OT/ Optimitc noises from both sides..

[Omegstrat6]

Sadly think that the war will continue for some time yet. The inevitable fall of Mariupol will have boosted Putin whose claims of "liberation" and "victory" will no doubt go down well with many of the Russian population eager for some "good" news at last since the invasion begun. Whatever the failings of the "special operation" Russia has made significant advances into eastern and southern Ukraine and created a land bridge to Crimea. Don't doubt the continued resistance from Ukraine but there needs to be some urgency now in getting all those promised higher capability weapons to them so that they can push back.

Ultimately, I can still see the more easterly and predominantly pro-Russian areas of Ukraine separating but the sovereignty of the rest of the country needs to be restored and the quicker that Putin can be seen to fail in his objectives the better for all.

[WBA1955]

I wonder what Ukraine's reaction have been had Russia had invaded us instead? I bet we still wouldn't have won Eurovision.

[baggieal]

Sadly think that the war will continue for some time yet. The inevitable fall of Mariupol will have boosted Putin whose claims of "liberation" and "victory" will no doubt go down well with many of the Russian population eager for some "good" news at last since the invasion begun. Whatever the failings of the "special operation" Russia has made significant advances into eastern and southern Ukraine and created a land bridge to Crimea. Don't doubt the continued resistance from Ukraine but there needs to be some urgency now in getting all those promised higher capability weapons to them so that they can push back.

Ultimately, I can still see the more easterly and predominantly pro-Russian areas of Ukraine separating but the sovereignty of the rest of the country needs to be restored and the quicker that Putin can be seen to fail in his objectives the better for all.

Putin will want to keep his land corridor and the ports plus sanctions lifted. Unless these areas are given back to Ukraine we should absolutely ruin their country through even more sanctions. As soon as there's zero European oil it will be a mighty fall. Sanctions should also be placed on countries such as India and China. India can't have their cake and eat it with both sides!! All frozen assets should be liquidated for the rebuild of Ukraine without a doubt!

[Dubbag]

From SKY source.....

A fascinating report has emerged that purports to offer an insight into a growing sense of disillusionment with Vladimir Putin among Russia's elite.

Meduza, an independent news website based in Lativia, cites sources it says are close to the Kremlin as saying the president is the focus of dissatisfaction among those both for and against the war he launched in Ukraine.
While the source of anger among opponents of the military action is clear, those who supported the invasion are reportedly unhappy at the lack of progress made to date and want a "tougher" approach.

Senior business figures and many members of the government are said to be displeased that Mr Putin initiated the war without thinking about the scale of the sanctions imposed as a result.

And sources close to his administration say a future without the president is "increasingly being discussed" - with conversations about potential successors taking place "behind the scenes in the Kremlin", according to the site.

It suggests these include Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin, prominent Putin ally and former president Dmitry Medvedev and first deputy head of the presidential administration Sergei Kiriyenko.
The report says that while the discussions do not involve efforts to "overthrow Putin right now and a conspiracy.... being prepared", "there is an understanding, or a wish, that in a fairly foreseeable future he will not govern the state".
"The president messed up, but then everything can be fixed - somehow come to an agreement [with the West and Ukraine]," one interlocutor told the site.

However, the site adds that its sources emphasise that "everyone in power understands that Putin can leave the presidency only if his health deteriorates seriously" - meaning that currently "the dissatisfaction of high-ranking officials is not manifested in anything - except for talking with each other".

[Albionic68]

I'm wondering whether comrades Sobyanin, Medvedev and Kiriyenko are in line for an up close and personal kind of encounter with a batch of Novichok in the not too distant future.

[Dubbag]

I'm wondering whether comrades Sobyanin, Medvedev and Kiriyenko are in line for an up close and personal kind of encounter with a batch of Novichok in the not too distant future.

I am sure they will deny it and day it was only Covid-19.......Bring back Gorbachev....

[Dubbag]

EU to ban 75% of Russian oil....90% by end of year.
Taken time but some countries just couldn't see options.
This is big as Europe has strong link for Russian energy. While Russia can sell to others...it won't be easy and it will be for a lot less then Europe was paying for contracts.

Summer time should buy some time for Europe to move on the gas contracts next. Has taken time but this is a positive move.

[baggieal]

EU to ban 75% of Russian oil....90% by end of year.
Taken time but some countries just couldn't see options.
This is big as Europe has strong link for Russian energy. While Russia can sell to others...it won't be easy and it will be for a lot less then Europe was paying for contracts.

Summer time should buy some time for Europe to move on the gas contracts next. Has taken time but this is a positive move.

I agree but surely there should be more than one country to veto anything ie minimum of three! Hungary are just totally looking out for themselves and Turkey trying to block Finland and Sweden’s NATO entry is just to be on the make!!! I would trust Turkey far less than Finland and they are another India - they want their cake and eat it from both sides!

[Albionic68]

The only noises coming out of the Donbas currently are bangs. Loads of them, and they're not very encouraging.

[Dubbag]

Two British nationals sentenced to death in the east of Ukraine for been involved in training terrorists.....
You couldn't make this up.......still not impressed with media showing soldiers ID on outlets......