Imagine that. Germany & Austria on the wrong side again. Or at the very least sitting on the fence & being two-faced.
I don't don't see any chamge in Putin's stance than what was already made public. Before that, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said during an April 13 interview that Russia will consider U.S. and NATO vehicles transporting weapons on Ukrainian territory as "legitimate military targets." Putin is still confining the conflict to Ukranian soil. At this pont whether or not the supplies are being transported by Ukranians doesn't matter to Putin. Pnce on Ukranian soil it's fair game.
If I recall correctly 80% of Germany's oil and natural gas imports are coming from Russia. To be blunt Germany is between a rock and a hard spot as are other European Nations. Given the percentage even rationing wouldn't help much other to make the population highly irate and envious of others that do not suffer the same fate. While some will look at Germany and Austria as being two faced it boils down to a matter of survival in an energy hungry world. Oil is king and it will remain so in the foreseeable future. The heavy equipment required for war doesn't operate on renewables As of 2022 Germany ranks 10th in consumption of oil at 2,045,000 barrels per day. This chart is a break down of Germany's energy mix.
Yeah he's just repeating himself. Seems to be talking points ahead of the parade to justify declaring "war", combined with the attacks on Russian territories. Which could be Ukrainians, could be Russian false flags, could be Russians against the war, or a healthy mix. But he'll use them as part of his excuses.
I get that but other countries are in similar situations & have made arrangements through other countries such as UAE. I know Germany claims it's going to wean off Russian gas/oil by the end of the year but I'll believe it when I see it. The Chancellor has been friendly with Putin & it feels like he's been dragged reluctantly into the weapons deals/sanctions. At least then release a timetable to show you're really doing what needs to be done. They're helping finance Russia's destruction of Ukraine and that's not okay.
In Buchca they just slaughtered them with bullets and left them to lie or buried them in mass graves. Does the method of genocide matter? Gas or gut shot due to your religion or ethnicity, left to die. Genocide either way. In Mariupol, itvis suspected that they burned the bodies to reduce the overwhelming evidence of war crimes against civilians. Ukrainian officials accuse Russia of using 'mobile crematoriums' in Mariupol Does violent murder of men, women, children not warrant support of those trying to protect the most defenseless among them? Does kidnapping m
For Germany it's a pipe dream that will not happen anytime soon. The issue is the high percentage rate. I am not aware of any other European Nation in or out the EU that relies as heavily on Russian oil. Think for a moment the issue with Germany is 20% comes from somewhere else. That 20% that comes from somewhere else either doesn't have the capacity to supply Germany or they are now ramping up to supply current customers that rely on Russian oil with lower percentages. Even if other suppliers could satisfy the need these suppliers are not going to put Russian oil out of business. To do so would mean they would need to produce and match the current exports of Russia to satisfy everyone. It should be clear to everyone just because the European Union, the United States, Canada and other nations are participating in the sanctions it is not the final word nor can it be enforced. The previous articles I posted makes this very clear as nations will trade in their own currency versus US dollars and Euros.
All wars are genocide of a nation so there is no disagreement there. Let me be very clear about that which we are discussing. Of what value is the Ukraine to the US? What was the value of Vietnam to the US? What was the value of Afghanistan to the US? What was the value of Iraq to the US? Obviously not much because three of the four are back to there original state of government. Ukraine has waffled back and forth but has always returned to its autocracy, kleptocracy tendencies and it mattered not if it was under Russian rule. Now if you want to compare to WWII. Of what value were the democratic nations of Europe to the US? I'll answer the question. They were of much more value to the US than Ukraine, Vietnam, Afghanistan or Iraq. Not only were they of significant value to the US they were unified in supporting the values of the US.
Countries in western europe should be able to move imported energy to the east to help Germany. Any spare electrical capacity should flow east if possible. Strategic reserves can be tapped, UK, France, Germany can ask KSA or others to increase their capacity. The loss can be mitigated.
They don't have enough to satisfy the needs of Germany and themsleves as well. This is the issue in a nut shell.
There is a moral value for supporting those that are defending their families against a maniacal tyrant that far exceeds the financial burden. We sat by and let the ovens burn, we stopped it in Kosovo, and we should help stop it here too. One substantial difference between Ukraine and others you mentioned; there is overwhelming proof of widespread war crimes coming in real time. Just like cell phones and body cams are changing policing, digital media and net access is going to be used to demand accountability for war crimes long before it is too late to matter. We will agree to disagree on the moral value attached to the aid. From a purely selfish perspective, we need Ukraine to stay in the fight as long as possible and have Russia blacklisted for the time that Putin or his ilk are ruling Russia by decree. Russian wealth, prestige, military supplies, soldiers, airbplanes etc is being depleted daily. NATO is set to expand, the oligarchs are turning on Putin. We could spend a trillion and not create that confluence of events so favorable to the west. That should appeal to your utilitarian side
Btw - on the Russian threats to those helping, they're hiring Wagner Group mercenaries, and Syrian/Chechnyan ones too. If YOU'RE allowed outside help... How dare anyone help Ukraine *sarcasm*
There is always a moral value in war on both sides of the fence no less. When you arm the public everyone is the enemy and that should come as no surprise. Genocide and ovens burn on both sides of the moral divide. Make no mistake that is war. Since we are talking about war I'm certain there are war crimes on both sides of the conflict. It is inevitable. It is war by definition which is kill or be killed no grey lines. It is black and white as to the roles everyone involved plays. Some nations will support war from a moral point of view other nations will not support war from a moral point of view. All nations will consider their own interests first. African, Central and South American nations offer no support at all with the exception of lip service. Are they any less moral for not doing so? OK so you want the Ukraine to do the dirty work the US refuses to do? If it is Putin and the Russians you want annihilated make your case and put boots on the ground. For what it is worth I would say the majority of Americans will gripe but will not take the call to arms. Why is that? They don't see the value in another senseless war. Neither you nor I has a say in what our government decides to spend tax payer money on. That is left to the representatives we elect regardless of the will of the people. We should all be concerned about the depletion of war time equipment, wealth, prestige etc.. This is happening across the board for everyone involved. The US, NATO and other nations supporting this effort are not immune and the tax payers will foot the bill for every bullet, plane, rifle, pistol, missile, uniform etc... In the mean time arms dealers and manufactures that support the war with uniforms, food, tents, electronics, etc... will get wealthy. You are more than welcome to believe this is a utilitarian point of view. It is a picture of war that I paint in the most critical sense of understanding what war is and the results derived of such actions.
