Russia - threadbanned users in OP

What do you want to send the Irish army across the border into the North like Charlie tried before Jack spanked his arse for him. Point is we are a grown ass country so is the UK, we spent 20 years discussing an issue with the UK and reached concenus which has resulted in no war or invasion. Just like every other country in Europe since 1945 EXCEPT Russia.

Ukrainians stating 10k Russian troops have moved in to the two Eastern regions.

He’s a joke of a leader! Only heading down one road!

Boris Johnson says five Russian banks, and three high net-worth individuals, are being sanctioned, with more to follow. Not exactly headline-making given his rhetoric of late.

Best thing that can happen is that Putin becomes brave enough to encroach on one of the Baltic states, then NATO will have the right to engage. He's not that silly though. Looks like they'll have to just sit on their hands and watch the Ukraine.

We have pretty much the mildest winters in Europe and many houses still have the option of open fires. I spent 4 winters in The Czech Republic. Gas in winter is life or death there, as is the case in Slovakia, Poland, Germany, in fact anywhere East of the Rhine or North of The Alps.

Europe depends on Russian nitrogen, as does much of the world and the world depends on Belarus for Phosphate.

We'll manage but nowhere grows grain to the yield and quality of Ukraine and 500 miles east in to Russia.

Ultimately they need to sell more than we need to buy but they'll Also take a lot more punishment than the modern West Will.

People will be very sore seeing a loaf on Special in Lidl for 3 or 4 Euros.

Ultimately while it has incredible resources and dominance in many of the most essential it has hamstrung itself by letting the rest of the economy suffer.

The Dutch disease it's called in economics.

Putin has no right to invade Ukraine, but that isn't really stopping him from doing it anyway. If the USA, for example, wanted to stop Russian forces from encroaching on sovereign Ukrainian territory, they would, because when it comes down to it, they don't give a b*llox about protocol either. It's always nice to have approval of the UNSC, but in realpolitik, not entirely necessary. The USA certainly did not need it to invade Iraq.

So, given that all these mechanisms we have in place to make ourselves feel safe are awfully flimsy when push comes to shove, if Russia were to go at Estonia, for example, I think there'd be a lot of, "....well, it's only Estonia. Do we really want to start WWIII over Estonia? Could we not just put together a package of economic sanctions? Maybe a hashtag?", plus the likes of Peter Hitchens on Question Time laconically going, "The people in the Eastern half of Estonia have declared an independent Republic, and if we're true democrats in this country, we must respect the right to self-determination of all nations, not push our own imperialist agenda. (moderate applause)"

There was some nasty stuff directed at Budapest from Brussels and EU leaders, Mark Rutte especially.

I suspect that Orban will be telling them to come down from the high horse or he might tell them to go D themselves.

They were looking at short term issues and it may well bite.

Berlin is where the sanctions will be fatally undermined. Everything else is window dressing, the rest of the Eu can work around Hungary if they choose to.

A response to the UK sanctions.

The village of Novoluhanake in Ukraine is currently getting pounded from the separatists areas

There's some nasty stuff directed at the EU from Orban/his media on a regular basis I think.

I know it might go against grain of your politics, but would you not agree the play fighting Hungary and Poland have been engaging with against the EU and some of their neighbours looks a bit silly in the face of events. In Poland's case in particular. Perhaps they should consider more where Poland is on the map relative to Russia. Probably as poor a strategic choice in hindsight for their country as the German energy policy was for that country.

Esp. Poland's cosseting of Orban over last few years by lying him up every time the EU might have taken some action against Hungary. Absolutely brain dead policy by the master strategists of the Law and Justice party. I suppose you are right that they will probably get away with that and even if there actually was a veto attempted by Hungary it could be worked around somehow.

I don't think there's any evidence yet that Germany "will fatally undermine" any sanctions against Russia.

Energy security is a thing as well.

There are certain things where strategic national interest has a place.

Food, energy and defense.

There is no redundancy built in to modern Western economies bar America especially European ones.

What happens if Russia cuts oil exports for a while. Cuts gas to Europe.

We have natural gas untapped, peat plant electricity stations idle. They should be used now, if you want to save the bog limit Coillte planting on it

It can be done as a balance and in a green way but still be there for short term emergencies.

Can we handle oil 50% higher?

3 euro at the pump etc?

No and that's not to do with Russia but they are taking advantage.

As said earlier the Ukraine needs to be given enough anti tank missiles, etc that every Man over 16 can be in a position to take out a Russian soldier.

The rhetoric comming from Russia seems to suggest they are pivoting towards a full invasion of Ukraine. It may not happen but I certainly wouldn't bet against it now.

Unfortunately for Ukraine their is going to be only one winner, I think they may end up having to negotiate some kind of transfer of power to return Ukraine back under Russias influence again.

Its a very sad state of affairs but unfortunately with Putin with one hand on the button to launch an all out nuclear war no western country will ever dare getting involved other than bringing in sanctions to look like they are doing something.

I dont think even Putin would ever be stupid enough to dare invade any NATO country, but then nothing can really be ruled out.

Europe now needs to really get its sh**t together and some how find a way to become less dependent on Russian gas.

I also think that against previous conventions the US really need to start looking at a nuclear defense systems again, thats if they havent already been doing so in secret anyway.