Europe at War

[Que]

     Putin doesn't need a pretext. As for NATO, it's justification is the danger posed by Russian imperialism. Some neighbors of Russia are relatively safe, others are in danger. Putin is making the case, I'm merely pointing out how solid it is.

     If NATO dissolved because of how super obsolete and, um, provocative it is, would Putin be content? Let's put an end to this silliness.

Totally agree. Blaming NATO's expansion, or the EU's, for Putin's actions is a classic example of confusing cause and effect.

Did Putin invade Georgia because it wanted to join NATO? Did Russia bomb Chechenia or Syria because of NATO expansion?

[Mandryka]

If Nato governments have private reservations about Article 5 – mutual assistance by all if one is attacked – we are doomed. Die for Estonia? Yes, we must be prepared to die for Estonia and the world must be sure that we are. We know now that Putin "means it". Do we mean it?

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/mar/06/history-repeats-itslelf-like-half-forgotten-song-once-we-remember-too-late?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

[Pohjolas Daughter]

While some pets flee Ukraine, a lady offers a shelter to those left behind.  They look so cute and defenseless on the pics.

https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-06-22/h_19987031800d47107badea6d30f4353f

https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/news/world/2022/03/04/dogs-cats-animals-ukraine-russian-invasion/9367867002/

It's been horrible to see all of the pictures/images of not just the humans dying and being forced to flee but also the suffering that the animals (both pets and zoo animals--not to mention, I'm sure too, the wildlife there).  The people who volunteered to stay behind to feed and look after people's pets, zoo animals, and abandoned/shelter animals are real heroes in my book.

I believe that I posted this link before but am not certain.  It's an article on the BBC's website about the donations and volunteers, but also about problems with the sudden influx of all of these pets from Ukraine coming into other countries and the regulations and restrictions involved (regarding things like proof of vaccines, etc.).  I hope that they have come up with a system so that most of them don't end up in quarantine and get separated from their owners?  Anyone here know more about that?

https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-60593791

PD

[LKB]

Motherf**king Putin, now the sob offers " evacuation " for Ukrainian civilians... to Russia.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news

Right now, l could shoot that asshole in the face.

[Todd]

QED Time for Washington to acknowledge that Pakistan, a refuge for terrorists and breeding ground for fundamentalism, is a lost cause...

What does "a lost cause" mean?  Pakistan has more than 200 million people and it has nukes.  Not a lost cause.  Engagement should be considered important.

Totally agree. Blaming NATO's expansion, or the EU's, for Putin's actions is a classic example of confusing cause and effect.

Did Putin invade Georgia because it wanted to join NATO? Did Russia bomb Chechenia or Syria because of NATO expansion?

Putin did not invade Georgia until after George W Bush and The West offered to extend NATO membership to Georgia and Ukraine.  Russians cynically - as cynically as The West - used an R2P rationale.  So yes, the threat of reckless NATO expansion is a direct cause of that war.  There were other causes, but some in The West clearly refuse to acknowledge that The West's reckless actions help precipitate crises.

Actions in Chechnya were aimed at suppressing secessionists.  That is a not uncommon reaction to secession.  Of course, some other people will express a desire to support those seeking self-determination.

Russian involvement in Syria was done to prop up a regional ally, and at a time when the US began to reduce its involvement after its own disastrous military actions in the region.  Russia's record in the Middle East is not quite so destructive and bloody as that of The West. 

Right now, l could shoot that asshole in the face.

Could you now? 

[Karl Henning]

Motherf**king Putin, now the sob offers " evacuation " for Ukrainian civilians... to Russia.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news

Right now, l could shoot that asshole in the face.

Come on over, the gulags are fine!

[drogulus]

Pakistan PM hits back at Western push to condemn Russia

Last week, 22 Islamabad-based diplomats released a joint letter calling on the Pakistani government to join the United Nations' resolution in condemning Russia's attack on Ukraine. Pakistan had abstained from voting on the resolution.

"What do you think of us? Are we your slaves ... that whatever you say, we will do?" Khan said during a political rally

QED Time for Washington to acknowledge that Pakistan, a refuge for terrorists and breeding ground for fundamentalism, is a lost cause... All its corrupt political elite and army have done is suck up billions of US tax money...

     The dollars are spent. To tax a dollar is to extinguish it, not give it to Pakistan. As ignorant as I am of what those dollars do I assume they have a marginal effect. I hesitate to treat causes as lost.

     Most dollars spent abroad end up "in here, with us", as a notorious friend of mine says.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Motherf**king Putin, now the sob offers " evacuation " for Ukrainian civilians... to Russia.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news

Right now, l could shoot that asshole in the face.

Clown with a red nose.

[Mandryka]

https://www.reuters.com/world/kremlin-says-russian-military-action-will-stop-moment-if-ukraine-meets-2022-03-07/

Russia offers cease fire terms.

[Florestan]

https://www.reuters.com/world/kremlin-says-russian-military-action-will-stop-moment-if-ukraine-meets-2022-03-07/

Russia offers cease fire terms.

More Russian lies.

[Que]

Russia's record in the Middle East is not quite so destructive and bloody as that of The West. 

True, even if Russia plays dirty and targets civilians ruthlessly.

[drogulus]

     I heartily applaud efforts to make India a better friend while bullying them a little, even to the point of buying US weapons. The profit motive is not the main reason. Countries find it easier to align with their suppliers, or at least not offend them overmuch. I trust that's not an esoteric point.

     Hey, India, your Kuznetsov is a piece of shit. Aren't you embarrassed? China has a better Kuznetsov than yours. You would like some help with that and some F-35s maybe?

     

[drogulus]

True, even if Russia plays dirty and targets civilians ruthlessly.

     We should understand that Russia doesn't just target civilians because it's fun for them. They do it because they have very little in the way of precision guided weapons and the ones they have are ineffective against moving or hidden targets. Some of their Flankers have rudimentary targeting pods but they are the shit. So they are getting shot down because they can only hit targets from a low altitude and Uke combat units are mobile and decentralized. Strategy and tactics are limited by capabilities.

[LKB]

Could you now?

Having in years past used firearms in earnest,  yes. I could... and would.

Fortunately, l expect someone else will be tasked with the honor of relieving the world of VP, and soon. 

[Todd]

True, even if Russia plays dirty and targets civilians ruthlessly.

The trick is to call the war dead "enemy combatants". 

Having in years past used firearms in earnest,  yes. I could... and would.

Most impressive.

[drogulus]

     

     A piece of shit.

     

     A Chinese Flanker with a non-piece of shit targeting pod.

[Todd]

Personally, I'd be willing to send someone like Clinton or Obama over with an offer of $400 million and a guarantee of no extradition in a country of his choice, provided he quits office right now. Buy the bastard off.

Putin is estimated to be worth tens of billions of dollars, maybe more (up to $200 billion, but who knows), a good portion of it outside the reach of The West.  I doubt Putin is concerned about a small bribe.

[Todd]

In any event, the offer of no war crimes trials and a quiet retirement in a country of his choosing should probably be of significance to him.

One must first believe that the head of a powerful state like Russia would, in fact, face trial at the ICC.  That is less likely than Putin being worth tens of billions of dollars. 

[Mandryka]

Even without Putin, Russia still needs to create a defensible border against NATO. Grabbing Ukraine's valuable natural resources while you're at it must seem like icing on the cake.

[Spotted Horses]

Well, I doubt that. If his wealth is inside Russia, it's of considerably less wealth than it was, and heading south at a rate of knots; if it's outside Russia, it's practically valueless these days.
In any event, the offer of no war crimes trials and a quiet retirement in a country of his choosing should probably be of significance to him.
Basically the Idi Amin offer, knowing that if he doesn't take it, his people will do a Ceaucescu on him (with any luck).

If reports are to be believed he has a lot of wealth inside and outside of Russia, including a palatial estate inside Russia and billions secreted in western banks, some fraction of which they won't be able to trace. That is for his progeny, I assume. He will never leave Russia.