Russia - threadbanned users in OP

Well without the support there is every chance that the Russian invasion would have been, or could still be successful. You then have a failed state bordering the EU under Russian "control". The migration we're seeing today will look like nothing compared what it might look like if that happens, plus the risk of escalation increases. Don't think this support to Ukraine is for Ukraine, it is for the long-term security of the entire region. We're not that nice, we're really covering our own arses and rightfully so. It's in all our best interests that Russia fails.

Less damage than if the missle falls off a building

No agreement from Rammstein to send tanks, but German won't stand in others way

Ohh there is self interest involved, for sure, but fûck all use in sending xyz if many millions of people who should be making good with these resources to defend their country, to defend The Ukraine, have fûcked off to enjoy a nice modern European life. Thousands of kilometres from the fighting. Remember, women, children, OAPs…. I witnessed it first hand at a local university ….BS, lots of fit healthy young people, 20’s, 30’s, 40’s etc…. Can’t have been SFA wrong health wise as there was after a day a Q 20 meters long to join the gym.

so in an aspect, that aspect it’s a failed state already. Expecting everyone else to sacrifice and do their bidding when they themselves or many of them, can’t simply be arsed.

plus if the war was to escalate any further, it’s World War III. My own feeling is unless Putin gets bumped off or dies, it’s probably going to require further military escalation. To that point…. If Putin attacks or tangibly threatens the EU for example. Any further west, the Ukraine the EU / US / UK have to go to town on Russia…

How many Irish people pissed of to Canada, Germany, US, Australia, NZ, when a little economic strife beset this paradise on earth, just for a few bob, let alone because their apartment was blown up or just to protect their children from the prospect of death?

There has been a ban on men of service age leaving Ukraine as of a few days after the invasion. Most who have left are women and children.

Which of these apartments and houses is yours? Why aren't you still living in it?

Sweden has also announced they're deploying Sabaton to Ukraine 😁

I've heard that Scholz's SPD party are a big part of the problem. It seems many of them are opposed to sending tanks to Ukraine. Divisions in the party must be very serious if Scholz is resisting heavy international pressure, even from close friends and allies.

Very interesting and detailed article on Transnistria.

I am left slightly puzzled by the assumption that gas and troops and equipment and such, can pass betweeen Russia and Transnistria at will, when the geographic reality seems to be that Romania, Moldova and Ukraine hold all the geographic cards and that if they all ban Russian planes from their airspace, the Transnistrian enclave is not going to survive a military encounter with Ukraine for long. There is just no supply route. All that free gas mentioned is entirely at the behest of Ukraine, not Russia.

If Ukraine decides there is to be no more Transnistria, then they easily have the means to make it happen. This is what they should do, given recent history concerning enclaves and places seeded with Russians as a means to provide later military excuses. Needs to be done in the closing stages of the Russian conflict when there are forces to spare and before there is an actual cessation of hostilities and euro twatlings are in a position to raise objections. A couple false flags and have at them.

It seems that many miss what's really happening in Ukraine and are focused on what Zelensky is looking for, and the cost. What's happening is that Ukrainians are fighting the enemy at the European gate, and if the Ruzzians get in that gate, then all hell will break loose in Europe, and all your comments about what it costs to feed , educate them etc ( copy and paste from one of your comments on the Multicultural thread,) will fade into insignificance, when or if war breaks out, and that's for sure. We should be down on our knees thanking Zelensky and Ukrainians for what they are doing, protecting Europeans, and not bean counting. The real cost in this war is Ukrainian lives, and that's part of the price they are paying. And if they were not, then maybe European's would be paying.

Putin discussed with Russian security council latest developments of war against Ukraine

People focusing on Germany but it's the US and Germany both refusing to send tanks. There is cracks widening in NATO. Needless to say, this is what Putin wants.

I think the real issue is Germany doesn't think Ukraine can win the war.

Ukraine can win with superior Leopards and Howitzers etc, but they can't win without them. The west can't win this war in dribs and drabs, that is a recipe for failure. They are being controlled by fear and Putin knows it. Putin would see Russian descend into the abyss before he gives in. The west should arm Ukraine now and stop being such cowards.

So what does the smoke say, tanks or no tanks? Which is it?

Russia needs time at the moment, get ready for a spring offensive. Use sheer numbers massive fire power, Leopard tanks will be a significant threat to that. Every day Berlin can buy for them is a help.

Every day this war goes on the chance for it to become even more damaging grows.

Russia will lose, it may burn to the ground after but the problem with lunatics and petrol is that they may burn an awful lot more before being stopped. This war can become an awful lot worse and bigger.