Latest from Ukraine

My friend’s daughter studied Russian and French at university. As part of her course she was required to spend six months in Russia. She stayed in a small town/village out in the sticks somewhere and stayed with a family. They were dirt poor. My friend and her daughter supported the family for years afterwards by sending clothes, food, and gifts which were very much appreciated. Life in major cities is fairly like the west, but the majority live in the countryside and are poor. Very poor.

Yes, but perhaps posters thought she meant the UK.

Without a doubt, better than Russia though, No?

I think nanna8 is posting about her experiences in Australia.

As I posted a while ago "People think Australia is a liberal country but it's not".

I don't see it like that nanna8. Moves towards dictatorship have been seen in the UK but not by following the science on covid.

It was shown by the attacks on the BBC - an attempt to silence free speech. We also saw it in the cuts in our judiciary and by the pushing further into poverty the very people who might complain about the way this government works. I am sure others could add to the list but by protecting us from a deadly disease? Where the UK actually managed to sort things out after killing many of the elderly - no, not that.

nanna8

We have been through a minor version of government dictatorship during Covid when we had a night curfew and were only allowed to travel 5 kms. That was a Labour government of course. They tend to like controlling people. It went on for 2 whole years . Ridiculous when you have all the expense of night time helicopter patrols making sure the roads were empty. Not at all comparable with the dreadful Russian onslaught though the mindset of those left wing dictators is familiar.

I don't think that temporary covid regulations, which were implemented for the benefit of all citizens and were, on the whole, happily complied with because everyone thought they were doing the right thing (apart from, in the case of the UK, the NO.10 Downing Street establishment) to curb the spread of the virus, are in anyway comparable with the repression practised on their populations by dictators.

For all his world beating and ridiculous bluster, only 1/4 of arms promised by the U.K. has arrived in Ukraine.

We have been through a minor version of government dictatorship during Covid when we had a night curfew and were only allowed to travel 5 kms. That was a Labour government of course. They tend to like controlling people. It went on for 2 whole years . Ridiculous when you have all the expense of night time helicopter patrols making sure the roads were empty. Not at all comparable with the dreadful Russian onslaught though the mindset of those left wing dictators is familiar.

I'm afraid we cannot know nanna. The religious leaders in Russia are, I would guess, influenced by the limited and biased information they are getting like all the rest of the country is. The evidence we have seen in many countries over recent years and comparatively recent history shows that being "civilised and educated" does not stop people from holding extremist views. It's disturbing when we look at Putin's attack on western democracy but it's also disturbing when we look at attacks on that democracy from within the western democratic countries. It is not only in Russia where people think attacking others and destroying the democratic norms makes them stronger.

I expect Putin has as much tight control of the Russian church establishment as he does of every other part of Russian life. They wouldn't dare speak out...

(This is what the tories would like for the UK, of course )

Whether they support Russia or not, surely the wholesale destruction of life and cities must make them wonder about their leader? They are a civilised and educated people so I can only think that somehow Putin has managed to block all the news that we seem to be getting. Disturbing.

Sadly they do. The fall of Communism and the loss of the Empire that Russia had known shocked the county. Putin used the church to give cohesion to the state. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church has defended Russia’s actions and blamed the conflict on the West. However, some brave priests have spoken out about the part Russia is playing.

No they don't Maddyone.

I saw a news report today showing Putin attending church in Russia today. Church? Putin? The two words don’t belong in the same sentence.

Kasperov, Khodorkovsky, and Bowden all people who have had close quarter business dealings with Putin, and actually know him (opposed to those who have only had diplomatic dealings with him) are categoric Putin only thinks in terms of power through conflict.
This war has been going on since at least 2014. There is NO way he would back off if Ukraine gave him what he wanted.

It's been very interesting for me to read what the ex pm of Finland says about the last 30 odd years of walking on eggshells politically, as they share a boarder with Russia.

Grannynebard

Why didn't Ukraine leader just agree not to join Nato, seems better than having to go to war. Now seems like Sweeden and Norway are adding fuel to the fire. Bound to piss Putin off even more. How about every country just doesn't go to war!!!

I think you will find that Putin would have invaded Ukraine whatever Volodymyr Zelenskyy had said or done. Putin had, and still has, his very particular agenda designed to keep him in power. Over-simplifying that isn't going to help Ukraine or any other country.

I think you mean Finland. Not Norway. Whole different country. Norway was a founding member of NATO.

Do you think Ukraine should just hand over a bit of their country to Putin? Surely that would be better than going to war?

Why didn't Ukraine leader just agree not to join Nato, seems better than having to go to war. Now seems like Sweeden and Norway are adding fuel to the fire. Bound to piss Putin off even more. How about every country just doesn't go to war!!!

Unfortunately most of the world doesnt see things from the wests point of view.
I wonder if Putin thinks if he carries on putting the pressure on Europe (over gas oil and arms etc.), the impetus to keep opposing him will fragment?

Sorry Maizie. Try 1:14:28, I think that will work.

It is maddyone, but exactly how much does the rest of the world let Russia get away with without deciding we must do more. Where will Putin stop if there is nothing and no one stopping him.

nadateturbe

Why is the rest of the world letting this happen?

I wish I knew nadateturbe. I think it’s all about nuclear weapons, but I’m not sure. How can we keep watching this on our televisions every day and do nothing?

DaisyAnne

There was a really good piece on Today this morning by Fiona Hill*

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0016pg8 around 1:40:30+

*Fiona Hill is a former official at the U.S. National Security Council specializing in Russian and European affairs.

I got a report on voting in NI at that point, DaisyAnne, then seemed to go to sport.

Was it before those reports?

There was a really good piece on Today this morning by Fiona Hill*

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0016pg8 around 1:40:30+

*Fiona Hill is a former official at the U.S. National Security Council specializing in Russian and European affairs.

Why is the rest of the world letting this happen?