Russian invasion of Ukraine

[SWP's back]

It depends. Whilst the Western European NATO members are pretty much treading a strong line, the Eastern European members are a feeling sparkier. It plays well in opinion polls in Eastern Europe for politicians to Russia bait. Usually doesn't matter, but this is a little more serious as NATO (i.e., Western European members who are more cautious) could be dragged into a wider conflict. The NATO Charter has a dangerous domino effect that means one member getting into a scrap could drag other members in. Reminds of the 1914 system of interlocking alliances that ended up triggering and escalating a wider conflict.

It is a bit like agreeing with your mates to back each other up if someone starts on you. If your mates are reasonable people, then it is a safe bet. They don't go looking for trouble, but they can rely on support if they need it. By contrast you have one acquaintance who cannot help but start fights, and has a particular urge to settle scores with a VERY tough looking guy he has beef with. If you have the same "we come to your help" arrangement with him, it means if he picks a fight, you now have to fight the huge scary dude.

Russia most certainly doesn’t look like a “tough looking dude”. (T)He(y) look like a pissed up has been that used to be quite handy but just smells of piss and tries to bully kids.

 

[ChicagoBlue]

It means they are wanting to become militarily heavily involved, way beyond what NATO as a whole wants. NATO wants to send defensive weapons and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, and boosting defensive measures in its own member states. NATO has made it clear any attack on a member state will be big trouble, and if the Cold War experience is to go by, Russia will not strike the first blow at a member state of NATO. Non-members like Ukraine are a different story.

By contrast to the NATO consensus, Poland and Estonia have called for combat troops on the ground and warplanes in the skies. Estonia's parliament called for warplanes in the sky (the only way to enforce a No Fly Zone) and Poland wants a 'peace keeping' mission involving NATO combat soldiers shooting at Russia's armies. Links in blue.

This all vastly escalates the potential for NATO-Russia fatal clashes that trigger Article 4, and with it nuclear war and the end of humanity. Poland and Estonia are protected by NATO from attack, but if they go looking for trouble, we all get nuked as a result.

I believe the medically correct term is “big wet Fanny,” but I could be mistaken.

 

[BlueAnorak]

What a fucking undisciplined rabble.

 

[ChicagoBlue]

It depends. Whilst the Western European NATO members are pretty much treading a strong line, the Eastern European members are a feeling sparkier. It plays well in opinion polls in Eastern Europe for politicians to Russia bait. Usually doesn't matter, but this is a little more serious as NATO (i.e., Western European members who are more cautious) could be dragged into a wider conflict. The NATO Charter has a dangerous domino effect that means one member getting into a scrap could drag other members in. Reminds of the 1914 system of interlocking alliances that ended up triggering and escalating a wider conflict.

It is a bit like agreeing with your mates to back each other up if someone starts on you. If your mates are reasonable people, then it is a safe bet. They don't go looking for trouble, but they can rely on support if they need it. By contrast you have one acquaintance who cannot help but start fights, and has a particular urge to settle scores with a VERY tough looking guy he has beef with. If you have the same "we come to your help" arrangement with him, it means if he picks a fight, you now have to fight the huge scary dude.

Except, he’s already shown he isn’t a “huge scary dude,” he just has a weapon…which we have, too!

 

[BlueAnorak]

Not a huge surprise...

‘Renault suspends manufacturing in Russia after international backlash. The French automobile company announced the decision on March 23, adding that it is assessing its options regarding its stake in Russia’s partially state-owned AvtoVAZ car manufacturer.’ @KyivIndependent

Crazy decision in the first place.

 

[Slipper One]

Hey Domalino ol' chap...........

Good to see the Russian government is allowing everybody to keep an open mind.

Sent to me, so can't authenticate the accuracy, but I believe it originated on Twitter, so it must be true.

Meanwhile, in Russia, schools began to place stands with photos of participants in the war in Ukraine, presenting them as heroes and liberators.

 

[Tommy_Catons_Perm]

Except, he’s already shown he isn’t a “huge scary dude,” he just has a weapon…which we have, too!

You mean he is a weapon !

 

[shemnel]

a good friend of mine, british, works in the UAE and has been forced to go to Moscow for work this week by his middle eastern employer (yes, you get what you get when you sign up for the big money out there etc etc, he has a young family etc). He's had a couple of nights in Moscow, small wander, says it's a bit quiet but fairly normal. Kept his head low, bought a bottle of merlot in the shop and stayed in his hotel quite a bit. Strange.

 

[ChicagoBlue]

a good friend of mine, british, works in the UAE and has been forced to go to Moscow for work this week by his middle eastern employer (yes, you get what you get when you sign up for the big money out there etc etc, he has a young family etc). He's had a couple of nights in Moscow, small wander, says it's a bit quiet but fairly normal. Kept his head low, bought a bottle of merlot in the shop and stayed in his hotel quite a bit. Strange.

I’m not sure what else he expected in Moscow?

 

[shemnel]

I’m not sure what else he expected in Moscow?

absolutely, im not sure he had any pre-expectations really! some would say people queuing around the block and protesting outside the Kremlin and some might say deathly quiet with troops on every corner, but in fact it was just quite normal, if a bit subdued. I think the reality of things are always a bit duller than the media might have you believe (shock).