Ukrainian invasion part 13

[Alexandra2001]

Seems to be required.

Sky news reporting that a meeting between Putin and Zelensky could be on the cards.

@Igotjelly I think it's the planes, the doomsday planes that have also gone up and Swedens position with their security update

There have been a few incidents of particular people dialling up the panic over certain events during the course of these threads. I am beginning to suspect some posters are doing it on purpose for some reason. It is a shame, because there are some really good posters here too and I have enjoyed reading their views and have learned a lot.

@TheABC

China and the USA are talking tomorrow about Ukraine's war. It will be interesting to see if anything changes as a result.

In the meantime, I think the sanctions are starting to hit home - they have only been in place for two weeks so the consequences on the purchasing cycle (refreshing stock, inflation etc.) are becoming more visible. Putin' s acknowledged that although we won't know the full picture for some time. I also suspect the number of dead Russian soldiers has gone up to uncomfortable levels: the US are estimating up to 7,000 dead and double that injured.

This will be about internal politics.

Agree with this, shit is hitting the fan. I also wonder if the drones provided by the USA might prove to be a bit of a game changer, and Putin is bricking it. Who knows what's been going on with China behind the scenes, maybe they're beginning to baulk too. Whatever's afoot, Putin must have a lot on his plate keeping control domestically.

Also agree @ClaudineClare unfortunately I’ve started having doubts about some people on mumsnet & what their motivations are.

@ClaudineClare I think it's just some people's personalities. Some are just very matter of fact, I know I am. But I feel for the people who it seems to be really affecting badly. I was afraid for 24 hours when Putin first threatened nuclear but then thought what's the point.

@ClaudineClare

Flipping heck. I go to do my weekly shop and this thread has taken a bit of a turn down the road named "let's panic!"

Same, went to work, came home made lunch and tried catching up. WTAF Sometimes I wonder if Olga from Vladivostok is trying to shut down discussion and derail the thread.

There's currently loads of geopolitical stuff happening - much of it will come to nothing.

@Yeahthat I was just replying to a post someone made which mentioned me.

I honestly wouldn’t be worried. If you look it’s scrambled fairly regularly (most recently in the mainstream media about 2 weeks ago). It’s all about optics.

@elephantmarchingin

This is the most scared I've been the whole time. I'm actually shitting it and debating leaving work and going home.

I don't think you should go home- distract yourself with normal things and try to stop looking at things that make you scared for a while.

They're now saying that everyone in Sweden 16 - 70 has a responsibility to defend Sweden, citizens and residents alike. The Swedish Enforcement Agency have now selected 19,000 to begin training in civil defence and basic military training. (Better not be me, what am going to do? Throw my knitting at them? Poison them with my blood pressure medicine?)

[quote hilbil21]@ClaudineClare I think it's just some people's personalities. Some are just very matter of fact, I know I am. But I feel for the people who it seems to be really affecting badly. I was afraid for 24 hours when Putin first threatened nuclear but then thought what's the point. [/quote]
But they are not being matter of fact, they are using language that will panic people some people, especially those who are already anxious. I agree with crispsarny - am having doubts about some posters.

@BringBackCoffeeCreams Do you think it's just with a view to security going forward?

@BringBackCoffeeCreams

They're now saying that everyone in Sweden 16 - 70 has a responsibility to defend Sweden, citizens and residents alike. The Swedish Enforcement Agency have now selected 19,000 to begin training in civil defence and basic military training. (Better not be me, what am going to do? Throw my knitting at them? Poison them with my blood pressure medicine?)

Pelt them with blazing hot spam and peach fritters?

China seems to have taken a shift in stance on reporting the war
twitter.com/fangshimin/status/1504352036808056832

Pro Ukraine maybe overstating their position at this point. “Not decidedly pro Russia” is a good start

I’m pleased to hear US and China are talking soon, I much prefer it when that channel is as good as possible

Well, if Russia are "warning" neutral nations not to join NATO, it is very sensible of those nations to discuss how they can stabilise things and pull together - hopefully, to avoid a war. I imagine Sweden and Finland very much don't want conflict with Russia, and a united front will make that area safer, won't it?

@MarshaBradyo

I’m pleased to hear US and China are talking soon, I much prefer it when that channel is as good as possible

I agree, but the US seem hardly to have wooed China very well (ie been particularly diplomatic) in recent days. Hopefully Biden can redress some of this

I think Sweden have a history of conscription don’t they?

[quote hilbil21]@BringBackCoffeeCreams Do you think it's just with a view to security going forward? [/quote]
I think so. They did away with military service around 10 years ago, brought it back on a voluntary basis a couple of years ago when Russia started getting a bit loud, and now people want it back fully for everyone. I expect this is just a move in that direction triggered by current events.

@BringBackCoffeeCreamsI have an army cadet son whose military capability is playing the bass line of Colonel Bogie on a large brass instrument. He hasn't had any weapons training but can make a noise like an elephant in agony and if the worst came to the worst I guess he could hit someone with the instrument case, which is quite a large and heavy affair?

@Igotjelly

I think Sweden have a history of conscription don’t they?

Kind of. Military service has been around for quite a while but it wasn't compulsory. They only took limited numbers and always had more wanting to do it than they needed.

Lots of people have endless time on here to contribute and seemingly don't go to work so maybe the two are correlated. Maybe it is their work- maybe they are political pundits. It's not really clear and an AS doesn't make it clearer. I have been reading what I think is informed material by Bob Seely. You need to ensure you question credentials of things you are reading, perhaps dip in and out of Mumsnet thread on this which is not to say it is not a good quality thread oj parts but we can't constantly be in blind panic as it will make us ill.

[quote herecomesthsun]@BringBackCoffeeCreamsI have an army cadet son whose military capability is playing the bass line of Colonel Bogie on a large brass instrument. He hasn't had any weapons training but can make a noise like an elephant in agony and if the worst came to the worst I guess he could hit someone with the instrument case, which is quite a large and heavy affair?[/quote]
Thank you for this, I genuinely laughed out loud!

Pelt them with blazing hot spam and peach fritters?