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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Cost of living and the war in Ukraine

66 replies

Lucy61 · 30/11/2022 23:32

AIBU to think it’s time to end the war in Ukraine and normalise relations with Russia. I can’t help but think that the need to stabilise markets and return to normal for so many families struggling in the UK and those around the world should now be a priority. Can we afford this war? Can the world afford the increase in fuel and grain/ food prices? Are families in the UK being impacted more than they had expected? Really struggling to make ends meet. Or am I barking up the wrong tree.

OP posts:
socialmedia23 · 01/12/2022 00:27

Anotherguy · 01/12/2022 00:17

Vladimir is that you?

Not the point of this thread but apparently Putin doesn't know how to use the internet..that's why he is sol deluded, he gets his intel from reports written by staff who are terrified of him..hence why he is so deluded... Being isolated during the pandemic did not help

user1477391263 · 01/12/2022 00:28

OK, let's tell Putin he's forgiven and can go ahead and invade other countries if he likes.

The cost of living won't go down, even if you do do this, and Putin will have the green light to invade lots of other places. China will also get the message that the West is happy to roll over and cringe to aggressive regimes, and will invade Taiwan as well. And everything, including the cost of living, will get worse and worse and worse long time.

That sounds like a great plan.

The CoL situation is shit, but there isn't any alternative. You may as well complain about death, taxes or the weather. We can't do much to stop this happening.

Heavyraindropsarefallingonmyhead · 01/12/2022 00:37

LumpyandBumps · 01/12/2022 00:25

No, you’re not barking up the wrong tree. You’re just ‘barking’
It’s also rather concerning that 10% have voted YANBU

Given that on another thread people were complaining that slavery free chocolate was too expensive and they would stick to the brands where its well known 10 year old children provide part of the work force it doesn't suprise me in the least that a minority would also be happy to see a country taken over if it meant their heating didn't cost as much. Human suffering is easier to stomach if its at a distance.

That's not to say I don't empathise with those truly suffering from the col crisis. But then I doubt they are the ones voting on this thread either

Greenshake · 01/12/2022 00:41

@Heavyraindropsarefallingonmyhead you are joking?! I must have missed that gem.

Hawkins001 · 01/12/2022 00:45

Tukmgru · 01/12/2022 00:08

The only way the war ends is with Putin in jail or dead, or at the very least ‘retired’ by his oligarchs. What are you doing to make any of that happen OP?

The other way is if Ukraine folds, and gives up

Heavyraindropsarefallingonmyhead · 01/12/2022 00:49

Greenshake · 01/12/2022 00:41

@Heavyraindropsarefallingonmyhead you are joking?! I must have missed that gem.

afraid not, in fairness the vast majority were complaining it was expensive and didn't taste good, and there were some reasonable suggestions made for alternatives.

But then there were a minority who either suggested very unethical (but cheap) companies or one gem who implied they went out of their way to avoid slavery free chocolate because they didn't like companies being political. But companies using child labour, that's totally fine 🙄I'm pretty sure these are the same people who would sit back and watch countries be taken over if it makes their flour cheaper etc

dolor · 01/12/2022 00:50

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Tinkerbyebye · 01/12/2022 01:00

I think you need to do some googling and actually understand the background to this war, and why exactly we are doing what we are, and how it affects the world , not just the UK

lets hope with attitudes like yours we don’t ever suffer an invasion and people don’t come to our aid because prices might rise

the man INVADED a country, who are suffering far worse than we are

Tinkerbyebye · 01/12/2022 01:01

And I suggest you investigate what’s happening in other countries, we are not the only country suffering like this, many are

BlessMyCottonSocks · 01/12/2022 01:09

Hawkins001 · 01/12/2022 00:45

The other way is if Ukraine folds, and gives up

And why would Ukraine do that? And if they did, what happens when Putin then moves on to invading Poland and the Baltic countries? And when China decides at that point to take advantage of a badly weakened Europe? OP What do you think that might do to the cost of living crisis if that’s your only concern about this conflict?

blackpearwhitelilies · 01/12/2022 01:15

You’re getting a roasting on here, OP. It’s fully deserved.

Heavyraindropsarefallingonmyhead · 01/12/2022 01:19

Hawkins001 · 01/12/2022 00:45

The other way is if Ukraine folds, and gives up

Whilst technically this is correct there will be increased issues if this happens not decreased issues

SabiRiver · 01/12/2022 01:58

At least if they could broker peace talks ot would be a start.

mangoesaretheonlyfruit · 01/12/2022 02:04

OP fall in line. Debate over our involvement in this conflict is not allowed. We send arms to the Saudis to massacre Yemenis and ignore countless other conflicts but when it comes to Ukraine suddenly we have a moral conscience and inexhaustible funds to support a war we should have foreseen once we entertained the idea of Ukraine joining NATO.

UpToMyElbowsInDiapers · 01/12/2022 02:09

DD(5): you always say that if I tell lies, no one will ever want to have anything to do with me
Me: right…
DD(5): so… why don’t Ukrainians just tell loads of lies? Then the Russian soldiers will say “we should go. We don’t want anything to do with these people”. Then the war would be over. Why haven’t the Ukrainians done that yet, Mama?

I think my 5yo’s understanding of the world is possibly better than yours, OP… and that’s saying something…

SabiRiver · 01/12/2022 02:11

mangoesaretheonlyfruit · 01/12/2022 02:04

OP fall in line. Debate over our involvement in this conflict is not allowed. We send arms to the Saudis to massacre Yemenis and ignore countless other conflicts but when it comes to Ukraine suddenly we have a moral conscience and inexhaustible funds to support a war we should have foreseen once we entertained the idea of Ukraine joining NATO.

Absolutely.

Doodadoo · 01/12/2022 02:16

Greenshake · 30/11/2022 23:40

This has to be one of the most ridiculous and ignorant things I have ever read on here. OP, do you ever read a paper or watch the news? Do you think we can just “normalise” relations with Russia after all that has, and continues to go on? Jesus Christ., I despair. Wake up.

We could all starve and freeze this winter in solidarity? Will that make everything better?
Like fuck!
This is not our war. These are not our neighbours. These are Russia's neighbours.

Let them fight it out. My cost of living has landed me in a life/death situation. I am not exaggerating.

My life is in jeopardy as a result of Russia's reciprocation of our imbecilic sanctions on Mother Russia. Let's be seen to be strong. Putin holds the winning hand. This was clear from the start but we, in our arrogance, decided to take him on.

Doodadoo · 01/12/2022 02:19

mangoesaretheonlyfruit · 01/12/2022 02:04

OP fall in line. Debate over our involvement in this conflict is not allowed. We send arms to the Saudis to massacre Yemenis and ignore countless other conflicts but when it comes to Ukraine suddenly we have a moral conscience and inexhaustible funds to support a war we should have foreseen once we entertained the idea of Ukraine joining NATO.

This is the fact which nobody realises or wishes to admit. People don't even want to consider this.

At the end of the day, I care about my children's wellbeing and my own wellbeing. I know sweet damn all about Ukrainians. They're probably lovely people. Their fight for freedom is probably justified but they are not people I know! Do I save them or my own child? Of course I care more about my own child!

MintJulia · 01/12/2022 02:44

Don't be so naïve. Putin thought he could help himself to Ukraine because Europe turned a blind eye when he invaded Crimea.

If he's allowed to take Ukraine, where next? Latvia? Estonia? Finland? A NATO country? And then we have a full blown war on our hands.

And do you imagine if you are nice to him, Putin won't hold us to ransom over gas, the next time he wants to bully someone? Get a grip. 🙄

Doodadoo · 01/12/2022 02:58

MintJulia · 01/12/2022 02:44

Don't be so naïve. Putin thought he could help himself to Ukraine because Europe turned a blind eye when he invaded Crimea.

If he's allowed to take Ukraine, where next? Latvia? Estonia? Finland? A NATO country? And then we have a full blown war on our hands.

And do you imagine if you are nice to him, Putin won't hold us to ransom over gas, the next time he wants to bully someone? Get a grip. 🙄

Putin reciprocated our sanctions on Russia.

Yes, he started it by invading Ukraine. Ukraine was a former USSR country or state.

We built up NATO forces on Russia's borders.

Is he a cunt? Undoubtedly
Is he a psychopath? Undoubtedly
Do I care more about Ukrainians than myself and my family? No. I'd lie if I said that I did.

socialmedia23 · 01/12/2022 07:59

Doodadoo · 01/12/2022 02:19

This is the fact which nobody realises or wishes to admit. People don't even want to consider this.

At the end of the day, I care about my children's wellbeing and my own wellbeing. I know sweet damn all about Ukrainians. They're probably lovely people. Their fight for freedom is probably justified but they are not people I know! Do I save them or my own child? Of course I care more about my own child!

I am glad British people in the 1930s did not agree with you or Hitler would have won.and my DH would not be alive as a Jewish person. I am from a commonwealth country so probably wouldn't be alive either..

Ukraine is a European country. Like if or not we are a European country.

socialmedia23 · 01/12/2022 08:00

Doodadoo · 01/12/2022 02:16

We could all starve and freeze this winter in solidarity? Will that make everything better?
Like fuck!
This is not our war. These are not our neighbours. These are Russia's neighbours.

Let them fight it out. My cost of living has landed me in a life/death situation. I am not exaggerating.

My life is in jeopardy as a result of Russia's reciprocation of our imbecilic sanctions on Mother Russia. Let's be seen to be strong. Putin holds the winning hand. This was clear from the start but we, in our arrogance, decided to take him on.

I am sorry you are starving and f

socialmedia23 · 01/12/2022 08:03

Doodadoo · 01/12/2022 02:16

We could all starve and freeze this winter in solidarity? Will that make everything better?
Like fuck!
This is not our war. These are not our neighbours. These are Russia's neighbours.

Let them fight it out. My cost of living has landed me in a life/death situation. I am not exaggerating.

My life is in jeopardy as a result of Russia's reciprocation of our imbecilic sanctions on Mother Russia. Let's be seen to be strong. Putin holds the winning hand. This was clear from the start but we, in our arrogance, decided to take him on.

I am sorry you are starving and freezing. But this is not like the time when Germany was bombing London. We still have food in the supermarkets and water coming out of taps. We still have food banks which means lots of people have excess money to buy food for the poor. We still have the benefits system.

The British people in the 1930s had far less but still stood up to Hitler. Let's not insult their memory.

MajorCarolDanvers · 01/12/2022 08:14

We are not actually at war.

Tukmgru · 01/12/2022 08:28

Doodadoo · 01/12/2022 02:16

We could all starve and freeze this winter in solidarity? Will that make everything better?
Like fuck!
This is not our war. These are not our neighbours. These are Russia's neighbours.

Let them fight it out. My cost of living has landed me in a life/death situation. I am not exaggerating.

My life is in jeopardy as a result of Russia's reciprocation of our imbecilic sanctions on Mother Russia. Let's be seen to be strong. Putin holds the winning hand. This was clear from the start but we, in our arrogance, decided to take him on.

@Doodadoo so you seem to think that Putin’s War is the a) ‘only’ reason your food and fuel bills have gone up in price and b) it’s as simple as letting Putin win and commit mass murder to bring them down. I’m sorry but have you thought any of that through?

So firstly, re external factors you’re actually better off looking at Brexit - a new report just came out showing it’s added billions to food costs year on year, or the madness of the mini budget, which screwed our ability to import by tanking the pound and thus making everything more expensive.

Or perhaps government choices for supporting those in need more generally? We are a wealthy country, we can afford it if we want - Covid support showed that. It’s a choice that the governments make, so you’re better off lobbying / standing for office.

Do that before whinging that people who are actually dying should just roll over and let it happen.

With all due respect, you say you’re in a life or death situation but your on mumsnet complaining about geopolitics. Why aren’t you out there fighting tooth and nail with the council / DWP / energy supplier / food bank / warn bank / GP / ANYTHING that can actually help your situation?!

If the war ends the way you want, your bills won’t go down, there will just be a lot more dead Ukrainians. Plus a further emboldened Putin, who still has territorial ambitions in Europe outside Ukraine FYI.

No one is saying you have to care about Ukrainians ‘more’ than your own family; but if you don’t care that people are being massacred because of one man’s megalomania then I wouldn’t want you as a family member.