Two world wars have taught us that the people in charge don't care about the human losses, just as long as "we" are losing less than "them". The Russians in particular have a history of sacrificing huge numbers to win at any cost. Maybe I have watched too many films, maybe my history is rubbish.

Our own leaders have shown quite recently that they don't believe that they should follow the rules (that they set in pace), and that they are beyond reproach, so why would anyone else in a similar situation behave differently. Fairly sure that someone once said something along the lines of "power corrupts, ultimate power corrupts ultimately". Tangiers Orange - gone, missing her
Replaced by Ewok what a mistake - now a happy Disco Sport owner

I think it was actually "power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely".


Someone else said "The first casualty of war is the truth".

Most recently by Hiram Johnson (1866-1945) - a Progressive Republican senator in California. His actual quote, 'The first casualty, when war comes, is truth', was said during World War 1. Jules

Why dont Russia join NATO. Problem solved as we would all be one happy family. They dont have to give up any sovereignty or how they go on as long as they remain peaceful. 2014 Freelander 2 HSE Orkney Grey. Now sold.

I keep pushing the escape button but I am still here.

Mmm happy family - you obviously don't know some of my family members

The main problem is you are trying to apply logic, when it's ego, envy, and passion driving the conflict.
Ego- because it's Putin.
Envy - because the duly elected govt. of Ukraine got there with a fair ballot.
Passion - because Russia once "owned" Ukraine Tangiers Orange - gone, missing her
Replaced by Ewok what a mistake - now a happy Disco Sport owner

Clearly this is not a security issue for Putin.
Its all about money.
The Russian economy is in dire straits with a GDP of only $1.48 trillion in 2020 (USA is $21 trillion) - its lower than many much smaller EU countries (eg France , Germany, Italy and UK).
Although Russia is huge, it's mainly uninhabited pine forest.
Having prosperous ex-USSR neighbours must be really galling to the KGB stalwarts like Putin - he only has one string to his bow - military might. Ukraine's GDP has trebled in 15 years to three times that of Belarus
Cutting the fuel supplies to the EU hurts Russia too as it needs the income.


Would China lust after Taiwan if Taiwan was not the prosperous manufacturing centre that it is. I'm sure China is watching carefully the world's response to Putin as they have designs on much greater control of the South China Sea and neighbouring shores. Jules

 MY 09 GS manual in Lago Grey, Wood Co arm rest and side bumper strips - now sold.

MY 15 SD4 SE Auto Orkney Grey with colour coded Bumper Door Mouldings

^^^^

I must be getting old, but I do NOT see anything at all funny about this situation, there is nothing to laugh about . . . 2017 SEAT Ateca 4drive 2.0 xcellence (May 2022 -
2007 HSE with HST bodykit in Zermatt Silver 169,700 miles (dec 2016 - May 2022 )
2007 Honda Civic Type S GT (2012-2017)
2002 Mini Cooper S (2008-2012)
1992 Honda Legend 3.2i (2003-2008)
1990 Honda Concerto (1999-2003)
1985 Honda Accord (1997-1999)
1983 Honda Accord (1993-1997)
1983 Mini Mayfair (1988-1993)
1974 Mini 1000 (1979-1986)

I didn't post for the sake of a joke against the terrible situation but to highlight, by way of a joke, the methods used by despots in an autocratic country. MY 09 GS manual in Lago Grey, Wood Co arm rest and side bumper strips - now sold.

MY 15 SD4 SE Auto Orkney Grey with colour coded Bumper Door Mouldings

Shamelessly copied from another forum I frequent.

Welcome to 2022 - Russia has been building an army and advanced weapons, whilst we've been building gender neutral toilets and safe spaces for 19-year-olds who are upset by words, capital letters and clapping.

Ain't this the truth