Ukraine (Mod Note & Threadbanned Users in OP)

Very likely. Mr Biden et al will have a talk with Erdoğan if needed. Turkey can't really block anything. Finland and Sweden add significant manpower, and gear and strategic value to NATO (from defensive point of view obviously).

Erdoğan is going to run in "elections" in a year so I'm pretty sure it's all about that. Plus he's in real danger of revolt or being overthrown (yes, he's sort of a mini-Putin) because of failed stupid monetary policy experiments causing inflation to rise to 70%! When high inflation kicked in, instead of increasing the interest rates the Turkish central Bank cut them leading to the 70%. It's as smart as using petrol to put out a fire instead of water...

You're playing semantic games around the term "negotiation" there but we're mostly agreeing (apart from how harshly you view French/German etc. policy [esp. past policy] on Russia/Putin). Maybe you just expected a lot more from the large EU members like Germany than me?

I find it hard to monster them the way it seems very popular to do in the discussions here, on this site. Noone else, no other leaders in Europe/US etc., seem to come in for as much ire. No one mentions Obama's naive and failed "reset" policy with Russia for example.

Ireland, that I know most about obviously, could do more. Again, you mention this (as I did on "Russia" thread in CA forum) people get angry + give out all kinds of reasons why x or y "can't be done". It even has a bad energy policy too (or maybe no real policy and let the market handle it), that leaves us reliant on others who don't wish us well currently and could end in disaster. Warning lights are flashing, but I think so long as power still comes out of the socket and the gas comes out when you turn a knob few care, and the govt. shows little urgency. As with the Germans, take the easier path till the evil day finally comes/the **** hits the fan whatever metaphor you prefer.

I agree Putin hasn't been negotiating honestly at all, he may begin that if/when he sees no other options. That point doesn't seem to have been reached yet. I don't see how talking to the man signals weakness (there's lots of other things the EU and various European countries, incl. Ireland, have done or not done as regards Russia that signal that more clearly to me). The sanctions, such as they are, will stay and hopefully be extended, the weapons and support will continue to go to Ukraine. Nothing changes there, and don't think Macron can or will sell out Ukraine by phoning up Putin now and again (or accepting his calls/listening to his rants).

Russia has suggested it may cut off Ukraine from Europe’s largest nuclear plant unless Kyiv pays Moscow for electricity, AFP reports.

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station in southeastern Ukraine was captured by Russian troops after they invaded the country on 24 February.

Russia’s deputy prime minister, Marat Khusnullin, was quoted by Russian news agencies as saying:

If the energy system of Ukraine is ready to receive and pay, then (the plant) will work for Ukraine. If not, then ( the plant) will work for Russia.

Khusnullin’s remarks came after Russian officials indicated that Moscow intends to remain in territories it has occupied in southern Ukraine, such as the Kherson region and large parts of Zaporizhzhia.

Khusnullin said there was “no doubt” the Zaporizhzhia plant will remain operational, adding:

We have a lot of experience of working with nuclear power plants, we have companies in Russia that have this experience.

Ukraine’s nuclear agency, Energoatom, said today that the Zaporizhzhia plant continued to feed the national power grid.

A spokesperson for Energoatom said Russians “do not have the technical capacity to supply energy from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant to Russia or Crimea”.

The mafia strikes back...

So that's Bulgaria, Poland and Finland so far. Thankfully, the Finns are smart and gas presents only 5% of their energy mix. They've been reducing it long term.

Russia to halt gas flows to Finland on Saturday | Reuters

In other news, the rouble is the strongest vs USD since 2018, which looks good but is bad for country that has 95% of its economy dependent on exports of raw materials denominated in dollars/euros.

Ruble Hits 5-Year High as Gas Buyers Bend to Putin’s Will (yahoo.com)

Unfortunately, it looks like some big customers (Germany and Italy) agreed to pay in roubles...who would have thought. This is a weakness and direct support of the Russian war effort, the gas exports into EU are worth about as much per day as what Russian invasion costs per day. 75% of it is Germany+Italy.

Thankfully, the Russian default is very close, US Treasury licence expires 25 May which will prevent Russia making next payments.

Russian debt default odds jump to 90% while Yellen confirms a report the US will likely block bond payments (yahoo.com)

Russia makes early debt payment dash in bid to swerve default (msn.com)

Where did you get this?

Ah yes. Zelensky, the Nazi Jew.

If only to keep the thread alive I have to say the following to bring some balance to a very one sided debate.

Because Mr Putin is so victimised; being constantly put down ,; few , if anyone, believes that he ‘ tells it as it is’ - unbelievable ; being accused of poisoning RU living overseas- has he not enough to be doing at home; imprisoning RU that break the law in RU - as happens throughout the world - so what’s wrong with RU doing the same ; having a genuine interest in All Russian speakers throughout the world and looking after their welfare where and at all possible,; accused of telling lies, half truths and not keeping to agreements IT IS ONLY RIGHT THAT RESPECT IS SHOWN TO ALL HIS SUPPORTERS until they emerge from the tunnel they find themselves in !

You missed an /s 🙄

This is just complete garbage. This is 100% on Putin. Endless meddling in Ukrainian politics, poisoning politicians, annexing their territory, operating a bald-faced Russian operation to seize the East of the country, right up to a full-scale Wehrmacht style invasion on multiple axes. Besides butchering the people and cynically destroying their infrastructure, they are literally stealing their harvest and selling it abroad, forcing them to use the occupiers currency, issuing foreign birth certificates, ripping down war memorials, dismantling and destroying their cultural identity piece by piece. This isn't just empire building by Putin, he is systematically trying to erase the Ukrainian identity. They are burning Ukrainian books, there are filtration camps.. we've seen all this before.

Some issues are one-sided.

Yes, it was meant to be but I did not realise dat it was against boards charter . Tks for heads up

Respect to the man.Russia is and will be an honourable nation.It has been betrayed by a section of its population though and will have an excruciating time finding its true values when the dust settles