Russia - threadbanned users in OP

Well, the words Nuclear Strike are being bandied about often enough recently from the Russian side. They have already excused themselves from the pledge of not being the first to use nuclear weapons, so it all depends on what circumstances they would consider as being "qualifying" for them to be first to go nuclear.

Was just about to post the same. Imagine if Theresa May was still PM.

I think Boris see's this as an opportunity to be a modern day version of his hero Winston Churchill.

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Ambassador Filatov is upset that there is a war in Ukraine (started by Kyiv) and that the Irish Times is damaging the positive relations between Ireland and Russia. The Russian military does not target civilians, but is instead shielding them from neo-nazis. And other similar lies.

https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/cynicism-hypocrisy-and-lies-1.4842257

I thought you weren't supposed to call it a war, is that 15 years for Filatov now?

I agree 100%. Boris is doing this out of political expediency, there can be no doubt. But at least he's on the right side of history on this one (for once).

The contrast with France and Germany couldn't be more different.

Macron at this moment is still trying to negotiate with Putin. The French contribution to the Ukraine war effort is an embarrassment, especially consider the arms industry that is effectively sponsored by the French government. Macron fired the head of military intelligence yesterday, it's clear these people were completely caught off guard by this war. Their response has been Neville Chamberlain appeasement. The killing thing is Macron isn't even the worst. Some within France are actively seeking to ally the country with Russia. Marine Le Pen (see below) is only polling marginally behind Macron in the polls for the forthcoming election.

Germany is slightly better, but only very slightly. Instead of giving nothing like France, they are at least giving something, even if something are relics from the East German army that have been held in cold storage for 20 years. Unfortunately, Germany has its own sleaze problem with Russia. Former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder (see below) who sold German natural gas interests to the Russian government now happens to find himself a director of Russian state government company Gazrom. At this very moment, he and his wife are in Moscow. Where do his interest align. Is it with Germany and the West, or is it with Vladimir Putin? There's no conflict of interest there whatsoever, amirite?

The people who are actually contributing most are the ones that understand what is at risk most. Former Eastern Bloc countries. These people were offered the free choice between alignment with the west and Russia. These are the people who are most violently at opposition with Russia. They understand that freedom is at stake.

The influence of Russian money has infected all of Europe. Unfortunately, it seems to have affected the heart of Europe even more so. While Ireland cannot control the actions of France or Germany, we do have control over our own destiny.

Your voice has a direct impact on our local constituency office. You can write to your local TD and inform them of your dissatisfaction on how Ireland is conducting itself. While I certainly applaud our efforts on the humanitarian front, our effort on actually protecting a fledgling democracy is falling flat on its face.

We have something better to offer than a refugee shelter for displaced victims of a war that those people never asked for.

China are not going to get involved any time soon. Their economy would collapse should Western countries cease trade with them. For example 15% of US trade alone is with China.

There's plenty of whispers about, but it would be suicide for China to become embroiled in a war that has nothing to do with them, and that could then quickly escalate into a global conflict. And they know this. Xi Jingping is a lot shrewder and much more astute than Putin will ever be.

Not one bit worried about damaging relations with Russia, Worried that we have not stopped relations with Russia!

Russia have made the choice to do evil, lets not engage with such people and instead focus all our energy on helping Ukraine.

Well they were involved..

Having launched a heap load of cyber attacks across Ukraine services and infrastructure in February before and during start of the war.

So looks like the have thrown in their lot already. They're never sending troops because that's not the Chinese way. It will be money and trade assistance

They might already be "embroiled" as it appears the cyber attack on Ukraine civil and defence systems at the commencement of the invasion was of Chinese origin.

As someone already posted the war with authoritarian regimes has been under way for some time. The West has chosen to ignore it and any incendiary utterances made by Moskow or Beijing. It's long past time to get the finger out. China are well fit to stand on their own now without the West anyway so let them at it.

It's all about the money.

China will not risk sanctions and financial repercussions by alienating their biggest markets.China are just flexing some muscle but won't fully back the Russians.

It's all about the money.

Nobody knows what China will do. All this talk of economic suicide needs to be balanced with the fact it would be similarly devastating for western economies.

Similar to the current game of chicken over pay in rubles or we turn off the taps. Both sides lose.

Very scummy thing to do.