# Russia invades Ukraine -- The regional situation **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** ukraine-invasion\ **Created:** [December 30, 2023, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349 "2023-12-30T18:43:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 33
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2024, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/641 "2024-10-21T14:05:08Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > But the reality is we are locked in an eternal struggle with the forces of totalitarianism, gangsterism, and militarism. I agree, but who is “we”? (Unless you meant “internal” instead of “eternal”.) ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2024, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/642 "2024-10-21T14:17:01Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > As you say, the Chinese prefer a nice simmering little stalemate of a war that keeps Russia busy while grinding it down, and simultaneously letting China make money and exert influence through their ongoing sales of [whatever] to Moscow. The other major thing that China gets out of protracting the war in Ukraine is exhausting western (and especially US) support for defending the sovereignty of other nations under attack by their imperialist neighbours. The more that Americans are tired of supporting Ukraine, the less they’ll support Taiwan if/when China decides to bring its wayward children back into the fold. I believe this is their primary motivation, and the cash they get from weapons sales, money they save buying discounted oil, and a weakened Russia are all just gravy. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2024, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/643 "2024-10-21T14:59:54Z")
@Gorsnak: I agree w you. Chiina is more interested in exhausting the West than in weakening an already fatally spiralling-in Russia. Or in profiting in whatever small degree from sales to Russia. > [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > I agree, but who is “we”? (Unless you meant “internal” instead of “eternal”.) I meant what I wrote: “eternal”. Who is “we”? IMO about 80% of the EU population, similar numbers in Canada, Australia, Japan, and a hefty if probably smaller fraction of the usual smaller good-guy countries. And about 45% of the US population, but perhaps a declining percentage. IOW ISTM the klepto-totalitarians are winning their war here in the USA. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2024, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/644 "2024-10-21T18:50:41Z")
Ret General Petraeus is associated with ISW and other think tanks. He’s pretty informed. Petraeus is quoted in several videos in the past few weeks. He is claiming Putin/Russia is in trouble and near collapse. I know he doesn’t get Pentagon briefings anymore. He still should know a lot more than the average guy. You can search youtube for Petraeus and filter for the past month for other examples. This narration is pretty dry. I set playback speed to 1.25. 10 mins [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/FQg71b98_t0/maxresdefault.jpg "General David Petraeus - Russian Collapse Imminent - Ukraine's Counteroffensive Turns the Tide") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQg71b98_t0) ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2024, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/645 "2024-10-23T07:24:00Z")
No one beats the Russians at being assholes. No-one! > **[Russia Fakes Charlie Hebdo Cover To Smear Ukrainian Peace Plan](https://bado-badosblog.blogspot.com/2024/10/russia-fakes-charlie-hebdo-cover-to.html)** > > From The Daily Cartoonist .  Pro-Kremlin media outlets are circulating a fake cover of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in an ef... ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2024, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/646 "2024-10-23T13:46:01Z")
I didn’t realize there was more than a handful of countries that still supported Russia By support I mean still trade. > **[Vladimir Putin hosts Brics summit to show West pressure not working](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly3ylwg4eqo)** > > Russian President Vladimir Putin is welcoming more than 20 world leaders to the Brics summit. > [@](#): > > How can you show the pressure is not working? Try hosting a summit. > > This week in the city of Kazan President Putin will greet more than 20 heads of state at the [Brics summit of emerging economies](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-66525474). Among the leaders invited are China’s Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. > > The Kremlin has called it one of the “largest-scale foreign policy events ever” in Russia. > > “The clear message is that attempts to isolate Russia have failed,” thinks Chris Weafer, founding partner of consultancy firm Macro-Advisory. ---
**Author:** ![Sauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Sauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sauron)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2024, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/647 "2024-10-23T19:46:49Z")
I’m not sure the Brics summit really moves the needle. There are 195 UN-recognized countries in the world. If you can only get ~20 to at least nominally side with you on an issue, that means roughly 89% of the world’s countries disagrees with you. Granted, the countries reportedly attending the Brics summit represent 45% of the world’s population. Take away China and India, though (2.8 billion folks total between them), and the rest combined only represent ~10% of the world’s population. What’s more, the combined economic might of Brics is only 28% of the global economy. The U.S. by itself is 25%, and NATO combined is almost 31%. Finally, Brics may appear on the surface to be a unified coalition, but it’s not. China and India are the most notable smile-in-public-but-hate-each-other-in-private members, but there are others. As the article notes: “There is tension between two of the newest Brics members, Egypt and Ethiopia. And, despite talk of detente, Iran and Saudi Arabia have long been regional rivals.” ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2024, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/648 "2024-10-23T19:59:05Z")
What they mostly are is “mildly to highly resentful of US / EU power and wanting to go their own way at least some.” There’s also a decent fraction of those countries w authoritarian to despotic leadership who sorta like the idea of joining in with the other asshole / corrupt countries. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2024, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/649 "2024-10-24T12:16:12Z")
Today I learned. BRICS stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. It was significantly enlarged in 2023. Refer to the article if your interested in details. My quote is from the Guardian. China has not changed its position. Although Xi Jinping final statement is clearly aimed at Zelensky’s current plan to escalate and force a Russian settlement in 2025. I added bolding for clarity It doesn’t appear Putin gained any additional support at BRICS. Link [Russia’s BRICS summit: What’s on the agenda and why it matters to Putin | Vladimir Putin News | Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/10/22/russias-brics-summit-whats-on-the-agenda-and-why-does-it-matter) > [@](#): > > - **The foreign ministry in Kyiv said on Wednesday that Moscow had failed to win support for its invasion of Ukraine at the** **Brics summit it is hosting, where Putin faced direct calls to end the conflict** from some of his closest and most important partners. “The Brics summit, which Russia planned to use to split the world, has once again demonstrated that the world majority remains on the side of Ukraine in its quest to guarantee a comprehensive, just and sustainable peace,” the ministry said. **The Chinese president, Xi Jinping, told the summit that there must be “no escalation of fighting” in Ukraine** , saying: “We must adhere to the three principles of ‘no spillover from the battlefield, **no escalation of fighting and no adding oil to the fire by relevant parties’, so as to ease the situation as soon as possible.”** > [@](#): > > The Brazilian president, **Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, called for “avoiding escalation and initiating peace negotiations** ”. Without referring to any specific conflict, the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, also issued a call for peace: “We support dialogue and diplomacy, not war.” In private talks, Vladimir **Putin welcomed offers by several of the Brics leaders to mediate in Ukraine** , even as he told them his forces were advancing, said his spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, according to Russian state media. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2024, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/650 "2024-10-24T14:08:03Z")
I wrote an [OP 15 months](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-keep-on-talking-about-the-brics-organisation-is-it-really-one/988874) ago expressing my contempt for this so called organization (I argued that it is more like a club, someone compared it to the G7, which is accurate, I believe), I have not changed my mind about it since. Other posters were not so negative, in particular some that are citizens of “member” countries. I think I would reply more forcefully to them today. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2024, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/651 "2024-10-25T12:18:32Z")
Putin’s push to move Moldova away from the West has failed……this time. But he’s always going to be poking and prodding for a soft spot, so we need to start being more forthright in getting to those vulnerable areas first and offering what assistance we can where possible. > **[Putin suffers another massive defeat, this time in Moldova](https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/4948320-putin-rubles-failure-moldova/amp/)** > > Russian President Vladimir Putin is resorting to bribery and propaganda in an attempt to prevent Moldova and Georgia from joining the European Union, but his efforts have so far been unsuccessful. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2024, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/652 "2024-10-25T18:27:09Z")
It’s an “only just” in Moldova. The presidential election is going to a second round, and the referendum was a very tight result. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2024, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/653 "2024-10-25T18:47:23Z")
And before Moldova’s presidential election’s second round there is the parliamentary election in Georgia (not the USA state, the one in the Caucasus): > **[Watershed moment as Georgia goes to polls in tussle between Russia and west](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/25/georgia-election-russia-west-democracy)** > > Observers say country’s democratic future hanging in balance after Moscow-aligned ruling party’s threats to ban opposition I remember living just across the back yard of Georgia’s embassy in Brussels, a beautiful, almost cubic shaped building in Chant d’Oiseaux – nice quarter. They had a well tended garden and often celebrated receptions, and they threw a party when Georgia won a football match during I don’t remember which football world cup. It all seemed very normal… Meanwhile Elon Musk seems to have been having regular contact the last two years with Vladimir Vladimirovitch Putin. Maybe that is what got him closer and closer to Trump, or was it the other way around? > **[Elon Musk has been in regular contact with Putin for two years, says report](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/oct/25/elon-musk-has-been-in-regular-contact-with-putin-for-two-years-say-reports)** > > Alleged talks between billionaire and Russian president could have enormous security implications The man is a menace. He and Peter Thiel. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/654 "2024-10-26T07:54:20Z")
I can easily see Russian commanders sending the K battalion into the more dangerous areas. 1. To gauge their willingness to fight and 2. to save Russian lives. Why do a shit job if it can be passed off? How long before the language barrier causes a firefight between a NK unit and Russian? 😉 Link [Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 25, 2024 | Institute for the Study of War](https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-25-2024) > [@](#): > > **Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia will imminently deploy North Korean forces to unspecified combat zones on October 27 and 28, as Russian and North Korean officials continued to issue vague yet suggestive statements regarding the possible presence of North Korean troops in Russia**.**[1]** Zelensky stressed that Russia’s involvement of North Korean forces in combat is an escalatory step and urged the international community to apply pressure on Moscow and Pyongyang. Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans confirmed on October 25 that Dutch intelligence assesses that Russia is deploying at least 1,500 North Korean forces likely to Kursk Oblast.[2] Ukraine’s Main Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR) published an intercepted audio recording on October 25 in which elements of the Russian 810th Naval Infantry Brigade (Black Sea Fleet, Southern Military District [SMD]) operating in Kursk Oblast reportedly expressed concerns about the ability of North Korean troops to adjust to Russian command culture and language upon their deployment to the region. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/655 "2024-10-26T08:38:04Z")
The movements of Nk troops are being closely monitored. It’s interesting that some of the intel is being released and reported. Probably a warning to NK. We’re watching you! [https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/what-we-know-about-north-korean-troops-joining-russias-war-ukraine-2024-10-21/?origin=serp\_auto](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/what-we-know-about-north-korean-troops-joining-russias-war-ukraine-2024-10-21/?origin=serp_auto) > [@](#): > > The Ukrainian intelligence agency said a total of around 12,000 North Korean troops, including 500 officers and three generals, were already in Russia, and training was taking place on five military bases. > > Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said North Korea had previously [deployed officers](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraines-zelenskiy-seeks-strong-reaction-north-korean-involvement-war-2024-10-20/) in Russian-occupied territory within Ukraine. > > “I believe they sent officers first to assess the situation before deploying troops,” Zelenskiy told reporters. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/656 "2024-10-26T17:54:44Z")
I have to wonder whether the Russians believe one benefit in using NK troops on the front lines is the likelihood that they’d be less likely to defect? They’d certainly be unable to read any “Come over! We have cookies!” enticements leaflet-dropped on them, and no doubt they’re being heavily indoctrinated on horrible things that would happen to them if they fall into the hands of the EVIL Ukraiinians, on top of the indoctrination they’ve already absorbed at home. ---
**Author:** ![Mops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mops/32/16494_2.png) [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/657 "2024-10-26T18:11:27Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > … and no doubt they’re being heavily indoctrinated on horrible things that would happen to them if they fall into the hands of the EVIL Ukraiinians, on top of the indoctrination they’ve already absorbed at home. That might be unnecessary because their extended family would be hostages to their good behaviour. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/658 "2024-10-26T18:12:18Z")
Good point. I hadn’t thought of that. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/659 "2024-10-26T18:20:24Z")
Trivial to create Korean propaganda. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2024, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/660 "2024-10-28T17:51:22Z")
I feared it was going to be dicey and cheating would prevail, and so it has happened: > **[In Georgia, Russia has just scored another victory against liberal democracy...](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/28/georgia-russia-democracy-kremlin-election)** > > The opposition claims Saturday’s election was stolen – but the pro-Kremlin Georgian Dream party did win over more voters than expected, says Coda Story CEO and editor-in-chief Natalia Antelava But what I did not expect was that Viktor Orbán would so blatantly jubilate. I really hope he pays for all this one day: > **[Orbán arrives in Georgia after hailing ruling party for ‘overwhelming victory’](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/28/viktor-orban-georgia-hailing-ruling-party-election-victory)** > > Hungary PM’s visit prompts anger in EU amid widespread concerns about voter intimidation and coercion If he flies to the USA next week it will be very bad news. I am sure he is looking forward to sticking the middle finger at the other heads of state and government in the EU. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349.md?page=32) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349.md?page=34)