NATO vs Russia
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Temporarily missing from the Joe Louis Arena
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Well, I hope our fears are entirely hypothetical with respect to the presidency, but unfortunately they were realized 8 years ago and many crazy things said 9 years ago became reality. Some of those things were repaired since then. The US and its allies around the world and especially in Europe need each other, but an alliance not honored becomes empty. These alliances are in peril if the wrong man is elected.
Back to NATO and Russia: it appears that the Dutch are publicly saying that they might send troops to Ukraine on a bilateral basis.
I ‘m only afraid of four more years of destructive diplomacy that imperils our country and the free world. Just listen to the rhetoric and understand it’s not just rhetoric, he believes he can do it and will relentlessly attempt to do so. Meanwhile praising murderous tyrants.
I ‘m only afraid of four more years of destructive diplomacy that imperils our country and the free world. Just listen to the rhetoric and understand it’s not just rhetoric, he believes he can do it and will relentlessly attempt to do so. Meanwhile praising murderous tyrants.
In thread related news:
The Russian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday said it will take "military-technical" steps in response to Sweden's accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).On Monday, Sweden cleared the last hurdle in its bid to join NATO when Hungary's parliament voted to ratify the move. In order to join NATO, a country needs unanimous support from alliance members, and Hungary was the last holdout to approve Sweden.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has been outspoken about his opposition to the expansion of NATO, and he has cited the possibility of the alliance growing as one of the justifications for his invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. However, it was the Ukraine war that spurred Finland and Sweden to simultaneously submit letters of application to join NATO in May 2022. Finland became a NATO member in April 2023.
Putin has yet to publicly comment on Sweden's accession to NATO, but his spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, provided a statement to Newsweek when asked about Hungary voting to ratify Sweden's bid.
"As we have repeatedly said, NATO enlargement in no way contributes to stability and security on the continent," Peskov said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has been outspoken about his opposition to the expansion of NATO, and he has cited the possibility of the alliance growing as one of the justifications for his invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. However, it was the Ukraine war that spurred Finland and Sweden to simultaneously submit letters of application to join NATO in May 2022. Finland became a NATO member in April 2023.
Putin has yet to publicly comment on Sweden's accession to NATO, but his spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, provided a statement to Newsweek when asked about Hungary voting to ratify Sweden's bid.
"As we have repeatedly said, NATO enlargement in no way contributes to stability and security on the continent," Peskov said.
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Instead, in the end he'll be remembered as a murderous dictator.
the real reason? Putin wants to be the modern era Peter the Great. He parallels the expansions of Russia in early 18th century to his "SMO" in Ukraine. And he has said it out loud a few years ago, widely reported at the time.
Instead, in the end he'll be remembered as a murderous dictator.
Instead, in the end he'll be remembered as a murderous dictator.
What we are afraid of? Stupid comments from an Orange Occupant in the White House leading to another stupidity in the Kremlin in invading the Baltics. Leading to whatever might happen then. Regarding this "whatever" I have very a hard time conceiving any realistic variant that doesn't ultimately lead to getting close to extinction of mankind.
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The knowing may, if ever, only ever truly become obvious with hindsight.
Personally, I still think it's as much about resources as much as anything else... so not solely that, but no less significant than other factors. Let's assume Putin isn't 'just a nutter' - the losses he's willing to endure will seem worth it if he ends up winning something tangible. Many of the towns won by Russia at great cost have contained heavy industry and the nearby resources to feed them, e.g. Mariupol and Avdiivka. Ukraine is blessed with significant natural deposits of value in the modern world; lithium, titanium, iron, coal, oil & gas basins, and decent quantities of many rare earth metals (tantalum, beryllium, etc.). There's probably a reason why Wagner the 'Expeditionary Corps' has similarly spent significant time and effort in Africa amassing mining concessions & minerals in exchange for their support in propping up governments there.
All the bully-boy stuff (no NATO in Vlad's backyard, no Western lifestyles for Russian people to see & envy just over their borders) still applies too, but I can envisage Putin trying to bring these important resources to within his control and fiefdom, rather than Europe's.
Also bear in mind that a large proportion of the world's neon (for use in making microchips) was provided, before the war, by.... Ukraine. Two big factories, the biggest near Odesa. Estimates vary; I read one suggestion of as much as 90% of the West's neon coming from Ukraine, this Reuters article suggests more like 50% of the global need. Either way, it was a significant output. One of the two factories is allegedly relocating to South Korea - the one that some sources suggest was still under Russian ownership via Cypriot shell companies.
Just a theory, and only one aspect to Russia's motivation.
Personally, I still think it's as much about resources as much as anything else... so not solely that, but no less significant than other factors. Let's assume Putin isn't 'just a nutter' - the losses he's willing to endure will seem worth it if he ends up winning something tangible. Many of the towns won by Russia at great cost have contained heavy industry and the nearby resources to feed them, e.g. Mariupol and Avdiivka. Ukraine is blessed with significant natural deposits of value in the modern world; lithium, titanium, iron, coal, oil & gas basins, and decent quantities of many rare earth metals (tantalum, beryllium, etc.). There's probably a reason why
All the bully-boy stuff (no NATO in Vlad's backyard, no Western lifestyles for Russian people to see & envy just over their borders) still applies too, but I can envisage Putin trying to bring these important resources to within his control and fiefdom, rather than Europe's.
Also bear in mind that a large proportion of the world's neon (for use in making microchips) was provided, before the war, by.... Ukraine. Two big factories, the biggest near Odesa. Estimates vary; I read one suggestion of as much as 90% of the West's neon coming from Ukraine, this Reuters article suggests more like 50% of the global need. Either way, it was a significant output. One of the two factories is allegedly relocating to South Korea - the one that some sources suggest was still under Russian ownership via Cypriot shell companies.
Just a theory, and only one aspect to Russia's motivation.
Presumably you’re worried about a treaty that may not exist or of its scope of it does when Russia doesn’t worry about such. Europe doesn’t lack the capacity, it lacks the will to re-arm.
Have the US not fulfilled its NATO obligations?
And my tax burden and my children’s tax burden reflects that.
Have the US not fulfilled its NATO obligations?
And my tax burden and my children’s tax burden reflects that.
The following 4 users liked this post by DogTailRed2:
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Possible new secretary general of NATO. I agree with the comments re picking someone that does not know Russia plus he appears to come along with a lot of baggage.
Join Date: Feb 2006
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Just been watching Ukraine war from the air on Nat Geo on Sky, very good and worth watching, it covers the war from the early days
Possible new secretary general of NATO. I agree with the comments re picking someone that does not know Russia plus he appears to come along with a lot of baggage.
https://twitter.com/visegrad24/statu...84849646125179
https://twitter.com/visegrad24/statu...84849646125179
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Possible new secretary general of NATO. I agree with the comments re picking someone that does not know Russia plus he appears to come along with a lot of baggage.
https://twitter.com/visegrad24/statu...84849646125179
https://twitter.com/visegrad24/statu...84849646125179
Article in the Irish Star, courtesy of Charlie Bradley and Callum Hoare.
For those of you nostalgic for - "the good old days" like the 1970's - here you go, riding the nostalgia train with Vladimir Putin and friends.
Jens, Putin does not see the world through the same lens as you do.
For those of you nostalgic for - "the good old days" like the 1970's - here you go, riding the nostalgia train with Vladimir Putin and friends.
Vladimir Putin's 14 US targets in US he would likely aim for in nuclear war with West
Vladimir Putin's 14 US targets in US he would likely aim for in nuclear war with West
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that the West is risking nuclear war if it sends troops to Ukraine. In his State of the Union address, he claimed that NATO and the US are preparing to "strike Russian territory". He said: "They must realise that we also have weapons that can hit targets on their territory. All this really threatens a conflict with the use of nuclear weapons and the destruction of civilization. Don't they get that?" Putin previously threatened nuclear war with the West as tensions continue over the war in Ukraine. Putin also announced that his new RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, also known as the Satan-II, is ready for use by the Russian military. The missile measures 116 feet in length, weighs 220 tonnes, and reportedly has a range of 6,200 to 11,180 miles. With tensions escalating, the map below shows the 14 locations in the US that Russia would likely target in a nuclear war. {commentary edited out by me for brevity}
The Pentagon, Naval Station Norfolk, Kings Bay Naval Base Area, Barksdale Air Force Base, Whiteman Air Force Base, United States Strategic Command, VLF Array Lualualei, Kirtland Air Force Base, 21st Force Support Squadron, Warren Air Force Base, Minot Air Force Base, Hill Air Force Base, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Naval Radio Station Jim Creek
He also said Camp David, a country retreat for the US president in Frederick County, Maryland, is a target. NATO General Secretary, Jens Stoltenberg, warned Putin last year that a nuclear war "can never be won." He said: "Russia must know that a nuclear war can never be won and must never be fought."What we are afraid of? Stupid comments from an Orange Occupant in the White House leading to another stupidity in the Kremlin in invading the Baltics. Leading to whatever might happen then. Regarding this "whatever" I have very a hard time conceiving any realistic variant that doesn't ultimately lead to getting close to extinction of mankind.
Possible new secretary general of NATO. I agree with the comments re picking someone that does not know Russia plus he appears to come along with a lot of baggage.
https://twitter.com/visegrad24/statu...84849646125179
https://twitter.com/visegrad24/statu...84849646125179
Just gonna say that she's better looking than he is.
Possible new secretary general of NATO. I agree with the comments re picking someone that does not know Russia plus he appears to come along with a lot of baggage.
https://twitter.com/visegrad24/statu...84849646125179
https://twitter.com/visegrad24/statu...84849646125179
Re "Putin targeting the west with Nuclear weapons" - this one only works if Putin is happy to destroy the planet, because that is what will happen.
Putin may, but his entourage probably doesn't. The people around him will make the final decision and if they don't well then it's game over for everyone.
Have to make a decision. Live in fear and let Putin win or push Putin out of Ukraine.
Putin may, but his entourage probably doesn't. The people around him will make the final decision and if they don't well then it's game over for everyone.
Have to make a decision. Live in fear and let Putin win or push Putin out of Ukraine.