Ukraine

It would release a huge amount of gas currently used to generate electricity.

 

We need to move away from burning gas.

 

Yeah I that is probably agreed but not by next January.

 

They will be getting some of that back in compensation now due to high energy costs. Fancy a country that prided themselves on cheap low emission energy are now having to be compensate businesses and residents.

Buy an EV, it will be cleaner and cheaper to run, now it cost more, you can't blame it all on Putin. Ionity charging networks have a set price per kwh regardless of where their stations are based in Europe, so 69p per kwh using there fast chargers in UK, costs are exactly the same when using Ionity in Norway, which came into force January 2020.

Parliament called into extraordinary session over Norway’s ‘energy crisis’ | Norway's News in English — www.newsinenglish.no

Several electric car charging providers in Norway announce price rises

Green energy does not seem that cheap after all.

 

Ukraine's military says its forces have retaken over 3,000 sq km (1,158 sq miles) during a rapid counter-offensive in eastern Ukraine.

Keep sending arms Liz/Ben - the tide is turning.

 

They've achieved this, as far as I can tell, through strategic genius. Yet it's possibly the oldest trick in the book.

For weeks western media has been telling of a planned counter offensive towards Kherson, and the Ukrainians have supported this narrative with pop shots at Kherson and into Crimea. So the Russians moved a lot of troops and equipment towards Kherson ready for the anticipated counter offensive. And then, 300 miles away, the Ukrainians have moved towards Kharkiv instead. At least that's my understanding of the situation.

 

Didn't we do the same with Normandy?

 

The Ukrainian armed forces seem to be doing alright at the moment. They've pushed right back to the Russian border in some places.

I think this is where a new problem arises. They can't push beyond the Russian border without being accused of attacking Russia, which would play right into the hands of Putin. He could easily justify a whole new world of pain if that happens. But what do the Ukrainians do now? Occupy the border region knowing that Russia can easily strike from inside Russia with impunity? The easy answer is to attack anything that looks like it's being pointed at, or moved towards Ukraine, but that still counts as a Ukrainian attack on Russia. The alternative is just to defend, but nobody can defend indefinitely, sooner or later if you're defending, you have to attack the thing you're defending yourself from or it will just keep coming.

This is where the UN has a chance to prove itself. They won't though. They'll do nothing as usual. But they could put a peacekeeping force along the border, and in a separate channel of effort, try to reopen diplomatic channels.

I don't hold out much hope for a peaceful outcome any time soon, and only foresee escalation. I sincerely hope I'm wrong.

 

In the news today, the gaffer of Turkey has said that in discussions, Putin has said he is looking for a way to end the war.

Also in the news today, Russian controlled areas of Ukraine will be having a referendum as early as this weekend to join Russia.

Some analysts are suggesting that such referendums could mean that any attack on the newly annexed parts of Ukraine constitute an attack on Russia, and with NATO weapons used in such an attack, it could be seen as a massive escalation.

Meanwhile, I once again find myself wondering, what is the UN for?

 

I am sure the Results of the Referendum will be honest, true and reflect the wishes of the
Ukranian peoplee :-)

 

Does anyone know how many Russian speaking people live in that area, and honestly it would be good if we were given some information how they really feel.
I'm not talking about a Russian concocted referendum but a UN one could shed some light.

After all, it is costing us over 2 billion a year, I think we have a right to know.

 

It won't matter. In Putin's eyes the 98% pro Russian result that he'll get by faking ballot cards and intimidating the few that are actually allowed to vote will legitimise his goals.

 

I don't think China is that stupid.