### Author:  [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2022, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2321 "2022-03-14T18:39:55Z")
Dueling reports:
> **[China Signals Disinterest in Providing Weapons to Russia for Brutal Ukraine...](https://www.usnews.com/news/world-report/articles/2022-03-14/china-signals-disinterest-in-providing-weapons-to-russia-for-brutal-ukraine-campaign)**
>
> Beijing appears eager to distance itself from Russian President Vladimir Putin’s bloody war in Ukraine despite months of warmer relations between the two powers.
(Is it me, or has _Financial Times_ been weirdly Russia-leaning in recent weeks?)
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### Author:  [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2022, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2322 "2022-03-14T18:42:44Z")
China has to be told that full on world war III will not be good for business.
Do they want to be the ultimate ruler over a radioactive smoking world?
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### Author:  [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2022, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2323 "2022-03-14T18:49:59Z")
> [@bordelond](#):
>
> Dueling reports:
>
> [https://www.usnews.com/news/world-report/articles/2022-03-14/china-signals-disinterest-in-providing-weapons-to-russia-for-brutal-ukraine-campaign](https://www.usnews.com/news/world-report/articles/2022-03-14/china-signals-disinterest-in-providing-weapons-to-russia-for-brutal-ukraine-campaign)
>
> (Is it me, or has _Financial Times_ been weirdly Russia-leaning in recent weeks?)
I’m not sure that reporting on the intentions of China is really pro- or anti-Russia, either way that you cut it.
I would also note that right at the top of your article it says, “U.S. officials told several news outlets on the condition of anonymity over the weekend that [Russia had made the appeal to its Asian ally](https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2022-03-13/us-china-officials-to-meet-as-tensions-mount-over-russia).”
I don’t really see any conflict between the two reports?
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### Author:  [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2022, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2324 "2022-03-14T18:58:15Z")
Brave Russian:
>
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### Author:  [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2022, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2325 "2022-03-14T18:59:42Z")
The US claimed that Russia had asked China for military equipment, specifically drones. Russia and China deny this.
The US has made it clear that this would be unacceptable, and there would be consequences for any country that did this.
I think it’s likely that there were talks about this between Russia and China, and the US is getting out ahead of this kind of talk, and was probably wise to get it out into the open before anything was agreed upon between Russia and China in secret.
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### Author:  [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2022, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2326 "2022-03-14T19:25:22Z")
I just saw that report on the NYT live blog. That took some serious guts.
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### Author:  [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2022, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2327 "2022-03-14T19:28:05Z")
Well damn if that doesn’t make me feel conflicted about who to root for.
Elon is such a tool.
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### Author:  [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2022, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2328 "2022-03-14T19:53:21Z")
“Two men enter - nobody leaves”
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### Author:  [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2022, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2329 "2022-03-14T20:19:27Z")
I dunno, is Elon going to be in an Iron Man suit? ‘Cause I can just see Vlad having on him a concealed poison-tipped needle to use when getting close.
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### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2022, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2330 "2022-03-14T20:21:10Z")
Interesting timing.
> **[US sends sizable contingent to Norway for giant NATO exercise in region...](https://www.stripes.com/theaters/europe/2022-03-14/norway-cold-response-military-exercise-nato-us-marines-5338744.html)**
>
> Several thousand U.S. Marines and sailors are among the roughly 30,000 troops from 27 NATO and partner countries taking part in Norway’s largest military exercise since the end of the Cold War.
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### Author:  [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2022, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2331 "2022-03-14T20:40:40Z")
A brawl between Musk and Putin would be a win-win for everyone. Either way, one villain is going down.
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### Author:  [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2022, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2332 "2022-03-14T20:52:38Z")
At some point, the West will run out of missiles it can send Ukraine. Wonder what other non-direct assistance they could give then.
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### Author:  [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2022, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2333 "2022-03-14T20:57:34Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#):
>
> “Two men enter - nobody leaves”
I’m glad I’m not the only one who was thinking that.
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### Author:  [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2022, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2334 "2022-03-14T21:01:59Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#):
>
> There has been some contingency planning by the US and EU:
>
> [https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/06/politics/ukraine-government-exile-us-europe/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/06/politics/ukraine-government-exile-us-europe/index.html)
> [@GreenWyvern](#):
>
> But not by Ukraine.
>
> If you remember, Biden offered Zelensky a ride out at the beginning of the war.
Just because Zelenskyy didn’t accept a ride a week or two ago doesn’t mean he’d be unwilling to accept one in the future if circumstances change.
There are so many ways succession/exile planning can go. At some point Zelenskky might leave. I would hold the Ukrainian government has set up a line of succession in case Zelenskyy is killed. There could be plans to set up a government in exile that aren’t presently being used but could be. We don’t know, and I don’t expect we would know under the circumstances.
> [@aceplace57](#):
>
> AFAIK his wife and child hasn’t been seen in public since the invasion.
>
> I hope the family is safe in another country.
There was a statement by Zelenskyy that he hasn’t seen his family since the earliest day(s) of the invasion. They are certainly in a secure and secret location and they might in fact be out of the country. We don’t know, and I don’t expect we would know under the circumstances.
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### Author:  [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2022, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2335 "2022-03-14T21:02:55Z")
FOX News correspondent injured:
>
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### Author:  [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2022, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2336 "2022-03-14T21:06:39Z")
> [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](#):
>
> from the Guardian live page:
>
> > In response to reports that **Russia** is seeking military equipment and other support from **China** , the Chinese embassy in the US said the priority right now is to ensure the tense situation does not escalate or get out of control, according to Reuters.
>
> Don’t think China wants to get involved and their main concern is world security.
I don’t think China wants to get involved and their main concern is _their money_. And also world security.
> [@](#):
>
> Earlier on Sunday, the Financial Times and a number of other media outlets reported that US officials believe Russia has requested Chinese military supplies to help with the war effort, as well as economic support
Russia can ask all it wants. What matters is whether or not China will answer “yes” or “no” to the asking.
> [@iiandyiiii](#):
>
> I think Russia may use chemical weapons in the near future, and I’m very worried that (and/or other escalation) could bring the US and the rest of Europe into the war.
I worry about that, too. But try not to worry too much at this point.
---
### Author:  [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2022, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2337 "2022-03-14T21:17:24Z")
> [@Broomstick](#):
>
> I don’t think China wants to get involved and their main concern is _their money_ . And also world security.
Yes you’re right to correct me. China has been doing very well indeed in the last couple of decades. No way they would want to risk a change to the world order when the world order is treating it pretty well. They don’t particularly like NATO and would like to see it stop expanding but it’s something they will tolerate.
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### Author:  [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2022, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2338 "2022-03-14T21:19:23Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#):
>
> US admits the presence of 25 US bio-labs in Ukraine.
>
> [https://twitter.com/TulsiGabbard/status/1502960938147729413?s=20&t=rdxZTD158fcM132vl4n6zA](https://twitter.com/TulsiGabbard/status/1502960938147729413?s=20&t=rdxZTD158fcM132vl4n6zA)
_\>\>\>cough\<\<\<_
No, that is _Tulsi Gabbard claiming the US has biolabs in Ukraine_. Ms. Gabbard does not speak for the US in an official capacity and is no longer even a member of Congress.
A couple of points:
- She says 25 to 30 biolabs. Which is it, Tulsi? Why can’t you give an exact number if you’re delivering “undeniable” facts?
- Yeah, research on “dangerous pathogens”. Which is a legitimate type of research. It’s the sort of research that gave us the vaccines for the Covid-19 virus. Or does Tulsi think someone just pulls a vaccine out of their ass on demand?
- What sort of “dangerous pathogens” are you referring to, Tulsi? Flu virus? MRSA bacteria? TB? E. coli? Y. pestis? Rabies? HIV? What? You have all this intel but you can define the threat beyond “dangerous pathogens”? Really? I’m not afraid of multisyllabic words, Tulsi, I mean, I just said “multisyllabic” right there.
- Tulsi wants these (unspecified number of) labs shut down and their “pathogens” destroyed. Gee, I dunno - what do you want us to do, Tulsi, drop a bomb on the labs? Oh, wait…
- The “Biden-Harris Administration” needs to work with “Russia, Ukraine, NATO, the UN”… you know, if we could _work with Russia_ there wouldn’t BE a war going on. 🙄
- Blah, blah, blah Tulsi repeats the rumors about Covid-19 having “originated” in a “biolab” in Wuhan despite all the evidence that it came from a market in Wuhan. But don’t get confused by the facts.
- Then she says “all these labs should have been shut down two years ago”. Ignoring that the US really can’t control what’s going on in other countries, I guess she wants to halt medical research on combating diseases.
Sorry, I don’t find this source credible.
I am also wondering how Putin is paying her these days now that a sheet of toilet paper is worth more than a Russian ruble.
---
### Author:  [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2022, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2339 "2022-03-14T21:23:41Z")
> [@Broomstick](#):
>
> I am also wondering how Putin is paying her these days now that a sheet of toilet paper is worth more than a Russian ruble.
I am baffled about why anyone would print any of the sewage that flows from Gabbard’s mouth.
---
### Author:  [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2022, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2340 "2022-03-14T21:26:49Z")
Please take anything else about **Gabbard** to its own thread.
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