Russian invasion of Ukraine | Fewer tweets, more discussion

TMDaines

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I think that the conversations that happen privately between the West and Ukraine are very different from the current rhetoric about returning to the 1991 borders. I'd bet if today Ukraine were offered an immediate end to the war by not challenging the Crimean referendum and by giving up the areas of the Donbas that have been independent since 2014 they'd jump at the chance. Because that is currently not on offer I can see that it makes more sense for them to keep up the mantra of not one inch of land, etc..

If they maintain access to the Black Sea, and keep Mariupol, Kherson, Odessa, that would be a major win for them, given what they were facing earlier this year.
You couldn’t be more wrong. I don’t know a single Ukrainian who feels that way.

Can’t believe there’s actually people still writing that areas of the Donbas have been independent since 2014. They are Russian-occupied.
 
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NicolaSacco

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You couldn’t be more wrong. I don’t know a single Ukrainian who feels that way.

Can’t believe there’s actually people still writing that areas of the Donbas have been independent since 2014. They are Russian-occupied.
Being certain you are right does not equate to being right. Have a look at some of your other posts in this thread. I’m talking about what the Ukraine govt will agree to, not what the Ukrainians you ‘know’, want. Unless you know Zelensky.
 

alexthelion

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Being certain you are right does not equate to being right. Have a look at some of your other posts in this thread. I’m talking about what the Ukraine govt will agree to, not what the Ukrainians you ‘know’, want. Unless you know Zelensky.
But if that is the feeling among the majority of Ukrainians, then Zelensky/the government would be foolhardy to go against such feelings.
 

NicolaSacco

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But if that is the feeling among the majority of Ukrainians, then Zelensky/the government would be foolhardy to go against such feelings.
I think Zelensky probably has the political capital to push things through if he thinks it's in the interests of the country. There will be a lot of Ukranians, especially ones with sons or daughters fighting, who will be desperate for this war to end.
 

Beans

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Apparently Putin has canceled a meeting with his Generals following the latest setback.

According to sources, "The meeting is reportedly rescheduled as there were no avalible venues offering meeting rooms 5 or more floors above ground level, outward opening windows and concrete paved surfaces beneath."
 

Dans

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Belorussians supporting Ukraine? I hadn't heard this before.
 

ThierryFabregas

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It is the big question of this conflict. I'm guessing that the best bet is on demoralizing effect that this hypothetical win will project on Putin & Russian's internal politics. It's hard to try and to objectively predict the possibility of such scenario since I want it too happen quite desperately but if you imagine that, say, a year of this "special military operation" has gone by, Ukraine retook not only the newly-invaded territories but also took back the so-called DPR & LPR (and maybe Crimea, who knows?), while the economy is crumbling, the coffins keep on coming etc.

Otherwise, if Putin's grasp on Russia is still strong, I find it hard to imagine a scenario where he backs down, he's already gone way past a point where you count your losses and retreat.
What do you make the of the reports of politicians calling for Putin to be charged with treason? Are these politicians in danger or do they have any leverage to make Putin uncomfortable?
 

Abizzz

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Belorussians supporting Ukraine? I hadn't heard this before.
Neither had I. However I also read that Kadyrow (Chechen leader/dictator) is voicing his frustrations about russian tactics... Perhaps some under the russian yoke are sensing the weakness and see a chance to gain some independence?
 

harms

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What do you make the of the reports of politicians calling for Putin to be charged with treason? Are these politicians in danger or do they have any leverage to make Putin uncomfortable?
I’ve said it already - Putin has nothing to fear, those brave men (and women - edit) do (it’s been conflicting reports in whenever they all got called to police for a statement or was it just 5 of them, but the case for discreditation of elected officials (Putin) is already in motion). Hopefully they’ll just get a fine bit you never know these days.

Municipal deputies don’t hold any political power whatsoever.
 

harms

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Belorussians supporting Ukraine? I hadn't heard this before.
There area number of foreign battalions fighting for Ukraine — Georgians (because of the war of 2008), Belorussians (those who fled the country after the protests of 2020), Chechens (those who still hope to create an independent state of Ichkeria) and even Russians.
 

harms

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Apparently Putin has canceled a meeting with his Generals following the latest setback.

According to sources, "The meeting is reportedly rescheduled as there were no avalible venues offering meeting rooms 5 or more floors above ground level, outward opening windows and concrete paved surfaces beneath."
What sources? Do you think that Putin rents venues for those meetings on Airbnb?

edit: never mind :lol:
 
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Jotun

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I think Zelensky probably has the political capital to push things through if he thinks it's in the interests of the country. There will be a lot of Ukranians, especially ones with sons or daughters fighting, who will be desperate for this war to end.
If he accepted such a deal, he'd be tried for treason! At the start of war, perhaps such negotiations of Ukraine ceding territory were possible. Now that they are pushing back? Regaining some territory? It's quite possible that within a year, russia will be pushed back to 2014 borders, maybe even further back. Why would Ukrainian government want such a deal? Just to stop the war? What happens in 15 years when russia comes for more? As long as western countries are on Ukrainian side, this war will keep going on. Wars like these don't last months, they last years and we all need to prepare for the long haul and support the Ukraine for as long as possible. It's in our long term interest.
 

harms

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Being certain you are right does not equate to being right. Have a look at some of your other posts in this thread. I’m talking about what the Ukraine govt will agree to, not what the Ukrainians you ‘know’, want. Unless you know Zelensky.
@TMDaines point is at least backed up by sociological reports. What is your point based on?

It’s also important that Zelensky is a populist (I’m not using it as an insult) whose rating had been quite low before the war — and now, due to his actions post-invasion, it has reached its all-time high. But if he’s going to settle for the 2014 borders, which goes against his own quite open and assured statements by the way, he’s going to lose that support as quickly as he gained it.
 

Gehrman

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@TMDaines point is at least backed up by sociological reports. What is your point based on?

It’s also important that Zelensky is a populist (I’m not using it as an insult) whose rating had been quite low before the war — and now, due to his actions post-invasion, it has reached its all-time high. But if he’s going to settle for the 2014 borders, which goes against his own quite open and assured statements by the way, he’s going to lose that support as quickly as he gained it.
There is also the fact that the longer this war continues, there will be less and less left of Ukraine. It will take decades and decades even to get them back to where they were before the war, the 2nd poorest country in Europe.
 

NicolaSacco

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If he accepted such a deal, he'd be tried for treason! At the start of war, perhaps such negotiations of Ukraine ceding territory were possible. Now that they are pushing back? Regaining some territory? It's quite possible that within a year, russia will be pushed back to 2014 borders, maybe even further back. Why would Ukrainian government want such a deal? Just to stop the war? What happens in 15 years when russia comes for more? As long as western countries are on Ukrainian side, this war will keep going on. Wars like these don't last months, they last years and we all need to prepare for the long haul and support the Ukraine for as long as possible. It's in our long term interest.
I would love you to be right; but right now I see a more likely route to some kind of imperfect conclusion. Unless something very dramatic happens like a large scale Russian military mutiny, or a coup.

We are all just guessing here to a large extent. A total victory for Ukraine would be magnificent, but history tells us that peace treaties often involve unpopular decisions made by both sides. Anyway, here’s hoping.
 

Gehrman

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@TMDaines point is at least backed up by sociological reports. What is your point based on?

It’s also important that Zelensky is a populist (I’m not using it as an insult) whose rating had been quite low before the war — and now, due to his actions post-invasion, it has reached its all-time high. But if he’s going to settle for the 2014 borders, which goes against his own quite open and assured statements by the way, he’s going to lose that support as quickly as he gained it.
Do you have a link to these reports?
 

stefan92

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There is also the fact that the longer this war continues, there will be less and less left of Ukraine. It will take decades and decades even to get them back to where they were before the war, the 2nd poorest country in Europe.
It didn't take decades to get Western Europe back towhere it was after WW2. It will take time and money for sure, but if the rebuild is executed well it can happen much faster.

However if Ukraine stays the corrupt oligarchy it was before the war I guess you are right.
 

2cents

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Great last comment, that. When asked how long the war is going to last the State Duma member replies "as long as it takes", and then starts talking about his 10 year old son, before being interrupted with "is going to get a chance to fight?"
A few on Twitter suggesting this type of conversation would have been approved in advance and represents the "controlled opposition".
 

harms

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Fascinating. Didn't expect to hear an actual discussion on the matter, especially with some reasonable arguments (even though the point of their discussion is inherently wrong — all of them want to defeat Ukraine).

A few on Twitter suggesting this type of conversation would have been approved in advance and represents the "controlled opposition".
Yeah, it wouldn't get aired without the approval from the higher-ups, those political shows aren't shown live.
 

Jotun

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I would love you to be right; but right now I see a more likely route to some kind of imperfect conclusion. Unless something very dramatic happens like a large scale Russian military mutiny, or a coup.

We are all just guessing here to a large extent. A total victory for Ukraine would be magnificent, but history tells us that peace treaties often involve unpopular decisions made by both sides. Anyway, here’s hoping.
You are underestimating nationalistic drive. Ukraine will fight as long as they need and unless they are forced by western powers they will cede nothing. The troubles in Northern Ireland continued for decades. Wars from former yugoslav republic lasted for 4-5 years. Soviets were in afghanistan for a decade before pulling out. Americans were for 20 years and the moment they bailed, talibans took power. All those conflicts are different, but show just how long people are willing to fight against real or perceived occupation.

I am sure even if western powers abandon ukraine the fight will go on. We really should prepare ourselves for the long haul.
 

Rajma

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Interesting, not sure if it’s genuine or a psyop of by Ukrainian armed forces to sow the panic amidst the counteroffensive.
 

JuriM

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Sorry, the Ukraine counter-offensive has stalled!

We have a hedgehog on the road!
 

Beans

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You are underestimating nationalistic drive. Ukraine will fight as long as they need and unless they are forced by western powers they will cede nothing. The troubles in Northern Ireland continued for decades. Wars from former yugoslav republic lasted for 4-5 years. Soviets were in afghanistan for a decade before pulling out. Americans were for 20 years and the moment they bailed, talibans took power. All those conflicts are different, but show just how long people are willing to fight against real or perceived occupation.

I am sure even if western powers abandon ukraine the fight will go on. We really should prepare ourselves for the long haul.
One expert said that even if Russia had taken Kyiv in 3 days and gotten the army to stand down by forcing Zelenskiy to announce surrender, even then they didn't have enough soldiers to deal with the partisan resistance they would face, and it would be much worse than Afghanistan for Russia.

He said invasion was the end for Russia either way, as with their declining population they won't be able to field such a large and well equipped armed force in the foreseeable future.
 

WPMUFC

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saw a video on reddit of combat footage in what looked like a heavily shelled field area and UAF are clearing it out in close quarters. Guy with the go-pro shoots a grenade down a makeshift tunnel position and flushes out the Russians. Eventually the Russians try to sprint out and are just swiss-cheesed on exiting. You never fully appreciate the futility of war until you see something like that. The utter waste of life all for some deranged Russian lunatic fascist trying to relive an "empire".