Ukraine (Mod Note & Threadbanned Users in OP)

It underlines the contrasting commitment to the conflict. The issue was so important to Russia that they literally are putting everything on the line. The EU have ruled out almost any commitment that would impact their citizens.

Madman attacks neighbour out of the blue is the current narrative. Is that a balanced view?

Neutrality has served Ireland well and our military has a trustworthy and professional reputation in International peace keeping. The Irish passport offers some of the best access in the world. Giving up neutrality, however imperfect is not something to be done lightly.

One particularly and not especially encouraging take on the mindset of the average Russian in the replies to this video of captured Russian servicemen on Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/t7cbkj/another_interview_with_captured_russians_if_this/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

The basic premise of the insightful and lengthy commentary is that, although Putin is the head of the beast, he is surrounded by loyalists and a military/petrochemical industrial complex which have a lot to lose or gain in this conflict.

The entire mindset of the average Russian, whilst undoubtedly influenced and swayed by a totally one-sided propogandist and pro Putin media, is as equally if not moreso influenced or institutionalised by a fear of the West going right back through the cold war and (justifiedly even moreso) by the collective experience of the Great Patriotic war where the invasion from the West caused the deaths of 20 million Russians. Russia has not moved on from this mindset and it has served Putin well to perpetuate this "operation" as a continuation of this struggle against the threat from the West and all its evils (Whilst ironically at the same time embracing all the trappings of Capitalism).

Unfortunately, it would seem that merely overthrowing Putin or beheading the senior military command, who equally benefit from this mindset will still not be enough to convert the average Russian from this albeit outdated, but nonetheless historically justified, fear of the West.

You missed the bit about launching loads of nukes if NATO get involved

That's somewhat illusory though. According the western analysis, the Russians have committed all of the forces they had built up. While they have larger reserves in theory, they aren't positioned to intervene in Ukraine. In addition, it's questionable if Russia even has the sustainment capacity for the forces it has right now.

I do not think so. All Russians need to do is to wait about a week or two. All these cities will be completely without power, water and food. Civilian population will not tolerate this conditions for too long and will push government to sit and negotiate.

What is the point of these arguments.

Nato cannot get directly involved with Russia for fear of nuclear escalation.

It makes no sense to compare conventional forces between Nato and Russia.

If either side feels it has been directly attacked then all bets are off.

That is what is trying to be avoided at present and Ukraine is paying a terrible price for this terrible trade off.

But I agree Russian conventional forces do not impress.It has been said that Russia's strength lies in defence and not attack.

I hope they have now met their match.

Oh so we wander into nuclear exchanges?

Indeed,hopefully noone in authority is prepared to take that risk.

All the talk is of how to avoid direct military confrontation with a foe whose leadership does not need to be clinically insane to be abominable dangerous to each and everone's existence.