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Post by Paul Spencer on Mar 9, 2024 22:52:30 GMT
What is Macron's agenda here? He knows that the US aren't interested in escalating it, so what is it that he's actually advocating Europe should do? And why is he bringing up Putin mentioning nuclear weapons, so what if he is, what is he suggesting we do about it?
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Post by lawrieleslie on Mar 10, 2024 12:41:21 GMT
What is Macron's agenda here? He knows that the US aren't interested in escalating it, so what is it that he's actually advocating Europe should do? And why is he bringing up Putin mentioning nuclear weapons, so what if he is, what is he suggesting we do about it? Isn’t Macron saying what most Europeans are thinking? Don’t think he’s saying anything new….Many months ago our CDS said that our soldiers must prepare for war in Europe and if we don’t do that then we risk a much bigger possibly global conflict, remembering that WW2 started in Europe. I doubt the Yanks are as disinterested as we might think, particular as Putin & his cronies continue to throw the nuclear threat round like confetti. We certainly need to up the ante on weapons, ammunition, military training and technology supply to Ukraine and, by doing so, might just avoid a wider conflict in Europe. The old saying that "The only thing necessary for evil to triumph in the world is that good men do nothing" could never be more apt at present.
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Post by adri2008 on Mar 10, 2024 13:09:39 GMT
It makes complete sense to me that Europe should be able to defend itself without the help of the US. We shouldn't be in a situation where Europe is at the mercy of American politicians.
I don't however envisage a situation where Putin would attack a Nato country - they've struggled in Ukraine so how exactly are they going to make any progress when air assets can be brought fully to bear? - Unless you think that Nato wouldn't respond which seems even more unlikely to me as it'd weaken every country involved in the alliance.
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Post by lawrieleslie on Mar 10, 2024 13:49:13 GMT
It makes complete sense to me that Europe should be able to defend itself without the help of the US. We shouldn't be in a situation where Europe is at the mercy of American politicians. I don't however envisage a situation where Putin would attack a Nato country - they've struggled in Ukraine so how exactly are they going to make any progress when air assets can be brought fully to bear? - Unless you think that Nato wouldn't respond which seems even more unlikely to me as it'd weaken every country involved in the alliance. Exactly mate and you have to ask why are people dissing Macron's speech? A fully fledged European Army aligned to NATO that was being proposed few years ago, but pooh-poohed by many, now makes more sense.
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Post by hcstokie on Mar 10, 2024 14:03:27 GMT
It makes complete sense to me that Europe should be able to defend itself without the help of the US. We shouldn't be in a situation where Europe is at the mercy of American politicians. I don't however envisage a situation where Putin would attack a Nato country - they've struggled in Ukraine so how exactly are they going to make any progress when air assets can be brought fully to bear? - Unless you think that Nato wouldn't respond which seems even more unlikely to me as it'd weaken every country involved in the alliance. I recently watched a video suggesting Russia plan to invade Lithuania this coming winter, thereby creating a land bridge to Kaliningrad. This would effectively annex Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia from direct NATO support. The thought is this would then give Putin a bargaining chip to stop NATO supplying arms to Ukraine, otherwise Russia take control of those three countries. The three of them have a very small population and armed forces, so it may be wise for NATO to stick some troops there now. Think it would be a calculated gamble by Russia, as obviously it could escalate into a full war with all NATO members.
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Post by Paul Spencer on Mar 10, 2024 14:04:46 GMT
It makes complete sense to me that Europe should be able to defend itself without the help of the US. We shouldn't be in a situation where Europe is at the mercy of American politicians. I don't however envisage a situation where Putin would attack a Nato country - they've struggled in Ukraine so how exactly are they going to make any progress when air assets can be brought fully to bear? - Unless you think that Nato wouldn't respond which seems even more unlikely to me as it'd weaken every country involved in the alliance. Exactly mate and you have to ask why are people dissing Macron's speech? A fully fledged European Army aligned to NATO that was being proposed few years ago, but pooh-poohed by many, now makes more sense. It depends if you're talking in a general sense or specifically about this conflict. You're not seriously suggesting that you would be happy to see British and French troops fighting in Ukraine acting independently of Nato?
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Post by lawrieleslie on Mar 10, 2024 14:35:55 GMT
Exactly mate and you have to ask why are people dissing Macron's speech? A fully fledged European Army aligned to NATO that was being proposed few years ago, but pooh-poohed by many, now makes more sense. It depends if you're talking in a general sense or specifically about this conflict. You're not seriously suggesting that you would be happy to see British and French troops fighting in Ukraine acting independently of Nato? No I wouldn’t. But I did say a European Army aligned to NATO. Yes specifically about this conflict, a European Army which would draw in non-nato European countries.
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Post by Paul Spencer on Mar 10, 2024 14:39:16 GMT
It depends if you're talking in a general sense or specifically about this conflict. You're not seriously suggesting that you would be happy to see British and French troops fighting in Ukraine acting independently of Nato? No I wouldn’t. But I did say a European Army aligned to NATO. Yes specifically about this conflict, a European Army which would draw in non-nato European countries. I don't understand your reply Lawrie. If you don't want to see British and French troops on the ground in Ukraine, then why are you criticising people questioning Macron? This bloke is on the money ...
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Post by mtrstudent on Mar 10, 2024 14:48:16 GMT
A picture that really captures the current sides. It looks a lot like some Trump fans have donated money to russian artillery units to write pro-MAGA messages on shells from North Korea. Ukrainian artillery have done similar - they will take donations to write messages on shells for you e.g. sign my rocket. I have never seen MAGA/Trump messages on the shells fired by the democracy, only on the side of Russia and North Korea.
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Post by mtrstudent on Mar 10, 2024 14:51:30 GMT
Another example of a successful negotiation with russia. Ignore their tantrums and do the right thing.
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Post by mtrstudent on Mar 10, 2024 15:03:29 GMT
Here's one of the Chinese "golf carts".
Russia is using them at the front line now. When they hit a mine they blow up and throw all the soldiers into the sky.
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Post by gawa on Mar 10, 2024 19:47:28 GMT
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobilization_in_UkraineDraft dodgers section strikes a nerve. Worries me if conscription ever gets enforced here as the same bullshit will happen. Dying in another man's war. And those with money can of course bribe their way out of it as usual.
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Post by thehartshillbadger on Mar 10, 2024 20:02:16 GMT
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobilization_in_UkraineDraft dodgers section strikes a nerve. Worries me if conscription ever gets enforced here as the same bullshit will happen. Dying in another man's war. And those with money can of course bribe their way out of it as usual. Like General Melchet but not Captain Darling
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Post by Mr_DaftBurger on Mar 11, 2024 5:29:16 GMT
"On March 10, local time, Hungarian Prime Minister Orban, who had just met with former US President Trump, was interviewed by Hungary's MAN1 television station (national television One), and he revealed that Trump had a very detailed plan for how to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict. While Mr. Orban said he was not at a position to talk about the substance of the plans, he added that Mr. Trump's plan on how to end the Russian-Ukrainian conflict "in many ways coincides with the Hungarian plan," TASS reported, citing the interview.
According to the Hungarian National newspaper (Magyar Nemzet), Orban also said that Trump will not contribute a penny to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which is why the conflict will end.
"It is clear that Ukraine cannot stand on its own feet. If the Americans don't supply arms and money, and the Europeans don't either, the conflict will end. If the Americans don't pay, then the Europeans themselves won't be able to finance the conflict, and the conflict will end." He pointed out that Trump is not the president of the United States, but when Democrats want money to fund the conflict with Russia, his party will block it."
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Post by Olgrligm on Mar 11, 2024 8:11:14 GMT
Interesting bit in the back of Private Eye. For all of the economic sanctions on Russia, 33% of its oil transport trips are insured by British companies and we continue to import £1 bn of goods from China and India made with Russian oil.
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Post by mtrstudent on Mar 11, 2024 15:21:09 GMT
Interesting bit in the back of Private Eye. For all of the economic sanctions on Russia, 33% of its oil transport trips are insured by British companies and we continue to import £1 bn of goods from China and India made with Russian oil. Is the oil on those ships sold below the $60/barrel price cap? IMO the price cap is a good idea but needs to be lower and with harder enforcement. If we blocked a third of russian barrels, oil prices could easily smash $200 a barrel, russia would get way more money overall and western economies would be battered. It would be really likely far-right, pro-dictatorship leaders like Trump and Le Pen would exploit it to take power in the West, Ukraine would lose and many western democracies would be within sniffing distance of Putin-style dictatorship.
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Post by mtrstudent on Mar 11, 2024 15:24:22 GMT
"On March 10, local time, Hungarian Prime Minister Orban, who had just met with former US President Trump, was interviewed by Hungary's MAN1 television station (national television One), and he revealed that Trump had a very detailed plan for how to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict. While Mr. Orban said he was not at a position to talk about the substance of the plans, he added that Mr. Trump's plan on how to end the Russian-Ukrainian conflict "in many ways coincides with the Hungarian plan," TASS reported, citing the interview. According to the Hungarian National newspaper (Magyar Nemzet), Orban also said that Trump will not contribute a penny to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which is why the conflict will end. "It is clear that Ukraine cannot stand on its own feet. If the Americans don't supply arms and money, and the Europeans don't either, the conflict will end. If the Americans don't pay, then the Europeans themselves won't be able to finance the conflict, and the conflict will end." He pointed out that Trump is not the president of the United States, but when Democrats want money to fund the conflict with Russia, his party will block it." Europe can easily fund and produce enough to defeat Russia. It's a question of politics. A Trump win in November will herald a very, very dark age and Europe will have to stand strong. The darkest that democracy has faced since the 1930s and 1940s.
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Post by mtrstudent on Mar 11, 2024 15:26:51 GMT
Isn’t Macron saying what most Europeans are thinking? Don’t think he’s saying anything new….Many months ago our CDS said that our soldiers must prepare for war in Europe and if we don’t do that then we risk a much bigger possibly global conflict, remembering that WW2 started in Europe. I doubt the Yanks are as disinterested as we might think, particular as Putin & his cronies continue to throw the nuclear threat round like confetti. We certainly need to up the ante on weapons, ammunition, military training and technology supply to Ukraine and, by doing so, might just avoid a wider conflict in Europe. The old saying that "The only thing necessary for evil to triumph in the world is that good men do nothing" could never be more apt at present. Putin wants us to Chamberlain our way out of it because Russia is vulnerable right now. I don't want Brits being thrown into war, I want peace and democracy. So it's either aid Ukraine now, or spend way more to prepare to help Poland, the Baltics etc against Russia in a few years. One war historian talks about a russian strategy of reflexive control, about getting in our heads, and russia used it against the West to delay aid. He argues Macron is trying to break that.
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Post by georgeberrysafro on Mar 11, 2024 15:47:33 GMT
A picture that really captures the current sides. It looks a lot like some Trump fans have donated money to russian artillery units to write pro-MAGA messages on shells from North Korea. Ukrainian artillery have done similar - they will take donations to write messages on shells for you e.g. sign my rocket. I have never seen MAGA/Trump messages on the shells fired by the democracy, only on the side of Russia and North Korea. So depressing if this is verified. How braindead are that cult, it's increible.
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Post by mtrstudent on Mar 11, 2024 15:49:12 GMT
A few videos showing how Russia is attacking all over the place. Near Donetsk - losing tanks, IFVs and a huge boom from a missile launcher. North of Avdiivka, several more blown up. And outside a town called Novomikhailivka, several more blown up. On video, Russia has so far lost almost 200 tanks and 500 other armoured vehicles in 2024 so far. NATO intel says they only make about 200 new tanks per year, the rest are taken from soviet storages.
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Post by Northy on Mar 12, 2024 6:17:02 GMT
A few videos showing how Russia is attacking all over the place. Near Donetsk - losing tanks, IFVs and a huge boom from a missile launcher. North of Avdiivka, several more blown up. And outside a town called Novomikhailivka, several more blown up. On video, Russia has so far lost almost 200 tanks and 500 other armoured vehicles in 2024 so far. NATO intel says they only make about 200 new tanks per year, the rest are taken from soviet storages. Didn't Ukraine hit a steel factory with a missile recently which could have slowed production
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Post by mtrstudent on Mar 12, 2024 14:27:03 GMT
Russian heavy lift military transport struggling northeast of Moscow. Whoops, the engine fell off.
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Post by mtrstudent on Mar 12, 2024 14:39:54 GMT
Looks like free russians have taken control of some village in Russia again. Russian propaganda says they repelled everything, easily killed loads of ukrainians and destroyed their tanks. Everything is under control. The only videos we have so far show free russians controlling the town, showing off a damaged russian vehicle, and russian soldiers running away. EDIT: and a tank with track blown off. Might have been lost by the free russian guys.
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Post by mtrstudent on Mar 12, 2024 14:55:50 GMT
Ukrainian drone raid has set fire to an oil storage and a refinery. They might have damaged some important processing equipment for making petrol and jet fuel.
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Post by mtrstudent on Mar 12, 2024 16:16:37 GMT
Didn't Ukraine hit a steel factory with a missile recently which could have slowed production They did mate! mrcoke would probably know, but I'd be surprised if the metal plant is a huge deal for tanks unless it's the only one that makes specialised military steel or something.
Russia has loads of metal production and they don't need that much steel since almost 90% of their "new" tanks are actually already made. This is what one of their storage bases looked like, most of the metal for the tanks was just sitting there:
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Post by mtrstudent on Mar 12, 2024 16:42:45 GMT
It makes complete sense to me that Europe should be able to defend itself without the help of the US. We shouldn't be in a situation where Europe is at the mercy of American politicians. I don't however envisage a situation where Putin would attack a Nato country - they've struggled in Ukraine so how exactly are they going to make any progress when air assets can be brought fully to bear? - Unless you think that Nato wouldn't respond which seems even more unlikely to me as it'd weaken every country involved in the alliance. I recently watched a video suggesting Russia plan to invade Lithuania this coming winter, thereby creating a land bridge to Kaliningrad. This would effectively annex Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia from direct NATO support. The thought is this would then give Putin a bargaining chip to stop NATO supplying arms to Ukraine, otherwise Russia take control of those three countries. The three of them have a very small population and armed forces, so it may be wise for NATO to stick some troops there now. Think it would be a calculated gamble by Russia, as obviously it could escalate into a full war with all NATO members. I'd be shocked if russia has a pop at NATO this year. There are three possible russian plans I've read about. Right now there're a pro-democracy government stopping the Belarus scenario, NATO brigades make it hard for the early Transnistria/Crimea/Donetsk/Luhansk/Abkhazia/South Ossetia approach that starts with "pro russian militias" doing "protests", which leaves option 3: Chechnya, 2008 Georgia or 2022 Ukraine. That is: invade 1+ of the Baltics and threaten full-scale war if anyone defends them. But Putin has stripped air defence from NATO borders for his Ukraine war, so his army would get crushed easily by our jets atm. If we force a Ukrainian surrender then Putin will expect us to surrender again and will take his chance to break NATO. A few years to restock and put together enough air defence, and if we don't then fight him to the death at the frontline of the Baltics, NATO will be broken, he will absorb them + Ukraine and will prepare for his next European invasion. This is what Trump has made it clear he wants, and if the US votes for Republicans then Europe can not trust the US any longer as a pro-democracy country. If we don't spend a few tens of billions on helping Ukraine now, we will need to spend hundreds of billions more rebuilding our military and preparing to send our people into combat.
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Post by lawrieleslie on Mar 12, 2024 16:55:06 GMT
Russian heavy lift military transport struggling northeast of Moscow. Whoops, the engine fell off. I’ve no doubt that the story is true. But these flight simulator footages can be very convincing….but not this one I’m afraid.
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Post by mtrstudent on Mar 12, 2024 17:01:56 GMT
I’ve no doubt that the story is true. But these flight simulator footages can be very convincing….but not this one I’m afraid. It's shocking how convincing some fakes are, I've fallen for a few. This time the jet has multiple videos, including the crash site, plus the russians announced they lost it - if that's no enough we're really buggered already! Another video. Looks like all the engines still attached, same engine on fire as first, then the flames sputter into smoke and it swerves right, just like the other vid.
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Post by lordb on Mar 12, 2024 18:47:24 GMT
I recently watched a video suggesting Russia plan to invade Lithuania this coming winter, thereby creating a land bridge to Kaliningrad. This would effectively annex Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia from direct NATO support. The thought is this would then give Putin a bargaining chip to stop NATO supplying arms to Ukraine, otherwise Russia take control of those three countries. The three of them have a very small population and armed forces, so it may be wise for NATO to stick some troops there now. Think it would be a calculated gamble by Russia, as obviously it could escalate into a full war with all NATO members. I'd be shocked if russia has a pop at NATO this year. There are three possible russian plans I've read about. Right now there're a pro-democracy government stopping the Belarus scenario, NATO brigades make it hard for the early Transnistria/Crimea/Donetsk/Luhansk/Abkhazia/South Ossetia approach that starts with "pro russian militias" doing "protests", which leaves option 3: Chechnya, 2008 Georgia or 2022 Ukraine. That is: invade 1+ of the Baltics and threaten full-scale war if anyone defends them. But Putin has stripped air defence from NATO borders for his Ukraine war, so his army would get crushed easily by our jets atm. If we force a Ukrainian surrender then Putin will expect us to surrender again and will take his chance to break NATO. A few years to restock and put together enough air defence, and if we don't then fight him to the death at the frontline of the Baltics, NATO will be broken, he will absorb them + Ukraine and will prepare for his next European invasion. This is what Trump has made it clear he wants, and if the US votes for Republicans then Europe can not trust the US any longer as a pro-democracy country. If we don't spend a few tens of billions on helping Ukraine now, we will need to spend hundreds of billions more rebuilding our military and preparing to send our people into combat. Absolutely why there are British people who support Trump is absurd for this reason alone He is our enemy
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Post by questionable on Mar 12, 2024 21:39:47 GMT
I can honestly see EU troops in Ukraine soon, French followed by the Polish.
Lots of talk coming out of France at the moment and Macron has a speech planned for Thursday apparently
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