Russian Invasion of Ukraine | A War in Europe After Hours

[Tom]

Has there been any talk on how Ukraine are going to cope with the cost of all of the assistance in weapons and equipment?

Surely the US etc are not doing this for free?

Plus the cost of rebuilding the country's destroyed areas will be massive.

So far almost all weaponry has been either directly donated or bought by Ukraine, but refinanced by funds from the EU or US. Some small stuff was likely directly bought by Ukraine (think of all the drones they repurposed for dropping grenades etc), possibly also ammunition and small weapons, especially if it came from countries who are not really supporting Ukraine (think of Iranian artillery ammo that somehow appeared in Ukraine possession), but that isn't the biggest share of the costs for the war. The financial part of the actual war is so far pretty straightforward - Ukraine fight, and the West provides weapons to do that. It is much more a political or military decision that is provided than a financial question.

Rebuilding the country and covering the ongoing costs due to the destruction, loss of workers due to having to fight or having left the country etc is a different and more complicated topic and one area where Ukraine definitely will struggle, unless a massive programme will be created, similar to the Marshall plan after WW2.

 

[Legion]

US President Joe Biden made a surprise visit to Ukraine today as the conflict nears one year since Russia's full-scale invasion.

The timing is crucial and perfect after the issue of potential Chinese lethal support to Russia in this war was raised yesterday.

 

[Gemma]

US President Joe Biden made a surprise visit to Ukraine today as the conflict nears one year since Russia's full-scale invasion.

Can't remember the last president, if any, going to a war zone and roaming the capital and not just being on a military base / green zone.

 

[Cappuccino Kid]

"They started the war" - Putin blames the West as he claims Russia "used force in order to stop it"

Putin's rants are becoming so boring. Currently diving into 19th century history to explain why nothing is Russia's fault.

 

[Tom]

Can't remember the last president, if any, going to a war zone and roaming the capital and not just being on a military base / green zone.

Having thought about it, surely it must be Lincoln. Anyone else come to mind? Sad Professor might know?

 

[Tom]

"They started the war" - Putin blames the West as he claims Russia "used force in order to stop it"

Putin's rants are becoming so boring. Currently diving into 19th century history to explain why nothing is Russia's fault.

Agreed, yet they do all sit there and lap it up don't they?

 

[Dylan]

One year ago, the West woke up to the news that war had broken out in Europe.

In the early hours of February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full military assault on Ukraine. Troops crossed into eastern Ukraine from the Russian border, from Belarus in the north, and from Crimea in the south.

I still remember that morning a year ago when I got the news about the attack and sick feeling I got in my stomach and just thought - those poor people in Ukraine, what will they endure now...

A year on and the war is alive and kicking, and I fear the worst has yet to come.

 

[Gemma]

Really expected that Russia would launch a series of attacks today but thankfully it has remained fairly quiet.

I read somewhere that China is reportedly negotiating with Russia to supply kamikaze drones - the U.S. and Germany have warned China not to deliver weapons to Russia, however, Beijing and Moscow are said to be negotiating the purchase of 100 strike drones, which could be delivered as soon as April.

What is the benefit to China in helping Russia out here? Surely they recognize that Russia has alienated basically the entire world, an entire world that China happens to do a lot of business with. Are the pros of helping Russia out here really worth the potential negatives to their relationships with everyone else?

 

[John Steed]

I read somewhere that China is reportedly negotiating with Russia to supply kamikaze drones

What is the benefit to China in helping Russia out here? Surely they recognize that Russia has alienated basically the entire world, an entire world that China happens to do a lot of business with. Are the pros of helping Russia out here really worth the potential negatives to their relationships with everyone else?

I also believe that China will start to supply the russian army in the near future. They need Russia as a counter weight against Nato and the west. Without them, they would stand alone. Western sanctions are still more tolerable than Putin's fall I assume. And those sanctions won't be too serious, because both sides depend way more on each other than Europe depended on Russia. You can always find other energy suppliers, but you can't find a second China market.

Also it's a good opportunity to test your own equipment. There is only so much you can do in training, but the real war will show results and I bet China is eager to test their own military strength regarding Taiwan.

I think they will start the supply with small deliveries like some drones and watch, how the west reacts. From there they will decide other steps.

 

[Ginger Ted]

What is the benefit to China in helping Russia out here? Surely they recognize that Russia has alienated basically the entire world, an entire world that China happens to do a lot of business with. Are the pros of helping Russia out here really worth the potential negatives to their relationships with everyone else?

Russia primary sells gas and oil and shitty military equipment.

China sells everything to the rest of the world.

So they have a great deal to lose through sanctions.

In my view, China is playing politics as usual trying to be all things to all men.

And they want to keep Russia as a permanent member of the UN Security Council onboard in the event they decide to invade Taiwan.