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Chernobyl power plant captured by Russian forces

reuters.com

221–230 of 1001 posts

Re: Chernobyl power plant captured by Russian forces

#221
post #77
post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That was yesterday. Today, the situation is evolving quickly.

No it's not, Biden confirmed it now.

Not sure why Germany has such a weak stance against Russia now. It can't be just because of oil and gas imports for sure. It must look supremely weak to any strongman like Putin, encouraging him to push for more since nobody ever gave a fuck about some political condemnations or blocking few bureaucrats, you don't store billions you stole on your name in the banks.

Re: Chernobyl power plant captured by Russian forces

#222
post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not even every financial weapon. EU isn't united on kicking Russia out of SWIFT.

Basically Germany and Italy don't want it. Cause of big financial investment in Russian businesses. Germany especially should really do some soul-searching. They are enabling Putin for the last few decades.

> Cause of big financial investment in Russian businesses

And because blocking them from some technology that the West has monopoly over will invite a strong(er) drive from the likes of China and Russia to create a competitor and weaken the West's power in that field.

Re: Chernobyl power plant captured by Russian forces

#223
post #149

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Also, either side would be pretty reluctant to bomb it, or otherwise battle too hard close to it. It's a great position to hold if you can.

"It's a great position to hold if you can." It is a great position to hold and fight in, because the area is pretty empty of civilians. And russia must avoid ukranian (russian in their eyes) civilian casualties, to not loose the little popular support they have for this war. And neither side will be so stupid to directly bomb the remains of the reactor, but I think it would need a serious direct bombing, for radiatio…

The issue is not about bombing or not bombing it, also the area is worthless from a strategic point of view.

It's just that somebody has to be in control of it, and the Russians can't or don't want to depend on Ukrainian forces to do that right now.

Re: Chernobyl power plant captured by Russian forces

#224
post #21

I can't really tell what's going on here. Is the EU and America supposed to be helping out but it's all promises without real counter attacks? Is this just the calm before the storm as russia places their troops in the right spots while everyone looks on? Anyone who's smarter than me who could enlighten me?

Is Ukraine even issuing counter attacks?

I'm not sure what the west is expecting, some sort of massive retreat like when Iraq pulled out of Kuwait? It looks pre-ordained that Ukraine will fall and should we want to stop it, we probably need to strike Moscow or something like that. I don't know how much appetite there is for something like that in the US, Trump and his supporters seem to support Russia here.

Re: Chernobyl power plant captured by Russian forces

#225
post #79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The US will defend NATO. They will nuke Russia's forces if they try to enter Poland. There is no doubt in my mind that is a red line.

There should always be plenty of doubt in your mind if you're saying that the US will use nukes in any situation short of someone else using them first.

The US has explicitly refused to adopt a no first use posture.

Ditto Russia, UK, France, the other nuclear powers involved.

That being said, it’s a Rubicon all, will be reluctant to cross.

Re: Chernobyl power plant captured by Russian forces

#226
post #179
post #156

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ukraine signed a Budapest memorandum [1] where US, France, UK and Russia guaranteed its territory integrity in exhange for the 3rd in the world arsenal of nuclear weapons. 1. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest_Memorandum_on_Secur...

US, France and UK have guaranteed that no country will ever dismantle their nukes for a piece of paper. This will make the world much more dangerous with Iran pursing nukes which will be shortly followed by Saudi Arabia. North Korea will never disarm. Proliferation will continue and technology advancements will make it easier for countries to acquire nukes.

That was always the end game. Non-proliferation is dead. The name of the game these days is faster/unstoppable delivery for yourself and detecting/stopping the other guy. This is why Russia is triggered by NATO ringing it to potentially neutralize credible MAD while NATO can claim it's a defensive-only alliance.

Re: Chernobyl power plant captured by Russian forces

#227

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Costs money and political capital. What it buys is defense of Ukrainian sovereignty and escalates conflict with a dangerous, poor nuclear superpower. Ukraine is being handed to Putin. He gets to flex his strongman ego and the world gets to not be ended (today).

Which sounds disturbingly like British/French response to the Rhineland/Austria lead up to WWII.

Sudetenland

Re: Chernobyl power plant captured by Russian forces

#228
post #21

I can't really tell what's going on here. Is the EU and America supposed to be helping out but it's all promises without real counter attacks? Is this just the calm before the storm as russia places their troops in the right spots while everyone looks on? Anyone who's smarter than me who could enlighten me?

All NATO members categorically ruled out military involvement in this conflict.

Re: Chernobyl power plant captured by Russian forces

#229
post #110

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> ... including neutral Finland and Sweden deciding to join NATO, perhaps Georgia also. Did you hear evidence of that anywhere or is that just wild speculation?

Well it’s been reported that Sweden and Finland are going to attend an emergency NATO summit on Friday. So, speculation yes, but “wild” speculation? I don’t think so.

Sweden has participated in several NATO meetings and even trainings over the years, but that's quite different from announcing they will outright join NATO.

Re: Chernobyl power plant captured by Russian forces

#230
post #162

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So we wait until they're doing this in Poland? I think I've seen this one before. Doesn't end well for anyone involved. Better to hit an enemy when they're not expecting it.

NATO drew their line in the sand. Intervene when it's crossed. It's better to not bait and switch a nuclear power into war.

We drew a line in the sand when we persuaded them to get rid of their own nukes, ensuring that we'd have their back.

That we don't actually have their back will be noted by despots the world over.

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