Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-23 and Invasion

[Jacob]

On supplies the Polish defence minister has confirmed a large convoy of supplies from various NATO members crossed the border today - so we're driving it through Poland.

Good.

From reports, it seems Russian forces are moving into Kiev from several directions and the period of urban combat for control of the capital - however intense it's going to be - is about to start.

[celedhring]

I know we don't count for much, but our Foreign Minister has publicly backed kicking Russia off SWIFT.

[Syt]

I know we don't count for much, but our Foreign Minister has publicly backed kicking Russia off SWIFT.

So has, surprisingly, Austria.

[Syt]

Russian forign ministry has confirmed that Lavrov still plans to attend a UN meeting in Geneva next week. He plans to attend a meeting of the UN Council on Human Rights and speak at a disarmament conference.

[Sheilbh]

Everyone's coming round now - the Ukrainian Foreign Minister has posted that Italy is also going to back kicking Russia off SWIFT.

[Syt]

Everyone's coming round now - the Ukrainian Foreign Minister has posted that Italy is also going to back kicking Russia off SWIFT.

Germany has also signaled they'd be open to it.

[Syt]

Italy will declare a three month state of emergency to make it easier to budget funds and men into the NATO High Readiness Force.

[Syt]

The Association of European Journalists has called for a ban of RT across Europe.

[Sheilbh]

The Association of European Journalists has called for a ban of RT across Europe.

I'm a little dubious on that because - as we saw with Deutsche Welle - the immediate and obvious response is for Russia to expel Western journalists.

I think the propaganda impact of RT is limited to negligible in comparison to the value of having Western correspondents reporting in Russia.

[DGuller]

Well... more like being allowed to buy a home insurance policy when an arsonist is saying "I may burn your house down if you're not careful."

That would still be a bad risk for insurance company to take.

[mongers]

F1 racing and international ski and tennis competitions in Russia are also cancelled. I expect we'll see all sport and cultural arrangement cancelled, with very few exceptions.

Open question about World Cup qualifiers where Russia was supposed to play Poland for a chance at qualifying.

FIFA bans Russia and gives the Ukraine the opportunity?

[Admiral Yi]

Apparently the German government spokeperson avoided the subject of granting asylum to Ukraine's president if he was seeking it, saying that's something to address when it becomes an issue.

WTF Germany.

"Can you comment on this hypothetical thing?" "Let's see when it actually happens."

We gave Navalny asylum after all.

What is there to see? 

[mongers]

Another reason for allowing Finland and especially Sweden in is, if both neutral countries were occupied by Putin, that would fatally undermine to defences of two existing NATO members, Norway and Denmark.

[Syt]

The Association of European Journalists has called for a ban of RT across Europe.

I'm a little dubious on that because - as we saw with Deutsche Welle - the immediate and obvious response is for Russia to expel Western journalists.

I think the propaganda impact of RT is limited to negligible in comparison to the value of having Western correspondents reporting in Russia.

I agree on that. Besides, blocking them online will be a lot harder (though I guess they'd rather reach people who are on the whole less media savvy and largely rely on linear TV for their news).

[crazy canuck]

Apparently the German government spokeperson avoided the subject of granting asylum to Ukraine's president if he was seeking it, saying that's something to address when it becomes an issue.

WTF Germany.

"Can you comment on this hypothetical thing?" "Let's see when it actually happens."

We gave Navalny asylum after all.

What is there to see? 

The obvious response is whether there is ever a request.  The Ukraine leader has said he is staying put and so it is probably wise not to undermine that message with talk of what will happen if he leaves.