Russia Ukraine Update Thread

a reply to: paraphi

True re: the military but the only issue is they have only about 80k troops that are top of the line and according the UK intel Russia deployed approx 50k of the 80k to the Ukraine border.

I don't see what the problem is. The precedent has been made back in 2008 when Kosovo declared it's independence from Serbia, with the full support from countries that now seem to oppose that same act. The western countries killed the international law and now everything is up for taking.

a reply to: Nikola014

what color is the sky in your world?

a reply to: Xcathdra

It's always been gray.

Have you finally come to your senses? The international law has been put to death in 2008. And 1999. By western countries. Leaders of the "free world" have no real footing in this matter. And they know it.

Now I'm just enjoying the show.

a reply to: Nikola014

What "international law", specifically, do you mean?

Countries have always had a choice of how to react to developments like regions breaking away.

-That- is nothing new.

Cheers

originally posted by: Nikola014
The precedent has been made back in 2008 when Kosovo declared it's independence from Serbia...

This is a narrative promulgated by Russia to excuse their belligerence and their destabilising of Ukraine, and places like Georgia. In fact, Kosovo did not set a precedent. The circumstances around the break-up of Yugoslavia bear no resemblance to Russia trying to take land and break up their neighbours.

Problem: Threat of nuclear war
Solution: NWO One world government or something similar

They're all part of the WEF club, this is an info war, on us.
-You'll own nothing and you'll be happy... Not even the rights to vote.

Seems to be working.

a reply to: paraphi

What do you mean?

The Kosovo precedent allows region of a country to declare it's independence from a country in question. It's clear as day. But you can rational it all you want.

You recognize Kosovo, but you don't want to recognize Donetsk? Why? Why can't people decide for themselves? Oh, is it because it's against western interests?

a reply to: Nikola014

That knife cuts both ways. Russia does not recognize the legitimacy of Kosovo and believes its existence is illegal.

So you don't want to recognize Kosovo but you want people to recognize Donetsk? Why? Oh, is it because it supports Russian interests?

a reply to: Xcalibur254

I don't care about Russia. I'm simply pointing out the hypocrisy of western world. And this is a classic example of double standards.

You recognize Kosovo, because people have the right to choose, but you won't recognize Donetsk because it's a "violation of international law"? Please. At least be honest

a reply to: Nikola014

So why are you not also pointing out the hypocrisy of Russia? Why do the people of Donetsk get to declare their independence but the people of Kosovo do not?

Germany on Tuesday halted the certification of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline designed to bring natural gas from Russia directly to Europe, after Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized breakaway parts of eastern Ukraine and ordered troops into the region.

Germany's chancellor, Olaf Scholz, said that his country would not accept the recognition of the two self-proclaimed, pro-Russian separatist regions in the Donbas area of eastern Ukraine, and that Germany had to reassess the situation regarding Nord Stream 2.

Source: Germany halts approval of gas pipeline Nord Stream 2 after Russia's actions

Are the implications of this move more punishing than the sanctions? It is interesting because initially Germany was lukewarm when it came to responding to Russia. Now, on the other hand, they seem to have the strongest response.

a reply to: majesticgent

Two items.

They have a strong response because they're one of the few countries that has leverage that doesn't include military activity.

Second, no country adopts "helpful" policies out of the goodness of their heart. There is serious quid pro quo that has been agreed to for this to happen. Meaning, something will compensate Germany for the troubles incurred by delaying NS2 activation.

Cheers

The White House decided to begin referring to Russia's actions as an "invasion" because of the situation on the ground, according to a U.S. official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.

The administration resisted initially calling the deployment of troops because the White House wanted to see what Russia was actually going to do. After assessing Russian troop movements, it became clear it was a new invasion, the official added.

Source: WHITE HOUSE CALLS RUSSIAN MOVES ON UKRAINE AN INVASION

So with this, the expectation is that the US will join in on the sanction announcements with countries like Japan doing the same.

How will Russia respond to the sanctions? Will the sanctions be a ceremonial show of support to Ukraine that lacks teeth?

Russia's upper house of parliament told lawmakers to reconvene at 1500 GMT on Tuesday for their session to continue following a break, an unusual move after they voted to formally recognise two breakaway regions of Ukraine.

It was not clear what they planned to discuss. The session comes amid Western fears that Russia, which has massed forces near Ukraine, could invade. Moscow has denied such plans.

"Dear colleagues, a break is announced in our hearing now until 1800 (1500 GMT). Please do not leave and reconvene in the hall at 1800 to continue our meeting," house speaker Valentina Matviyenko, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, said.

The Interfax news agency said it was the first time in several years that break of that kind had been called and that the chamber had finished its planned work for Tuesday

...

Source: Russian lawmakers told to return for unscheduled evening session

Remains to be seen what the Russian lawmakers are going to meet about later today. Apparently this ask is rare. Response to the sanctions and invasion talks?

a reply to: F2d5thCavv2

Correct. Maybe the sudden change of heart occurred after securing energy deals with other suppliers?

originally posted by: majesticgent
a reply to: F2d5thCavv2

Correct. Maybe the sudden change of heart occurred after securing energy deals with other suppliers?

Both Turkey and Iran have recently offered the EU the chance to make gas deals. Could be that something was agreed to.

Cheers

originally posted by: majesticgent

Russia's upper house of parliament told lawmakers to reconvene at 1500 GMT on Tuesday for their session to continue following a break, an unusual move after they voted to formally recognise two breakaway regions of Ukraine.

It was not clear what they planned to discuss. The session comes amid Western fears that Russia, which has massed forces near Ukraine, could invade. Moscow has denied such plans.

"Dear colleagues, a break is announced in our hearing now until 1800 (1500 GMT). Please do not leave and reconvene in the hall at 1800 to continue our meeting," house speaker Valentina Matviyenko, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, said.

The Interfax news agency said it was the first time in several years that break of that kind had been called and that the chamber had finished its planned work for Tuesday

...

Source: Russian lawmakers told to return for unscheduled evening session

Remains to be seen what the Russian lawmakers are going to meet about later today. Apparently this ask is rare. Response to the sanctions and invasion talks?

Probably just to decide whether they implement counter plan a, counter plan b, or counter plan c.

It's a certainty that they have not been caught off guard.

This action is to see what the US will do. China is next with Taiwan. I would expect them to mobilize in the coming weeks also. I would expect NK to fire a missile over Japan any day also.

There is nothing left for the US or NATO or the UN to do. The time for that was 3 months ago at least. Should have put armor at the border and provided a show of force. Not the best choice but if, and when, this really goes south the US is playing catchup. This is also a great distraction from the current climate in the US and Canada with the SOTU coming up.

Russia. China. Iran. All of them know there is be no retaliation.

I would expect something is going to happen on home soil and just not sure if they will activate the Muslims or Domestic terror option.

They are Wagging this poor dog to death in DC.

a reply to: Xcalibur254

We can go like this forever.

How about we just accept that the international law is a joke and it doesn't apply to super powers? The west and Russia are both hypocrites, can I see anyone from the western world actually say that?