Russia

[magicjuan]

That is incorrect it started when Assad refused to recognise the mass of his own people seeking reform.

BTW the small Baltic states are in NATO which is why we have armed forces there, Ukraine was not in NATO.

But it sought membership through a government backed by the west through fair means and foul.

 

[Roger Milla]

Heading to Lithuania next week, hasn't Putin got beef with them?

Think i recall a Lithuanian border gaurd being abducted by his secret service about 2 years ago.

 

[bflefc]

But it sought membership through a government backed by the west through fair means and foul.

I can assure you that Ukraine had absolutely zero aspiration to join NATO prior to Putin entering the fray and dictating his will via Yanukovich. Even after the slaughter of scores of civilians in Feb 2014 and Yanukovich fleeing to Russia, it was only once the Russian troops took over Crimea and invaded the Luhansk and Donetsk regions that Ukrainians started to consider NATO membership as a viable option.

 

[bflefc]

Heading to Lithuania next week, hasn't Putin got beef with them?

Think i recall a Lithuanian border gaurd being abducted by his secret service about 2 years ago.

That was Estonia.

 

[Roger Milla]

That was Estonia.

Wasn't 100% sure as Lithuania i think only has a land border with Kaliningrad

 

[magicjuan]

I can assure you that Ukraine had absolutely zero aspiration to join NATO prior to Putin entering the fray and dictating his will via Yanukovich. Even after the slaughter of scores of civilians in Feb 2014 and Yanukovich fleeing to Russia, it was only once the Russian troops took over Crimea and invaded the Luhansk and Donetsk regions that Ukrainians started to consider NATO membership as a viable option.

Apparently they applied for membership in 2008.
When was Yanukovich elected?

 

[bflefc]

Apparently they applied for membership in 2008.
When was Yanukovich elected?

Partner status - akin to Sweden - was the sum total of their aspiration. They had declared an EU intention, but full NATO membership was not something we ever thought they'd reach - or had any genuine appetite for. They played it cleverly, sometimes showing a hint always because they wanted something in return. Their end-game was never NATO membership until Russia started slaughtering their people and their troops.

 

[magicjuan]

Partner status - akin to Sweden - was the sum total of their aspiration. They had declared an EU intention, but full NATO membership was not something we ever thought they'd reach - or had any genuine appetite for. They played it cleverly, sometimes showing a hint always because they wanted something in return. Their end-game was never NATO membership until Russia started slaughtering their people and their troops.

If that was the case are you then putting the onus on Russia for pushing them towards NATO membership? With no other influence coming from the west, the US in particular?

 

[Mutzo Nutzo]

Heading to Lithuania next week, hasn't Putin got beef with them?

Think i recall a Lithuanian border gaurd being abducted by his secret service about 2 years ago.

Yes mate - take a tin hat and a Russian dictionary

 

[Donald Twain]

The absolute state of that Russian aircraft carrier , is it run on coal? The sight of it chugging along belching black smoke into the sky was an embarrassment ! We could have sent a few ferries in to sort that utter crap heap out!

 

[Toffeelover]

But it sought membership through a government backed by the west through fair means and foul.

But Mate it was not successful.

BTW Russia is now deploying a new missile, it carries 16 stealth nuclear warheads, goes so fast that anti missile systems will be found wanting!

And for me, those idiots here want to do away with our nuclear deterrent.

 

[Toffeelover]

The absolute state of that Russian aircraft carrier , is it run on coal? The sight of it chugging along belching black smoke into the sky was an embarrassment ! We could have sent a few ferries in to sort that utter crap heap out!

That as maybe but it caries upto 50 aircraft and that is what counts.

 

[TheFinnFan]

I predict Russia will snatch one of the big islands from the gulf of bothnia in few years.

 

[arminisgod]

But Mate it was not successful.

BTW Russia is now deploying a new missile, it carries 16 stealth nuclear warheads, goes so fast that anti missile systems will be found wanting!

And for me, those idiots here want to do away with our nuclear deterrent.

highly doubtful. Loads of rubbish swirling about the Russian Military might.

The sight of that 1 aircraft carrier... the only one they have tells you where they are at.

We have 2 supercarriers coming into service in 3 years that dwarf that piece of [Poor language removed]

 

[zandvoort blue]

highly doubtful. Loads of rubbish swirling about the Russian Military might.

The sight of that 1 aircraft carrier... the only one they have tells you where they are at.

We have 2 supercarriers coming into service in 3 years that dwarf that piece of [Poor language removed]

So long as they sort out the propulsion and they can get out of Portsmouth

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/de...f-destroyers-left-stuck-in-uk-ports-1-7581709