The invasion has begun

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Russia has begun it's invasion of Ukraine. Who knows where this will end.

apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-europe-russia-moscow-kyiv-626a8c5ec22217bacb24ece60fac4fe1

Agree it's terrifying and all countries need to come together to stop this

@Gotmyprincecharming - your poor DH, he must be devastated. Praying for all concerned

@Gotmyprincecharming I hope your husbands family are safe, I cried reading the news this morning so I can’t imagine how you must be feeling. I don’t really know what to say but didn’t want to read and run xx

Problem is for any reaction from the west there will be a reaction that is highly likely to result in a worse situation. It’s not as simple as putting putin back in his box. Does anyone seriously think there is an avenue that would make him throw his hands up and back off? He’s a threat that at best we can hope to contain, removal isn’t an option.

Ordinary people are the ones who suffer for errors of political judgement, Russians and Ukrainians alike.

Peace is a thin veneer that’s only maintained by mutual agreement and people like putin know that.

@Riverlee

Depressing.

Today was supposed to be the day we all relax slightly about covid, and to start ‘living with it’ rather than being afraid of it, and then this happens.

Another black cloud hanging over us.

Exactly what I was thinking.

Gotmyprincecharming there is not much I can say to you apart from pray.

Those poor people.

This is horrific. He is a madman who cannot be reasoned with. Thinking of the people of Ukraine.

At the very least the west should be sending weapons and supplies.

While I’m not an advocate of war - at what point do we decide to stop Putin ? Let him take the Ukraine but only if he starts attacking NATO then do something ?

It seems some countries are able to be sacrificed and others not.

As with any bully, the world needs to stop right now cowering in the corner. We have to learn that appeasement simply does not work.

We have to stop worrying about his reaction, and start making this operation as painful and difficult as possible.

We need to stand up to him, as painful as it might be for some, we need to do so or there really will be WW3

I wouldn’t be surprised if the west have been trying to assassinate him for years.

@Unsure33

Yup they could and probably will anyway. The alternative is sitting twiddling our thumbs while Ukraine falls and then what, the baltics?

I don’t know, if we do nothing I imagine Putin will carry on if we do something we’ll get blowback. My fear is he did this because in effect there was no reaction to the annexation of Ukrainian territory. We made it clear the west would do nothing, what else will he do if we don’t do anything again?

I just heard the phrase it’s Russia v world now

Russia has allies. They may be making all the right noises now but I wouldn’t bank on it long term if putin achieves a successful campaign. China and North Korea in particular will be watching closely and I expect are ready to take full advantage of any opportunities it throws up for them.

If he thinks he can get away with it, he will stop at nothing. T

o understand his thinking, mentality and disregard for human life - we know what he responds to that is strength, he has always responded to strength.

@Crookedman

That’s my concern too - if we don’t stop him now what will he think he can do next ? Does anyone think he will stop at just Ukraine (not that he should be allowed to take the Ukraine anyway) ?

My thoughts are with those in Ukraine.

I have no idea of what will come next but even if this government decides to not get involved there will be ramifications for all of us. Russia and Ukraine are exporters of wheat and oil, higher prices are on their way. A global recession seems quite likely at this point.

Interesting that Serbia have decided they are not holding Russia accountable, whilst also applying for EU membership.

It will be very interesting to see what comes out of the woodwork in the next few days. We will have a much clearer picture geographically.
China's position will become more transparent.

It’s Russia v world now

I think that's best case scenario. More likely it's some of the world vs Russia+some of the world.

God knows where this one ends.

Can anyone fill me in on the China issue in very simple terms?

@Cornettoninja

Problem is for any reaction from the west there will be a reaction that is highly likely to result in a worse situation. It’s not as simple as putting putin back in his box. Does anyone seriously think there is an avenue that would make him throw his hands up and back off? He’s a threat that at best we can hope to contain, removal isn’t an option.

Ordinary people are the ones who suffer for errors of political judgement, Russians and Ukrainians alike.

Peace is a thin veneer that’s only maintained by mutual agreement and people like putin know that.

I agree reactions and escalation are just as worrying

@frenchcheeses

Britain won't do much about it, Johnson and much of his party is in the pocket of Putin. Why was the Russian Report never published? Because it exposes how compromised Johnson and his cronies are.

Yes I was going to say! Russia ousoned their own people on British soil and a British woman died and we did nothing.

Poisoned*

@MarshaBradyo - unfortunately it is not Russia against the world.

It is Russia against the West, which, let's face it, is fairly divided and weakened thanks to internet conspiracies, Alt right etc (perpetuated by Russia).

China isn't going to go against Russia as they also have similar plans to regain their ex-territories.

Why would the rest of the world (excluding Europe + NATO) care about Ukraine? Europe haven't rushed to help other global conflicts and disputes. The rest of the world is facing their own disputes, autocratic governments, genocides etc.

At the very least the west should be sending weapons and supplies.

This is the very reason war keeps going and people die. Does anyone genuinely think supplying more weapons and sustaining more days of killing will improve the situation in any way?

Very glad I live in a neutral country.

Probably because realistically there’s very little we can do. I doubt someone like Putin gives a damn about sanctions and what else do you suggest? Send in the British Army?

Genuinely worried that if he takes ukraine that he then demands the suwalki gap and attacks the baltics. All the while threatening to nuke everyone. God those poor people, I can’t imagine what it must be like to be in Ukraine right now.

Sorry, that was in response to @Mollysocks