I've never trusted the man, but on this, I agree 100%.
Europe not ready

Appealing for urgent military aid for Ukraine, Mr Tusk warned the next two years of the war would decide everything, adding: "We are living in the most critical moment since the end of the Second World War."

Sorry, but he's a decade too far.
Many in Europe & even Britain were too blind.

I think that's what they call "boiling the frog". There is disagreement about what would be more likely to cause the frog to escape, heating the pot too quickly or too slowly. Opinions differ throughout Europe and America. The awkward compromise is to leave the temperature uncomfortably hot, but too low to get a cooked frog. Against expectations the frog eventually will jump out. Just when and where?

PooTin is throwing away the lives hand over fist of his war criminals to make gains before the Ukraine receives its much needed weapons.

Russia on Course for Deadliest Week in Months.

Yes the Ukraine needs your weapons while Israel does not.

Ukraine Scores Massive Weapons Boost From NATO Nation.

But the Ukraine is making use of those that have arrived.

Crimea Rocked by Explosions as Bridge Shut.

Just when and where?

Or will it be nuclear?

More evidence of collusion between Russia, North Korea and China found.

UN officials have revealed the worrying discovery hidden in debris following a missile strike on a decimated Ukrainian city.

UN officials have declared that debris found around the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv showed remains of North Korean missiles that were likely provided to Russia to aid Vladimir Putin’s ongoing war effort.

In developments that have sent chills up geopolitical experts’ spines, North Korea’s Kim Jong-un has pledged to strengthen military relations with Russia as the European superpower persists in funnelling billions into its “special military campaign” that continues to destabilise the globe.

Western powers have now accused North Korea of transferring weapons to Russia, fearing they will ultimately be used against Ukrainian civilians.

Both Russia and North Korea have denied those accusations while simultaneously pledging to build on their existing relations as tensions continue to mount between major industrialised powers the world over.

Now, there appears to be evidence North Korea has been shipping over missiles.

The 32-page UN report said “debris recovered from a missile that landed in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on January 2 derives from a DPRK Hwasong-11 series missile”. .......

.......More evidence of the strengthening relationship between Russia and China also emerged this month, with satellite images showing China was providing moorage for a US-sanctioned Russian cargo ship accused of facilitating North Korean arms transfers......

A 98-year-old in Ukraine walked miles to safety from Russians, with slippers and a cane

Describing her journey, the nonagenarian said she had fallen twice and was forced to stop to rest at some points, even sleeping along the way before waking up and continuing her journey.

“Once I lost balance and fell into weeds. I fell asleep … a little, and continued walking. And then, for the second time, again, I fell. But then I got up and thought to myself: “I need to keep walking, bit by bit,’ ...”

Just when and where?

Or will it be nuclear?

A hollow threat uttered frequently since Feb 2022. I'm the nuclear superpower. You dwarfs better duck and cover as I have a zillion warheads. I can murder, kill, pillage wherever I want. Better nobody dares to cross my path or I will destroy the planet. That's not how nuclear deterrence works.

Putin doesn't care about international treaties, so at least a minor nuclear test explosion deep subsea or above Novaya Zemlya in the Arctics was a possibility, to affirm the threat.. not even that. However, the German ostrich immediately sticks its head in the sand; waits until danger has passed. Putin knows us well. The French rooster slept long, ignored all the noise then puffs himself up and announces to appear on scene if he is challenged. The safest option seems to be a way in between.

So boil the frog quickly but thoroughly... like lobster. A lid on the pot helps to prevent surprises.

Where does restraint, caution, the effort not to provoke Putin leads us?

Russia using chemical choking agents in Ukraine, US says
wrote:

The US has accused Russia of deploying chemical weapons as a "method of warfare" in Ukraine, in violation of international laws banning their use.

Chloropicrin [...] is an oily substance which was widely used during World War One. It causes irritation of the lungs, eyes and skin and can cause vomiting, nausea and diarrhoea, according to the US Centre for Disease Control (CDC).

The chemical's use in war is expressly banned under the CWC, and is listed as a choking agent by the OPCW.

President Joe Biden has previously warned Russia against deploying chemical weapons in Ukraine. [...] Mr Biden vowed that President Vladimir Putin would pay a "severe price" if he did authorise the use of chemical weapons.

These things can get really nasty; another aspect of WWI warfare. I do no longer believe in Russia's assurance it has destroyed all stocks of chemical agents according to the OPCW ban. Rational powers reject such weapons, and despise the moral rot shown by those, who think it's a justified means of warfare. But what to expect from somebody who orders to bring Novitchok to a peaceful British city? Pathetic.

There have been too many "Don'ts" in recent years, only to be ignored shortly after: Syria, Iran, Russia. An alarming trend.

They must also be the sloppiest armed forces going.

Russia Accidentally Bombs Itself Again.

While PooTin loses another 1.

Russia Just Lost Another Su-25 Fighter Jet.

As the U.S. ramps up production of an item that PooTin doesn't like.

US About to Build a Whole Lot More ATACMS missiles.

But PooTin is getting ready for yet another meat grinder with his war criminals.

Russia Amassing Tens of Thousands of Troops Around Key Ukrainian Town.

Volodymyr dodges another of PooTin's plans.

Zelensky Assassination Plot Foiled.

It also seems that North Korean missiles are about as reliable as the shells that little overfed Kim is supplying PooTin with.

Russia's Missiles From North Korea Are Exploding midair.

And could PooTin be so stupid?

Russia Ready To Launch Offensive on NATO Country, Poland Warns.

... And could PooTin be so stupid?

Russia Ready To Launch Offensive on NATO Country, Poland Warns.

Simple answer:

Yes.


Especially so if that might keep him in power and alive for another day...

Regardless of how many others lose their life.

And we have a very unfortunate all-too-recent past example of that where over a million lives were sacrificed for the sake of keeping a war monger despot in power and alive for a few more weeks... Despite the very obvious impossible odds... (The anniversary of the end of that one deadly life was a few days ago...)


All in our deadly political world,
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

Today this day Putin invades Kharkiv...


How many more must die?

All in our deadly political world...
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

PooTin's war criminals are still dropping bombs in the wrong places, but they don't all go off.

Russia Drops Drone on Russian Kindergarten.

Meanwhile his "meat grinder" tactics are sort of working.

Russia Makes Front Line Breakthrough in Ukraine.

But it's coming at a huge cost to his forces.

Russia Unable To Sustain Scale of Losses.

As the Ukrainian reach extends further creating more problems for PooTin and his mob goons.

Ukraine Breaks New Ground With Drone Strikes on Russian Oil Hubs.

Russia Hit with Unexpected Headache from Oil Refinery Attacks.

PooTin's Crown Jewel Forced Into Fire Sale Amid Record Losses.

While his Victory Day parade fell well short.

PooTin Mocked Over Single Tank at Victory Parade,

And so Putin expands his borders:


Russian attack on Kharkiv continues as Moscow says it has taken five villages
wrote:

... Russia launched the armoured incursion early on Friday, an attack that may presage a broader push into the Kharkiv region or aim to draw away overstretched Ukrainian forces in the east...

... taking advantage of Ukraine’s shortages of troops and artillery shells...

... Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, urged Kyiv’s western allies to speed up the supply of promised weapons.

He said: “It is important that partners support our soldiers and Ukrainian stability with timely supplies. Really timely. The package that really helps is the weapons brought to Ukraine, not just the ones announced.”

Reminder: Yet more people die.

And again, appeasement never works.


All in our deadly game of politics...
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

... And could PooTin be so stupid?

Russia Ready To Launch Offensive on NATO Country, Poland Warns.

Simple answer:

Yes.

I'm not afraid of a conventional military attack or of nuclear threats. Putin isn't stupid.

But I'm afraid of all the novel military drone tech, we've seen in videos from Ukraine. Imagine a commercial cargo ship with thousands of containers. And some of them release a swarm of armed drones near the coastline of a NATO country in the Baltic Sea or North Sea. Such drones can wreak havoc in our demilitarized post-Cold War societies. Who's the culprit then? Putin? Never! Perfect deniability. Do we have a capable anti-drone defense anywhere? Russian intelligence services and their agents... are said to have hundreds if not thousands of operatives all over Europe. There's the electric transmission grid, transformer stations, pressure booster stations along gas pipelines. Difficult and time consuming to repair such infrastructure... I guess we'll continue the 'Sitting Duck' game as in the last two years. Kharkiv is far away, almost 2,000 kilometers, right? It's so peaceful here, isn't it?

PooTin's war criminals are putting locals at risk by using them as shields (a plan to cause outrage?).

Russians Outraged as Video Shows Artillery Open Fire from Busy Road

But the Ukrainians are hitting back with strikes on PooTin's refineries and war criminal bases.

Ukraine's Drones Attack Russia's Only Large Black Sea Oil Refinery.

Crimea Satellite Images Show Aftermath of 'Massive' ATACMS Strike.

Meanwhile we have some things on the way for Ukraine.

Inflatable Combat Boats for Ukraine to Come from the Land Down Under.

More on the boat (video).

Tassie boat builder working on next round of Ukraine support.

The Ukraine maybe on the back foot ATM (mainly due to PooTin loving MAGA morons), but they're still making an impression as PooTin loses yet another jet.

Ukraine Shoots Down Fourth Russian Fighter Jet in Two Weeks.

Plus another ship.

Ukraine Destroys Russian Black Sea 'Kovrovets' Minesweeper.

With the possibility of another 1.

Russia's Black Sea Fleet Loses Another Warship.

And infrastructure.

Ukraine Launches ATACMS in Major Attack on Russian Targets.

The Ukraine maybe on the back foot ATM (mainly due to PooTin loving MAGA morons), but they're still making an impression as PooTin loses yet another jet.

Don't forget all the Putin appeasers in Europe. They are explaining each day: "We" have to negotiate with Putin! ...whoever is meant by "we"...