Russia has invaded Ukraine

Interesting foreword from the 2020 Russia Report by the Parliamentary Intelligence & Security Committee.

https://isc.independent.gov.uk/wp-co...Accessible.pdf

What does Russia want?
4. The security threat posed by Russia is difficult for the West to manage as, in our view and that of many others, it appears fundamentally nihilistic. Russia seems to see foreign policy as a zero-sum game: any actions it can take which damage the West are fundamentally good for Russia. It is also seemingly fed by paranoia, believing that Western institutions such as NATO and the EU have a far more aggressive posture towards it than they do in reality. There is also a sense that Russia believes that an undemocratic ‘might is right’ world order plays to its strengths, which leads it to seek to undermine the Rules Based International Order – whilst nonetheless benefitting from its membership of international political and economic institutions.

5. Russia’s substantive aims, however, are relatively limited: it wishes to be seen as a resurgent ‘great power’ – in particular, dominating the countries of the former USSR – and to ensure that the privileged position of its leadership clique is not damaged.

BREAKING: Russian Ruble tanks vs. Euro. Whilst Russia warns its own citizens joining Anti-war protests.

Apparently there is significant disquiet about this in Russia. Maybe some hope that Putin might be overreaching.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by Hugh

Interesting foreword from the 2020 Russia Report by the Parliamentary Intelligence & Security Committee.

https://isc.independent.gov.uk/wp-co...Accessible.pdf

I would agree with that analysis. I think there's a history of paranoia within the country's government stretching back to Soviet times and possibly preceding that.

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Originally Posted by Hugh

Anyone wanting to know what ROI looks like need go no further than this Tweet. How can EU expansion to the Baltic states and Poland really threaten Russia?

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

I would agree with that analysis. I think there's a history of paranoia within the country's government stretching back to Soviet times and possibly preceding that.

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Anyone wanting to know what ROI looks like need go no further than this Tweet. How can EU expansion to the Baltic states and Poland really threaten Russia?

Probably worried that their own citizens might like the look of their neighbours new found posperity, did you know that Soviet soldiers returning from WWII were sent to the gulag if the described how much better German homes were compared to Soviet

Johnson not ruling out military intervention:

Our mission is clear – diplomatically, politically, economically – and eventually, militarily – this hideous and barbaric venture of Vladimir Putin must end in failure.

[ianch99]

Seems Belarus is also complicit in this invasion so do sanctions cover them also?

BREAKING: 9 Chinese Fighter jets spotted in Taiwan defence zone according to Taiwan Defence Minister.

https://www.gbnews.uk/news/taiwan-de...ce-zone/234342

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F1 Racer Seb Vettel will not race in Russian Grand Prix this September. Vows F1 to pull out, stated that it will be ‘wrong to race in that country’.

Elsewhere… UEFA is set to announce tomorrow it is moving the Champions League final from St Petersburg, Russia.

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U.S President Joe Biden to address America & the World on Russia invading Ukraine at 5:30pm, UK time.

https://twitter.com/kateferguson4/st...66682228334599

Ukrainian ambassador to the UK Vadym Prystaiko says British donated military kit has been used to shoot down Russian planes

Originally Posted by Damien

https://twitter.com/kateferguson4/st...66682228334599

Just about to post the above. That will put a few Russian noses out of joint.

[joglynne]

I believe this is not being done as any form of sanction but nevertheless it could maybe help in the grand scale of things, though I do feel that this is a decision that reflects UEFA's interests. Link for anyone interested in which other sporting events, in addition to the F1 mentioned by Mick, could well be effected.

Uefa will take the 2022 Champions League final away from St Petersburg following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The decision will be made at Friday's emergency meeting of European football's governing body.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60504979

There are Reports that Kremlin website is down.

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UK Prime Minister is pushing "very hard" for Russia to be ejected from the SWIFT international payments system. EU are resisting though.

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Russian troops have breached in to Kyiv, Ukraine Capital.

[joglynne]

Heavy fighting has broken after invading Russian troops tried to seize the Chernobyl nuclear plant.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian forces are trying to seize the Chernobyl nuclear plant, site of the world's worst nuclear disaster.

Senior Ukrainian officials warned that fighting near Chernobyl could cause nuclear waste contamination to spread across the region and further across Europe.

https://www.lbc.co.uk/world-news/rus...-waste-breach/

[1andrew1]

Good thread on why Farage's poking-the-bear analogy is wrong.
https://threadreaderapp.com/user/DmitryOpines