Russia - worrying?

[Roch]

No I didn't watch any of his progs.  I'm not a fan.  Niall Ferguson is my go-to history man.  Far easier on the ear and eye 

Starkey is certainly not everyone's cup of tea. Then of course he landed himself in hot water when he made remarks that were deemed offensive. He obviously didn't intend to offend. He was caught out by the changing times.

I am not that familiar with Ferguson.  Didn't Michael Wood cut a dashing figure when he entered the fray around 1980?   

[killingeve]

Starkey is certainly not everyone's cup of tea. Then of course he landed himself in hot water when he made remarks that were deemed offensive. He obviously didn't intend to offend. He was caught out by the changing times.

I am not that familiar with Ferguson.  Didn't Michael Wood cut a dashing figure when he entered the fray around 1980?   

I find Starkey a pompous old windbag who's big on theatrical and low on fact. 

Never heard of Michael Wood but I'll look him up. 

I'll upload some of Ferguson's vids.  Simply the best imo:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9e-4QbW5CQE

[killingeve]

Niall Ferguson on Russia/Ukraine:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niall_Ferguson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RfUA7sDd8w

[Roch]

I find Starkey a pompous old windbag who's big on theatrical and low on fact. 

Never heard of Michael Wood but I'll look him up. 

I'll upload some of Ferguson's vids.  Simply the best imo:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9e-4QbW5CQE

It's interesting that his closing statement is almost the opposite of my question / suggestion to David above. However, he reasons that there will be an immensely destructive Russian victory, whereas I think we are in for a bitter war of attrition that will sap Russia's resources to the point where its position as a global power is diminished. Mind you, I am not an expert  .

Looks / voice wise, is he a poor man's Ewan McGregor?

[Jane]

It's interesting that his closing statement is almost the opposite of my question / suggestion to David above. However, he reasons that there will be an immensely destructive Russian victory, whereas I think we are in for a bitter war of attrition that will sap Russia's resources to the point where its position as a global power is diminished. Mind you, I am not an expert  .

Looks / voice wise, is he a poor man's Ewan McGregor?

It looks to me as if Putin is pushing all the buttons he can to provoke a more proactive response in others, so he can claim, as justified, an attack he's itching to make, using chemical weapons, or worse. Quite where the outcome of using such will leave him? Perhaps he simply doesn't care?

[killingeve]

It's interesting that his closing statement is almost the opposite of my question / suggestion to David above. However, he reasons that there will be an immensely destructive Russian victory, whereas I think we are in for a bitter war of attrition that will sap Russia's resources to the point where its position as a global power is diminished. Mind you, I am not an expert  .

Looks / voice wise, is he a poor man's Ewan McGregor?

I doubt anyone knows for certain how its going to pan out.  Too many variables/unknowns not least how citizens of the various countries are going to behave.  We can already see how numskull Chelsea supporters are behaving:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60704463

Sad to say citzens will probably become desensitised.  At some point the crisis will be taken over by some other issue probably economics if the Queen doesn't pass before inflation/interest rates/cost of living goes through the roof!

[Roch]

It looks to me as if Putin is pushing all the buttons he can to provoke a more proactive response in others, so he can claim, as justified, an attack he's itching to make, using chemical weapons, or worse. Quite where the outcome of using such will leave him? Perhaps he simply doesn't care?

I think we have to treat some claims made in our media with caution. I don't think Russia is itching to use chemical weapons. If an incident happens I will be very sceptical. But obviously, I can't discount the possibility that they could genuinely do so. 

[Jane]

I think we have to treat some claims made in our media with caution. I don't think Russia is itching to use chemical weapons. If an incident happens I will be very sceptical. But obviously, I can't discount the possibility that they could genuinely do so.

Oh, I don't think "Russia" per se, is. I think there may be a widening chasm between Russia and Putin...........or is that just wishful thinking?

[Roch]

Oh, I don't think "Russia" per se, is. I think there may be a widening chasm between Russia and Putin...........or is that just wishful thinking?

You know what it is Jane, if I was him, I would be worried that someone might bump me off or arrest me. No I don't think he will want to use chemical weapons in Ukraine. But he may get accused of doing so. The thing is, his stock is so low at the moment, I don't even think doing that is necessary.

[Jane]

You know what it is Jane, if I was him, I would be worried that someone might bump me off or arrest me. No I don't think he will want to use chemical weapons in Ukraine. But he may get accused of doing so. The thing is, his stock is so low at the moment, I don't even think doing that is necessary.

I'm happy to trust that you're right, Roch! But I'll be coming for you if you're not!!!

[Roch]

I'm happy to trust that you're right, Roch! But I'll be coming for you if you're not!!!

If an incident happens - treat with caution - that's all I am saying.

Don't know if anyone has the time or inclination to watch this, but I just found it via social media.. a film by Oliver Stone..

https://rumble.com/vwxxi8-ukraine-on-fire.html

[Steve_uk]

We are where we are. It's time for Putin and Zelenskyy to sit round a table and negotiate. Putin looks to me as if he's on medication with his puffy cheeks. I don't like it but we should give him a way out. https://youtu.be/9ydToMo-pW8

[David1819]

Street in Karkiv after indiscriminate shelling.

https://v.redd.it/q95uqr539pm81/DASH_480.mp4

[Jane]

We are where we are. It's time for Putin and Zelenskyy to sit round a table and negotiate. Putin looks to me as if he's on medication with his puffy cheeks. I don't like it but we should give him a way out. https://youtu.be/9ydToMo-pW8

Interesting comment, Steve. I'd thought the same thing. Steroids?

[Steve_uk]

Interesting comment, Steve. I'd thought the same thing. Steroids?

I think corticosteroids Jane. There have been rumours about his mental health, as well as allegations of terminal bowel cancer. I don't trust him not to escalate, and I don't trust his generals not to countermand any orders he may issue.