25 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

 

Ukraine has. Quite badly.

 

If you define Ukraine's desire to join the EU as poking Russia in the eye then I agree.

 

25 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

 

 

Obviously not, they are firmly within Russia's vital sphere of interest. How did it work out for Panama when they sold secrets to Cuba? Instant US invasion.

 

Whataboutery.

44 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

 

That's nonsense. The Russian economy is booming like never before. Putin's guy was talking with the Americans about reopening Nord Stream 2 and their energy exports are of good size.  There is not even a hint of panic or desperation. You don't know Russians very well if you think they panic or are desperate. It's very far from their national character. They endure everything. Food shortages in Russia? You got to be joking. 

 

Putin's record is sublime. He has the best record of any politician in the world today. He took a decrepit Russia through turbulent times and built Russia back up into a global superpower. Remember how they told you it was the end of history? How the US was the only superpower? Look at the world now. Putin's work.

 

A more nuanced view of Russia's economic performance under Putin.

 

https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/rise-stagnation-russias-economy-during-putins-tenure-2023-12-08/

9 hours ago, Cameroni said:

Putin's guy was talking with the Americans about reopening Nord Stream 2

 

Help me on one point please.

 

Given an EU-wide distrust of Russia and an avowed intent to have energy independence from Russia, who would be the customers of gas from a re-opened Nord Steam 2 pipeline?

 

9 hours ago, Cameroni said:

 

That's nonsense. The Russian economy is booming like never before. Putin's guy was talking with the Americans about reopening Nord Stream 2 and their energy exports are of good size.  There is not even a hint of panic or desperation. You don't know Russians very well if you think they panic or are desperate. It's very far from their national character. They endure everything. Food shortages in Russia? You got to be joking. 

 

Putin's record is sublime. He has the best record of any politician in the world today. He took a decrepit Russia through turbulent times and built Russia back up into a global superpower. Remember how they told you it was the end of history? How the US was the only superpower? Look at the world now. Putin's work.

 

The Russian food supply chain is under pressure.  The wheat harvest was poor last year so exports have been limited to prioritise domestic supply.  And the Moscow Times reported that food price inflation to December last year was 22.9,%, apparently triple what it was the year before.  That is making life hard for poorer households, wouldn't you agree?

 

BTW, do you condemn the 'special military operation'?

53 minutes ago, IsaanT said:

 

Help me on one point please.

 

Given an EU-wide distrust of Russia and an avowed intent to have energy independence from Russia, who would be the customers of gas from a re-opened Nord Steam 2 pipeline?

 

 

Russia is selling gas to EU countries as we speak, including Germany. Need trumps ideology. I suspect the Russians count on anti-Russian politicians not always being in power in Germany and sentiment changing after a Ukraine war peace accord.

21 minutes ago, IsaanT said:

 

The Russian food supply chain is under pressure.  The wheat harvest was poor last year so exports have been limited to prioritise domestic supply.  And the Moscow Times reported that food price inflation to December last year was 22.9,%, apparently triple what it was the year before.  That is making life hard for poorer households, wouldn't you agree?

 

BTW, do you condemn the 'special military operation'?

 

Inflation is a problem, but what you are saying is that exports are in danger, not Russian domestic supplies. There are no reports of food shortages in Russia. The poorer households in Russia have lived through one of the best years of all time last year. Consumer spending is up like never before, big purchases like couches are being done. Putin is spending reserves he has accumulated to buy support for the war, that is why the reserves are going down. It was his war chest accumulated over many years. These reserves were spent to fuel the Russian economy which worked well.

 

Whilst I of course condemn the civilian casulaties inflicted by both sides, the war in Ukraine first of all was provoked by lies the West told Russia, Ukraine jumping into bed with the West and Russias legitimate security concerns. War is and always has been an option in foreign policy. Had Ukraine joined NATO the latter would have moved up the European plains and Russia's defensive position would have been almost impossible on the European plains. Even then Russia offered peace and Zelensky was about to sign, when Boris Johnson flew in and told him the West will not support Ukraine if he signs and "let's just fight", promising Western support for war. So Russia really did not want this war, it iwas substantially brought about by the West and Ukraine.

There are a multitude of reasons why very few around the world have sympathy for the Russians. Those reasons are not limited to their serial killing, despot, thieving multi billionaire dictator for life. It is more about their nature, their history as ruthless, homicidal Cossack warriors, and their total lack of manners, and class. Not to mention the dignity, class, decency, civility, and social skills decades of Leninism, Stalinism, and now Putinism has stripped them of. 

 

And of course, the utter failure of their leader. This is a clear case of psychological projection: Putin dreamt and failed to create a dollar-free world and establish Russia as an “energy superpower.” He allowed corruption to metastasize through the state’s fabric, undermining its security capabilities. With its mass emigration, skyrocketing divorce rate, and low fertility, Russia, more than the West, demonstrates an immense collapse of family and social values.

 

Russia has nothing but malicious intentions. They are a terrorist state, run by a serial killing desperado. This is a nation so lacking in redeeming qualities. They contributed alot culturally, in past centuries. Now? What are they bringing to the table? How are they of any benefit to mankind? They offer nothing but misery, death, destruction and bad will. 

 

 

On 4/6/2025 at 8:45 AM, PomPolo said:

Russian television host Vladimir Solovyov claimed in a sensational broadcast that Putin could use nuclear weapons 'wisely' on French and British troops deployed to Ukraine.

 

** From a reputable UK news outlet, where would the USA stand then? (provide Putin with more)

We wouldnt need to give Putin more, even he could take the French. As to the Brits, sad but I doubt they would do much better.

45 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

There are a multitude of reasons why very few around the world have sympathy for the Russians. Those reasons are not limited to their serial killing, despot, thieving multi billionaire dictator for life. It is more about their nature, their history as ruthless, homicidal Cossack warriors, and their total lack of manners, and class. Not to mention the dignity, class, decency, civility, and social skills decades of Leninism, Stalinism, and now Putinism has stripped them of. 

 

And of course, the utter failure of their leader. This is a clear case of psychological projection: Putin dreamt and failed to create a dollar-free world and establish Russia as an “energy superpower.” He allowed corruption to metastasize through the state’s fabric, undermining its security capabilities. With its mass emigration, skyrocketing divorce rate, and low fertility, Russia, more than the West, demonstrates an immense collapse of family and social values.

 

Russia has nothing but malicious intentions. They are a terrorist state, run by a serial killing desperado. This is a nation so lacking in redeeming qualities. They contributed alot culturally, in past centuries. Now? What are they bringing to the table? How are they of any benefit to mankind? They offer nothing but misery, death, destruction and bad will. 

 

 

 

That's really not the case. Russian's are decent enough people when you get to know them. Russia never had malicious intentions. But a lot of countries had malicious intentions towards Russians in the past. 

 

Hollywood too of course, which is probably the main reason together with WWII propaganda, still resonating in many people's heads.

10 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

 

That's really not the case. Russian's are decent enough people when you get to know them. Russia never had malicious intentions. But a lot of countries had malicious intentions towards Russians in the past. 

 

Hollywood too of course, which is probably the main reason together with WWII propaganda, still resonating in many people's heads.

Just for the sake of clarity and context, would you like to declare your nationality?

I'm English.
 

13 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

 

That's really not the case. Russian's are decent enough people when you get to know them. Russia never had malicious intentions. But a lot of countries had malicious intentions towards Russians in the past. 

 

Hollywood too of course, which is probably the main reason together with WWII propaganda, still resonating in many people's heads.

I don't think there are too many complaints about the Russian people, per se.  It's their despotic delusional President and his corrupt regime and cronies that is the issue.

The Soviet Union is lost, Putin is vainly trying to restore it - in his own words.  In a documentary in December 2021 he said "It was the disintegration of historical Russia under the name of the Soviet Union."

The west had no malicious intentions towards Russia because, until the annexation of Crimea in 2014, Russia wasn't a threat to the west.

Anyway, let's not forget that it was the pressure from the mothers of the deceased soldiers sacrificed in Afghanistan that forced Russia's withdrawal in 1989 after its ten-year invasion.  Perhaps more than 500,000 angry mothers might have reason to protest about the same sacrifice in Ukraine (Russia's Mediazone claims 100,000; Ukraine reports it's now 839,000).

And, if it's so important to you, perhaps some of the draft dodgers in Pattaya and Phuket could go back and help the cause instead of causing trouble here.
 

51 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

 

That's really not the case. Russian's are decent enough people when you get to know them. Russia never had malicious intentions. But a lot of countries had malicious intentions towards Russians in the past. 

 

Hollywood too of course, which is probably the main reason together with WWII propaganda, still resonating in many people's heads.

Stalin, And Putin we're really good guys, they never had any bad intentions, they just wanted to help the world in whatever way they could, and contribute whatever they could to mankind, and make the world a better place.

 

That's why Russia has such an enormous budget for foreign aid. Dream on. 

23 hours ago, Cameroni said:

Russia has specifically amended its nuclear doctrine and made clear that if the Russian motherland is endangered it will be justified to use nukes.

 

Is that the same as "We've formally adopted the five invaded regions of Ukraine so they're officially ours now?" logic?  Don't you recognise sabre-rattling when you see it?  More bluff and threats.

It happens every time someone puts him on the back foot - it's all he's got left.

We all wonder when his oligarchs will have had enough of his antics.  His neck must be so sore from continually having to look over his shoulder...
 

55 minutes ago, IsaanT said:

I don't think there are too many complaints about the Russian people, per se.  It's their despotic delusional President and his corrupt regime and cronies that is the issue.

The Soviet Union is lost, Putin is vainly trying to restore it - in his own words.  In a documentary in December 2021 he said "It was the disintegration of historical Russia under the name of the Soviet Union."

The west had no malicious intentions towards Russia because, until the annexation of Crimea in 2014, Russia wasn't a threat to the west.

Anyway, let's not forget that it was the pressure from the mothers of the deceased soldiers sacrificed in Afghanistan that forced Russia's withdrawal in 1989 after its ten-year invasion.  Perhaps more than 500,000 angry mothers might have reason to protest about the same sacrifice in Ukraine (Russia's Mediazone claims 100,000; Ukraine reports it's now 839,000).

And, if it's so important to you, perhaps some of the draft dodgers in Pattaya and Phuket could go back and help the cause instead of causing trouble here.
 

 

It's quite a big accusation to call the president of one of the most cultured countries in the world "delusional". Putin is neither delusional nor otherwise mentally ill. He's just seen through the West and no longer believes the lies.

 

Nor is Putin trying to restore the USSR, that's just laughable NATO propaganda. You just have to read what Putin said. None of his actions suggest that either.

 

If the West had no malicious intentions towards Russia, then why did the West lie for the longest time and claim NATO would not expand eastwards? Why the deception? And then expand eastwards?

 

Even Boris Johnson flying in to threaten Zelensky that the West would not support Ukraine if he signed a deal with Putin, and that Ukraine should "just fight", which was of course coordinated with Biden, this was HIGHLY malicious as it precipitated the war with Russia. Did the West want Russia to bleed out on the battlefield in Ukraine? Most likely.

 

I doubt anyone can force Putin's hand to end the war in Ukraine, besides there's no need for it. Putin never wanted that war and knows he has to end it because Russia's losses are unsustainable and the economy can't support that war forever.

 

Indeed all the Ukrainian and Russian draft dodgers should leave Pattaya and Phuket, the Russian takeovers of Phuket and Pattya have not been positive in any way for anybody. Except Russians and Ukrainians.

 

52 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Stalin, And Putin we're really good guys, they never had any bad intentions, they just wanted to help the world in whatever way they could, and contribute whatever they could to mankind, and make the world a better place.

 

That's why Russia has such an enormous budget for foreign aid. Dream on. 

 

No  political leaders are "good guys". None. Not Obama. Not Winston Churchill. Churchill authorised the burning alive of women and children, of civilians, he starved millions of Indians to death. Obama sent out a killing squad to kill without legal process. No political leaders can ever be "good guys".

 

We were talking about the Russian people as a whole, not political leaders.

 

And Russia has provided plenty of foreign aid, includiing to the US by allowing sharing of its space station and aiding the US space program.

13 minutes ago, IsaanT said:

Is that the same as "We've formally adopted the five invaded regions of Ukraine so they're officially ours now?" logic?  Don't you recognise sabre-rattling when you see it?  More bluff and threats.

It happens every time someone puts him on the back foot - it's all he's got left.

His neck must be so sore from continually having to look over his shoulder...
 

 

Not taking Putin seriously led directly to the Ukraine war.

 

It woud be better to take him seriously.

2 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

 

It's quite a big accusation to call the president of one of the most cultured countries in the world "delusional". Putin is neither delusional nor otherwise mentally ill. He's just seen through the West and no longer believes the lies.

 

Others will possibly have other definitions but my view is that he has a delusion of his own, and Russia's, importance in the world.  He wants to grow the Soviet Union back and he can't stand the fact that he's been frozen out of international relationships (except with fellow dictators and corrupt regimes in BRICS).  He can only strut his stuff within Russia but, even then, he has to be careful where he goes.

The only thing people take notice of is when he threatens to use nuclear weapons, and he only does that because he hasn't got any other tools in his box.

The EU (we can exclude Hungary and Slovakia, for obvious reasons) want nothing more to do with him.  He lost that gamble and Russia's economy is paying the price.  He's now a political has-been with no route back.  Eventually, Russia will realise that they are better off without him.
 

10 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

No  political leaders are "good guys". None. Not Obama. Not Winston Churchill. Churchill authorised the burning alive of women and children, of civilians, he starved millions of Indians to death. Obama sent out a killing squad to kill without legal process. No political leaders can ever be "good guys".

In that case don't forget the atrocities of Stalin and those that followed him. As you seem to have left them out of your list.

14 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

Indeed all the Ukrainian and Russian draft dodgers should leave Pattaya and Phuket, the Russian takeovers of Phuket and Pattya have not been positive in any way for anybody. Except Russians and Ukrainians.

 

Credit where credit is due - we agree on something.
 

16 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

 

It's quite a big accusation to call the president of one of the most cultured countries in the world "delusional". Putin is neither delusional nor otherwise mentally ill. He's just seen through the West and no longer believes the lies.

 

Nor is Putin trying to restore the USSR, that's just laughable NATO propaganda. You just have to read what Putin said. None of his actions suggest that either.

 

If the West had no malicious intentions towards Russia, then why did the West lie for the longest time and claim NATO would not expand eastwards? Why the deception? And then expand eastwards?

 

Even Boris Johnson flying in to threaten Zelensky that the West would not support Ukraine if he signed a deal with Putin, and that Ukraine should "just fight", which was of course coordinated with Biden, this was HIGHLY malicious as it precipitated the war with Russia. Did the West want Russia to bleed out on the battlefield in Ukraine? Most likely.

 

I doubt anyone can force Putin's hand to end the war in Ukraine, besides there's no need for it. Putin never wanted that war and knows he has to end it because Russia's losses are unsustainable and the economy can't support that war forever.

 

Indeed all the Ukrainian and Russian draft dodgers should leave Pattaya and Phuket, the Russian takeovers of Phuket and Pattya have not been positive in any way for anybody. Except Russians and Ukrainians.

 

I thought that the Trump blinkers were bad enough but you Putin blinkers put even them to shame,

What a totally distorted view of Putin etc!

18 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

Even Boris Johnson flying in to threaten Zelensky that the West would not support Ukraine if he signed a deal with Putin, and that Ukraine should "just fight", which was of course coordinated with Biden, this was HIGHLY malicious as it precipitated the war with Russia. Did the West want Russia to bleed out on the battlefield in Ukraine? Most likely.

 

 

The claim that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was prepared to sign a peace agreement with Russia in 2021 but was dissuaded by then-UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson lacks substantial evidence. Notably, in a February 2025 interview, President Zelenskyy addressed and dismissed such assertions, labeling them as "illogical." He emphasized that there were multiple approaches involving ultimatums from Russia, none of which received his approval, and stated that Boris Johnson had no influence over his decisions regarding negotiations.

 

While reports suggest that during his April 2022 visit to Kyiv, Boris Johnson advocated against negotiating with Russia, citing the need to apply pressure on President Putin , these discussions occurred after the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Therefore, they do not pertain to any potential agreements in 2021.

 

So, there is no credible evidence supporting the claim that President Zelenskyy was willing to sign a submission to President Putin in 2021 or that Boris Johnson influenced him to abandon such an agreement.

 

22 minutes ago, IsaanT said:

Others will possibly have other definitions but my view is that he has a delusion of his own, and Russia's, importance in the world.  He wants to grow the Soviet Union back and he can't stand the fact that he's been frozen out of international relationships (except with fellow dictators and corrupt regimes in BRICS).  He can only strut his stuff within Russia but, even then, he has to be careful where he goes.

The only thing people take notice of is when he threatens to use nuclear weapons, and he only does that because he hasn't got any other tools in his box.

The EU (we can exclude Hungary and Slovakia, for obvious reasons) want nothing more to do with him.  He lost that gamble and Russia's economy is paying the price.  He's now a political has-been with no route back.  Eventually, Russia will realise that they are better off without him.
 

 

You could say the same about pretty much every British, German or French leader. National leaders tend to over estimate their own importance and that of their countries. Howver, Putin is very clear that he does not want to resconstitute the USSR, nor do his actions suggest that, despite NATO propganda.

 

A lot of politicians in the EU like Russia and Putin btw, they're just not in power now.

 

Russia's economy is booming now, and even if in due course it can't sustain the war, given its population size Russia is not doing terribly.

18 minutes ago, IsaanT said:

 

The claim that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was prepared to sign a peace agreement with Russia in 2021 but was dissuaded by then-UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson lacks substantial evidence. Notably, in a February 2025 interview, President Zelenskyy addressed and dismissed such assertions, labeling them as "illogical." He emphasized that there were multiple approaches involving ultimatums from Russia, none of which received his approval, and stated that Boris Johnson had no influence over his decisions regarding negotiations.

 

While reports suggest that during his April 2022 visit to Kyiv, Boris Johnson advocated against negotiating with Russia, citing the need to apply pressure on President Putin , these discussions occurred after the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Therefore, they do not pertain to any potential agreements in 2021.

 

So, there is no credible evidence supporting the claim that President Zelenskyy was willing to sign a submission to President Putin in 2021 or that Boris Johnson influenced him to abandon such an agreement.

 

 

There is ample evidence that Russia and Ukraine were about to sign an agreement that would have prevented the war that followed, just before Boris Johnson flew in to threaten Zelensky that if he signed the peace treaty with Russia the West would not support him, and that they should "just fight".

 

Eye witness accounts by Ukrainian sources that were present are well documented.

 

Russia was ready to end the war and withdraw its troops in exchange for Ukrainian neutrality just a few months after the invasion began and was refused partly because of ex-British PM Boris Johnson, who pressured Kyiv into continuing the fight, David Arahamiya, the leader of Ukraine’s ruling party confirmed in a recent interview, published on Friday, November 24th.

The lawmaker is not only leading the parliamentary faction of Zelensky’s Servant of the People party but was also appointed as the head of the Ukrainian delegation during the initial, tentative peace talks in March and April, hosted by Turkey.

 

https://europeanconservative.com/articles/news/official-johnson-forced-kyiv-to-refuse-russian-peace-deal/