You do realise that negotiation will be happening constantly. Just because it’s not reported in the media doesn’t mean diplomatic efforts are constantly being attempted - they absolutely will be. Just because you can’t see or hear about it doesn’t mean it isn’t happening. It was happening during the Cold War, so it’s happening now.

Did you know? 98.0000001% of people are morons.

A bit cope isn't it?

Propaganda for sure, however that's also true for here...and certainly in the Ukraine where any opposition is banned.

Putin has high ratings and nationalism is a part of a normal Russian upbringing and education. Most males complete at least a year of national service.

The culture isn't drenched in self hating emasculated soy like white boy western culture.

Something most Eastern European cultures share.

Edited by Stirlingsays (23 Sep 2022 11.56pm)

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

Stirling gets it.

Honestly there's enough pro Russian support in the east of Slovakia that has me occasionally looking over my shoulder.
If Russia makes it to the border I could see a Transnistria situation happening which is exactly what the Russians want.

The mountains are calling & I must go.

I'm not so sure about that. I wouldn't think anyone expects a Ukrainian "win". Only to ensure that the cost to Russia is sufficient to curtail their ambitions. For any negotiation to succeed, there has to be something Putin can sell as a victory at home. Internationally supervised referendums in the disputed regions, self-government if they vote against Ukraine and DMZs seem, to this non-expert, as sensible. I also don't see any chance of a direct intervention.

We need to bring this battle to an end and let both sides declare victory. Then the war of ideas and economic, social and cultural isolation can continue for as long as necessary.

For the avoidance of doubt any comments in response to a previous post are directed to its ideas and not at any, or all, posters personally.

I and a select few were calling for realistic negotiation since pretty much the start of this war...I still can't quite believe the stupidity of March....it should be noted that when the Ukraine were doing well in their counter offensive that calls for realistic negotiations were absence.....no doubt thinking that Russia could be kicked out of the Ukraine.

I heard this again and again - Russia is going to be kicked out....essentially a support of the mainstream news and analysis that gets pumped at normies.

Russia is about to run out of bullets or shells. (that was just false)
Russia is going to fail economically. (Errrr..eventually perhaps but so are we...the harm is all round and we are use to higher living standards.)
Russia's troops have low morale and are deserting (true of any army and plenty of Ukrainians have deserted and surrendered as well)
Russia is being defeated on the battlefield (it has gained significant ground since the war started)
Putin is going to be deposed by dissatisfied generals/officials (unlikely and if it did happen it would be by the hardliners)
Putin is ill and on his last legs. (ok, but the actual evidence doesn't suggest it...Biden appears much iller)

I don't give a damn about Russia, who wins what ground out there means nothing to me. What I do care about is how this madness affects my country and on those grounds, I consider the ideological zealotry and group think of Europe's politicians to have been disastrous.....they played follow the state department's tune and just like with covid lockdown policy, they all agreed with each other, and all made the bad irrational decisions.

A lot of us are going to be a lot poorer now....regardless in how this turns out.

Low quality elites.

Edited by Stirlingsays (24 Sep 2022 4.00pm)

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

I'm hearing the Russia counter offensives from its partial mobilisation won't start until November.

However, you always have to take announcements with a considerable amount of salt.

Ukraine continue to take ground on its own fronts.

I've given up on any realistic negotiation. Both sides have seemingly decided to continue until exhaustion, whether that's in blood or economics.

Edited by Stirlingsays (27 Sep 2022 12.47am)

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