Ukraine (Mod Note & Threadbanned Users in OP)

NO! Im not @Pussyhands ! There is absolutely no reason to do so. You have popped up time and again, here, and elsewhere, with a decidedly pro-Russian/'ambiguous' stance on this situation. For me, and most others, there is absolutely no ambiguity regarding this conflict.

So i reiterate - There is no need whatsoever for me to 'put words in your mouth' - i have not done so in the past either - You are doing a fine job of that yourself, why would i need to interfere!

ALSO: 3 thousand troops training next to a border is nothing. the most you could argue is that its sabre rattling -

Don't want to look like you don't know what you're talking about? That's fair, but I think that ship has already sailed. "Special Operation" it is so.

I see the red Cross are reporting that the so called humanitarian route out of mariopol has been mined by the Russians

I would contact the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs at once - im not even gonna speculate - you should call at once

from page above - incls number

Contact Visas for Ireland

Use the form below to get in touch with us.

Queries about Visas for Ireland cannot be dealt with out of hours. If your query relates to another urgent consular case (i.e. emergency) and occurs outside of office hours, please contact the Department on 00353 1 4082000 or alternatively please contact the relevant Irish Embassy abroad

Please note that your email address will be validated on entry.  

This site might help you with answers. Best of luck for the parents

https://www.irishrefugeecouncil.ie/ukraine-information-note

So do you believe Russia has a right to install puppet leaders in bordering countries? Is it not the democratic right of Ukrainians to elect their own government?

@Pussyhands

In answering the questions asked by @kowloon , you were unequivocal - which i applaud. Why then are you equivocal/ambiguous on other topics.

You seem to be acknowledging the facts in one sense, but disputing them in another sense? I am not putting words in your mouth. But i am taking the sum total of what you have stated in many different posts. Which would suggest a tacit understanding with the Russian position.

Its as though Russia, tried to remain dominant in Ukrainian internal affairs. They used proxies in place within the Ukraine, and when this illegal policy failed, and the proxies were arrested/countered: They had no choice but to invade (I detect ambiguous attitude to this, as if to say, yes they tried to avert this invasion by remaining as over-seers of the Ukrainian government, and then 'did what they needed to')

The above italics is paraphrase of what i have seen here on this thread, and elsewhere. I have also read other statements such as those that are quoted, which are unequivocal. You say you have stated multiple times that Russia is wrong. I acknowledge that, i have seen you do so.

Knowing what you know.

• Is your argument that the Ukraine should have facilitated/turned-a-blind-eye, to Russian interference in their nation, IN ORDER TO AVOID military intervention?
• Do you think the Ukraine should now allow a 180 turn, facilitate/turn-a-blind-eye, to Russian interference in their nation, IN ORDER TO END this War??
• If affirmative on the above, do you not view this attitude as ethically and morally wrong? I would go as far as to ask is it not treasonous
• Why do you feel the need to speak like this?
• and finally, what is your actual point, overall?

Respond if you will that you are addressing 'the facts' - i expect this, and thats fine. But do try to answer the questions

Currencies are like any commodity, it's all supply and demand. The sanctions have decimated the demand from exports, but at the same time imports are also screwed so they'll have shortages of imported goods either directly from the sanctions or due to the shipping bans. If you can't import it anyway it doesn't really matter. It's not really the same as any of the collapses else where.

Gas and oil were previously sold via dollar and now probably either Euro or Yuan.

Unless someone has some breakdown on inflation in Russia over the last weeks, a ruble could still be buying the same as it did or near for any domestically produced goods.

Any within Russia that held foreign reverse locally is benefitting from all this as demand for foreign currency to trade is increased but those rates would more or less as the rates would differ local vs free market, and anyone who held large amounts of rubles internationally with it just sitting there losing value and unable to be spent; companies that dealt imports from Russia (petro, grains, ores)

I heard the CEO of the Red Cross speaking about pledging a room or an empty house. He said they would be asking for a commitment of 6 months or a year

Now personally speaking I think that a huge ask . A short term commitment surely would suit a lot more people ?

I would really like to help with a room but not entirely sure I could commit for a year ?

Is this a red cross scheme or something run by the Irish govt?

Be careful out there.