World expresses outrage, plans stronger Russia sanctions

[George II]

Source: AP

By RAF CASERT and FOSTER KLUG
51 minutes ago

BRUSSELS (AP) — World leaders Thursday reacted to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with raw outrage — and vows of unprecedented sanctions — that shrouded a sense of powerlessness to defend Ukraine militarily without running the risk of a wider war in Europe.

NATO had already reinforced its eastern flank facing Russia and planned a virtual summit of its leaders on Friday after President Vladimir Putin warned that any interference from other countries would lead to “consequences you have never seen in history.”

European Union and NATO member Lithuania declared a state of emergency since the Baltic nation borders Russia’s Kaliningrad region to the southwest and Russia’s ally Belarus to the east. NATO countries had 100 jets and 120 ships on high alert as a deterrent.

“Make no mistake: We will defend every ally against any attack on every inch of NATO territory,” said NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-asia-europe-united-nations-8744320842fca825ae4e4ccae5acbe34

[AZLD4Candidate]

1. And I thought the next world war would be completely over resources

Apparently, it will be just like the second world war. . .everyone dog piling on a country with a sadistic, sociopathic, cold blooded murderer hellbent on regional/world domination in charge.

Welcome back to 1939, folks. But the weapons this time won't be just conventional. . .they will also be internet based, and if Putin's threat is to be taken seriously, nuclear.

[Initech]

3. I saw a tweet today saying that now we know what 1939 would look like if we had social media.

[AZLD4Candidate]

4. The parallels are frightening, right down the the failed "let's talk and see if we can work it out"

like what happened in Munich in 1938. . .the "peace for our time" moment.

[Initech]

8. Well you know what they say about those who don't learn from history...

[AZLD4Candidate]

11. George Santaniya

[Aristus]

19. Munich is not a strict allegory.

Appeasement would be NATO saying: "Okay, you can have Ukraine as long as you promise to be very, very good and not exercise any more territorial ambitions."

Obviously, that hasn't happened, and probably won't.

[moniss]

2. I think

Putin believes that he will install a puppet leader in Kyiv, move forces in at that puppet leaders request and then try to say all is now settled. The world cannot let it end that way. The sanctions should go on the order of banning all Russian bloc countries aircraft landing rights at worldwide airports for a start. China of course will try to act as a conduit for Russian bloc countries to travel. The world needs to make clear to China that any flight with Russian bloc nationals arriving will be ordered out of the country. All trade with Russian bloc nations must be halted including financial transactions. All nations bordering the Russian bloc countries must be instructed that all passports are suspended and entry to non Russian bloc countries is forbidden. China must be informed that any country continuing to trade with Russian bloc countries will lose Most Favored Nation Status and likewise the sanctions against aircraft landing rights and travel will be imposed on such a country. China must be informed that "running this blockade" by any country will result in worldwide forfeiture of assets both state owned and privately owned by companies and individuals of that country. Of course all athletic/cultural events will exclude participation from Russian bloc persons or companies in any way and at any level.

[BlueIdaho]

5. A short hot war followed by a long Cold War.

Putin is going to want to tie a ribbon on this and call it over. It is the obligation of freedom loving democracies to make this stunt as painful to Russia and China as possible. Cut them off from financial markets, close their borders, and let the Russian people suffer until Putin becomes their enemy as much as ours.

[COL Mustard]

7. Putin already cratered the Moscow stock markets

I agree, hit them in the wallet where it really hurts.

[moniss]

9. Absolutely

correct. We should also shut down (to the extent possible) telecommunications and internet access.

[BlueIdaho]

10. Excellent idea. nt.

[COL Mustard]

6. Damn those Ukrainians for provoking the Russians

By staying on their own territory!

And in case there's any doubt,

[Lonestarblue]

12. Sanctions will not work in time.

Sanctions hurt, but they take time to work. Meanwhile, innocent Ukrainians are dying. Why can’t the West start using drones launched out of reach of Russian missiles to attack its forces and tanks? Or does Russia have the capability to shoot them all down?

If Putin takes Kyiv and establishes a puppet government, getting him out of Ukraine will be impossible. He is then that much closer to countries to the west and southwest of Ukraine. Which one would be next in line to be annexed? Putin’s forces need to be stopped before they infiltrate all of Ukraine. Time to give the Ukrainians as much military equipment as they can handle.

[LiberalLovinLug]

13. I am not pro war

But for gawds sake, its appalling how Putin can just roll over the border, even when the world had weeks notice. Is the world that helpless against the next mad man?

I also thought of drones. We hate them for being mis-used like blowing up weddings etc....or spying on protests. But if we have to put up with them for those things, they at least should be able to be used in situations like this as well you'd think.

I keep waiting for the news of how the West surprised Putin with their advanced technology. Drones or whatever. But it seems like Putin just smiles and keeps moving forward. I heard even grandmothers are learning how to use guns there to defend their country. We are leaving them to be fed to the bears.

[Lonestarblue]

15. I am not pro war either, but we stop Putin now or face years of fighting.

Extricating him from Ukraine once he has a puppet government in place will be difficult and costly in lives. It’s better to stop him now from getting a foothold and using Ukraine to station hundreds of thousands of Russian troops on the border of eastern Europe ready to strike at will. Poland certainly would not be safe. Putin would quickly take Moldova, and none of the Baltic states would be safe with Belarus as a staging ground. Putin is acting like Hitler in 1939, and the time for appeasement is over lest we end up in another world war.

[LiberalLovinLug]

18. +1000

[LiberalLovinLug]

14. Wow, thats one STRONGLY WORDED LETTER!

That should have Putin quaking in his jack boots.

[George II]

16. What would you have said?

[LiberalLovinLug]

17. Nothing else. This wasn't the first SWL

I would have snuck up behind him while he was crumpling this latest letter up and throwing it in the trash and blown him away with a gun capable of taking down a bear.