I did wonder why he would be there. Well it might be hitting home to Gerasimov senior.

Agreed, I’m not betting money that my wishes come true, and I don’t think any negotiated agreement with Putin will be worth the paper it’s written on, let alone just and satisfactory. But I would sure like to see him pay for every last thing he’s done to the Ukrainian people.

Russian government spokesman , Alexander Novak, makes open threat on Russian TV to cut gas supplies to Germany through NordStream 1;

"As a reciprocal measure, we have the absolute right to embargo the gas flowing through Nord Stream 1, which is currently running at 100% " It's not specifically mentioned, but this seems to be retaliation for Nord Stream 2 being embargoed;

Putin also repeats that there are no conscripts or reservists being used in Ukraine nor will there be. He also says that there will be no call up of reservists.


https://www.focus.de/politik/ausland..._52139887.html

I think removal of countries from UN membership is the wrong answer, contrary to the objectives of peace-loving nations. Sanctions, sure, and perhaps even the approval more drastic measures,yes. The problem is the leadership, not the nation of Russia. If regime change was ever needed, it is now. But no suggestions about how to achieve that. I do hope the people of Russia prevail over the present leadership.

With Putin in his bolt hole taking him out might be difficult, I do wonder if isolating him communications wise might be a start, offer the staff / military on site a bounty on taking him out.

Who in the UN would consider Russia a peace loving nation today? Whilst they are a member and can veto at will, the UN is nothing more than a spineless joke. As I have alluded in my previous post, it will be down to the younger generation to rise up because they have had a taste of “freedom” through their mobile phones, tablets and geographic internet access.

We would not be debating now if that was taken away from us.

Possibly son, born in same city, went to same school 22 years apart

More emotional videos. The standard ending chant 'Glory to Ukraine - hail to the heroes!' is changed.

No wonder things evolve once the woman element gets included;

https://www.reddit.com/r/Damnthatsin...womans_day_by/

Just read an article suggesting that it was the Russian communist party who proposed granting independence for the two breakaway regions of east Ukraine, and said communist party has close links with the Chinese communist party. It went on to suggest that China may have knowingly given Putin the green light for his little adventure into Ukraine, a place where "hell awaits whether he moves further forwards, or whether he tries to retreat".
In Japanese, by a professor at Ritsumeikan University.
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/58...16b4576735dbb6

French women ermmmm “come out” against Putin :eek:… ermmmm… Vive la France.. :O

I don’t know if true, but
probably more accurate

Video on Twitter of Russian civilian trucks, cars, campervans all painted with Z, on flatbed train carriages, apparently heading West.

Yes saw them the other day.

Also open topped freight wagons in Belarus with missile boxes in them.

also moving in more over the Crimea bridge

I certainly agree with your assertion about Putin-led Russia.

But the UN was formed to prevent war through diplomacy (very abbreviated characterization I know) and removing a country from membership serves no constructive purpose in that regard that I can think of. It makes a statement, yes, but closes any avenue for resolution.

I would lose no sleep over an abrupt end to the current regime in Russia, diplomatic or not. To quote Captain Ramius from the Hunt for the Red October: “A little revolution now and then is a healthy thing, don't you think?”

So if the Russians lay siege to Kyiv - how will they bombard it?
Artillery - the Ukrainians can partially deal with using anti armour weapons such as NLAWS and drones.
But high altitude bombing?
Out of range of MANPADS - and brutally effective.
Presumably there's no way NATO would be able to smuggle a Patriot or two in.
I also assume there's no way that any of the Ukrainian captured Russian high altitude missile systems could be made to shoot down Russian aircraft.
And how would the Russians react to a Bear or TU-160 being brought down?

You will kindly provide the precedent of three members having been removed, and the circumstances of that collective action.
You will then explain how a charter member, and one of the Five on the SC, is to be removed.
You will offer citations and supporting documents.
Thank you in advance.
(The UN is a somewhat Orwellian organization: some members are more equal than others, from day one, else it would never had come into being)

Put another way: The UN will let any freaking bag of rocks calling itself a nation become a member.
Groucho Marx seems to have been commenting on the UN, or perhaps the League of Nations...

*I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member.*

Glad they got that off of their chests.

As to the reports of American warships in the Black Sea, didn't the Turks close the straits a few days ago per Montreaux Convention? Need to check on the details, but if the Turks exercised that option I don't think any 6th fleet asset would get through the straits. (Did a few FON ops in the Black Sea back in the day, it required a bit of red tape to get done)

They are in the Baltic sea, not Black sea.

As to how they would bombard Kyiv, Putin has already shown us how by shredding Kharkiv, turning it into something from WW1. (See earlier Al Jazeera footage posted here)

TOS-1A thermobaric bombardment and other MLRS systems are pretty effective at destroying built up areas.