The War in Ukraine

Oh and the notion that Sweden is somehow privileged because it's rich and "Western". Miss me with that shit. You want to appease Putin, you see where it leads.
 
So, I've been following the progress of two people's escape from Ukraine, as one of them is a friend of a close friend of mine, so had interesting insight as to what's going on. They've been making sporadic appearances in all sorts of news outlets too.

He's lived in Kyiv for a few years, was out of the country last week but was due to come back anyway and like most, decided it would be fine. But since then they've been trying to escape the country. They got a lift from Kyiv to Lviv yesterday, and have spent all day today trying to cross the Polish border from there. Roughly 15 hours into trying, they're still at the border. There's thousands of people there, with no food, water, toilets and they're just stuck.

Early in the day they hit a police checkpoint set up to send people of fighting age back, but his British passport got him through ("with thanks for the military equipment provided")

Updates have stopped now though due to lack of phone charge. I don't even know them directly, but I hope they've made it.

Literally just heard the guy on radio 5, he's finally over the border. Whoop.
 

France seizes Russian cargo ship in Channel​

The French navy has intercepted a cargo ship in the English channel bound for the Russian city of St Petersburg, the BBC has learned.
French officials told the BBC that the ship was intercepted in line with new EU sanctions and say it has been redirected to the northern port of Boulogne-Sur-Mer.
“A 127 meters long Russia cargo ship called the 'Baltic Leader' transporting cars has been intercepted overnight by the French Navy in the Channel and escorted to the Port of Boulogne-Sur-Mer in Northern France," the official said.
"It has been taken to the French port after a request by the French government because it is suspected of belonging to a company targeted by EU sanctions against Moscow. French boarder forces are currently investigating the cargo ship. Crew aboard the 'Baltic Leader' has been cooperating with French authorities.”
The Russian embassy in France is seeking explanations from the French authorities over the seizure, Russia's RIA news agency said.
 

France seizes Russian cargo ship in Channel​

The French navy has intercepted a cargo ship in the English channel bound for the Russian city of St Petersburg, the BBC has learned.
French officials told the BBC that the ship was intercepted in line with new EU sanctions and say it has been redirected to the northern port of Boulogne-Sur-Mer.
“A 127 meters long Russia cargo ship called the 'Baltic Leader' transporting cars has been intercepted overnight by the French Navy in the Channel and escorted to the Port of Boulogne-Sur-Mer in Northern France," the official said.
"It has been taken to the French port after a request by the French government because it is suspected of belonging to a company targeted by EU sanctions against Moscow. French boarder forces are currently investigating the cargo ship. Crew aboard the 'Baltic Leader' has been cooperating with French authorities.”
The Russian embassy in France is seeking explanations from the French authorities over the seizure, Russia's RIA news agency said.
SIEZE THEM ALL!
 
Presumably they don't want to step foot into Ukraine in case it's seen as an act of war against Russia so I kind of get that part (albeit that I think the West needs to show some backbone).
 
It’s funny how different the discussion is elsewhere. Was listening to my usual podcast yesterday and one journalist that I usually find very on point was saying how firm Germany has been and ”France, well you never know with France, they always have some personal motives…”. FUCK YOU typical Swedish francophic shit.

Having said that, I don’t want to hear any shit about Germany. We need them (especially we need them to ease up on restrictions and open Berghain again!).
 
It is easy to underestimate just how significant SWIFT is - shutting off the main channel for cross-border remittances is THE hammer blow. At this point blockchain providers are doing more to close Russia off (which is obviously the natural alternative to SWIFT) but that is still a drop in the ocean compared to SWIFT.
 
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The Ukrainian resistance is absolutely inspiring and tragic. As much as it's going to be messy, the citizens armed with rifles and molotov cocktails really tells it's own chilling story. Brave and scary.

Zelensky is a grade A QOL.
 
I wonder if someone like BBC Four or Netflix could broadcast Servant of the People.
 
I'm amazed Orban is actually toeing the line on this, but I guess he has an election coming...
 
The Ukrainian resistance is absolutely inspiring and tragic. As much as it's going to be messy, the citizens armed with rifles and molotov cocktails really tells it's own chilling story. Brave and scary.

Zelensky is a grade A QOL.
The Ukrainians have been amazing throughout this, and their resolve has made the war basically unwinnable for Putin. Even if he manages to instal a puppet government he won’t have control. They’ll be a costly, reactionary thorn in his side.
 
The Ukrainian resistance is absolutely inspiring and tragic. As much as it's going to be messy, the citizens armed with rifles and molotov cocktails really tells it's own chilling story. Brave and scary.

Zelensky is a grade A QOL.

It's incredible to see their resolve and bravery. I'm in awe of the acts of confrontation against the Russian military, particularly amongst unarmed civilians.

 
Trying to understand where the no comes from within the German political system, things like this come up.
I think that regardless of public opinion pressure, it will be difficult to talk Germany into a no with this mindset.

 
Germany would be wise to quietly agree now. Because if they continue to dither they’ll be forced into it anyway eventually and always be known as the ones who delayed while Ukrainians were dying. They’re out of options now.
 
could it be done without Germany? I know it looks prettier with all ayes but surely we're reaching the point where it can't be delayed any further
 

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