bit bored of hearing this by people sitting in comfort behind a keyboard
Putin and Russia deserve the abuse here.
But there is basically fuck all we can do about it with risking all out war, and the terrible consequences of how that could escalate, i.e. nuclear weapons.
The real dropped ball was the west, not spelling out exactly and clearly to Russia just how bad the economic and political consequences would be for Russia and Putin, BEFORE he invaded. We pussy-footed around and he had taken the gamble that he can get away with it, and from where I'm sitting, he's probably right.
Will we stop importing Russian oil and gas, seize all their bank accounts, cut them off from the banking system and cease all trade with them? I don't we have the political will to do it, given the economic consequences for the west.
Everybody on both ends of every argument in the West going back a few decades, mate. Burnham is spot on.Appreciate this might be one for the politics thread but Mike Sweeney currently has Burnham on his show. Interestingly, Burnham has said that while the Tories have taken Russian money, the left need to look at themselves too. This was in response to Sweeney saying that under Corbyn's leadership, Labour were quick to blame NATO rather than Russia for this whole situation. Burnham said he made an address to parliament some years back condemning Putin's behaviour, yet certain Labour figures wanted him to water it down. I'm no fan of Burnham but if what he says is true then it backs up what you're saying about Putin - that he's been playing everyone off against each other, and both right and left are culpable.
Terrible palJust seen a video of a young girl being hit by a shell in a suburb of Kiev on her bicycle. Awful stuff.
This is what genuinely worries me. Who's to say he would never start pressing nuclear buttons?In the nuclear age any maniac leader of a large nation has the balls of the world in a vice. He’ll go nuclear as soon as he’s physically opposed. What can you actually do to stop him that isn’t just sanctions? He might even threaten it if the sanctions go so far. He’ll think he has nothing to lose.
We've seen this week the ineffective sanctions, the UK doing some sanctions against small Russian banks and individuals, European countries keeping certain stuff off sanctions to protect their banks and businesses trading with Russia.
There will be tough talk but they'll do relatively nothing.
Agree with all of that.Same happened in 38 - we allowed the Nazis to carve up the Czechs in a bid to avoid a war.
Biden has already telegraphed it in that the US won't put soldiers on the ground and, by extension, that also means the rest of NATO.
Putin isn't gambling at the threat of war, he's gambling sanctions won't bite hard enough. He already sold off Russia's dollars months ago in preparation.
That, and he likely doesn't give a shit what happens to his own people.
We must go full Tonto on economic sanctions or this won't be the last time.
I sort of agree, but we are assuming that his replacement would be better. No idea if that's the case, but I'd bet there is a whole generation still a bit cross about the collapse of the USSR that have similar mindsets.
Fuck ambramovich off aswell I’m convinced he’s part of the Russian money laundering mafiaAgree with all of that.
Big, big difference this time. And it’s mushroom-shaped.Would be the most shameful sell-out since we let the Nazis take Czechoslovakia in 1938.
Especially after being schooled by Kell Brook at the weekend!Why did Khan meet Putin today?! Bizarre timing.
I don't think the ordinary Russian deserves any sympathy for the consequences of sanctions.
Ultimately any government or leader serves at the will of the people. Russians know that better than anyone, and if sanctions bring poverty and famine to Russia then it's people know how to stop it.
But there is basically fuck all we can do about it with risking all out war, and the terrible consequences of how that could escalate, i.e. nuclear weapons.
The real dropped ball was the west not spelling out exactly and clearly to Putin just how bad the economic and political consequences would be for Russia and Putin, BEFORE he invaded. We needed to convince him that for him PERSONALLY, it would be a very bad idea. But instead we pussy-footed around with wishy-washy half threats, and he has taken the gamble that he can get away with it, and from where I'm sitting, he's probably right.
Will we stop importing Russian oil and gas, seize all their bank accounts, cut them off from the banking system and cease all trade with them? I don't we have the political will to do it, given the economic consequences for the west.
They do have my sympathy, because 'ordinary' people just want to work, provide for their families and try to enjoy life the best they can.
Putin has that country in an iron fist because of the lengths he is prepared to go with ordinary people.
Yes, history is littered with the dead bodies of those people who were brave enough to take a stand, but most people who talk about uprising and the glory of war, have never seen those horrors up close.
Unfortunately the vast majority of them only know what Putin wants them to hear.No, no, no, none of this "poor helpless 400 million russians" nonsense.
Ukrainian bodies are lying in the streets, if the Russian public don't want the consequences of that then they can stop it.
Only three operational. Still enough badass thoughOh, we could more than take him on, that's what bugs Putin. We are a middleweight boxer with four nuclear attack subs.
Mutually assured destruction is never a good look, though!