Russian patrol boat Vasily Bykov - Wikipedia ----- x ---- x ----- Edit - Vasil Bykaŭ - Wikipedia & Letter of Forty-Two - Wikipedia
This is not a conflict with the Russian population, who are grossly misled by their government, but with their leaders. So read the text as: Russians = Russian Leaders.
I get the temptation, but I don't think it's helpful to blame this on 'the Russians'. I have worked with Russian colleagues, one of whom had a dad persecuted by the local Orthodox church leader, who wanted his land for a parking space, including false imprisonment. She eventually got him out. Many people don't realise that over the last 20 years Putin's Russia has turned into a fairly despotical regime. Yes he has support, but it certainly isn't universal. All the best Andreas
An article by a former US Army officer who was a training advisor in the Ukraine: In 2014, the 'decrepit' Ukrainian army hit the refresh button. Eight years later, it's paying off
International Brigade Alleged amongst other foreign fighters volunteering to fight n Ukraine there are 4 serving British military who are on their way or are there now. Assume this could cause a problem
I fully agree, this is not a conflict with the Russian population, who are grossly misled by their government, but with their leaders. So read the text as: Russians = Russian Leaders
A UK citizen joining an "International Brigade" is fraught with legal problems if they return to the UK, even more so if they are serving UK military. It has not been helpful that Liz Truss, Foreign Secretary, spoke a few days ago encouraging such volunteering; a few days later other ministers and the CDS chimed in advising against. A few UK citizens who volunteered to fight IS in Syria, with the Kurds, were arrested and charged upon their return - though the Ukraine is very different, the volunteers are assisting a nation state which we recognise and support. Yesterday the Met Police were advising staff members not to volunteer to fight. According to one UK press article there is an exemption for those who volunteer to fight in a "foreign legion" of a nation-state.
The crucial question is: What gasoline and food prices are WE ready to bear before WE give up Ukraine for OUR standard of living. Hitler's beginning of the end was Churchill's "blood, sweat and tears" speech.... Unfortunately, I don't see such politicians far and wide anywhere. Perhaps WE should remember what true democracy is all about - and give ourselves that speech. Because if WE fail here, WE have to take the responsibility for everything that comes afterwards. In any case, I'd rather ride to work by bike and eat only potatoes before I give this potentate even one more foot of ground. Because as a German I know only too well what failure means in such a matter.
Sir Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies at Kings College London, has an article - free to access - on his shared website, with his son. It is an interesting overview: Giving Peace a Chance He is also on BBC1 Question Time at 8pm tonight, with others.
Did someone say "Bratkartoffeln" ? Has Gerhard Schröder been taken in for questioning yet, by the way ? Some kompromat there, I'll warrant.
There are very good reasons why our Turkish fellow citizens like to call us "potatoes": besides Bratkartoffeln (with or without fried egg, ham, cheese....) there are French fries, potato pancakes, potato casserole, mashed potato muffins, stuffed potato waffles, potato salad, quark potatoes, papas bravas...heck: I don't know how many more dishes - I don't even want to go into the countless local variations. I am prepared, Vlad! And Gerhard...oh my: he's literally persona non grata here in Germany
I by no means blame the Russians as a people or as individuals. There are many Russian immigrants here, and some are as distressed about this as the Ukrainians. Nonetheless the actions of Putin are in a tradition of odious behavior by Russian governments which goes back a fair way in history. Liberalism and free government have never yet taken firm root in Russia, and until they do things like this are likely to happen.
Which reminds me of what may have been Russia's finest historical hour. When Napoleon was in Moscow and sent peace proposals to Tsar Alexander, Alexander replied that he would rather live in a hut and eat borscht with his peasants than negotiate with that man.
The long game lol? Ukraine and Kyiv are taken by Russia -> Insurgency begins -> casualties and sanctions start to make significant impacts to regular Russian citizens -> younger generation begin populist movement funded by the West -> Coup d'etat occurs -> pro western leader installed -> Russian troops leave Ukraine.
