15 May, 2022 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 15 May, 2022 Share Posted 15 May, 2022 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyle04 Posted 15 May, 2022 Share Posted 15 May, 2022 Well at least Putin's won something in this war ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weston Super Saint Posted 16 May, 2022 Share Posted 16 May, 2022 Huge announcement from McDonalds today that it will cease trading in Russia for good. Very symbolic as McDonalds was one of the first Western brands to appear in the USSR when it started to become less insular and is iconic in marking the end of the Cold War. Hopefully it will start to raise more questions with the Russian population who might start to question the current narrative - although I'm sure Moscow will spin it and say they were 'kicked out'.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy_D Posted 16 May, 2022 Share Posted 16 May, 2022 How full scale invasion started. : ukraine (reddit.com) I think this video more than any other I've seen so far has made it hit home just what Russia has destroyed. Going from something that seems so mundane and normal in an instant... have to admit it's easy to lose sight of that a bit when for weeks Ukraine has only been seen as a battlefield. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egg Posted 16 May, 2022 Share Posted 16 May, 2022 7 minutes ago, Jimmy_D said: How full scale invasion started. : ukraine (reddit.com) I think this video more than any other I've seen so far has made it hit home just what Russia has destroyed. Going from something that seems so mundane and normal in an instant... have to admit it's easy to lose sight of that a bit when for weeks Ukraine has only been seen as a battlefield. Blimey. Can't imagine how it must have felt to have been driving, hearing that siren, and then seeing and seeing and hearing that. All of a sudden your nightmare becomes a reality, and you probably realise that life will never be the same again. Awful. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexLaw76 Posted 16 May, 2022 Share Posted 16 May, 2022 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badgerx16 Posted 16 May, 2022 Share Posted 16 May, 2022 1 hour ago, AlexLaw76 said: It is hardly secret, it has been discussed for weeks. Those countries most dependant on Russian gas have been looking for a way that somehow bridges between the EU sanctions, where they currently cannot fully wean themselves off those supplies, and Putin's demands for payment in Roubles, which they cannot do. It is a fudge, but one that is in the short to medium term necessary. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-05-14/eu-drafts-plan-for-buying-russian-gas-without-breaking-sanctions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badgerx16 Posted 16 May, 2022 Share Posted 16 May, 2022 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy_D Posted 16 May, 2022 Share Posted 16 May, 2022 31 minutes ago, badgerx16 said: That's the most realistic assessment of the situation I've seen yet from the Russian side. I don't think the same realism is there in the people that can actually make a difference yet, but hopefully the tide is starting to turn there. Just this appearing on State TV is surprising, it'll be telling over the next few days whether Khodarenok is allowed to continue speaking out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skintsaint Posted 17 May, 2022 Share Posted 17 May, 2022 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weston Super Saint Posted 17 May, 2022 Share Posted 17 May, 2022 6 hours ago, Jimmy_D said: That's the most realistic assessment of the situation I've seen yet from the Russian side. I don't think the same realism is there in the people that can actually make a difference yet, but hopefully the tide is starting to turn there. Just this appearing on State TV is surprising, it'll be telling over the next few days whether Khodarenok is allowed to continue speaking out. Or survives until the weekend without a 'mystery' illness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alehouseboys Posted 17 May, 2022 Share Posted 17 May, 2022 12 hours ago, egg said: Blimey. Can't imagine how it must have felt to have been driving, hearing that siren, and then seeing and seeing and hearing that. All of a sudden your nightmare becomes a reality, and you probably realise that life will never be the same again. Awful. The siren has just been added on for effect, but doesn't take away the reality of what's happening and about to follow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 17 May, 2022 Share Posted 17 May, 2022 (edited) 8 hours ago, Jimmy_D said: That's the most realistic assessment of the situation I've seen yet from the Russian side. I don't think the same realism is there in the people that can actually make a difference yet, but hopefully the tide is starting to turn there. Just this appearing on State TV is surprising, it'll be telling over the next few days whether Khodarenok is allowed to continue speaking out. Novosti is one of the main online Russian news sites. All comments there are moderated in advance and I registered there about two months ago. At first even the most oblique of posts with slightly ambiguous meanings were not posted and I got banned for 48 hours. Now they are allowing most fact based posts, even if critical. Even TASS seems to have gone slightly subversive - they still publish Government disinformation, but they quite often will leave up an old story which contradicts the new one. Seems like that is more than coincidence or incompetence. Something is definitely going on. Edited 17 May, 2022 by buctootim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 17 May, 2022 Share Posted 17 May, 2022 (edited) 11 hours ago, badgerx16 said: Made even more powerful because he warned in advance the jingoism was misplaced and the invasion would be a disaster. Remarkably accurate foresight https://twitter.com/DmitryOpines/status/1526477856821460993/photo/1 Edited 17 May, 2022 by buctootim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyle04 Posted 17 May, 2022 Share Posted 17 May, 2022 11 hours ago, badgerx16 said: Is he the only Russian military figure with any sense? I suppose it's a blessing that people with his acumen aren't involved in any decision making. Host Skabeeva looked as though she'd just been dumped by a boyfriend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badgerx16 Posted 17 May, 2022 Share Posted 17 May, 2022 (edited) 9 hours ago, kyle04 said: Host Skabeeva looked as though she'd just been dumped by a boyfriend. She would have been a useful asset for Joseph Goebbels. Edited 17 May, 2022 by badgerx16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lighthouse Posted 17 May, 2022 Share Posted 17 May, 2022 I think she might be going on my approved list of nasty women. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloggy saint Posted 17 May, 2022 Share Posted 17 May, 2022 (edited) Khodarenok has probably already had the invitation for a strange tasting cup of tea with uncle Vlad. Edited 17 May, 2022 by cloggy saint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 18 May, 2022 Share Posted 18 May, 2022 10 hours ago, Lighthouse said: I think she might be going on my approved list of nasty women. Really? Alongside Baby P's mum and digging up Myra Hindley? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 18 May, 2022 Share Posted 18 May, 2022 (edited) 7 hours ago, cloggy saint said: Khodarenok has probably already had the invitation for a strange tasting cup of tea with uncle Vlad. I posted before about this daily Russian blog I follow. This is the one from this morning, about political dissidents - who as far as Putin is concerned are everybody and anybody from the good Colonel to Nemtsov, Navalny, the Skripals, oligarchs and journalists "It must be understood that Russian President Vladimir Putin considers almost all political prisoners in Russia to be his hostages and regards them, on the one hand, as an "exchange fund", and on the other hand, he uses repressions against political prisoners as a way to get even with the West. Putin is really sure that all independent political opponents of the current Russian government are not independent figures and are under the supervision of foreign, more often Western, intelligence services. Without exception, reports to Vladimir Putin regarding political opponents of the authorities in Russia point to the dependence of any non-systemic opposition in Russia on "Western partners" who manipulate them in their own interests. This is, of course, complete nonsense, but the authors of the reports, mostly from the security forces, are well aware of Putin's mood and needs and give him what he wants to see and hear, despite the obvious inconsistency of what is presented with reality. Putin really believes that any political or public figure in Russia who disagrees with the policies pursued by his regime is a traitor who was "bought" by Western intelligence services. In his sick perception of the world, repression against political opponents is a blow to the positions of the West. The new term and the announced transfer of Alexei Navalny to a strict regime colony is, in Putin's understanding, a kind of response to the West to personal sanctions against him and his entourage. Considering Navalny his number one hostage, Putin, unable to exchange him for something significant, simply mocks Alexei by tightening the conditions for his detention. Moreover, restrictions in the form of possible sanctions if something happens to Navalny in custody have been practically lifted, all heavy sanctions have already been introduced for the invasion of Ukraine, and now there is a real threat to Alexei's life. Recently, Putin has been increasingly referring to Alexei Navalny in conversations with his entourage, calling him "an extra figure" in a political crisis. We are confident that the attention of information resources and civil society to the fate of Alexei with the expression of his position will help him save his life and health. This also applies to the position towards all, without exception, political prisoners who are held hostage by the regime. The implementation of the demand to release political prisoners is the most important step towards the destruction of the Punin regime." Edited 18 May, 2022 by buctootim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badgerx16 Posted 18 May, 2022 Share Posted 18 May, 2022 Putin is rapidly turning into a late stage Hitler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weston Super Saint Posted 18 May, 2022 Share Posted 18 May, 2022 https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/gymnastics/61488161 Quote Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak has been given a one-year ban for wearing a national war symbol on the podium at an event in Qatar in March. Why was he even competing in the first place? I thought all Russian competitors had been b-anned? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonnyboy Posted 18 May, 2022 Share Posted 18 May, 2022 I know how you feel Brian... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farawaysaint Posted 18 May, 2022 Share Posted 18 May, 2022 6 minutes ago, Jonnyboy said: I know how you feel Brian... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy_D Posted 18 May, 2022 Share Posted 18 May, 2022 10 minutes ago, Jonnyboy said: I know how you feel Brian... No one thinks Russia is doing this without reasons for doing it. Suggesting that Russia's actions are justified is still a ridiculous and blinkered position to take. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badgerx16 Posted 18 May, 2022 Share Posted 18 May, 2022 (edited) 1 hour ago, Jimmy_D said: No one thinks Russia is doing this without reasons for doing it. Suggesting that Russia's actions are justified is still a ridiculous and blinkered position to take. Exactly. Hitler had reasons for invading Poland. That Eno video is a bit of a ramble. Nobody was 'surprised' when the Russians crossed the border, but the implication that Ukraine presented a threat that somehow provoked and perhaps justifies the invasion is twisting things beyond breaking point. Come on Jonny, explain what Ukraine did to threaten Putin such that it warranted the Special Military Operation. Edited 18 May, 2022 by badgerx16 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyle04 Posted 18 May, 2022 Share Posted 18 May, 2022 Didn't really get the point of Eno's ramble, the video is nearly 6 weeks old though, still, more up to date than much of Johnnybots offerings. I think many people who have educated themselves about the Russia/Ukraine relationship during the war , to whatever degree, have not changed their view and roundly condemn Russia's actions. I've yet to hear one convincing argument that justifies Russia's brutal assault on an independent country, which incedentally was deliberate from the start and not a result of a mission creep situation. Yeah blame the Nazi's, oh no , NATO, that's it NATO are out to get us. Grow up. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexLaw76 Posted 19 May, 2022 Share Posted 19 May, 2022 Cheeky slip of the tongue.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy_D Posted 19 May, 2022 Share Posted 19 May, 2022 The US Senate just passed the $40B Ukraine Aid bill 86 votes to 11, only requires the formality of being signed by the president now. That'll be a significant help in helping Ukraine as it attempts to liberate Russian occupied territory. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farawaysaint Posted 19 May, 2022 Share Posted 19 May, 2022 1 hour ago, Jimmy_D said: The US Senate just passed the $40B Ukraine Aid bill 86 votes to 11, only requires the formality of being signed by the president now. That'll be a significant help in helping Ukraine as it attempts to liberate Russian occupied territory. I’m sure the Russians will be ecstatic at the thought of facing armed Ukrainians with $40bn of top end US hardware behind them. It’s unlikely to make a difference for a couple of months though due to training and logistics. A lot of sources I have read mention a July/August tipping point for Russia anyway - their losses by that point will be so significant that I don’t think any spin will be enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyle04 Posted 19 May, 2022 Share Posted 19 May, 2022 I don't think the US will be sending a lot of their best stuff, still a couple of hundred more M777 artillery pieces would be welcome, these are mostly mothballed in US warehouses anyway so might as well ship them. They out-range the Russian guns and Ukrainians certainly know how to use this equipment. The conflict seems to be moving more towards artillery exchanges with drone scouting. This type of behaviour will be good for Russian morale, old news I know : Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lighthouse Posted 19 May, 2022 Share Posted 19 May, 2022 If I were Zelenskiy I'd just refuse to negotiate with Putin from now on. I'd tell him his army will soon collapse anyway and he'll be left with nothing, so there really is nothing to be gained through dialogue. It may be optimistic but I'd just tell Putin to enjoy his last 6 months as president before they hang him from a lamp post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyle04 Posted 19 May, 2022 Share Posted 19 May, 2022 31 minutes ago, Lighthouse said: If I were Zelenskiy I'd just refuse to negotiate with Putin from now on. I'd tell him his army will soon collapse anyway and he'll be left with nothing, so there really is nothing to be gained through dialogue. It may be optimistic but I'd just tell Putin to enjoy his last 6 months as president before they hang him from a lamp post. Upside down ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyle04 Posted 19 May, 2022 Share Posted 19 May, 2022 It seems our brave ex Colonel from the live Russian TV debate has altered his stance somewhat, now saying on TV that Ukraine can't counterattack the Russians (all is well etc). I wonder how long it took the FSB to knock at his door after the first debate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy_D Posted 19 May, 2022 Share Posted 19 May, 2022 37 minutes ago, Lighthouse said: If I were Zelenskiy I'd just refuse to negotiate with Putin from now on. I'd tell him his army will soon collapse anyway and he'll be left with nothing, so there really is nothing to be gained through dialogue. It may be optimistic but I'd just tell Putin to enjoy his last 6 months as president before they hang him from a lamp post. More or less the case. Peace Talks Are Suspended, Russia and Ukraine Say (wsj.com) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexLaw76 Posted 19 May, 2022 Share Posted 19 May, 2022 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baird of the land Posted 20 May, 2022 Share Posted 20 May, 2022 See Wimbledon has been stripped of all ranking points for their discriminatory ban on players. Wonder will there be a spate of dropouts now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitey Grandad Posted 20 May, 2022 Share Posted 20 May, 2022 17 minutes ago, Baird of the land said: See Wimbledon has been stripped of all ranking points for their discriminatory ban on players. Wonder will there be a spate of dropouts now. Wimbledon is bigger than the international federations. It survived the boycott in 1973 and it I’ll survive this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holmes_and_Watson Posted 20 May, 2022 Share Posted 20 May, 2022 2 hours ago, Whitey Grandad said: Wimbledon is bigger than the international federations. It survived the boycott in 1973 and it I’ll survive this. I didn't know about that. Thanks. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan The Flames Posted 21 May, 2022 Share Posted 21 May, 2022 What will the other slams do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baird of the land Posted 21 May, 2022 Share Posted 21 May, 2022 Mail story made me chuckle. Yes, right mate the hot 22 year old just happened to be the first person to contact you. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10839637/Father-DUMPS-partner-falling-22-year-old-Ukrainian-refugee-came-live-them.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skintsaint Posted 21 May, 2022 Share Posted 21 May, 2022 38 minutes ago, Baird of the land said: Mail story made me chuckle. Yes, right mate the hot 22 year old just happened to be the first person to contact you. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10839637/Father-DUMPS-partner-falling-22-year-old-Ukrainian-refugee-came-live-them.html She's 22. Cashback! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexLaw76 Posted 21 May, 2022 Share Posted 21 May, 2022 More European nations are setting up accounts to buy Russian energy in Roubles. The Russian currency is doing rather well, as Zelensky now calls for diplomacy. not going well for anyone is it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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