Ukraine already made a couple of forays into Russia (helicopter?) but not sure where that equipment was from, and don't think it was substantiated? These missiles could be a game changer, much more range than anything Russia is using right now. US going on the rhetoric that it will provide a more powerful negotiating position.
The problem is of course that Putin already regards the Donbas region, and indeed the whole of Ukraine, as part of Russia. If he decides to use this as an excuse to use tactical nukes, then we’re ****ed.
He does, but there will already be nato weapons being used. I guess it is the clear knowledge that these weapons will make a big difference, and this will, putting it bluntly, piss him off!
Yes, it comes down to the “existential threat” argument really. He can twist those words to mean anything he wants.
Yes, truth is a malleable concept for Putin/Russian Federation. He’s been using the threat of nukes from the beginning, so he could hopefully carry out his ‘justified’ land grab without too much intervention from Nato
Tobias Ellwood, one of the few Conservative MP’s not to be a gibbering idiot, breaks cover and calls for a return to the Single Market: https://www.politicshome.com/thehou...6xE3ve6cljYGZ3PquIQzWkz8na2lj2tyO0MTdZlWaGO3c
Chilco I think that Russia's military response to foreign intervention has been staggeringly muted. All aspects of hostility have been limited to within Ukraine. Despite the rhetoric from Lavrov,no attempts have been made to disrupt the supply of materiel from countries like Poland. I just think that this offensive has been a catastrophic disaster for Russia and has simply hardened the resolve of other countries. I did wonder whether the "special operation" description of this war had limited the scale of retaliation but it is surprising from a military perspective that Russia has either been unwilling or unable to prevent the supply of weapons from other countries. It crossed my mind as to how resolute NATO would have been if Russia had flattened the depots containing this stuff eaerly in the conflict or atleast prevented rail or air networks from distributing the kit to Ukraine. I think the opportunity to have done this has now passed.I agree with Lavrov that this is now a proxy war between Russia and NATO but I just feel that Russia is unable to address NATO. I cannot see Russia using nuclear weapons and this is based on the assumption that they work in the first place.What we have seen of the Russian military machine so far is that it is woefully effective. I am not convinced that Russia is able to confront NATO any longer. After three months of conflict, the cat is out of the bag that the Russian military has shockingly had planning, logistics and tactics. They have not performed as Putin would have wished and I just think they will be far more cautious about confronting NATO. It will also embolden other countries or regions who may feelcapale of confronting Russia. It is just a matter by which scale Russia want to lose. I cannot see them achieving anything beyond occupying Donbas. There was an interesting article I read in the Telegraph this week which suggested that Russian involvement in Ukraine spelt the end for future, large -scale offensives. Certainly I think the tank has now seen it's day and is obsolete. The failure to secure the skies has also been seen as a hige error on the Russian's part. I just feel that this war has marked a sea change. If the Russian relatiate, it will be along the lines of what we witnessed in Salisbury. I cannot see them resorting to nuclear weapons. We have tended to over-estimate just how good the Russian military is.
I spoke to a lady yesterday, who was on her way back from the jubilee celebrations outside Buckingham Palace. She told me you could hear boos right along The Mall and all over St James' Park, when Boris' mug appeared on the big screens.
Of course london isn’t representative of the country or indeed who he needs to win over On the flip side I’d expect the sort of people who are out in London for the celebrations - especially if they travelled in - very much are who he would be expecting to appeal to
Yeah, most of the people heading into London yesterday weren’t Londoners from what I saw (I work in public transport in London) - more your ‘middle England’ types from the shires. If Boris has lost those, he’s ****ed.
The BBC has reported that there were cheers and boos. I didn't hear any cheers. Perhaps the BBC have also now become liars.
