Current Affairs

[david63]

What gives Putin the right to tell a country whether they can join NATO or not

Nothing other than an inflated ego

and snatch back land

Same as above

[Manoverboard]

What gives Putin the right to tell a country whether they can join NATO or not

Nothing other than an inflated ego

And a concern, perhaps, that Western military might would be in his back yard ?

[Onelife]

Which of course Putin would accept without a whimper. No. He would hit the nuclear button. Absolutely no doubt. Now is the time to get a peace deal. Then leave the Russians to wipe him out.

That has to be your opinion Merv, mine is the opposite, bullies are cowards at heart and Putin is just a big bully, but he would not have the balls to press the button and commit suicide.

Had NATO imposed a NFZ at the start of this unlawful invasion and not hoisted the white flag they could have got away with it. Sadly, they laid their cards face up on the table which allowed Nukiboo Putin to play whichever hand he wanted to play. The representatives of NATO countries should keep giving Zelensky and the Ukrainian people a standing ovation but while doing so they should have their heads bowed in shame for standing by and letting Putin get away with the slaughter and destruction of this sovereign nation.

Next time Putin says Nukiboo we’ll just have to raise the white flag even higher from now on.

Long live Ukraine.

[Manoverboard]

No need for flags of any colour, Ukraine simply has to understand the Russian viewpoint.

[Stephen]

...which is

Do as I say not as I do.

[towny44]

No need for flags of any colour, Ukraine simply has to understand the Russian viewpoint.

From that comment am I to assume that you think Putins view that NATO threatens Russia's existence has some merit?

[Onelife]

No need for flags of any colour, Ukraine simply has to understand the Russian viewpoint.

If Russia/Putin are so insecure about its/his vulnerability to NATO’s expansion then it doesn’t bode well for Finland /Sweden aspirations to join NATO. The bigger question is however would NATO want Russia bordering countries to join considering the ultimatums already expressed by Russia on such countries?

[Manoverboard]

The Russian viewpoint ( imho ) is that it genuinely fears the presence, read threat, of NATO forces doing their exercises within 50 yards of the Soviet Naval Base in Sebastopol. It is absurd to think that this would be acceptable to Putin or indeed any other leader of a World power.

The Ukraine needs to reassure the Russian that this will never happen and then enter into a treaty that secures it water tight ... seemples.

[barney]

Ukraine should concede nothing.
Crimea and the Dombas region are legitimate areas of Ukraine and recognised internationally as Ukrainian territory.
The argument of being ‘Russian speaking’ is spurious.
Anyone living in these regions could move to Russia if they so wished.
Ukraine would not stop them.
There are 300 million English speakers in the USA and probably the majority of them are of British heritage.
Does that give us a legitimate right to America?
Of course it doesn’t but that’s the argument Russia are using.
I’d encourage Ukraine to fight to the end.
That’s what this country would do.
Any concessions, then what’s next?

[towny44]

The Russian viewpoint ( imho ) is that it genuinely fears the presence, read threat, of NATO forces doing their exercises within 50 yards of the Soviet Naval Base in Sebastopol. It is absurd to think that this would be acceptable to Putin or indeed any other leader of a World power.

The Ukraine needs to reassure the Russian that this will never happen and then enter into a treaty that secures it water tight ... seemples.

Your middle name's not Chamberlain by any chance?

[Manoverboard]

The Russian viewpoint ( imho ) is that it genuinely fears the presence, read threat, of NATO forces doing their exercises within 50 yards of the Soviet Naval Base in Sebastopol. It is absurd to think that this would be acceptable to Putin or indeed any other leader of a World power.

The Ukraine needs to reassure the Russian that this will never happen and then enter into a treaty that secures it water tight ... seemples.

Your middle name's not Chamberlain by any chance?

Not at all but I do not wish to see the Ukraine being raised to the ground.

[david63]

raised to the ground

Isn't that an oxymoron?

[screwy]

Take off the Oxy and your describing Putin and Labrov etc.

[Onelife]

Take off the Oxy and your describing Putin and Labrov etc.

[Frank Manning]

Sir Keir is surely just doing his job. He should be questioning everything the government say and do. If not this incompetent lot would end up doing nothing and then blame everybody else for their in action.

Well said Ben. The Tories are so mired in sleaze, that all their supporters can do is protest when they are called to account, and insult those who oppose them. They keep trotting out Corbyn as though he is a threat when really they should be thanking him for their big majority. Corbyn is gone Sir Keir Starmer and many of the current Labour front bench are decent people with good intentions. I have never voted Labour, but if it is this corrupt Tory Government or labour next time, you can be sure I wont be voting for the Tories.

[Mervyn and Trish]

I do wish I could share your optimism Frank. Corbyn may be gone but I'm not convinced his lunatic policies are.

You must have inside knowledge that I lack when you declare that Sir Hindsight and his crew are decent people. I haven't a clue who they are because Sir Hindsight has told us nothing about himself other than he's not Boris, nor his policies other than I wouldn't have done that.

And I'm afraid that some of his front bench have shown themselves to be thoroughly unpleasant.

As for sleaze and corruption I am entirely confident that when Labour get into power, as they will with the inevitable cycle of British politics, they'll waste no time getting their snouts and their union mates' snouts in the trough as they have in the past.

[Bensham33]

Sir Keir Starmer rose to become Director of Public Prosecutions. He turned to politics after his 5 year tenure to try and right the wrongs of the Tories and have a much fairer society.

To read Labours policies just Google 'Labour policies' and you can spend a few hours reading all about them.

[towny44]

Sir Keir Starmer rose to become Director of Public Prosecutions. He turned to politics after his 5 year tenure to try and right the wrongs of the Tories and have a much fairer society.

To read Labours policies just Google 'Labour policies' and you can spend a few hours reading all about them.

I'm not sure that heading up the DPP is likely to set anyone up to right the wrongs of any section of society. The way it has managed to increase the number of rape claims over the last 20 years, without seeming to increase the number of successful prosecutions must be one of the greatest mysteries since our legal system came into being. Lawyers will only look after themselves and other lawyers, they manage to make the masons look angelic by comparison.

[oldbluefox]

they manage to make the masons look angelic by comparison.

You clearly know nothing about masons.

[Mervyn and Trish]

To read Labours policies just Google 'Labour policies' and you can spend a few hours reading all about them.

Any party that expects the electorate to conduct Google searches to discover their policies is doomed to failure.

But I can tell you why Sir Hindsight is so reluctant to show his hand. Labour is still a divided party between hard left Corbynites and moderates. Both like to think Hindsight is their man. He knows as soon as he breaks cover his support will be fractured.

But Bensham, if Sir H won't do it please save me hours of undoubtedly pleasurable reading. Simple question, is Labour 2022 Old Labour or New Labour‽

[Kendhni]

Well said Ben. The Tories are so mired in sleaze, that all their supporters can do is protest when they are called to account, and insult those who oppose them. They keep trotting out Corbyn as though he is a threat when really they should be thanking him for their big majority. Corbyn is gone Sir Keir Starmer and many of the current Labour front bench are decent people with good intentions. I have never voted Labour, but if it is this corrupt Tory Government or labour next time, you can be sure I wont be voting for the Tories.

Catching up and have to nominate this as the best post

[Kendhni]

Good to read that the Ukranian army seem to be having some success in pushing the commies back. I hope they succeed.

[Stephen]

Nice to see the Queen looking well and smiling.

Queen's delight as teapot factory comes to her https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-60869176

[oldbluefox]

Mobility seems to be a problem (understandable given her age) but she looks well.

[screwy]

Got an email from CPS parking this morning saying that the drive through testing site has now closed and to drive to the terminal.
Does this mean an end to pre boarding testing.?