Russian Foreign Policy

Duke of Marmalade said:
They say that truth is the first casualty of war.
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That notwithstanding, pronouncements of the Russian regime are not credible. I expect that Ukrainian claims are much closer to the truth. The Russian media is just propaganda whereas the Western media seem to be trying to report the facts on the ground.

I really hope that the West is doing much more that we are aware of, providing intelligence and offensive weapons. Provide fighter jets, drones, anything they can use, now.

Purple said:
Interesting interview with the former commander of the US Special Operations Command in Europe.
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I think the former commander's take is spot on. Putin will not win but the price Ukraine will have to pay will only grow as the West fiddles.
 
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michaelm said:
I really hope that the West is doing much more that we are aware of, providing intelligence and offensive weapons. Provide fighter jets, drones, anything they can use, now.
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The former commander had some insights there too. ref NATO countries getting their act together.
michaelm said:
I think the former commander's take is spot on. Putin will not win but the price Ukraine will have to pay will only grow as the West fiddles.
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Yes, but the best realistic outcome might be for Russia to bleed out. Death by a thousand cuts. The price for Ukraine will be devastating.
 
They get to pay their foreign creditors in rubles......Oh look we do pay our debts even if it is magic beans....
 
This whole thing really is a no-win for anyone. I think in the long run, Russia will lose out the most. Probably putting the country back 20 years
 
Thankfully we are behaving better towards the refugees from this war prosecuted by Russia than we have been in the other war they are prosecuting in Syria. Then again Ukrainians are white.
 
Russia to legalize some software piracy as a way to get around sanctions... I think this means they will hack/steal the updates if not supplied.
 
Purple said:
Thankfully we are behaving better towards the refugees from this war prosecuted by Russia than we have been in the other war they are prosecuting in Syria. Then again Ukrainians are white.
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As @michaelm said, there's a bit more to it than that. Of course, there's an affinity, hardwired in human nature, towards people that are culturally similar and look similar to us. Maybe there shouldn't be, but that's human beings for you.
Secondly, the Ukrainian refugees are a very impressive bunch. The men are staying behind and fighting ferociously, while the refugees are the women, children, aged and sick. (There are even many Ukrainian men here already who are going back to Ukraine to fight.) With many other refugee groups, the gender balance is the other way around, with groups of young men making up the bulk.
 
Purple said:
Thankfully we are behaving better towards the refugees from this war prosecuted by Russia than we have been in the other war they are prosecuting in Syria. Then again Ukrainians are white.
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It is a war in Europe, bordering countries we are in a deep and formal political association with - and Ukraine may one day join EU.
There are more interactions culturally and sporting - Ireland played in European soccer championships in 2012 in Poland \ Ukraine.
I would expect countries in the middle east feel differently about a war in Syria to one in Europe.
 
Baby boomer said:
The men are staying behind and fighting ferociously, while the refugees are the women, children, aged and sick. (There are even many Ukrainian men here already who are going back to Ukraine to fight.) With many other refugee groups, the gender balance is the other way around, with groups of young men making up the bulk.
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18-60 year old men have been ordered under martial law to remain in Ukraine and either sign-up or face conscription
 
Leo said:
18-60 year old men have been ordered under martial law to remain in Ukraine and either sign-up or face conscription
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Indeed, and they seem to be willingly complying. As I said, even the Ukrainian men of military age already outside Ukraine want to get back and do their bit. Quite the contrast with other refugee groups, I'd have said.
 
Baby boomer said:
Indeed, and they seem to be willingly complying. As I said, even the Ukrainian men of military age already outside Ukraine want to get back and do their bit. Quite the contrast with other refugee groups, I'd have said.
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There is a difference between a Civil War and an invasion. In Syria it's the bad guys fighting the other bad guys. In Ukraine it's more clean cut.
 
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