It may have been a shock for our politicians but I suspect the rest of the country has been aware for a very long time that we rely on our energy from disgusting regimes.

It's shameful they did nothing about it.

One more point

I was kind of hoping to get away with a 'we don't agree', but seeing as you asked and you're normally reasonable I'll dutifully respond to your request.

To answer this point, when we look back at why the Soviet Union collapsed it can't really be reduced into paragraphs but I'll give a snapshot. While I'd agree with you that there were many many problems inherent within the Soviet empire it's also true that there would have been no collapse without the election of Gorbachev.

He was always a reformer and let it not be forgotten that he was nearly overthrown by a coup and never intended to break up the empire...events ran away from him.

My point is that militarily the Soviets were just as powerful and that they could have continued going just as they had done so previously.

The invasion isn't a draw, the Russians are winning and can continue for another year at least. Their soviet union shell stockpiles alone allow that.

I'm not sure where you are getting this idea that their BRICS allies aren't helping them. Both China and India are now buying their oil and they have made deals with other G20 countries....With countries like Turkey and the Saudis playing both sides.

The 'genetically modified soldiers' story is taking one comment and inferring a whole heap of poor assumptions from it. The Russia media omits, distorts and lies just as the western media omits, distorts and lies.

I think you believe that the Ukraine goes back to at least its February 24th border. On that we completely disagree and we should both comment once the war concludes to see who was correct on that.

I don't see the west putting up with the economic price of a winter under the added inflationary and energy consequences of fighting this war.

My take is that this war ends with Russia, as with China being in a stronger economic position than where it began. They will have the Donbas at the very least and that is a extremely rich area for both oil and wheat.

I think peace terms should have been made in March, when it was possible.

As for the military....Russia has a nuclear stockpile that ensures that any physical invasion is suicide. Nato has given over much of its stockpiles in important areas and seen them wasted....I doubt the Ukraine will ever replay the printed debt money that has been given to it.....more strain for future generations to pay off for the egos of our, here today gone tomorrow, politicians.

Edited by Stirlingsays (22 Jul 2022 6.20pm)

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

the video at the top is good for a laugh....

[Tweet Link]

Kayla did Anfield & Old Trafford

[Link]

Non Utube update for those that prefer to read

It is becoming increasingly clear that the West are providing Ukraine with just about enough military hardware to " hold their own " and not much more, they seem to be worried that if Ukraine were given far more they could drive the Russians back and Russia would retaliate with nuclear weapons, So, we have a long term stalemate,the sanctions would in time operate like a slow motion Boa Constrictor.The biggest worry is that the West overtime would lose interest in the Ukrainian situation and they would be left to rot.It is without doubt that a successful Putin would push on into other countries and areas such as Transnistria in Moldova.

Edited by beak (27 Jul 2022 5.11pm)

It would probably suit Putin rather than a defeat which would mean regime change and his life!