"Prime Minister Keir Starmer recommits to £3 billion a year of military support for Ukraine until 2030/31 and for as long as needed"

[changefromhr]

That's a huge amount of money for a war that's not going to end anytime soon.
3 BILLION a year!
3 x 1 thousand millions!
Where is this money going to come from? This is in addition to almost £12.5bn in military, humanitarian and economic support already given for Ukraine since Russia’s illegal and miscalculated full scale invasion in February 2022.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-to-stand-with-ukraine-for-as-long-as-it-takes-pm-to-tell-nato

And if we look weak to Putin, we also look weak to others. We absolutely need to support Ukraine. The Chinese will be keeping a close eye on how the rest of the world sticks together. For them it will be Taiwan.

Do you see any parallels between the current situation in Europe and the run-up to WW II?

Be grateful that it’s just costing us billions of pounds, and not thousands of our citizens’ lives.

Your either haven’t read the thread or this is an iffy post. It’s been explained why several times already.

I find this reassuring, we should be doing this it’s in our own interest as is an increase in defence spending.

I guess that’s great, until you think about how he’s going to fund it.

Government spending always lists the top price but it never actually costs the government that.

They spend £3bn with companies like BAE for weapons. BAE pay tax on profits - and employ people. Those people pay tax in their salaries and spend money. They pay tax when they spend it.

By the time the money has flushed through the system, the net cost to the government is never anywher near the £3bn initially spent. Same with lots of other spending announcements.

Or we could not spend that money, damage relationships with NATO, especially relationships with the EU and the US and let Putin do WTF he likes.

Seems like good value, to me.

There is absolutely no evidence that Putin will “move further West”

His stated aim is to reclaim a part of Ukraine that was previously part of Russia / USSR

I don’t believe that hype anymore.

I’m also unsure what this pledge means anymore, I am of the understanding that the money just goes to British companies who make the weapons that are then given to Ukraine. So if that’s the case, it’s odd. We aren’t “giving money” to Ukraine, we are funding our own arms trade. I don’t know what to make of it all. Theres definitely some jiggerypokery going on

That's so incoherent I can't even tell what point you think you're making. Doubt it's much of a loss, mind.

We aren’t “giving money” to Ukraine, we are funding our own arms trade.

And this. A cynic might point out it's fairly good advertising to have your weapons used in an actual war. As the UK's arms exports almost doubled in recent years - primarily due to instability in the world - it's also true that war is a business. Sadly.

😂😂😂 perfect response to that word salad!

Please don’t talk to me as if I’m an idiot. There is no need. I am allowed a different opinion.

of course I ‘get’ the wider issue and risk. What I don’t get is where the money is coming from. I don’t know many people who can afford more tax / less benefits to make up for spending money we don’t have and I do genuinely believe that the nhs / social care and education should be our spending priorities. You don’t have to agree, but I’m not going to be rude to you if you want a different opinion!

I am genuinely concerned for people here , I have very little faith in this government ( I think they are all shit tbh) the finances are dire.

Aaaaand then?

Well Putin is known for his integrity and honesty so if he says he won’t then we should believe him.

I believe Putin is open to negotiation but the West have refused?

Perhaps if you address your barely cogent post at 0847 it would help shape my response.

Oh come on. For a start, it’s Ukraine’s call on negotiations, and not ours. On that note, are you familiar with the terms for these so-called negotiations?

The money would come from the arses of people paying taxes here.

So we should abandon Ukraine?

The Russian soldiers have raped, murdered, maimed, and terrorised.

They have destroyed cities, rendered vast areas of the countryside unusable.

And people think we shouldn't support Ukraine? That's absolutely shameful

Right... and you believe Putin? The invasion of Ukraine is literally evidence of Putin moving further west. It is not Russian territory.

Anyway. I remember you talking bollocks during the election campaign too, on two similar usernames. Goady, or just a bit dense?

I’ve reread that and it makes total sense so I’m sorry you’re having so much trouble with it.

It’s not about the support for the Ukraine , I agree that it is important and we should be supporting as much as we can do ( but within our affordability) . It’s the money spend I have the issue with and HOW it will be funded and what might have to be cut in order to afford to do so.

I'm sorry you were unable to understand my very simple previous post so much so you needed to quote it back to me in such an aggressive and arrogant manner.

@Arewealljustloosingtheplot its not just me, but don’t let that get in the way of your bizarre narrative. Have a lovely morning 🙂

It's essential that Putin loses. Attacking Ukraine threatens the food supply of a lot of countries. Global food prices rise and that affects us all. We don't grow enough in the UK to feed ourselves. (which is why Labour's plan to build on agricultural land is so short sighted and idiotic)

And If Putin attacks a NATO member next, we could have all-out war.

It's not just about protecting the people of Ukraine.

And your post is very patronising.

The war needs to be stopped. Either overwhelming support for Ukraine with British brigades on the ground pushing Russia back to its original boards, or stop supporting Ukraine and allow Russia to take over. This half way house or limited aid with unreasonable conditions is costing lives and resources and causing a WW1 style stalemate, sending Russians and Ukrainians men to pointless meat grinder.

What ever happens, the region won't find peace. If Ukraine win, the eastern pro-Russian regions will continue a guerrilla action against the Ukrainians, and if Russia win they won't be able to govern the country without oppression.