ori said:
So, just to comment on the original post first.
Russia may have more ships and a large armed forces, but most of their ships are very old and really can’t compete with the American or British armed forces in terms of tech. Trehey have a lot in development, but are miles behind the Americans.
Russia does fear nato otherwise it wouldn’t have made such a big deal of its expansion…would it? More likely putin was using this as an excuse for his expansion plans.
While the west has made many mistakes, putin is using the same excuses to invade countries as Hitler did….”we are liberating our people”.
Fact is that Ukraine and Russia signed a deal where Ukraine agreed to not join nato in return for non aggression. Putin has been planning this for a long time.
It isn’t going as smoothly as he hoped. The Ukrainians are fighting for their home and fight hard. They aren’t controlled by a dictator that they want liberation from.
The sanctions are already hitting hard and the Russia people aren’t particularly happy about this. My understanding is that there is little support from the people for this invasion.
Finally, I say all this and praise Ukraine for fighting back hard, and yes I do remember what Ukraine did to my people (the Jews) before and during the Holocaust. I am also very much aware of a strong far right antisemitic movement in the Ukraine. I believe the majority are good people though and Russia will end up with a bloody nose here.
Or this is the start of world war 3 and we should drive our zeds as much as possible before the world ends.
I agree,re the number of Troops,Ships etc doesn't make up the strength as a fighting force,hence why the UK is still the 8th strongest Military, despite a relatively low number of Troops etc compared to some other countries.
But having Millions of troops to call upon has helped Russia before,along with other factors like extreme cold,and Germany under estimating them,and being stretched elsewhere.(ww2).
The worry now ,as others like Ronk said,is his Nuclear weapons threat
Doesn't bare thinking about.
I think the peace talks are just a smoke screen by Putin, Or he expects Ukraine to give up some territory.
Don't think that is likely.
Also, Ukraine does have a problem with neo Nazis,as does Western Europe, unfortunately....
But they are still the minority,and For Innocent Civilians like Engineers,Teachers and Children,to be dying in Ukraine is awful.
All because Putin wants to Annex them into mother Russia again.
Or,to protect them,as he put it(meaning from Nato/the West, obviously).....
But as one Ukrainian office worker said ...
Who's he trying to protect us from, Ourselves??
We're not killing ourselves,he is.
All Ukraine wants is to be a Sovereign nation,and under self rule
They have voted in a,what looks like,half decent Prime Minister,even if he used to be a Stand up comic....but he definitely looks to be out visiting his troops etc,giving first hand morale support.
A stand up guy indeed.
Let's hope this all ends soon,and Putin's Russia collapses around him.
He'll be feeling the pressure from his Oligarch pals.
Priceless that Abramovich of Chelsea ownership fame,had to turn over the club to the board.
Man's a crook,like alot of Russian tycoons.
Never been a fan of him.
Anyway, hopefully Ukraine can repel Putin.
At the summit of the picturesque fens
Scottish Borders
Devon
