AlexLaw76

We should have been out of sight by HT... We are better now, but silly season is upon us.

I suspect they know exactly where much of these cables are laid, and have the means to disrupt them

😱

Was what I said incorrect?

Exactly. A NATO hating leadership in the UK was a general election away. Some/many on here even championed that possible scenario (and still wish grandpa had won)

Russia vs Poland - Thursday, March 24 (5.00pm kick-off) - live on Sky Sports 🤐

Tell you one thing, regardless of us spending being a bit more/bit less on Defence, we could not muster 150k ground forces at the speed they did (we now have half that). We'd be lucky to muster 15k

But Russia make most of their own capability. They do not go for the most technological sophisticated jets/ships/tanks With their 'only a couple more then we do', they have something like 10x the amount of fighter jets than us. Their land forces are extremely formidable, a force that can easily out-gun ours (that was a reason for the reduction in our artillery capability as it would be over in minutes against that lot), and their Navy is pretty big. They have developed some insane weapons that would bring havoc to any enemy. Their activities below the threshold of war are well practiced. They are it all the time.

for that to work, significant sustained increase in Defence spending is required from most NATO nations (probably including us). Appetite for that? Almost zero I suspect

Is that all you equate action towards, 'sanctions'? Limited view entirely.

he seems to be doing more than most at the moment (albeit way too late)

Other nations on their own? Are you having a laugh? Germany have woefully equipped their services for decades, given their monetary might

some NATO members are absolutely more equal than others.

And if it does? Lets be honest, most of the nations offer very little and depend on the US funding their defence. As Trump ranted - Germany being the biggest culprit

Who knows.

No.

it is a deterrent if anything. If Khalid crashes a plane in down-town warsaw, then 'retribution' will take place. If Russia (backed by China?) squares up to Lithuania, the will for ~30-odd nations to pile-in.....remains to be seen.

Self defence is only going to happen if there is a will to do so. What will is there? US - general population probably could not careless about eastern Europe (or Europe in general). The nation is led by someone who barely knows what day it is. UK - We all know the issues here. Both left and right scrambling for the green agenda, pronouns, kneeling, statues, no will to secure our own borders, demanding the PM (who ever it is) is removed within months of taking over and armed forces gleefully decimated over the last 25 years France - Incredible history of not fronting up to NATO responsibilities Germany - Pacifist at best and sold their soul to Russia in many ways. Canada - Look at the state of that country (and who leads it) That is about it. The rest are two-bob powers I would predict that the appetite for war, let alone a protracted one, after Afghanistan etc is absolutely minimal. Like we could afford it after COVID. Talking of Afghanistan, notice no one cares anymore? Kids are probably still getting their heads cut off, but cake is a bigger story.

exactly. Fancy a war with Russia? They are not some tin-pot desert rat nation. They bite back and have significant means to do so.

We have moved on from Facebook flags mate.....see below how it is now done.

Government move from "condemning" Putin to "strongly condemning" Putin in a serious escalation of their response. They are reserving their right to "condemn in the strongest possible terms" should the strong condemnation not prove effective. in reality, the real danger....... Lot of people in Ukraine crowding together inside. Only 35% of Ukrainians have been vaccinated. Less than 2% have been boosted.

How would Trump 'assist' Putin? You seem overly obsessed by him

what about last month?

I can see Burnley getting at least 1 point

It is influenced by votes and public pressure. The government have acted like a weathervane for ages, and bow to public pressure on most things. No public pressure for anything around Russia and Ukraine. Hardly any now! Why? No one really cares