Thanks for the updates. Regarding Macron and sending soldiers I really think that we should give Ukraine what it wants first: Weapons and ammunition. Sending enough troops to make a difference that way? Not easy. And those troops require supplies. .. and they are less experienced than the Ukrainians. If you really want to support Ukraine with soldiers ask the Finns for an attack on St. petersburg.
They do not need experience because chanses they will be involved in combat approximately 0.00567%. Expect maybe niche cases like handling very complex and valuable equipment like radars or else without 'cuddling' russians directly. Yet they can train people,do demaining and other tasks, and even that look like far and uncertain perspective to me.
A) About 200 years ago it was french guy called Napoleon who thinks, that invasion into Russia will be good deal... and results were, that russian horses were drinking from Seina and french restaurants learned new word like "Bystro - Bistro". Based on France army perfomance in last 100 years ( 2. World war, Vietnam, Africa) I do not think, that somebody is afraid of french military, or?
History does not rhyme, history repeats itself
B) Slovakia gave free of charge to Ukraine all military stuff (planes, tanks, Božena/Zuzana - 155MM howitzer, etc...) Slovakia gave, somebody else is selling... now Slovakia has nothing for its own protection because everything which Slovakia received for just borrowed... so... Slovakia gave free of charge, and now Slovakia can buy from friends from NATO... nothing is free of charge for Slovakia. Also, Slovakia (5 mil. citizens) accommodates more than 250.000 Ukrainian refugees, which have everything free of charge (accommodation, transport, health care)... free of charge for Ukrainians, but paid by Slovak taxpayers. But who cares about money, we are people, and we will help everybody, but nobody helps us... only for money, as usual.
1. The battle of Paris was fought by Russia, Austria and Prussia on one side, and the French on the other. Russia was never that mighty alone.
Also, the advantage of the Russian winter is kinda lost now with the global warming and the drone war.
2. Slovakia will never be left alone or unprotected; it is EU and NATO. Unless Fico and Orban prepare a surprise. I don't know what happens there, but since Fico won the elections, you have what you wanted, I guess. Hope it will get better.
2. We will see... but if now Russia is not capable of getting Charkov, which is 30 km away from Russian border, I am not affraid of russian capacity now to occupy Slovakia, Czechia or Germany, which is 2000-2500 km away from russian borders...
The western hospitality or honour was clearly shown in Munich in 1938 (Germany, Italy, French, UK)... so I am afraid, that it will be the same like in 1938 or 1948 or 1968...
Well, for us, the "buffer" states, it was never easy :) This is why I like the Intermarium project of Josef Pilsudski, or a modern variant. I know the Ukrainian don't like him, but I think an alliance of the nations that always had to fight between empires it's the best idea. But that is also difficult to accomplish.
Can't tell for all, but what's the point to like or dislike the idea which do not has any basis beneath it? I'm totally sure none of the potential intermarium states have any intention to engage in potential war on Ukraine side if shit hits the fan. Anything less then that is not alliance. Frankly speaking this country also will not fight to defend anyone. As economic union it cannot offer much while EU exist.Peoples mind just not there, thus no point to talk.
You see ? This is why us, the buffer states, were always so successful. We are in the same shit, but we don't like each other :) I am not speaking about competing with EU or NATO. I am speaking about an alliance that can work in parallel, with focus on specific issues. Anyway, forget it :)
And 3. I don't know how is everything made free for Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia, but in Romania, where you will also see a lot of people complaining that Ukrainians receive everything free from our money, actually for almost year and a half, for accommodation and food the "taxpayers" money went to the Romanian landlords, not directly to the refugees.
not every ukrainian are accepting food donation, free accomodation... many of them like cash money, free public transport, free healthcare... it is health turistic..., and some of them do not accept accomodation at homes (landlors) their prefer hotels or student hostels... there are many students at slovak universities, who do not received internat, because are already occupied by refugies... but so many luxurious cars (MB, BMW, Lexus) with ukrainian plates I have never seen before... if they change the plates for slovak, they are obliged to pay vignette, taxes... etc... but ukrainian cars, they dont pay any parking fees... ;-) we help them as much as possible... but there is also true, that many of them are also working every where, they are hard working... probably 10% of all.
First of all, if your country will be attacked, it will be the same, the rich people will run first, with their Lexuses and what they have. Yes, there are "rich" Ukrainians. I don't know why so many people are surprised. Ukraine was a normal country in Europe, year 2022. Poorer than others, but not so poor than some might think. They came a long way from the communism, just like us. Personally I don't mind that the "rich" Ukrainians choose my city. They are not the ones seeking for help, they cope by themselves. Also the programs for refugees helped some local resorts to recover after the pandemic. Most of the money go back to our economy. Yes, many of them do not want to learn the language and to integrate too much. They say it's because they want to go back, which is true, I guess. I am OK as long as they speak English.
If Slovakia is both in NATO and playing nice with Putin, then it has very few current defense needs. It makes sense to move the equipment to where it is needed.
Sorry to hear about this. Ukraine is facing an existential war and they are not in position to help Slovakia, blame should go to the EU on this one for not providing adequate replacements to Slovakia.
We understand situation of Ukraina, we do not expect anything from people of Ukraina, because it is not their fault... but politicians who they elected... We understand, that Russia is agrressor and Ukraina is victim, but not innocent victim... we can blame only politicians who allowed this situation... but we understand... that we/ as well as ukrainian people were electing politicians who allowed and created this situation... ukraina has got graves, we got refugees, and us got money, as usual... in last 250 years of existence of USA.
I agree, Victor Yanukovych caused all this by refusing to join the EU like most Ukrainians wanted. Good thing Ukraine now is voting politicians that will enable their EU dream
Prosperity of EU is based on cheap energy resources (mainly from Russia)... now, with higher prices for energy, products from Europe will not be competitive against Asia, America production... so we will see what it will bring to us. Asocciation agreement with Ukraine and EU was asymetric and not in favour of Ukraine, but in favour of EU... same situation with Slovakia/Czechia... when we were joined eu... EU euport to Slovakia without limits, Slovak exports to EU with many limits, restrictions a delays for 10-15 years... which means, we joined, but we destroyed our industry, our agriculture (EU with dotation, SK without dotation) so we could not compete against EU producers... now... agriculture suficiency in slovakia is less then 25%... we are importing potatoes from spain or australia, because our potatoes production decreased from 100% to 15% in last 30 years... som potatoes from australia, big green deal... but this is with everything.
Thank you very much. The shells which were « found » thanks to the Czech president who forced the hands of some by publicly announcing this, will take weeks or months to arrive in Ukraine ? You did write weeks but is this not too optimistic ? I am glad the Czech president did find the shells and that he found quite a lot. Thank you for comparing it to the US number of Shells to better understand.
I wrote what I read, which was weeks. That's certainly possible. I don't know how much would be arriving, but just 60k would double what Ukraine is currently firing for a month.
Big budgets matter, but you don't have to have a big country to make a big impact.
Our Mr.president anounced it, but it's effort of both CZ diplomacy and CZ defence industry, dont expect that prezident himself negotiated deliveries (we were first to deliver heavy weapons to UA, private donors bought tank, MLRS and we do continue see at the end of this text). We used his image to be impactfull @right place/time and it worked after months of negotiation (we succeded and pushed Macron into corner - its tme to act not to talk nice)
Don, the withdrawal of air defense systems from Slovakia is quite crass. They didn’t lease theirs to Ukraine but gave them for free. Any other country will now doubt future commitments for modern weapons. I guess that probably US/Italy offered joint flights on F-16 but still … Even politically which party in Slovakia do you think will say “I told you so”. Would Greece now send their own stuff? Bulgaria? Croatia? Or Slovakia after the government change
We gave already everything... so doesn't matter which government will be in power in Slovakia, we are now defenceless... what we got from the past, built in last 30 years (paid by Slovak taxpayers) is gone free of charge to Ukraine and that is.
You should be proud to be Slovakian. One of few contryes that understand the danger. Look at the donations like a way to keep Russia out of your backyard. You are NATO member, so you should be safe anyway. My country gives away material too, like NASAMS, Tanks, M109,F16, and billiaons to civil infrastructure and future rebuild. Keep ur head high and be proud.
Or we can say, shut up, pay taxes, dont care what hapenned to your money , and be proud and happy, that not far away are People killed, just give mé your money.
Thanks for the update Don . . .
Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are CSTO members.
Of course, thanks. Azerbaijan, Georgia and Uzbekistan left.
Thanks for the updates. Regarding Macron and sending soldiers I really think that we should give Ukraine what it wants first: Weapons and ammunition. Sending enough troops to make a difference that way? Not easy. And those troops require supplies. .. and they are less experienced than the Ukrainians. If you really want to support Ukraine with soldiers ask the Finns for an attack on St. petersburg.
I think there are a lot of issues with sending troops. I also think if you send Ukraine everything it needs, it will win.
As do I. So, no troops but pass the ammuntion.
They do not need experience because chanses they will be involved in combat approximately 0.00567%. Expect maybe niche cases like handling very complex and valuable equipment like radars or else without 'cuddling' russians directly. Yet they can train people,do demaining and other tasks, and even that look like far and uncertain perspective to me.
Far, uncertain and wrong kind of support.
2 things.:
A) About 200 years ago it was french guy called Napoleon who thinks, that invasion into Russia will be good deal... and results were, that russian horses were drinking from Seina and french restaurants learned new word like "Bystro - Bistro". Based on France army perfomance in last 100 years ( 2. World war, Vietnam, Africa) I do not think, that somebody is afraid of french military, or?
History does not rhyme, history repeats itself
B) Slovakia gave free of charge to Ukraine all military stuff (planes, tanks, Božena/Zuzana - 155MM howitzer, etc...) Slovakia gave, somebody else is selling... now Slovakia has nothing for its own protection because everything which Slovakia received for just borrowed... so... Slovakia gave free of charge, and now Slovakia can buy from friends from NATO... nothing is free of charge for Slovakia. Also, Slovakia (5 mil. citizens) accommodates more than 250.000 Ukrainian refugees, which have everything free of charge (accommodation, transport, health care)... free of charge for Ukrainians, but paid by Slovak taxpayers. But who cares about money, we are people, and we will help everybody, but nobody helps us... only for money, as usual.
1. The battle of Paris was fought by Russia, Austria and Prussia on one side, and the French on the other. Russia was never that mighty alone.
Also, the advantage of the Russian winter is kinda lost now with the global warming and the drone war.
2. Slovakia will never be left alone or unprotected; it is EU and NATO. Unless Fico and Orban prepare a surprise. I don't know what happens there, but since Fico won the elections, you have what you wanted, I guess. Hope it will get better.
1. I was referring about Napoleon intervention into Russia in 1812, but ok... ;-)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_invasion_of_Russia
2. We will see... but if now Russia is not capable of getting Charkov, which is 30 km away from Russian border, I am not affraid of russian capacity now to occupy Slovakia, Czechia or Germany, which is 2000-2500 km away from russian borders...
The western hospitality or honour was clearly shown in Munich in 1938 (Germany, Italy, French, UK)... so I am afraid, that it will be the same like in 1938 or 1948 or 1968...
Well, for us, the "buffer" states, it was never easy :) This is why I like the Intermarium project of Josef Pilsudski, or a modern variant. I know the Ukrainian don't like him, but I think an alliance of the nations that always had to fight between empires it's the best idea. But that is also difficult to accomplish.
Can't tell for all, but what's the point to like or dislike the idea which do not has any basis beneath it? I'm totally sure none of the potential intermarium states have any intention to engage in potential war on Ukraine side if shit hits the fan. Anything less then that is not alliance. Frankly speaking this country also will not fight to defend anyone. As economic union it cannot offer much while EU exist.Peoples mind just not there, thus no point to talk.
You see ? This is why us, the buffer states, were always so successful. We are in the same shit, but we don't like each other :) I am not speaking about competing with EU or NATO. I am speaking about an alliance that can work in parallel, with focus on specific issues. Anyway, forget it :)
Yes i'd like it to be this way to. But we have what we have
And 3. I don't know how is everything made free for Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia, but in Romania, where you will also see a lot of people complaining that Ukrainians receive everything free from our money, actually for almost year and a half, for accommodation and food the "taxpayers" money went to the Romanian landlords, not directly to the refugees.
not every ukrainian are accepting food donation, free accomodation... many of them like cash money, free public transport, free healthcare... it is health turistic..., and some of them do not accept accomodation at homes (landlors) their prefer hotels or student hostels... there are many students at slovak universities, who do not received internat, because are already occupied by refugies... but so many luxurious cars (MB, BMW, Lexus) with ukrainian plates I have never seen before... if they change the plates for slovak, they are obliged to pay vignette, taxes... etc... but ukrainian cars, they dont pay any parking fees... ;-) we help them as much as possible... but there is also true, that many of them are also working every where, they are hard working... probably 10% of all.
First of all, if your country will be attacked, it will be the same, the rich people will run first, with their Lexuses and what they have. Yes, there are "rich" Ukrainians. I don't know why so many people are surprised. Ukraine was a normal country in Europe, year 2022. Poorer than others, but not so poor than some might think. They came a long way from the communism, just like us. Personally I don't mind that the "rich" Ukrainians choose my city. They are not the ones seeking for help, they cope by themselves. Also the programs for refugees helped some local resorts to recover after the pandemic. Most of the money go back to our economy. Yes, many of them do not want to learn the language and to integrate too much. They say it's because they want to go back, which is true, I guess. I am OK as long as they speak English.
If Slovakia is both in NATO and playing nice with Putin, then it has very few current defense needs. It makes sense to move the equipment to where it is needed.
Sorry to hear about this. Ukraine is facing an existential war and they are not in position to help Slovakia, blame should go to the EU on this one for not providing adequate replacements to Slovakia.
We understand situation of Ukraina, we do not expect anything from people of Ukraina, because it is not their fault... but politicians who they elected... We understand, that Russia is agrressor and Ukraina is victim, but not innocent victim... we can blame only politicians who allowed this situation... but we understand... that we/ as well as ukrainian people were electing politicians who allowed and created this situation... ukraina has got graves, we got refugees, and us got money, as usual... in last 250 years of existence of USA.
I agree, Victor Yanukovych caused all this by refusing to join the EU like most Ukrainians wanted. Good thing Ukraine now is voting politicians that will enable their EU dream
Prosperity of EU is based on cheap energy resources (mainly from Russia)... now, with higher prices for energy, products from Europe will not be competitive against Asia, America production... so we will see what it will bring to us. Asocciation agreement with Ukraine and EU was asymetric and not in favour of Ukraine, but in favour of EU... same situation with Slovakia/Czechia... when we were joined eu... EU euport to Slovakia without limits, Slovak exports to EU with many limits, restrictions a delays for 10-15 years... which means, we joined, but we destroyed our industry, our agriculture (EU with dotation, SK without dotation) so we could not compete against EU producers... now... agriculture suficiency in slovakia is less then 25%... we are importing potatoes from spain or australia, because our potatoes production decreased from 100% to 15% in last 30 years... som potatoes from australia, big green deal... but this is with everything.
#4 read and found to be interesting Thanks Don now on to #5
Thank you very much. The shells which were « found » thanks to the Czech president who forced the hands of some by publicly announcing this, will take weeks or months to arrive in Ukraine ? You did write weeks but is this not too optimistic ? I am glad the Czech president did find the shells and that he found quite a lot. Thank you for comparing it to the US number of Shells to better understand.
I wrote what I read, which was weeks. That's certainly possible. I don't know how much would be arriving, but just 60k would double what Ukraine is currently firing for a month.
Big budgets matter, but you don't have to have a big country to make a big impact.
Thank you.
Our Mr.president anounced it, but it's effort of both CZ diplomacy and CZ defence industry, dont expect that prezident himself negotiated deliveries (we were first to deliver heavy weapons to UA, private donors bought tank, MLRS and we do continue see at the end of this text). We used his image to be impactfull @right place/time and it worked after months of negotiation (we succeded and pushed Macron into corner - its tme to act not to talk nice)
no lethal https://www.darujme.cz/projekt/1205934?locale=en&fbclid=IwAR2_RI9dP8vFn444fECozohunb66AdhUYtmNu8E4Tj2thr5ywunwfiONdjw%23prispevatele
lethal and other https://www.weaponstoukraine.com/filtr-campaign/vsechny-kampane
Don, the withdrawal of air defense systems from Slovakia is quite crass. They didn’t lease theirs to Ukraine but gave them for free. Any other country will now doubt future commitments for modern weapons. I guess that probably US/Italy offered joint flights on F-16 but still … Even politically which party in Slovakia do you think will say “I told you so”. Would Greece now send their own stuff? Bulgaria? Croatia? Or Slovakia after the government change
We gave already everything... so doesn't matter which government will be in power in Slovakia, we are now defenceless... what we got from the past, built in last 30 years (paid by Slovak taxpayers) is gone free of charge to Ukraine and that is.
You should be proud to be Slovakian. One of few contryes that understand the danger. Look at the donations like a way to keep Russia out of your backyard. You are NATO member, so you should be safe anyway. My country gives away material too, like NASAMS, Tanks, M109,F16, and billiaons to civil infrastructure and future rebuild. Keep ur head high and be proud.
Or we can say, shut up, pay taxes, dont care what hapenned to your money , and be proud and happy, that not far away are People killed, just give mé your money.