Russia - threadbanned users in OP

The West are to blame for food shortages says Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

And till then one of ukraines biggest weaknesses is the money that the eu pays out for Russian energy .. it's not a simple task for Germany ( and others ) , not only is it going to be expensive ,but it's reputational - Germany in particular has been played like a fiddle ... they were courted, kajoled ,bought and pressurized by Russia .. and then doubled down on their energy imports from Russia ... It would be so much simpler if it all just "went away " and Ukraine lost ...

Whatever will happen with EU involvement, and maybe it will take Russian victory, and then they start on Poland and the Baltic states to make Germany and France wake up to the threat that Putin poses to Europe. But Biden is under no suck illusions......he see's Putin for what he is, and wants him out of of the way so he can give China his full attention if they invade Taiwan.

Russia will not invade Poland or Baltics or any other NATO country. Invading them equals invading USA, they are not that stupid or crazy. They are like school bullies, they pick some weak nerd, but stay away from someone who has a strong big brother. Same with Russia in Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova. They might invade Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, but not a NATO country.

Propaganda.

US won't allow it to happen...

There are games on both sides. Putin wants a win, any kind of a win now and the West want whatever Ukraine wants. There will be no change in sanctions just for a ceasefire. We can probably expect sanctions for the rest of the year at least.

Have to love the auld anti Germany / France / Europe crew in here. Easy to see many in here do not understand what role German and French companies have for our everyday life in the EU and indeed the world. Taking BASF, a chemical company (worlds largest if I am not mistaken) with a plant bigger than most Irish towns in Ludwigshafen Germany ... if they were to stop the import of Russian gas into Germany tomorrow, it would mean that plant alone closing down as EU/German law states private homes have to get supplied before industry. They supply additives and other (chemical) ingredients/components to practically every industy worldwide .... https://www.basf.com/global/en/products.html

Add to that another German company Bayer ... and Europe would be dependant on the Americans and Asian markets to deliver key (elements for) medication etc. Now lets paint things black ... what would the outcry be like if the average Irish household could not buy Panadol or Aspirin, we will not even imagine medication such as insulin, betablockers .....chemo.

Imagine the farmers had no fertilisers, no pest control .... sure you would all be crying once again, food prices would be even higher than today, god forbid ...

Imagine, your car breaks down and you need 5-6 weeks to get the spare part as the production of spare parts in central Europe is not possible as the chemical components are not available, sure the Germans switched off their chemical industry... the haters would love it.

Then imagine .... if Germany and France were to follow the wish of non producing EU member states and were to refuse Russian gas tomorrow, what effect would it have on their own economies .... huge job losses would put strain on their own economies, meaning very quickly they would not be in a position to pump money into the EU pot, refugee care..., Ireland would have to put even more into the pot, might result in public housing becoming more expensive, even less being built, waiting times in hospitals increasing or the dole being reduced ..... they would be crying again.

People should also not forget, Ukrainian soldiers are being trained on German soil as I write this post, German and French military aircraft / airports are being used for logistics, millions of refugees are being welcomed (and housed) with open arms, schools are opening Ukrainian classes (with Ukrainian teachers and final exams) and German civil servants are on the Polish and Romanian boarders amongst others fast processing immigrant applications. German military are in the Baltic states as part of the Nato rapid response team ....

Before Irish people start pointing fingers calling out the French and Germans, maybe they should think and ask themselves. Why are they not on the streets lobbying for Ireland to join Nato? Why are they not lobbying for Irish tanks and weapons to be sent (forgot we have none!). How they would cope if they could not get essential medicine? How would they cope if they had no car for a few weeks? How would they cope if they were faced with losing their jobs because of a gas ban?

Additionaly, think about a situation where Ireland is attacked by the UK ... who would the Irish be turning to for help or assistance rebuilding?? Yes the EU amongst others .... you know the group who are responible for most of our motorways and other infrastructure .... wonder what the bad Germans and French paid towards that ... but being Irish, sure we are entitled. The truth of the matter is and remains, Ireland brings SWA to the conflict in the Ukraine, however there are mouth pieces who would make you believe Ireland are at the front supplying, helping and delivering.

It's downright idiotic on their part. Poland, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia genuinely fear being invaded by Russia at any moment and think their NATO membership won't prevent it - they think Putin is mad enough to 'give it a go'.

They are 100% against the slightest appeasement of him and know what they are up against.

would agree with that , if all of the countries really gave Ukraine the arms that was needed to push back Putin that would make a difference instead of just enough to keep holding things up in the hope of some deal which will suit Putin more than Ukraine .These countries will back in trading etc with Russia first chance they get .

All the more reason for Germany to get stuck in and finish this war. If they don't I hope the pipe gets blown. You can't allow child rape and torture for any money. The west keeps talking about democracy and 'our values'. What kind of values puts a price on child rape and concentration camps? We All Benefit From Ukrainian Victory - The Atlantic