Russia - threadbanned users in OP

The big "smear" earlier was something to do with him hoping Ukraine would join the EU some day. If so Very Scary Stuff. Nasty militaristic EU. If Ukraine joins all its Divisions will be ready to march on Moscow when the Commission gives the go-order and throw out Poor Defenseless Putin!

Could you back up some of it up rather than making all these mysterious (some might even say defamatory) posts?

The abortions figure is insane! That figure alone should set off the red flags big time

This is the human noodle nourished on a diet of Brexiteer & Tory party propaganda pap.

Where you go so far down a rabidly anti-EU rabbit hole you become hopeful to see disasters and human misery unfold, rest of Europe go up in smoke, and Putin score a massive victory all from what you believe is a splendidly isolated perch over in Brexit Britain. Just so you can say, told you so! (or something like that!).

Okay. I read one recent article in Irish Times (rather than Irish Independent).

What was wrong with the article/inaccurate/distorted?

What was so awful (apart from fact he's obviously politicially active and holds view you don't agree at all with given your posts [possibly real issue] + appears deeply embedded into society there)?

US Congressman Ron Paul has criticized US interventionism in Ukraine.

What the US media will not report is that this entire crisis – and the threat of a serious war – has all been brought about by US interference in the internal affairs of Ukraine, specifically the US-backed coup that overthrew an elected government in 2014.

https://www.eurasiareview.com/14022022-ron-paul-ukraine-crisis-is-a-nightmare-caused-by-us-interventionism-oped/

The same congressman who supported the illegal annexation of Crimea......

Do try harder 😜

The attack into Ukraine could come on three fronts. From Odessa and move westwards. Then a pincer style move from Belarus and from Transnistria (the Russian speaking enclave of Moldova). The latter would push Kyiv into a crisis as it would then be surrounded on two sides all around. Poland has agreed to allow for Ukranian refugees to come in and would support them. Ireland could do just the same. In a recent survey in Ukraine showed a large swathe of Ukranains would take up arms in a move against the Russians. Russia has approx 120,000 troops at various points and while the Ukranian army is reasonably armed (thanks Turkey, US and UK) the threat from local militia could be greater. See link below for more

An I apologise I know one link is Sky News

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/26/world/europe/ukraine-russia-civilian-training.html

https://news.sky.com/story/russias-invasion-plan-could-see-military-take-nine-routes-into-ukraine-hitting-kyivs-doorstep-within-two-days-reports-12538657

At the Maidan Revolution, they made their feelings known. There has been opposition fermenting now for nearly 10 years +

Up to approx. 130,000 Russian troops now massed around Ukraine. Those in Belarus have been observed moving closer to the Ukrainian border, and Russia appears to have doubled air combat power in range of Ukraine. I still don't believe Putin means to go in, but that is certainly a force with the power to do it. Hypothetically, for a full invasion of the country, I suspect Russia would go straight for Kiev in a lightning attack to immediately crush morale and hope for a quick victory. Even though Ukraine is prepared, sorry to say, I think they would crumble. Fighting a limited "uprising" is one thing, fighting a superpower head-on is another completely. Despite all the rhetoric, and possibly a few pockets, I reckon it would be over quickly enough.

I still think there's more room for Putin to ratchet the pressure higher, there is nothing stopping him, no domestic opposition or anything.

Man walks into a forum with a tinfoil on his head.

Moderator: Why do you have tinfoil on your head?

Man: It keeps the Russians from attacking.

Moderator: But there are no Russians attacking.

Man: See, it works.

Interview on US station ABC news with US speaker of the house Nancy Pelosi (age 81). First 3 minutes. - transcript here.

The US president Biden will give his state of the union address on March 1st. The whole thing is about shouting about Russia invading the Ukraine and when they don't? well, Biden will get credit for making Russia to back down. Wag the dog anyone?

Will the Chinese not be pissed off if he goes in before the end of the Olympics?

I think if they do invade it'll be more Crimea than Donbass. Be over before most of us even know it happened. Elections setup amd a new pro Russian government appointed by an overwhelming majority.

Vlad will ride out any sanctions and eventually the world will move on as they did with crimea.

It’s all a political game. the west want Ukraine on side Russia wants them on theirs so they can get crimea and east as their own. In all likelihood that’s where the middle ground is. Current Ukrainian administration is too pro west for Putins liking and wants to put a stop to it. All this about nato encroachment is just bull. NATO is weaker than it ever has been European countries spending very little on defence bar the UK maybe France. Germany living in Lala land. however if he does encroach or even if he doesn’t you’ll see a lot of those countries upping military spending which is the opposite of what he claims to want. Agreed Russian economy will take a batterying but maybe his mind has I don’t know turned into more authoratorian which can happen when one has total control. If that’s the case then we are in dangerous times.

I think an all out invasion is unlikely as he’d need possibly 3 times the number of troops but. A quick thrust to take some parts of east more likely. Ukrainian military is much improved so they will give him a bloody nose.