This might be a little tougher than Putin thought...

[lucas80]

Putin hosted the BRICS summit, probably because he can’t leave Russia to visit many countries. The UN head was there, which drew criticism. There are some nuggets in the article about establishing new financial networks to assist rogue states in evading sanctions, NK troop deployments to Russia, and Putin welcoming Donald Trump’s supportive statements for ending the war on terms favorable to Russia.

Putin ends BRICS summit that sought to expand Russia's global clout but was shadowed by Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has presided at the closing session of a summit of the BRICS bloc of developing economies, hailing its role as a counterbalance to the West.

apnews.com

 

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FWIW

 

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[lucas80]

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Not shocked. Georgia is a tinderbox, and Putin is about to have another problem on his hands.

 

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[h-hawk]

Not shocked. Georgia is a tinderbox, and Putin is about to have another problem on his hands.

Light their fire!

 

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Wow if real.

 

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Think this the Kursk incursion.

 

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Like cattle to their slaughter.

 

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That's hitting the Russians where they live!

 

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trump left this off his list of sh!t hole countries.

 

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Light their fire!

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"28th Separate Mechanized Brigade.Building from the enemy's o/ s"

 

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[h-hawk]

More on the ethanol plant.

"Russian Telegram channels have reported Ukrainian drone attacks on an ethanol spirits distillery in the village of Krasnoye, Voronezh Oblast!This facility is involved in the production of fuel and explosives for military purposes!"

 

[h-hawk]

"In particular, we are talking about the fact that the first four of the 50 Canadian LAV 6.0 ACSV armored support vehicles, which arrived in Europe in the summer to train servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in their operation, have been sent to Ukraine.

The vehicles are part of a fleet of modern armored vehicles that Canada is donating to Ukraine."

https://en.defence-ua.com/weapon_an...v_armored_vehicles_sent_to_ukraine-12333.html

 

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[h-hawk]

As many of us have been saying.

 

[SalAunese]

History always repeats itself. Never underestimate the stupidity and weakness of mankind, even those in prosperous and educated societies

 

[Joes Place]

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UNPOSSIBLE

I've been informed by dozens of MAGAs on here that Putin does not interfere in elections in other countries...

 

[seminole97]

And will this get Macron to start thinking about sending in French troops again. I know he got a lot of push back before but the situation seems to be getting worse no matter how much the West tries to appease Putin. (Which is what many of us have been saying-Putin only understands force.)

Meanwhile, in the real world:

OCTOBER 15, 2024 12:17 PM

BY LAURA KAYALI AND CLEA CAULCUTT

PARIS — France will fall short of its pledge to donate up to €3 billion in military aid to Ukraine this year and is only on track for "above €2 billion," Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu told lawmakers on Monday.
"Politically it was decided at the beginning of 2024 that this aid could reach €3 billion. In reality, we will be above €2 billion but not at €3 billion,” Lecornu said.

 

[h-hawk]

Meanwhile, in the real world:

OCTOBER 15, 2024 12:17 PM

BY LAURA KAYALI AND CLEA CAULCUTT

PARIS — France will fall short of its pledge to donate up to €3 billion in military aid to Ukraine this year and is only on track for "above €2 billion," Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu told lawmakers on Monday.
"Politically it was decided at the beginning of 2024 that this aid could reach €3 billion. In reality, we will be above €2 billion but not at €3 billion,” Lecornu said.

"Despite the financial wobble, Macron strongly backs Ukraine in the war.
Last week, the French president welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris to discuss his “victory plan” and additional aid for Ukraine. On the eve of Zelenskyy’s visit, Macron greeted Ukrainian soldiers training in eastern France, part of a French initiative to train an entire brigade on French equipment.
France is also expected to provide Mirage 2000 fighter jets to Kyiv in the first half of 2025.
Overall, Paris provided €1.7 billion worth of military aid to Kyiv in 2022 and €2.1 billion in 2023; that puts it behind countries like Germany, the U.K. and Sweden.

Next year, France’s defense budget is expected to reach €50.5 billion — one of the few budget lines that will increase. However, Lecornu told lawmakers Monday that the armed forces ministry would stop asking for extra cash at the end of the year for unexpected costs linked to NATO deployments in Estonia and Romania, or for aid to Ukraine.
According to Lecornu, €300 million worth of aid for Ukraine comes from interest on frozen Russian assets and will be used to buy 155 mm artillery ammunition, Caesar self-propelled howitzers and fuel. From €400 million to €600 million will be generated by lower inflation rates and used to renovate SCALP and Aster missiles for Ukraine.
Lecornu’s comments come as Nordic and Baltic countries are increasing their efforts. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis told POLITICO that “the latest data shows … the Nordic-Baltic group, if taken as a unit, is the second military provider to Ukraine [after the U.S.].”
He called on other European countries to step up support, and warned against war fatigue."

France set to miss €3B mark for Ukraine aid

The French government is under pressure to make cuts in spending to rein in deficits.

www.politico.eu

 

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[seminole97]

"Despite the financial wobble, Macron strongly backs Ukraine in the war.

Despite not sending the money, the politician made loud noises...

Last week, the French president welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris to discuss his “victory plan” and additional aid for Ukraine. On the eve of Zelenskyy’s visit, Macron greeted Ukrainian soldiers training in eastern France, part of a French initiative to train an entire brigade on French equipment.

This is about the MIC for France too...
Remember how sore they were about that Aussie sub deal being sundered?

According to Lecornu, €300 million worth of aid for Ukraine comes from interest on frozen Russian assets and will be used to buy 155 mm artillery ammunition, Caesar self-propelled howitzers and fuel. From €400 million to €600 million will be generated by lower inflation rates and used to renovate SCALP and Aster missiles for Ukraine.

Using income from Russian frozen assets to buy French military equipment.
See how this works?

 

[h-hawk]

production. Elvira Nabiullina and Sergei Chemezov argue about who is to blame. Clouds are gathering over Nabiullina and she will most likely be fired in the near future. The next increase in the key rate should be expected before the end of the year. The Russian economy is
cracking and regulatory measures are not working. The Central Bank hoped to scare people away from new loans with a high rate, but this is not helping. People are rushing to get loans as soon as possible in anticipation of the rate going up even more. Due to the increase in rates, expenses on mortgage subsidies and servicing of the national debt have increased. Budget expenditures are growing. Inflation cannot be contained. Prices are rising. Enterprises are closing due to low profitability. The only way out for Russia is to leave Ukraine. And even after that, it will take years for the economy to recover.

 

[h-hawk]

Despite not sending the money, the politician made loud noises...




This is about the MIC for France too...
Remember how sore they were about that Aussie sub deal being sundered?



Using income from Russian frozen assets to buy French military equipment.
See how this works?

Some European countries are cutting back on funding due to the billions that will now be used from the interest on the frozen Russian funds. The US is also spending a fortune here on equipment and sending it to Ukraine. It makes no difference how it gets there as long as it gets there.

 

[seminole97]

Some European countries are cutting back on funding due to the billions that will now be used from the interest on the frozen Russian funds. The US is also spending a fortune here on equipment and sending it to Ukraine. It makes no difference how it gets there as long as it gets there.

If that were true the French wouldn't have balked at buying ammo for Ukraine from places besides France.
You need to be a little more cynical to see what actually matters to these pols.

France, Greece, and Cyprus have blocked a decision to purchase ammunition for Ukraine outside the bloc, Politico reported on Feb. 16, citing European diplomats.
This decision would have enabled the EU to address the severe ammunition deficit in Ukraine while simultaneously increasing the production of shells within the bloc.
The blockade stemmed from the requirement that European arms manufacturers need orders to justify ramping up production.
During a recent meeting of the Political and Security Committee earlier this week, a majority of EU countries were in favor of allowing EU money to be used to buy non-EU-produced shells as an emergency measure to help Ukraine, Politico said.
A senior French official said that his country would allow non-EU purchases if the bloc missed its target of delivering 1 million shells to Ukraine by March, reassuring that the goal would be met.
EU High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell said on Jan. 31 that by March, the EU would fulfill only 52% of its pledge to provide Ukraine with one million artillery shells in one year.

 

[h-hawk]

I wish them luck.

 

[h-hawk]

Mostly a reminder.

 

[seminole97]

I wish them luck.

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This probably deserves its own thread. I get why you put it here.

 

[h-hawk]

One Russian was heard to remark, "where are the Ukrainian drones when you need them..."