Russia - threadbanned users in OP

Just on that (a charge of some "double standards" vs the citizens of other autocratic states), Saudi Arabia's govt. is unpleasant and I don't trust it myself, but it is not openly working to destroy us.

I don't think it is sensationalist to say that Russia's is since Feb. this year (it was hostile before then too, but at a much lower level than launching wars on the EUs borders and the govt. publically threatening EU members with use of force in future).

Its citizens should not get the easy access to the EU that they still have today for leisure and business + abilities to evade the sanctions as well by travelling to the EU to buy products and take them out etc. It just does not make sense any more (for multiple reasons).

The EU as a collective is pretty much entering a new Cold war, with Russia on the opposite side now - this will mean an end to all kinds of interactions, economic, social, political. Even if Ireland (Irish public, maybe the govt. too?) hasn't actually fully internalised it yet or still thinks its nothing much to do with us really, apart from giving some charity to Ukraine + wringing our hands.

The sanctions are already a "collective punishment" on Russia's population anyway, they're not just aimed at the regime. The desire is to strangle the whole Russian economy + make it hard to rearm and rebuild for more military adventures to the West (probably involving some EU/NATO member states next time if opportunity knocks for Putin or successor).

More of it

Much as I hate to say it, Russia seems to have the edge. Ukraine are a far better army but they need a strong air force badly. Something big needs to happen to help them.

Video of missile strike at Antonivsky bridge overnight

I disagree. Both sides are now struggling to build any kind of momentum, Russia are scourging through the dredges of their prison's promising freedom just to build any kind of BTG. The simple fact Russia has had to reinforce Kherson with battle groups from Donbass gives Ukraine an edge on where they can dictate an attack. I don't agree on your point something big needs to help them, far from it, but what they may need is some kind of win just to show the west that they can indeed liberate some ground. The west is key for Ukraine and I dont think they will just turn the tap off, I think time is against Russia, Germany is making huge strides to wean itself off Russian gas, as one expert put it, its the biggest mobilisation outside of wartime for Germany.

Of course tactics can change and the Russians are learning from mistakes albeit very slowly. We are also heading into a very nervy winter where they could be a lot of political pressure across the EU. But Russia certainly dont have the edge...right now.

Ah that is very sad is it not. Couldn't happen to nicer people

Ha, fight for nation integration. The only think that fat fcuk ever fought for was he way to the top of the queue in the local chipper.

He'd have a heart attack getting off the back of a transport truck

At least this guy could name a number of capitals that they're going to destroy, although I guess the missile threats are on repeat on Russia TV1.

I've seen many of these over the last few months and what always surprises me is that they are well dressed in suits and ties.

Surely an appropriate attire (and gait) for such people would be a baggy grey trackie with hands on their nuts?

Appropriate garb for these gangsters would be what ever is fashionable at the moment in the Black Dolphin prison..some where they will become acquainted with at some stage hopefully.

I am sorry, but your comment that "Putin has beggared his country" has no basis in reality.

Russia has just posted a record current account surplus. The stuff that Russia exports and that everyone needs (commodities) are still sky high and despite best efforts, the rest of the world is still buying everything they produce. Out of all the advanced industrialised countries, Russia is one of the few that runs something that resembles a balanced budget. It's not all sunshine and roses, but the Russian economy is doing relatively well.

On the flipside, Ukraine is in a dire situation and is an actual beggar. For every €10 they are spending today, they're only taking in €4 of tax revenue. They have already deferred their debt. Their current government deficit is either being met by a combination of printing money to pay their soldiers and by whatever scraps the EU are throwing to them. They are 100% dependent on the kindness of strangers to continue the war.

No, just ban the scum unless they aren't scum and can prove a history of brave vocal opposition.

They lie all the time, but the fact is that natural gas prices in Europe are up 600%. They are certainly shipping less natural gas, but they are shipping what's left at a far higher price. If the Russian economy was in trouble, they wouldn't be playing games, like they are currently with the Nordstream Pipeline 1 and gas shipments to Europe.

If you want to dispute the above, that's fine. What cannot be disputed is that Ukraine is insolvent. If they do not get €100bn a year from the West, they cannot afford to pay their armed forces, they cannot continue the war. This is even before we consider the billions of Dollars they requires in weapons to fight this war.

What did Russia spend their surplus on before? Yacht's from Italy, high priced fashion from France, London property in Britain. This is all gone now as Europe has sanctioned Russia from taking part in their luxury economy. On the otherhand, no sanctions exist on Russian energy, which has meant that while the flow of Russian money to Europe has stopped. the flow of European money to Russia continues. If Russia needs Western technology, they will have pockets deep enough to buy it on the black market. Maybe a ball bearing costs €2 instead of €1. Maybe a microchip costs €8 instead of €4 - as long as you have money and a global market, there will be a way.

Your second point is indefensible. Ukraine is absolutely at the mercy of strangers right now, they are neither in NATO, nor the EU, so there is no actual treaty or obligation that binds Ukraine to anyone else. While they absolutely have the right to defend themselves, they have no right to expect anyone else to pay for it, as the US/EU are currently doing. What happens if the Republicans take control in the mid term elections and pull the plug on funding to Ukraine? It's a nightmare scenario, completely out of the hands of Ukrainians and exactly what I mean when I say they are totally dependant on the kindness of strangers.