Russia - threadbanned users in OP

Also bear in mind that there are elections in Poland coming up very soon. A lot of PIS's base is in rural areas and they need to be seen to be tough on this to keep the base happy as it is likely to be a close election.

Remember none of this would be happening if Putin had not invaded Ukraine. The Ukranian grain would not be in Poland. The possible friendly fire rocket attack etc . It is shocking to behold the devastation and division one disruptive ass hole can cause.

The Polish weapons development is an interesting development. If they continue to refurbish and repair various damaged Ukrainian equipment they could still have an very important role. Also they are one of the main conduits for arms entering the country.

It may also reflect a strategy to get other allies to provide more equipment. Say the Americans and their M1 tanks.

More I'd say they don't have much left to give Ukraine weapons wise.

But as always with politics timing of statements is everything

And this is why of course Russia declined to extend the grain export agreement via the Black Sea. They correctly identified this as a way to drive a wedge between Ukraine and neighbouring EU states. Just like promoting migration into EU states to try and destabilise/ push costs onto us, they have contrived to force this issue to cause splits.

What's odd is that Ukraine and EU have fallen for it. Both know this was a sensitive issue last year and had potential to cause trouble again. It's in neither's interests to fall out over this, so why have they allowed this to develop as it has???

Poland are trying to push the notion of they should be an EU powerhouse,they want to see the traditional Franco/German dominated eu replaced with the power going to Poland and the Baltics which they believe should have a bigger say in not just the EU but NATO too ,at the rate of investment in their military industry Poland will be eventually the largest and most modern military force in Europe and NATO,that can change the balance of things for everyone,we in theory could have the western EU states and a separate Eastern states aka Baltics Baying to more control,

I love the unintended irony in the above.

I see people on this very thread calling for countries to be kicked out of the EU ... Great result for Russia!

Russia's long-term project to foster right-wing populism in Europe and stoke unrest in the Union is finally paying dividends.

All nations posture for their domestic audience on hand to mouth issues, remember Greece's snap referendum on a bailout deal that hadn't even been fully negotiated?

On the other hand Czechia recently ousted a anti EU admin for a staunch pro EU/Ukraine defense. Orban liked playing Russia off the rest of us, but now Hungary has the highest inflation in the EU thanks to his dependence on Russian energy. Like in Russia the national media there plays the game too for an older audience who only speak a language for which there are hardly any alternatives views, so Orban doesn't even have to apply heavy censorship.

I won't be surprised if the grain issue is resolved in a week.

50% of Mariupol was demolished. It has been under Russian occupation since last year. Has everyone left the city? No.

Those that left not all went to Europe either.

Irrespective, New president will not necessarily result in Ukraine's failure.

If Ukraine falls because Europe cannot put its hands in its pockets then Ukraine will hold it to blame even as it finds refuge there.

I doubt Europe can afford that eventuality.(Russia will be very emboldened -what is left of it anyway)

Reports on CNN of a large attack on an air base in Crimea now.

https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-09-21-23/h_60f6a53fba31c9f6002f6a9db30d7811

39 million give or take a few thousand

This is likely one of the key reasons. The far right are third in polls and could end up being "king-maker". This move will help appease their base.

Poland has

Ok, but that is arguable too. In case of war EU vs Fascist ruSSland it will be Poles and people from Baltics dying first. Long before any German or French soldier falls. Yes, of course, nobody asked them to place their countries next door to vatniks, but hey, it is what it is. They will be fighting and dying, the least the rest can do is foot the bill, no?