Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-23 and Invasion

[Grey Fox]

I've seen reports that the AFP reports that the USA is aware and approves of the French plan about Western troops.

[Tonitrus]

I would expect any involvement of Euro troops would start off in the role of taking over border security (the border with Belarus, or the quiet/inactive borders with Russia), or manning air defense systems in the west (Lviv, Odessa, etc.) or other support roles...and nowhere near the front lines.

Basically picking up roles that would allow Ukraine to shift personnel to the front.

[Tonitrus]

Do NATO countries allow fighter pilots to take their planes with them on vacation?  If Russians can vacation with their Buk missiles, why can't Europeans vacation with their F-16s?

I would love to see some Flying Tigers Ukraine-style. 

[Crazy_Ivan80]

Do NATO countries allow fighter pilots to take their planes with them on vacation?  If Russians can vacation with their Buk missiles, why can't Europeans vacation with their F-16s?

I would love to see some Flying Tigers Ukraine-style. 

Which is what we should have done at the start of this conflict. It worked for the soviets during Korea

[Zoupa]

The katsaps threaten us on the daily. I don't mind Macron talking shit back at them.

And maybe they should remember that in the French Nuclear Doctrine, we nuke you as a warning.

[Crazy_Ivan80]

The katsaps threaten us on the daily. I don't mind Macron talking shit back at them.

And maybe they should remember that in the French Nuclear Doctrine, we nuke you as a warning.

Indeed, total Frappuccino

[DGuller]

Remember last year when Democrats helped some arsonists set the Republican congress on fire for some time, because that's what parties in opposition should do?  Turned out those cheap laughs came at the cost of Ukraine being able to defend itself.  In hindsight, was it worth it?

[Razgovory]

I doubt Kevin would have helped us either.

[DGuller]

I doubt Kevin would have helped us either.

I don't see how he could be worse.

[Razgovory]

I doubt Kevin would have helped us either.

I don't see how he could be worse.

We could still be in a government shutdown since December.

[Syt]

https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/south-asia/sri-lanka-tourist-visa-russia-ukraine-war-b2503665.html

Sri Lanka ends visas for hundreds of thousands of Russians staying there to avoid war
Investigation launched into order asking Russians to leave country amid blacklash over 'whites only policy'

Sri Lanka has told hundreds of thousands of Russians and some Ukrainians staying in the country to escape the war that they must leave in the next two weeks, immigration officers said.

The immigration controller issued a notice to the tourism ministry asking Russian and Ukrainian people staying on extended tourist visas to leave Sri Lanka within two weeks from 23 February.

Just over 288,000 Russians and nearly 20,000 Ukrainians have traveled to Sri Lanka in the last two years since the war began, according to official data.

Commissioner-General of Immigration said the "government is not granting further visa extensions" as the "flight situation has now normalised".

However, the office of president Ranil Wickremesinghe ordered an investigation of the notice to the tourism ministry in an apparent bid to prevent diplomatic tensions.

The president's office said that the notice had been issued without prior cabinet approval and the government had not officially decided to revoke the visa extensions, reported the Sri Lankan newspaper Daily Mirror.

The exact number of visitors who extended their stay beyond the typical 30-day tourist visa duration remains unclear.
However, concerns have been raised over thousands of Russians and a smaller number of Ukrainians staying in the country for an extended period of time and even setting up their own restaurants and nightclubs.

Tourism minister Harin Fernando told Daily Mirror that the ministry has been receiving complaints of some Russian tourists running unregistered and illegal businesses in the southern part of the country.

Raids were conducted by the authorities following discussions with the Immigration Department, he said.

It comes amid a furious social media backlash over Russian-run businesses with a "whites only" policy that strictly bars locals. These businesses include bars, restaurants, water sports and vehicle hiring services.

In a bid to boost tourism and recover from its worst economic crisis since 2022, Sri Lanka began granting 30-days visas on arrival and extensions for up to six months.

In April 2022, the nation defaulted on its $46bn (£36 bn) foreign debt. The economic crisis triggered violent street protests for several months and ultimately culminated in the resignation of then-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa three months later.

[Zoupa]

Remember last year when Democrats helped some arsonists set the Republican congress on fire for some time, because that's what parties in opposition should do?  Turned out those cheap laughs came at the cost of Ukraine being able to defend itself.  In hindsight, was it worth it?

McCarthy or Johnson don't matter. This is on Trump.

[Jacob]

Remember last year when Democrats helped some arsonists set the Republican congress on fire for some time, because that's what parties in opposition should do?  Turned out those cheap laughs came at the cost of Ukraine being able to defend itself.  In hindsight, was it worth it?

I'm missing a reference here... what are you talking about?

[DGuller]

Remember last year when Democrats helped some arsonists set the Republican congress on fire for some time, because that's what parties in opposition should do?  Turned out those cheap laughs came at the cost of Ukraine being able to defend itself.  In hindsight, was it worth it?

I'm missing a reference here... what are you talking about?

Nothing breaking, just the increasing clarity that withholding the aid to Ukraine was the end, not the means to solving the border or some other pretext.  Johnson seems to refuse to bring the Ukraine aid up for vote, which would easily pass if voted on.

[Jacob]

Nothing breaking, just the increasing clarity that withholding the aid to Ukraine was the end, not the means to solving the border or some other pretext.  Johnson seems to refuse to bring the Ukraine aid up for vote, which would easily pass if voted on.

A yeah. I'm with you there. It's pretty clear that there's a wing in the GOP that does not want to support Ukraine, and that the border wall shenanigans is part of that. I can think of three main motives:

1) Trump driven personal spite against Ukraine.

2) A genuine (and IMO simple minded) commitment to American isolationism for ideological reasons.

3) A (traitorous) desire to collaborate with Russia either due to being compromised or out of genuine sympathy.