International relations thread

[Spoonz Red E]

If Putin is manoeuvred out of the picture - great.
If power is taken up by the same bunch of goons who have allowed him to build an autocratic power system over the last several years - not so great.

It it happens - let's see what happens with Navalny and the independent (as far as it goes) Russian media.
Let's see how 70 years of increasing state propaganda can be unwound.

There needs to be a sea-change in the Russian political system.
There also needs to be a sea-change in interactive global trade and politics.

It's fine casting Putin as the Devil but we need to face up to a situation whereby the most powerful democracies on Earth, despite the lessons of history and in particular two global wars, have participated in a move towards a situation where the only way to defend democracy is to stand on the sidelines and throw massive amounts of arm at the situation.

If we have a United Nations - make it workable.
Don't let it be hamstrung by a mechanism subject to the vetoes and vagaries of so-called 'security' partners.
If there is an agreement on basic human rights and a global trade and supply network make membership of the latter conditional on maintaining the former.

Wiil there be movement to repair or a return to the status quo post Ukraine?
Answers on a postcard (hopefully a 'Wish You Were Here' one).

 

[Banksy]

If Putin is manoeuvred out of the picture - great.
If power is taken up by the same bunch of goons who have allowed him to build an autocratic power system over the last several years - not so great.

It it happens - let's see what happens with Navalny and the independent (as far as it goes) Russian media.
Let's see how 70 years of increasing state propaganda can be unwound.

There needs to be a sea-change in the Russian political system.
There also needs to be a sea-change in interactive global trade and politics.

It's fine casting Putin as the Devil but we need to face up to a situation whereby the most powerful democracies on Earth, despite the lessons of history and in particular two global wars, have participated in a move towards a situation where the only way to defend democracy is to stand on the sidelines and throw massive amounts of arm at the situation.

If we have a United Nations - make it workable.
Don't let it be hamstrung by a mechanism subject to the vetoes and vagaries of so-called 'security' partners.
If there is an agreement on basic human rights and a global trade and supply network make membership of the latter conditional on maintaining the former.

Wiil there be movement to repair or a return to the status quo post Ukraine?
Answers on a postcard (hopefully a 'Wish You Were Here' one).

You are Boutros Boutros-Ghali and I claim my five pounds.

 

[Phil Sayers]

Hungary (despite being reported to have secured an exemption until the end of 2023) is apparently intending to veto the EU oil import ban as they say it would ruin their economy. Whether this is a negotiating tact to secure other concessions (whether related to Ukraine or completely separate) or whether they really will do it remains to be seen.

 

[tavyred]

Hungary (despite being reported to have secured an exemption until the end of 2023) is apparently intending to veto the EU oil import ban as they say it would ruin their economy. Whether this is a negotiating tact to secure other concessions (whether related to Ukraine or completely separate) or whether they really will do it remains to be seen.

The irony of a non member U.K. showing more solidarity with EU sanctions than more than one EU member country is not lost in this part of glorious West Devon.

 

[DB9]

The irony of a non member U.K. showing more solidarity with EU sanctions than more than one EU member country is not lost in this part of glorious West Devon.

Unfortunately Hungary's President is more with Putin's way of thinking but likes the money that the EU dishes out.

 

[tavyred]

Unfortunately Hungary's President is more with Putin's way of thinking but likes the money that the EU dishes out.

Indeed.
How often DB were we preached at during Brexit that the EU was a rules based entity?
Big test of the EU commission’s authority you would think, my money is on the usual fudge.

 

[DB9]

Indeed.
How often DB were we preached at during Brexit that the EU was a rules based entity?
Big test of the EU commission’s authority you would think, my money is on the usual fudge.

The EU are good at fudging, Going back as far as the Massctricht treaty, It was said that if one country voted against they would scrap it, 2 countries did, ROI being one of them but they tweaked it and voted on it again, I was very unhappy about that because it was a lie that they said about one chance vote. I still believe in the EU but Hungary had a more pro EU President when they joined, Now we have a populist, Nationalist in charge there now.

 

[Phil Sayers]

The Russian bombing of the Mariupol Drama Theatre back in March (a building which had "Children" written in large letters in front of it) may have murdered 600 people :

AP evidence points to 600 dead in Mariupol theater airstrike

LVIV, Ukraine (AP) — She stood in just her bathrobe in the freezing basement of the Mariupol theater, coated in white plaster dust shaken loose by the explosion.

apnews.com

 

[Suzi & The Banned Cheese]

WHY IS NO-ONE CALLING FOR PEACE?

 

[Alistair20000]

WHY IS NO-ONE CALLING FOR PEACE?

Because of Russia and Putin. Waste of time calling for it Suzi. Their idea of peace terms will not be acceptable.