Here we go again-Ukraine once again

[Bilge_Rat]

Russia is pulling back its troops, so no invasion today:


https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/...-crimea-a73705

Turns out it was an "exercise"....

No doubt there will be a lot of speculation as to what they were really up to...

[Bilge_Rat]

Originally Posted by mapuc

What did he exactly say and what did he mean by it ?

Markus

Lots of coverage in the Moscow Times, key quotes from his speech are here:

— “I hope no one will think of crossing so-called ‘red lines’ against Russia, which we ourselves will define in each separate case. Russia’s response will be symmetrical, fast and tough. The organizers of any provocations threatening our core security interests will regret their actions more than they've regretted anything in a long time.”

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/...-nation-a73686

it is ambiguous enough that it can be interpreted either way, but the basic message is the same that the Russians have been using since 1945.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Bilge_Rat

Russia is pulling back its troops, so no invasion today:


https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/...-crimea-a73705

Turns out it was an "exercise"....

No doubt there will be a lot of speculation as to what they were really up to...

BBC link below

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56842763

[mapuc]

Originally Posted by Bilge_Rat

Russia is pulling back its troops, so no invasion today:


https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/...-crimea-a73705

Turns out it was an "exercise"....

No doubt there will be a lot of speculation as to what they were really up to...

Always fool your enemy thou where you will strike among his defense line.

Maybe they used this area to train for an invasion of:

Belarus
Or
Gotland (Sweden)
Of course it isn't Gotland-but strategy it's worth a lot.

Markus

[Catfish]

I take it there were a few telephone calls betweeen Russia and the US, and thngs have cleared up a bit.

Or maybe that Belarus is next.. Russia has protested in "Foreigners inciting revolts against Lukashenko" (the rightfully 'president' of said country). I wonder what happens when Lukashenko goes.

[mapuc]

Putin got a go ahead with his invasion plan of Ukraine.

Some weeks ago I heard the American minister saying that USA and it's allied would defend Ukraine.

This made me wonder-what kind of defence are we taking about.

Well in the late night news yesterday I got the answer.

If Russia does invade Ukraine-USA and EU will impose economical sanction against companies and single person in Russia.

Wow now Putin is shaking of fear-Economical sanction that's gonna hurt.....NOT

So I see this as a go ahead for Putin.

Markus

[Jimbuna]

Joe Biden has warned that he will not accept "red lines" set by Moscow as fears mount that Russia is planning an imminent invasion of Ukraine.

The US president said he will make it "very, very difficult" for Russia to invade its neighbour.

Meanwhile, US media has reported that intelligence officials fear an invasion could begin in early 2022.

It comes as Ukraine says Russia has boosted its military at the border and amassed some 94,000 troops there.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-59528864

[mapuc]

There's no doubt the war will come.

The Danish Minister of Defense was visiting Ukraine where she promised to give Ukraine our morally support if Russia does invade them.

Russia has also put up some demands NATO can't say yes to.

EU has spoken about economical sanction.

So as mentioned before the war will come, sadly

Markus

[Skybird]

How often can Russia threaten practical consequences and not carrying them out without loosing "credibility"? They have risen the stakes so many times now that I fear they can no more bug out of the corner they pushed themselves into without attacking in the Ukraine.
I agree, war has become more likely.

European wishy washy babbling did not help either.

Russia told the US they want to talk to the US without the Europeand, because Europe would mean jusr endless distracting babbling leading nowhere.

Annalena, take over and teach them! Green leftist valkyrie to the rescue! Urgent! Urgent! Urgent!

[Skybird]

How often can Russia threaten practical consequences and not carrying them out without loosing "credibility"? They have risen the stakes so many times now that I fear they can no more bug out of the corner they pushed themselves into without attacking in the Ukraine.
I agree, war has become more likely.

European wishy washy babbling did not help either.

Russia told the US they want to talk to the US without the Europeand, because Europe would mean jusr endless distracting babbling leading nowhere.

Annalena, take over and teach them! Green leftist valkyrie to the rescue! Urgent! Urgent! Urgent! We need that feminist super diplomacy, and we need it now!

[mapuc]

If they withdraw their troops from the Ukraine border, Russia will lose face(or what you use to say in cases like this)

As you wrote they have maneuvered them self into a corner by their actions.

Edit
Had a discussion with a FB-friend who wrote.
Who would have an interest in a war ?
Here I replied
NATO and/or EU has no interest, that's why they hope that a threat on economical sanction is enough to make Russia think twice before start the invasion of Ukraine.
Russia I don't know how much of an interest they have in a war with Ukraine.
End edit

Markus

[Jimbuna]

Russia and Ukraine have agreed to restore a 2020 ceasefire deal in eastern Ukraine, prompting a top official in Kyiv to say that the coming holidays "should be peaceful".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-59766810

[mapuc]

Heard in the news that Putin in his annual press meeting accused Ukraine for military planning.

Didn't get all of what they said in the news.

Markus

[mapuc]

So in my newsfeed I read that Russia according to RT is accusing NATO preparing for war against Russia.

I see it as one big joke.
This accusation could also mean that Russia try to find a way to start a war.

Speaking during a briefing for military attachés and other foreign diplomats, in Moscow, on Monday, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin accused NATO of readying up for an all-out war with Russia

https://www.rt.com/russia/544537-nat...ations-moscow/

Markus

[Kapitan]

Well Russia is no friend of NATO, I do for one believe that NATO forces are preparing just in case but not for a first strike but to counter what's being built up in Ukraine Russian border.

I don't see us going to war for Ukraine simply because NATO is split on the idea and some states are not willing to invoke article 5 as Ukraine is not a NATO member.

The question is would Putin invade Ukraine ?

I would give that a 50/50 it depends on how the west box Russia in, however Russia does have a bit of a hold on Europe in Gas supplies (roughly 25% of EU gas comes from Russia)

Is Russia capable of a Long protracted war, well financially yes they have a much lower debt to GDP ratio to nearly all the western countries even with covid but the money markets are squarely in the west that leaves only really Iran and China to free up financing.

China may use any distraction in Ukraine as a cover to get Taiwan believing the West cannot fight on two fronts.

Something else is going on in the background seems to me like this is a classic deception move to cover for something else and i do think we should be looking at China and not Russia