Russian invasion of Ukraine

Terrifying to read. But your last comment makes a lot of sense.

One more note on why we should not listen to anything russians say - not to mention that Putin lied and contradicted himself multiple times, his recent invasion was based on the claim that he recognises the separatist territories in the east. Okay. But why is he going to the capital then?

“Currently have the “At first they came for the Ukrainians. But I was not a Ukrainian…” line running through my head. The ‘well, this went well, why stop here?’ line“

Well they certainly aren’t going to invade Poland.

For now... But Poland and the Baltics might be next if Russia sees they can get away with stuff like this relatively easy.

I hope not, I hope with us (I'm in Lithuania btw) it would be different, because we're member of both EU and NATO.

That's why the civilised world must act of crippling this Mordor to the east.

Think they are doing both things aren't they, securing a land bridge to Crimea, according to reports tonight Mariupol and Melitopol are both under bombardment and then going for Kiev to cripple the Government and probably get in place someone who recognizes the "break away republics"

Makes sense. I wonder if recapturing those territories would be an option or is it a one way street. On the other hand Ukraine lost Crimea in 2014 and it doesn't look like they're getting it back any time soon.

I hope not, I hope with us (I'm in Lithuania btw) it would be different, because we're member of both EU and NATO.

🤞🏼

Ukraine seems to be Putin's idea of lebensroum and isn't going to stop until its 100% part of Russia.

Attacking a member of the EU/NATO would mean a full blown world war, I don't think that would happen at all. But to be fair I didn't think they'd invade Ukraine either...

I wouldn't put it past him tbh. Go out with a bang and all that...

A couple of points from discussion on local TV here in Lithuania: (yes we're big rusophobes - been occupied for half of the century with our families killed, etc.)

1. Don't make European parliament a talk show - it must take action instead of talking
   
2. European people, especially in the west Europe, the ones that were not occupied by the Soviets must learn and understand how evil the Russian regime is. And then urge their governments to act.
   
3. EU must make haste with talks and procedures about integrating Ukraine to NATO and European Union. It's a decent country that's punished for this exact idea - of joining the civilised world.
   
4. Embargo for everything Russian. No visas for Russians. No Russian export. Nothing.
   
5. Nordhaus climate change club kind of concept but climate change is Russia.
   

China is a good guy compared to Russia or Belarus.

China are committing a systematic and brutal genocide against the Uighur people. forced sterilisations, forced abortions, women having their wombs removed, organ harvesting, removing children from mothers, rape, torture and mass imprisonment along with psychological conditioning. The aim is to wipe them out as a culture and a people.

Ok last story before I go to bed.

My girlfriend's grandfather came to Lithuania with the soviets. He wasn't a soldier, he was more of a politician kind of guy. He fell in love with my girlfriends polish grandmother and decided to stay here. 50 years later he still speaks Russian only and watches Russian news only (and it's all propaganda, like real propaganda).

I don't like visiting them because I don't speak Russian so my job is just eat and smile. And have a shot of vodka if I don't drive. I learned a Russian phrase "spasibo, nenada, ya za ruliom" - thank you, no need, I'm driving.

So on our last visit, a couple of weeks ago my girlfriend's cousin also joined us with cousin's boyfriend Maksim, who apparently serves in Lithuanian army. And he speaks Russian, too bad for him.

So they spoke with grandfather about army things, Maksim got strong hands so he got assigned to rocket launcher position, something something.... And then suddenly the grandfather looks at me, looks at Maksim and goes like: "Hey, but you Lithuanians always talk about how will you defend against Russia if they attack but both of you are wearing glasses. How on earth are you gonna defend your country when you're "ochkariki" (glass-wearers as an insult).

Maksim blushed and replied that actually he scored pretty good at shooting practices and he ranks towards the top. And then the grandfather starter talking about Ukraine (probably seen some things on Russian TV that's there constantly). Maksim goes like: but Ukrainians are friends, we train together.

What follows are shouts, drama, some more vodka, plates going off the table (probably a combination of old age and vodka and nerves) and grandpa leaves the room dramatically.

It hasn't got much to do with this thread but just random context of life in post soviet countries. My grandpa on the other hand was in jail for spreading western ideas and participating in an underground press. When he got out he was unable to get any decent job because he was blacklisted as an enemy of the state (previously worked at university).

Good night now. I hope not to find worse news tomorrow morning.

Best not to make comparisons I think

Insightful and appreciated

This makes the argument that it is a religious war, the west just doesn't realise it
https://topsecretumbra.substack.com/p/putins-attack-on-ukraine-is-a-religious?

Seems the GRU have taken their eye off the Wikipedia ball.

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Sad

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It seems that way. Humans are incredibly adaptive, and we have collectively structured our societies to reward and thus select for certain behaviours. We can make other choices - and many societies throughout history have done exactly that.

EU seemed to be prevaricating on SWIFT - hope they crack down.

Like they need more?

People in the west are being played... People in post soviet countries know what's up and the atrocities Russia committed for centuries.

I've read somewhere that removing Russia from swift is not that big of a deal - it doesn't mean isolating it from the map of the financial world, the payments would just be slower.

But I'd absolutely agree with kicking it out from any international organisation - can't believe Russia is leading a UN security council in these days.

Also: they use Interpol to find and bring dissidents home. It's a mob ran country.

Let's ease off with the conspiracy theories yeah?
If you se blatant untruths you are very welcome to point them out, but to claim that all politicians are playing you is very much the kind of shoulder shrugging cynicism the Russians want you to succumb to.

Yeah, there are no possible sanctions that Putin won't have planned for and be prepared to accept, at least temporarily. Swift is not the crushing blow that some say it is. He's been preparing for losing that for some time. De dollerosation is part of this plan and CIPS is ready and waiting for him

The only hope would be life becoming so hard for Russians that Putin can't stay in power but I somehow doubt that would happen.