Russian invasion of Ukraine

[Specialka]

Ukrainians blocking their ports because they are afraid of Russian landing is distinctly different from Russia blockading them as you previously asserted.

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You keep piling up demands and wishes on Russia while Russia already agreed to let grain pass - and that is the most it can do as far as Ukraine is concerned.

Are you that naive ? or stupid ? or both ? They agreed to let the grain pass, they did not agree to not attack while the grain pass. So nope, same problem. All that is linked altotogether.

[Skulltaker]

You keep piling up demands and wishes on Russia while Russia already agreed to let grain pass - and that is the most it can do as far as Ukraine is concerned.

Also, didn't you agree to give civilians safe passage? And then proceeded to slaughter them anyway? Because what you have isn't a military, but an undisciplined horde of rednecks fueled by Vodka and empty promises?

[YUPPIE]

Yeah, but even if that kicks the west into action, it won't be to save the starving people of Africa, it will be self-preservation. Them getting saved will be a by-product. We will act because it affects US. Not them.

that's better than nothing/inaction by a long shot though.

[Skulltaker]

that's better than nothing/inaction by a long shot though.

Yeah, but we are doing something. We're bankrupting Russia. Why would we risk our necks, both citizens and civilians, if we can just pay money so others do it for us?

This entire scenario is a huge net win for the west. We're basically waging war with Russia without waging war with Russia. Cold War 2.0. We spend a huge amount of money, sure, but so does Russia, and we can afford it. It's an arms race between a Ferrari and a Horse Cart.

I'd like to add that I'd prefer not to do that. You know. I'm a strong advocate for peace. I do think the NATO expansions are a form of... well, not aggression, but provocation. At the same time, eastern European nations have all reason to be afraid of Russia. There are no innocents in this; that being said, Russia is not trustworthy, borderline fascist and 110% the Aggressor in this. As someone who's been critical of NATO for a long time, Russia deserves all it has coming its way and more.

I'd prefer to talk things out. Under Putin, that's not possible.

[Shalcker]

Also, seeing how the reason the ports are blocked is because of Russia kind of means that yes, it is Russia blockading them.

Russia cannot remove mines that Ukrainians set up - and Ukrainians would shoot any ships that would try.

So other then wrapping everything up (not going to happen anytime soon) there is nothing it can do to change things.

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Yeah, but we are doing something. We're bankrupting Russia. Why would we risk our necks, both citizens and civilians, if we can just pay money so others do it for us?

"Bankrupting" by providing largest trade surplus ever and driving energy prices sky-high?

[YUPPIE]

Yeah, but we are doing something. We're bankrupting Russia.

you sure about that, because apart from the upcoming famine crisis, people are still buying gas like crazy. And that's something Putin keeps bragging about in particular, claiming he has the West by the balls with gas and the ruble is fine.

Also China is supporting Russia, unwaveringly. India to a lesser extent.

[Skulltaker]

you sure about that, because apart from the upcoming famine crisis, people are still buying oil like crazy. And that's something Putin keeps bragging about in particular, claiming he has the West by the balls with oil and the ruble is fine.

Also China is supporting Russia, unwaveringly. India to a lesser extent.

Yes, and he also bragged about them liberating Ukraine from fascists, and he peobably also believed the Propaganda that Russia has a modern and functional military. Reality looks different. Russia will have some minor gains short-term. Long-term, not so much.

Also, China is hedging their bets. They don't care about how they are perceived by the west, they care about what gets them the biggest net gain. Not caring about reputation is one of the biggest advantages China has. Trust me, the second Russia became a liability, they'd drop them like a rotten potato.

Russia cannot remove mines that Ukrainians set up - and Ukrainians would shoot any ships that would try.

So other then wrapping everything up (not going to happen anytime soon) there is nothing it can do to change things.

"Bankrupting" by providing largest trade surplus ever and driving energy prices sky-high?

Russia could not have given them a reason to mine their ports. Just an idea.

And yes. We can afford higher energy bills. You, however, cannot afford us no longer buying from you, which this all leads to.

[YUPPIE]

You say we're bankrupting Russia and every day it's about the "scary" sanctions on the news, but then why is Russia still standing, you know? If they were bankrupt or fucked to the extent you and the media claims, I would imagine it would be a case of Rome Burns, like citizens running wild on the street and fires being everywhere. Total societal collapse.

Instead, it still exists per the norm, and they have the time to do stupid ass shit like make a fake McDonalds.

[Corvus]

Sanctions are a slow burn, like a lobster in a pot.

[Skulltaker]

You say we're bankrupting Russia and every day it's about the "scary" sanctions on the news, but then why is Russia still standing, you know? If they were bankrupt or fucked to the extent you and the media claims, I would imagine it would be a case of Rome Burns, like citizens running wild on the street and fires being everywhere. Total societal collapse.

Instead, it still exists per the norm, and they have the time to do stupid ass shit like make a fake McDonalds.

Because shit doesn't happen overnight. And, some offense, what you imagine isn't exactly reasonable. You're not exactly well-informed.

Have you ever played Jenga? You keep piling on the problems, it collapses. But until it does, all seems fine.

[YUPPIE]

Because shit doesn't happen overnight.

2022 is almost over. We're way past overnight.

[PhaelixWW]

2022 is almost over. We're way past overnight.

Mid-June is almost the end of the year?

What kind of crack are you smoking?

[Attackrabbit]

2022 is almost over.

How can you be so wrong about everything including how far into a year we are?

[Skulltaker]

2022 is almost over. We're way past overnight.

Damn, my 6-year-old has a better grasp on the concept of time than you do.

[PhaelixWW]

Damn, my 6-year-old has a better grasp on the concept of time than you do.

Quite possibly a better grasp of world politics, too.

[postman1782]

Quite possibly a better grasp of world politics, too.

Literally anyone does.

[Evil Midnight Bomber]

2022 is almost over. We're way past overnight.

Haven't even hit the half way mark yet..

[Shalcker]

Russia could not have given them a reason to mine their ports. Just an idea.

NATO could have backed off back in December. Or pushed for Ukraine to implement Minsk-2. Just an idea.

Western choices have consequences; and so do Russian.

And yes. We can afford higher energy bills. You, however, cannot afford us no longer buying from you, which this all leads to.

What makes you think that way?
As long as we have things world needs there will be those willing to trade for them; and Russia isn't going to sit and wait until Europeans finish the switch.

[Shalcker]

Have you ever played Jenga? You keep piling on the problems, it collapses. But until it does, all seems fine.

You could use same analogy for Ukrainian military...

[Nastard]

Mid-June is almost the end of the year?

What kind of crack are you smoking?

Same guy who said that a 50% chance is "basically" a guarantee earlier in this thread. So, by the same logic a year that's 50% over is basically done. At least the logic is consistent.