Is Ukraine about to have a war?
Germany the way it is today has been created exactly the way the US wanted. Including the limited military capabilities.
It will be more expensive for the US to let Europe care about itself. That's a history lesson the US learned the hard way.
It will be more expensive for the US to let Europe care about itself. That's a history lesson the US learned the hard way.
Germany has been making its own decisions for a long time. Contrast the Bundeswehr when Soviet tanks were expected to roll down the Fulda gap against its current state, a little over 1/3 the size. That wasn’t a decision made in Washington DC. Europe has become too comfortable expecting the US to defend it. Time for that to end. NATO isn’t facing the Warsaw Pact, it’s likely opponent is one it should be able to contain. It chooses not to, preferring to rely on its bodyguard.
Well there is always room for improvement but I don't agree they would not contribute enough as a lot of infrastructure and support just is not labeled defence budget. They even went to Afghanistan after 9-11 no questions asked.
Plus it's clearly in the US interest to have a strong presence in Europe and to remain. The entire problem got blown out of proportion under President Trump for some reason.
I truly miss the strategic view and experts the US had for international politics and diplomacy. Now it's just America first and not much else beyond political correctness and domestic fights. You might have already noticed that China and Russia and others are already trying to exploit this perceived weakness? Much of the problem is caused west of the Atlantic.
Plus it's clearly in the US interest to have a strong presence in Europe and to remain. The entire problem got blown out of proportion under President Trump for some reason.
I truly miss the strategic view and experts the US had for international politics and diplomacy. Now it's just America first and not much else beyond political correctness and domestic fights. You might have already noticed that China and Russia and others are already trying to exploit this perceived weakness? Much of the problem is caused west of the Atlantic.
Well there is always room for improvement but I don't agree they would not contribute enough as a lot of infrastructure and support just is not labeled defence budget. They even went to Afghanistan after 9-11 no questions asked.
Plus it's clearly in the US interest to have a strong presence in Europe and to remain. The entire problem got blown out of proportion under President Trump for some reason.
I truly miss the strategic view and experts the US had for international politics and diplomacy. Now it's just America first and not much else beyond political correctness and domestic fights. You might have already noticed that China and Russia and others are already trying to exploit this perceived weakness? Much of the problem is caused west of the Atlantic.
Plus it's clearly in the US interest to have a strong presence in Europe and to remain. The entire problem got blown out of proportion under President Trump for some reason.
I truly miss the strategic view and experts the US had for international politics and diplomacy. Now it's just America first and not much else beyond political correctness and domestic fights. You might have already noticed that China and Russia and others are already trying to exploit this perceived weakness? Much of the problem is caused west of the Atlantic.
The problem wasn’t blown out of proportion by Trump, he elevated it to the public realm. Obama made no bones about it, Euro members of NATO were lacking in their financial commitments. Problem was it was hushed conversations behind closed doors and didn’t yield much. Trump in his inelegant style certainly did start a conversation.
Europe doesn’t spend its share and is overly reliant, yet it’s the US fault, not buying it. I got the same entitlement attitude when I made my adult daughter start paying for her own mobile phone and car insurance.
Conventionally, Russia can't overrun Europe. Nuclearly it can.
Russia was fed up with getting shafted by the Ukraine transit fees for gas, so they built Nord Stream 2, which bypasses intermediate jurisdictions, with the support of Schroeder, the then German Chancellor, who wanted to bring Russia into the tent rather than keeping it outside. That was not well received in Washington, so obstacles emerged. Still, the pipeline is now complete and available, with flows subject to political approval.
Obviously Russia is trying to put pressure on the EU customers to open the valves, the pipeline was not cheap and the bills need to be paid.
Whether this upcoming cold spell is enough to force the issue remains uncertain, but the reality is that Europe will continue to need energy and Russia has the supply, so a solution will eventually be found.
No, not really. But at the same time I don't see an easy solution apart from reducing the dependency on Russian Gas so that at least there is a chance for painful sanctions.
Militarily Europe has surely significant potential for improvement also conventionally but that won't change anything really wrt Russia bullying the Baltics or Ukraine.
If Europe would really be required to be able to defend itself this would require massvie Nuclear up- arming since that is the area where there is a huuuuge Gap to Russia.
Conventionally, Europe is generally mostly on Eye level with Russia - in some areas superior (Air Force) in some areas inferior (Army, Navy) but overall an invasion by Russia deep into foreign territory (which typically requires massive advantage) would likely end in tears and Russia having to resort to Nukes.
Militarily Europe has surely significant potential for improvement also conventionally but that won't change anything really wrt Russia bullying the Baltics or Ukraine.
If Europe would really be required to be able to defend itself this would require massvie Nuclear up- arming since that is the area where there is a huuuuge Gap to Russia.
Conventionally, Europe is generally mostly on Eye level with Russia - in some areas superior (Air Force) in some areas inferior (Army, Navy) but overall an invasion by Russia deep into foreign territory (which typically requires massive advantage) would likely end in tears and Russia having to resort to Nukes.
How many years do we reckon Vlad has left in power? Maybe if we can string things along like this for a decade or so Russia may not be such a problem, maybe even a willing partner.
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Apparently the Coup is booked for next Wednesday..
MSN
Ukraine’s president on Friday claimed to have uncovered a coup plot organised by Russians that was due to have been put into action as early as next week.
Volodymyr Zelenskiy made the claims during a press conference in which he insisted Kyiv was “entirely prepared for an escalation” as Russian troops mass near the border of his country.
Intelligence services had obtained an audio recording of unnamed Russians and Ukrainians discussing how to raise $1 billion from Rinat Akhmetov, a Ukrainian oligarch, to fund a coup that would topple the president.
“This is a special operation ... to lead a war against the state of Ukraine,” Mr Zelenskiy said, without pointing the finger directly at the Kremlin.
He said the coup was planned for next Wednesday, but did not provide further details.
Volodymyr Zelenskiy made the claims during a press conference in which he insisted Kyiv was “entirely prepared for an escalation” as Russian troops mass near the border of his country.
Intelligence services had obtained an audio recording of unnamed Russians and Ukrainians discussing how to raise $1 billion from Rinat Akhmetov, a Ukrainian oligarch, to fund a coup that would topple the president.
“This is a special operation ... to lead a war against the state of Ukraine,” Mr Zelenskiy said, without pointing the finger directly at the Kremlin.
He said the coup was planned for next Wednesday, but did not provide further details.
My sense is that it will be difficult to find a more willing partner. Yeltsin was very accommodating, all it got Russia was NATO moving east, contrary to what Russia thought had been agreed.
Meanwhile, the ongoing sanctions simply force Russia to embrace China, despite the visceral Russian concern about again getting dominated by modern day Tatars.
How this helps the US and Europe to better counterbalance China is unclear.
I share these doubts. In Russian elctions regularly the second and third ranked parties/candidates are even (way) more hard-core and crazy than Vlad'. I'm afraid all he is doing is playing to the audience. Our problem is not only this one Chap. It is a rather a whole Nation which has not fully swallowed the loss/decline of former Importance.
I would not over- estimate this 'friendship'. It is quite clear IMHO against whome Russia developped new Intermediate Range Nuclear Balllistic Missiles in the first place - and which made them give up on INF Treaty which China was never part of.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/b...nvoy-50rb52jgt
Britain risking war by stepping too close to Russian border, says envoy
Rususia’s ambassador to the UK has warned there is “a pretty serious risk” of war between the countries as tensions spiral over Ukraine.
Andrei Kelin’s warning comes after a big build-up of Russian troops on Ukraine’s eastern border and fears that a full-blown invasion is imminent. Allied nations have responded by issuing declarations of solidarity with the Kiev government. Britain began to reposition its own formations last week in an attempt to deter the Kremlin.
In response Kelin said in an interview with Times Radio: “There is a risk of war on our border. It’s pretty serious. There is a possibility that there is a spark and an incident can occur. Nato is stepping up its presence along the borders of the Russian federation. We have lots of manoeuvring now in the Baltic Sea. We have strategic aviation, with nuclear warheads, flying 20km close to the borders.”
The ambassador also revealed that the decision by the defence secretary, Ben Wallace, last week to move an armoured brigade back to Germany in response to increased Russian aggression sparked anger in Moscow.
accused Britain of “stepping closer and closer” to Russia’s borders. The senior diplomat also warned that further reinforcement of Nato forces in Ukraine would be interpreted as “a threat to invade Russia”.
Britain risking war by stepping too close to Russian border, says envoy
Rususia’s ambassador to the UK has warned there is “a pretty serious risk” of war between the countries as tensions spiral over Ukraine.
Andrei Kelin’s warning comes after a big build-up of Russian troops on Ukraine’s eastern border and fears that a full-blown invasion is imminent. Allied nations have responded by issuing declarations of solidarity with the Kiev government. Britain began to reposition its own formations last week in an attempt to deter the Kremlin.
In response Kelin said in an interview with Times Radio: “There is a risk of war on our border. It’s pretty serious. There is a possibility that there is a spark and an incident can occur. Nato is stepping up its presence along the borders of the Russian federation. We have lots of manoeuvring now in the Baltic Sea. We have strategic aviation, with nuclear warheads, flying 20km close to the borders.”
The ambassador also revealed that the decision by the defence secretary, Ben Wallace, last week to move an armoured brigade back to Germany in response to increased Russian aggression sparked anger in Moscow.
accused Britain of “stepping closer and closer” to Russia’s borders. The senior diplomat also warned that further reinforcement of Nato forces in Ukraine would be interpreted as “a threat to invade Russia”.
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The senior diplomat also warned that further reinforcement of Nato forces in Ukraine would be interpreted as “a threat to invade Russia”.
No war yet , just peaceful use of artillery towards civilian area by a Ukraine journalist . Would that be considered a provocation, an aggression or a criminal act ?
I do hope he is standing right next to the gun when the peaceful response is issued .
I do hope he is standing right next to the gun when the peaceful response is issued .