I am one who has kept an eye on the situation in Ukraine in Ukraine since the US sponsored coup in 2014 on Russian Federation and especially alternative news sources from the US, which includes articles from informed insiders who are often the most scathing about what their own and other western governments get up to. Those whose knowledge of the issue is basically from the Western mainstream media, which seems to include author of article obviously have little idea of the half truths, lies and spin it has been peddling. The Russians are obviously winning the physical war but are very far behind in the west regarding propaganda war. For a start, re all the claims about their military action being supposedly unjustified, many people believe this because they know little or nothing about all the background story details. The action Vladimir Putin was authorised by the Russian Parliament to initiate seemed "just in time" before the Ukrainian government launched a full scale invasion against the so called "rebels" in Eastern Ukraine who declared independence from Kiev because they did not want to be ruled by the US installed puppet regime there. They had been subjected to a terror type war for the last 8 years which has resulted in around 14,000 people killed with the Ukrainian government ignoring Minsk peace agreements and hoping to retake the area by force. Russia recognised the states of Donetsk and Lugansk after their Presidents ASKED for help. Now is working with their militaries get the basically Western sponsored Ukrainian forces out. The stated aims of Russia is for independence of largely ethnic Russian areas from the rest of Ukraine and guarantee that Ukraine will not join NATO. Of which effective purpose has long been to keep the US in Europe, Russia out and Germany down. Seems now the Russian Federation does not want to take over areas where locals do not want it to - including in other former Soviet Union states.

I think Putin waited until he was sure 'the west' wouldn't interfere with his planned invasion of Ukraine.
The fact that he also avoided conflict during the 'games' shows he is trying to keep China 'on side'.
No logical person wants to pursue a policy of force to deal with this matter?
The idea of 'war at any cost' is for comic books only?
But in this case, a limit has been reached?
People can no longer stand by and allow death and destruction in Ukraine to continue?
And the following fact is as true now as it ever was.
That a stitch in time does save nine.
Far less costly to stop the nonsense now than wait for it to grow out of control.
All thinking leaders should consider taking positive steps NOW?
And I don't mean out the door to the nearest bomb shelter.

The Ukraine war and the actions of Russia are none of our business.
Both are two of the most corrupt regimes in Europe.
And we in Australia don’t need their corrupted refugees either.
We need to attend to our own refugees as a priority, them being the homeless looking for non existent social housing.

Dan

There, there ttbn

No need to sink to the level of personally abusing someone pointing out truth.

Why can't you be decent and adult instead. Try arguing the point? Too hard for you?

Hiding behind the rules of Nato doesn't excuse taking no action against a cowardly aggressor.

An aggressor bully you should note is being beaten back by the simple determination and unity of people with courage.

You, like Nato should admit and support that.

What's wrong with you?
'How about surrender and talking?'
Putin and his stupid supporters are too stupid to see that's what he needs to do.

There you go again, Wrong.

Fact: During the Cold War there were no hot wars in Europe and it was ended by the Courage of a US President. The evil USSR crumbled and the nations they subjugated in East Europe chose Liberal Democracy ... stupid ... to see anything else as truth ... is self evident stupidity.

And while Zelensk is in the middle of a war zone, he is with his friends, Putin is among enemies in Moscow.

Alan,
Tanks are not needed, in defence. They are needed for attack.

They can't get the 39 migs they've already asked for.

The Ukrainians have already stopped Putin. He can't go anywhere else. He's stuffed. His response is to kill civilians and destroy their community infrastructure. We should stop that.

Nato should show courage. They have a leadership problem.

Russia will be thrown back. Now tell me Alan what are you and the nato courageless going to do when Ukraine starts attacking emplacements in Belarus, Crimea and Russia.

Do you think the Ukrainians should make a deal with the Russians as Biden and the White House want them to do? And have worked for in the last week.

Simply utterly gutless.

Fester

Dead right. Watch out you'll be abused in here.

Well said Ipso facto.

Jesus Diver that's what my grandad said about Europe in 1915, and as a leader in the anti conscription riots in NZ he was jailed.
be careful now.

Alan,

Don't get too silly, old fella. I am not pro-Russian; I'm pro human life and pro common sense. It's all very well for you to say "Far better to die on your feet fighting for your freedom than on your knees begging for it!" You are not in Ukraine doing the fighting, and you are at the end of your own life. I could tell you why your comments about Russian culture are completely off the wall, but you don't listen, so I am not going to bother.

Dan,

I agree. None of our business.

Nutter,

What an appropriate name you chose for yourself. With so little self-respect, heavens knows what people who know you must think of you. I have not abused anyone on this thread, but I will change that by calling you a nincompoop. Like most people ignorant of Russia, Russians, Ukranians, and just about everyone and everything, you couldn't find your arse with both hands.