Russian invasion of Ukraine

[Corvus]

I'm no expert on geopolitics

The first true thing you've said.

[Edge-]

I'm no expert on geopolitics, but I'm pretty sure SA is looking to branch out from the US' grip/sphere of influence due to extreme tensions with Joe Biden.

So...it's an influence attempt then? That's different than a loan.

And that's why it's a shitty situation. A lot of shitty authoritarian countries could give Ukraine money and aid, and if they just happily take it, it can be a good PR card in the face of Russia being designated the most evil state.

Is it working? Do you have a higher opinion of Saudi Arabia?

[DarkTZeratul]

A lot of shitty authoritarian countries could give Ukraine money and aid, and if they just happily take it, it can be a good PR card in the face of Russia being designated the most evil state.

"Yeah, Russia is trying to actively genocide your country, but you accepted aid offered by bad people to fight them. Clearly, you're the worst kind of scum imaginable."

[YUPPIE]

Is it working? Do you have a higher opinion of Saudi Arabia?

No. But from what I unfortunately saw, people don’t condemn Zelenksy for his gratitude, and even cited the aid SA gave as “decent” for what it is.

[Edge-]

No.

Well that's great then! So Ukraine gets $400M in humanitarian aide while Saudi Arabia gets no benefit because people see through the stunt.

That sounds like great news for everyone!

[YUPPIE]

Well that's great then! So Ukraine gets $400M in humanitarian aide while Saudi Arabia gets no benefit because people see through the stunt.

That sounds like great news for everyone!

That's just *me* and my sentiments, though. There are other people and Saudi Arabia has international relations to maintain. Others may likely see it as a likable move.

[Kallisto]

No. But from what I unfortunately saw, people don’t condemn Zelenksy for his gratitude, and even cited the aid SA gave as “decent” for what it is.

Welcome to international politics. Morals have no place in it. Only interests.

[Bakis]

SA wants some poorly veiled public goodwill after OPEC rolling Biden recently. 400M$ is nothing but sounds good.
Thats all.

[Iphie]

SA wants some poorly veiled public goodwill after OPEC rolling Biden recently. 400M$ is nothing but sounds good.
Thats all.

400 million is not "nothing", it's a sizable chunk of money, certainly more than the paltry 1.5 million donated by China. (At the beginning, maybe they've donated more later.)

[Corvus]

Russian milibloggers (well, those not arrested) are going into panic again, reporting a major Ukrainian offensive near Kherson. They are reporting 30-60k Ukrainian troops are advancing are heavy artillery barrages.

https://twitter.com/RALee85/status/1...y5KIE3N6pYu-Aw

Bit early to say if it is anything or usual russian hysterics over not much.

[Iphie]

Russian milibloggers (well, those not arrested) are going into panic again, reporting a major Ukrainian offensive near Kherson. They are reporting 30-60k Ukrainian troops are advancing are heavy artillery barrages.

https://twitter.com/RALee85/status/1...y5KIE3N6pYu-Aw

Bit early to say if it is anything or usual russian hysterics over not much.

To be fair, combined with the evacuation...sorry, with "the opportunity for people to change their surroundings", I'm not even joking that's how it is called in the russian media, there might be some truth in this.

I also wouldn't be surprised if Ukraine wants this done BEFORE they need to go north to slaughter the Joint army group of Belarus and russia. (If they invade as well, I'm still not completely convinced Luka will be that stupid.)

[Corvus]

I'm seeing other, reputable channels also talking about it so there may be something to it.

[Yunru]

I'm seeing other, reputable channels also talking about it so there may be something to it.

Well news here are that Putin send troops to Belarus (unknown number) to prevent any terorists attacks. If this is true (wich i dont think so, as the news souce is un-trusty), this means they would force Belorus army to attack Ukraine under a gunpoint.

[Makabreska]

Well news here are that Putin send troops to Belarus (unknown number) to prevent any terorists attacks. If this is true (wich i dont think so, as the news souce is un-trusty), this means they would force Belorus army to attack Ukraine under a gunpoint.

Wut? Russian army will go to Belarus and force Belarusian army to attack with them? Not happening. Like, how would they achieve that? Threaten them on their own territory? And besides, Luka alr announced a joint operations a week ago. So it may be it.

[enigma77]

Wut? Russian army will go to Belarus and force Belarusian army to attack with them? Not happening. Like, how would they achieve that? Threaten them on their own territory? And besides, Luka alr announced a joint operations a week ago. So it may be it.

Sounds like the kind of thing the RuZZians would do.

[zealo]

Well news here are that Putin send troops to Belarus (unknown number) to prevent any terorists attacks. If this is true (wich i dont think so, as the news souce is un-trusty), this means they would force Belorus army to attack Ukraine under a gunpoint.

Translation: Preventing the Belarusian population from revolting against their government if Belarus enters the war more actively.

[Iphie]

Translation: Preventing the Belarusian population from revolting against their government if Belarus enters the war more actively.

That would still be a bit counterproductive as that would tie up russian troops in Belarus when they could be sent to Ukraine...as badly trained as as the russians are I assume their equipment and training is still better than the Belarussians... On the other hand russia has been robbing the Belarusian ammo stockpiles so it's not as if they could do a lot anyway.

[Forogil]

That would still be a bit counterproductive as that would tie up russian troops in Belarus when they could be sent to Ukraine...as badly trained as as the russians are I assume their equipment and training is still better than the Belarussians... On the other hand russia has been robbing the Belarusian ammo stockpiles so it's not as if they could do a lot anyway.

I think that is part of Lukashenko's plan - to be seen as helping Russia without actually having to get his troops across the border - by first claiming that they helped with ammo and then that they cannot send any troops, since they are out of ammo.

And a completely different worrying sign:

Norway capturing another Russian flying drones and photographing airports.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world...ty/ar-AA12ZoTa

[YUPPIE]

Norway capturing another Russian flying drones and photographing airports.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world...ty/ar-AA12ZoTa

I'm still impressed at Russia's ability to install foreign agents

[Gabriel]

I'm still impressed at Russia's ability to install foreign agents

The impressive part is not russia's ability to install foreign agents, but other countries inability to just fucking deport russians.