Ukraine (Mod Note & Threadbanned Users in OP)

Could Ukraine send unmanned aircraft into Russian territory laden with leaflets and propaganda materials explaining the situation on the ground to the Russian public directly?

How far into Russian territory could such "missiles" penetrate?

I think copyright law - and other international norms - dont really apply. I view this nonsense as more of a statement of intent. (i laughed at first btw, i suspect many did). I mean technically everything is signed off by the Duma, but what does that mean anymore? 'Technically' the Reichstag continued to exist after Hitler seized power, but it was just a puppet. I suspect therefore in this case, that Copyright law means what ever Putin says it means. He intends to suffer no consequences RE international laws

I would like to think its smoke and mirrors. But when combined with the state 'taking ownership' and leased Aircraft, and beginning to do likewise with western company assets in Russia - its hard not to see the writing on the wall

Putin's Next Target? The Moldova - Transnistria Issue - Mark Felton (Historian)

Just a video from Felton RE the Transnistrian question - Felton is usually very good - i think i posted a previous video of his on this. He is worth subscribing to, and im happy to see him posting this type of useful content. He always includes his sources too should anyone wish to check them out, they are beneath each vid

Manach, sorry to be flip but just reading this this afternoon and thinking is it not a bit of a nonsense to talk about agreements on IP and such (hadn't heard of one you cite) when Russia has invaded a soveriegn state by choice, with no justification, and is using siege tactics + pretty indiscriminate bombing and the like on cities to try and win its war.

I think Western companies with assets in Russia etc. will eventually lose them and can write them (and any IP Russia can salvage for itself) off as a cost of taking a risk for profit and investing in an autocratic state (unless there is a miracle, and peace breaks out soon).

'The question is, though, how are those accused of committing the crimes going to be apprehended and brought to court to face trial?'

That's easy. They aren't.

It looks like the war will end with some kind of compromise peace agreement (as I predicted on the other thread).

Blue and yellow mania aside, there's no reason to think that Putin will be toppled or no way of knowing how and when that could happen. Krushchev was removed from power peacefully. Stalin may have been poisoned by rivals. So who knows, it does happen.

There's no guarantee that the next Russian leader to replace Putin would be more pliable and reasonable.

I think the point about whats going on RE nationalizations, Russian McD's and the sure to be ignored IP issues, is apt in terms of the conflict. It just highlights Russia's insane response to the Soft Power damage being inflicted.

Obviously im not suggesting that this is as important as the military situation. It isnt. But given the situation (Putin's Nuclear Arsenal) the west is unlikely to involve itself in the military war. It will instead continue to arm the Ukrainians, and the degree to which this happens might increase. AND SHOULD increase IMHO.

The Soft power war (im gonna simply use the word 'war' for now) is really the other front. And i think the pathetic behavior of Russia in response to this, should definitely be noted. The McDonald's thing is the most Pathetic thing i have seen thus far - but it didn't happen in a vacuum

• the Aircraft leases are null and void - Russia will not give those planes back
• Companies continue to jump ship
• The Economic sanctions are having an effect
• Russia is Pariah state to all IOs

Their 'inept' responses probably drill up some 'flag waving at home' - Im sure puppets members of the Duma are delighted with the response for now but its counter productive. Russia will never be taken credibly ever again, in terms of Trade, investment, and commerce. Everything they do to respond (Russian McDonalds, seizing aircraft et al) only adds further fuel to the fire. But aircraft parts, equipment, microchips, advanced electronics, cannot be 'conjured' into existence. Pretty soon those planes will be useless. As useless as the Domestic Russian Consumer market.

Its horrible not to be able to act militarily, but the west is doing something. And if Putin falls, the soft power will have played a hand

I don't know how they can keep spouting such bullsh1t with a straight face. Does a person need to take drugs to lie to themselves in such breathtaking fashion? Or is it hypnosis or something?

The absolute withering and eviscerating responses of the other SC ambassadors says a lot. It wouldn't be often that diplomatic language would be set aside so completely and another SC member roasted in his own juices like that.

I see Putin had his Nuremberg Rally in Moscow today

That stranglehold must be in question now. Those who prop him up, to their own benefit, can see that he is leading them into oblivion. So that support can't but have a huge question mark over it.

Their wealth, their lifestyle, its all dependent on doing business with the West. And of course with China and India and others, but when their own fortunes are so absolutely tied to Western Investment and technology, it looks more like they are going to try and remain neutral as far as they possibly can.

This whole subject is actually a great time for the west. For 20 or more years we have allowed our power and control and innovation to ebb away and end up in corrupt and unscrupulous territories like China. Its time for the West to assert itself again as the natural and most sustainable location for all of the power, influence and great industry and technologies of the World. The emerging markets have proven they simply cannot be trusted with it.