Given Putin's continued push into the ukraine, I do not believe the economic sanctions are causing him to rethink his intentions.  Those sanctions may prove to be effective over time, but by then the Ukraine will have already fallen and become a puppet state of Russia.

Furthermore, China is an ally of Putin's and there will be no economic sanctions between them, just trade as usual, if not an increased trade due to Russia's economy being strangled by the West.  Sadly for the Ukraine, the fighting will be over, with Russia taking total control before the West sees a need to support it militarily as well as economically.

Re the map above, this just in: https://m.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-698665

Population of Finland is about 5 million.

The thing is Finland kicked the Red Army's ass in WWII and was an ally of Nazi Germany. The Finns aren't fascists now but Putin doesn't care. He probably wants revenge on them as well. He's at the point now of calling anybody who doesn't go along with him Nazis!

Putin is trying to reshape Europe back to the way it was after WWII with Russia having more control in Europe.

He's going to bankrupt Russia the same way the Soviets did.

DrJBHL

reply 15

Actually, while all will be hurt by sanctions, Russia will be hurt most. Worse for Vlad is that the US will boost troop levels in NATO countries bordering Russia. If that doesn't make him think twice about further invasions he's quite mad...and I don't believe he is.

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For over 20 years now Vlad has made noises about his intent for The Russian Federation, the western powers, even though the see him as an Imperial wannabe, up until now, they have considered him A Stable Leader, something has changed in Putin's  thinking and he has now become reckless, but already it is not going how he hoped, he thought he would revive little resistance, even more so he thought the majority would lay down there weapons and welcome him and his Armies as Liberators. Ukraine will fall, but not without fighting to the last, Putin did not expect this at all, his supply lines are already running at a stretch.

I seen this up close serving in Yugoslavia for 2 Combat Tours. The only way to advance Tanks and Armour into Kyiv is to level the City with Artillery, if this is not done and Tanks roll into Kyiv, they are easy prey for concealed Anti Tank Weapons in this kind of urban environment. The member of the Ukraine opposition Parliament (the woman) we have seen on TV with her AK47 saying she will defend her Resident Tower Block creates something we in the Military call BlowBack. She is correct to say she will defend herself, the more the better, but then the Russians will consider Resident areas as Legitimate Targets, and will be more likely to Level those buildings. (I know we have already seen some Rockets hit resident areas)

Sanctions will hurt Russia in the long term but that will be too late for Ukraine, banning the use of the switch system will send a strong message to Putin and will hurt him and Russia, all of us really will be affected by this, but with Italy and Germany depending almost totally on Gas supplies from Russia, they are likely to be week partners in any European Stance, so other countries in Europe will have to supply those with Gas First, and as we all know global Fuel prices are hiking up massively already.

No corner of the world will be unaffected by this either it be Trade , Fuel, Sanctions etc..

I read not long ago that Russia is willing to hold peace talks with Ukraine... but in Belarus where they hold ground and staged the Northern part of the invasion.  President Zelensky, however, has rejected peace talks in this location and has offered to do so in Poland or another neutral location.

I can see that, why would President Zelensky offer himself up to the Russians in hostile territory?  For mine, though, Russia is facing greater resistance and logistic difficulties than Putin first believed, and I believe that he has since suggested these peace talks because his troops are strugging and dying in greater numbers than he'd like, not to mention the millions Russia is losing in military equipment.  The Ukrainians have put up such stiff resistance that Putin is worried.

Furthermore, the economic sanctions are starting to bite hard into the Russian economy, and Putin himself has been targeted by them.  Then there's the disconnection from the banking entity, SWIFT, which further prevents Putin funding his war machine. 

It's suggested that Putin is one of the richest men in the world, with property portfolios around Russia as well as Europe.  For mine, given his disregard for the civilian damage his missiles have caused in Ukraine, somebody ought to send a few missiles and totally destroy ALL his properties and holdings.  Hit the bastard where it hurts most.... his own hip pocket... his own wealth.

Anyway, that's it from me for now, I have other things I'd like to do before it gets too late.

Putin has stole so much money from his own country, i am sure he has those Rubles well protected. President Zelensky has now agreed to hold talks on the Belarus Border with Ukraine, he will send a delegation and not go himself for obvious reasons.

The Russian Invaders are starting to lose people, equipment and men, there supply lines are now stretched too far and are already in short supply of many things, when you expected to take the Airport in the first night by Special Forces, it seems like they had no plan B, a belief in there own power back firring, why do we see Putin on TV this morning praising his Special Forces, because he lost so many Special Forces in the first two nights, and now he needs to make a National TV address to appease the families of those crack troops that now lie dead.

I now feel a lot better as a military man to finally see the creation of "An International Brigade" a volunteer force made up of many Nationalities who will make there way to Poland then cross the border, i am personally aware of several of these guys who have already left.

Now many of our countries are sending Weapon Systems to Ukraine, Air To Air, Ground To Air Missile Systems, Anti Tank Weapon Systems and more. Every Weapon System My Government has ever sold to another Country has always been accompanied by Military Advisors, to train the buyers Armies in there use, without exception. These will likely be Special Forces in name only, if other ex military peeps here, will understand when i say guys from The Regiment will already be there and more on there way, met plenty of these guys in the past and no one would ever have them marked as Special Forces, as we are not talking about square jawed Crew cut haired men here, these blokes look like anyone in the street and that is a strength believe me, as they can move around and totally blend into the areas they need too.

I Stand With Ukraine.

Me too!

The look in those old men and woman's eyes Chasbo when they were making Molotov Cocktails outside there building in Kyiv, even with my own recent diagnosis, i hope i never forget that look of Defiance, not ever, Brave , Brave souls who's only concern is to make The Russian Federation Soldiers, fight for every inch of Kyiv knowing what the likely outcome will be. Ukraine will fall but it's people never will.

When they run out of Guns, they will use Knives, when they run out of Knives they will use there Bare Hands, making use of anything to defend there country.

Ukrainian People, You Are A True Inspiration to all of us.

This was needed much sooner, international troops to bolster the Ukrainian defense, but better late than never, even mercenaries, anyone willing to support ukraine militarily. 

I've been hoping that a ceasefire would eventuate while peace talks are on the table, but it seems the Russians are still pressing on towards the capital, Kviv.  I just read that a large convoy of Russian vehicles and troops is enroute to Kviv; hopefully the Ukraians have the long-range capability, missiles to stop it in its tracks and inflict heavy losses to the Russian military.  If Russia isn't willing to agree to a ceasefire while peace talks are on the table, then the convoy is fair game and should be targeted for destruction.

The war is not even 10 days old starkers, believe me from my own past experience, The International Brigade is moving much faster than any before it, it does take some time to organise a multi national force. Ex Soldiers like myself who have undertaken Private Military Contracts do not like to be called Mercs or Mercenaries, this conjures up bad images of ex soldiers from the 60s and 70s who would fight anywhere as long as they are paid well. Modern Private Military Contractors, are something else entirely these days, and can be controlled by Whitehall men in grey suits, or Large Companies who can offer these services in a way not recognised by what those men of the past called Mercs.

We can not put Official Military on the ground in Ukraine as escalation would be certain, PMCs can do a lot more than official troops so i am grateful for my mates who have already left, i am too old to be Activated but i have helped in my own way by making contact with old military mates and Helping Organisations who may assist with the Logistics (in the Private sector, so much has to be done) just to organise all the things needed to be affective.

So far Putin has avoided the use of serious Destructive Weapon Systems , but he is moving in with thermobaric weapons and Rockets, these can be catastrophic to Human life in an area, i have seen them and believe me no of us who have , wish to see them used again.

The Weapon Systems many of our countries are sending to Ukraine, are Defensive Systems, helping the Ukrainian Air Force to keep the ability to Fly there Jets and hence Controlling there own airspace, if the Russians controlled the air space things would be so different right now and the Ukrainians would already be defeated, those columns would already be in Kyiv. Sure they can be used Offensively to make attacks, the Ukrainian Military are holding the line against a superior force who's weapons they hold in reserve, are catastrophic, even though we all wish they Bomb the shite out of the column from a safe distance, this would not end well for the Ukrainian people as Putin has so many long range weapon systems both conventional and Nuclear, he could fire them from inside the Russian Federation and all but destroy ever major city if he chooses too. I know this can sound crazy to None Military, but War has to follow a rule set, we in the 1st world posses so many weapon systems that can destroy on mass from long range, but we still put men and woman in uniform on the ground to fight conventional war, the alternative leaves no winners , only degrees of losing, and when they world commits to a system of hoping we loose less than our enemies, we all suffer more and our planet can be laid waist for generations to come.

I Stand With The People Of Ukraine (just glad i am able to do my bit).

So it begins, as i  previously informed the forum regarding the International Brigade or now it has begun to be called The Foreign Legion, has begun to mobilise, a figure of 16,000, which will be inflated by officials and is more likely to be around 10,000 men and woman have come forward to fight the Russian Federation. Paying each Soldier around £1500 per day depending on Rank and Experience. Only Ex Soldiers with 5 plus years are asked to sign up. As an old hand at this kind of thing with 5 Combat Tours under my belt, i have done my part by helping with logistics to send some very good people to help out the people of Ukraine, this will be an ongoing thing until the Russian Federation leave and go home or Ukraine can not fight any longer.

The men in grey suits at Whitehall are always involved in this type of OP, but right now they are laying out the red carpet for Private Military Contractors, oh boy is this a switch from normal.

I Stand With The People Of Ukraine For As Long As Needed.

The way to win this...the term win meaning keeping Ukraine free is through domestic Russian political opposition to Putin. That is almost impossible due to lack of media (tvs) in small villages, and total state control. 

Yes, I have had many of the same thoughts. Then I look at the attitudes that many of us in the USA have about various minorities, colors, ethnicities, religions, and sexual preferences, and the vision is even bleaker because both democracies and dictatorships do not seem to represent all people just the people in power.

So what can we do? My wife and I vote; we are active in our communities and live the best life we can. Yes, it is difficult, but I can remember the Cuban missle crisis the atom bomb threats, and somehow we get through them. Will we always? No one knows, but we can hope, stay involved, and pray if religious.

I rest my case.