To think that preparing for war with Russia is total madness?

I was surprised this morning to read quite how bad things have become with the state of schools. 24, 000 schools beyond their design life. Every school needing on average 300, 000 worth of repairs.

This is where we should be spending our money, instead of on other people's wars and the pet projects of a stream of previous prime ministers. Cold kids, ffs Basics.

www.bbc.com/newsround/68053778

War with Russia? Who do we think we are?! They're huge and it's a very stupid idea.

The problem is we don't have the money (or desire) to spend on defence, the total size of the military is set to fall from its current 100k ish to 73k & thats under the party of defence.

We have few tanks, aircraft and the size of the navy is pathetic.

If you want peace, prepare for war. It would be unwise not to be prepared, doesn't mean they're planning on actually going to war.

Well, yes if you think that handing over the Donbas would mean an end to this war and a more normalised "Cold War" relationship with Russia but Putin shows zero inclination to negotiate around this, plus, as a sovereign country, its up to the Ukrainians.

Russia isn't finished, its resources are not depleted, it spends 40% of GDP on "defence" is a nuclear power, it has huge amounts of raw materials that India and China buy in foreign currency, both these countries give Russia technology to build advanced weaponry and they can use the US$ to buy whatever it likes, most of our sanctions have had little effect on Russia, mostly hurt us.

I agree with the pp, forcing Russia into a corner is a very bad idea, but that doesn't mean we have to just roll over and let them take Ukraine.

Aside Schapps is an idiot, he knows nothing about defence and is a ministerial journey man, put into numerous cabinet rolls to fire fight as he is considered good in front of a camera.... .... didn't he pre warn the Houthis that a US/UK air strike was imminent, with his "watch this space" comment.

Do you mean Ukraine do as Putin wants and then what’s next?

Putin keeps going somewhere else?

Reading comprehension isn't your strong suit, then.

Time we stopped funding that bellicose crackhead Zelensky and started on a more peaceful path.

It’s incredible the way MN is used sometimes….

I sincerely hope not.

And IMO there is nothing courageous about him. The only reason why he is being upheld as some kind of hero is because of the war, but he’s actually a pretty despicable individual in his own right.

The victims here are the civilians, Putin is off his head, and Zelenskyy is enjoying the whole thing.

Yes and all those who are there fighting still

You just outed yourself there.
I will never forget what Zelensky has done for the west, and nor should you.

Zelensky will be known after this as one of the greatest heroes of our time. The man is the very epitome of courage, strength and endurance.

Do you actually know what “hysterical” means and the etymology of the word?

Funny. This link was on the front page 20 minutes ago

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-politics-68047454

Ha! Men can e hysterical too - and often are. Look at Putin.

I’m not “hysterical”, just pointing out what’s gone once some posters head.

Also, lay off the misogynistic vocabulary.

I can see what you are doing, trying to stir up fear. Russia is a depleted non entity with no allies whatsoever. No one is bothered anymore about them.

Not sure of the motives of starting a thread to drum up some ‘sympathy’ for Russia or to feel they are anything but a rag tag army no better than North Korea.

The "international community" so often claimed to be against Russia is, in reality, mostly either its ally, trading partner, or indifferent.

The world is used to us joining in Americas wars, but we needn't expect others to flock to help us if we are foolish enough to dive two feet first into war with Russia, China and others better armed and better trained than us. It won't be World War Three.

The UK and US will have to deal with real war on their own turf for the first time since the Blitzkrieg. I think it will be relatively swift and final. Unfortunately for our civilians.

They will have a way out. Don’t be so hysterical. They will have a brokered exit, that’s how all wars end.

Our freedom is hard won and must be defended. Russia wants to disrupt the West's way of life. We should not make it easy for them.

I support the UK, US (hopefully) and our allies in this. I don't think a lot of people understand what is at stake. We have sheltered from what's happening.

You really don't understand how someone desperately cornered with no way out might react.

When someone has nothing to lose, that's when it's really bum squeak time.