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Post Info TOPIC: Ukraine


Tennis legend

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Ukraine


Very worrying news to wake up to this morning. Putin's steady assault on the West has been going on for years - some of it covertly such as trying to influence elections and cyber warfare, to more overt attacks such as the annexation of Crimea.

But overnight his attacks have taken a huge step up in level and there are going to be some very tough decisions to be made by his opponents.  Clearly the sanctions imposed by the UK and others have not had any effect ad he is carrying on regardless. I did think the UK's sanctions were weak, but in truth, a much harsher set of sanctions would probably not have had any more impact at this time and I do understand the need to keep a few aces up the sleeve.

Are we heading for more widespread armed conflict ?  Is Putin going to stop in the separatist areas or will he go on to Kyiv ?  His rhetoric about stamping out 'the fascists controlling Ukraine' and the comparisons to WW2 and how the Nazis should have been stamped out much earlier, suggest the latter.

Then you have to ask about the other Baltic states - Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.  Are they next ?  Perhaps not immediately, but Putin has been patient in his attempts to invade Ukraine and so the other states may well be in danger in the coming years.  The fact that they are part of NATO may dissuade him, but he seems hell bent on recreating the USSR.

There are dark days ahead as many have said, and I really don't see any easy solutions for the West or NATO.



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Bob in Spain wrote:

Very worrying news to wake up to this morning. Putin's steady assault on the West has been going on for years - some of it covertly such as trying to influence elections and cyber warfare, to more overt attacks such as the annexation of Crimea.

But overnight his attacks have taken a huge step up in level and there are going to be some very tough decisions ato be made by his opponents.  Clearly the sanctions imposed by the UK and others have not had any effect ad he is carrying on regardless. I did think the UK's sanctions were weak, but in truth, a much harsher set of sanctions would probably not have had any more impact at this time and I do understand the need to keep a few aces up the sleeve.

Are we heading for more widespread armed conflict ?  Is Putin going to stop in the separatist areas or will he go on to Kyiv ?  His rhetoric about stamping out 'the fascists controlling Ukraine' and the comparisons to WW2 and how the Nazis should have been stamped out much earlier, suggest the latter.

Then you have to ask about the other Baltic states - Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.  Are they next ?  Perhaps not immediately, but Putin has been patient in his attempts to invade Ukraine and so the other states may well be in danger in the coming years.  The fact that they are part of NATO may dissuade him, but he seems hell bent on recreating the USSR.

There are dark days ahead as many have said, and I really don't see any easy solutions for the West or NATO.


 The irony here is Putin calling others fascist. I mean, come on, Putin is probably the worlds leading fascist right now, as was always pointed out there is a thin line politically between fascism and communism and it was always just a little step over the line.

 

Dark days indeed - how the West reacts now will determine what happens in the Baltic states you mention. But we also need to be careful not to escalate things - I am not sure Boris summoning his inner Churchill right now is something we need, he needs to be skilful and tactful, as do the other leaders to ensure this doesnt become something much more dangerous to us all in our warm, cozy homes 



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Challenger level

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The Russians and Chinese will look at whats good(?) for their countries for decades, even a century ahead, by comparison ours tend to make decisions based around each leaders term in office. A couple of articles I have read this morning are suggesting Putin may rue this decision, it could be the start of the end for him from a financial point of view. It is indeed very worrying, especially as this is just the start of this saga. I am not suggesting WW3 like some but certainly this could escalate in ways I presume all of us are dreading.

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 Its really not as bad as they say :)



Tennis legend

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Got a friend who is in Bulgaria (works here and splits time between the two). Bulgarians are looking to see what Turkey does. Turkey is in NATO but chummy with Russia as well. Ukraine have asked Turkey to create a no fly zone and shut the Bosporus to shipping. Turkey havent responded yet, which is causing worry as well

Bulgarians feeling very vulnerable as many in the region will be

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Should we consider a sporting ban on Russia and/or on Russians. We could boycott Russian tournaments. We could ban Russian players from international competition. It would be a fairly painless way of adding pressure on Russia and show the Russian people that, despite what Putin might tell them, the world does not approve of the actions by Putin.

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Peter too wrote:

Should we consider a sporting ban on Russia and/or on Russians. We could boycott Russian tournaments. We could ban Russian players from international competition. It would be a fairly painless way of adding pressure on Russia and show the Russian people that, despite what Putin might tell them, the world does not approve of the actions by Putin.


 Well, the Champions League final has been moved this am to Paris; and the Russian place in the WOrld Cup qualifiers, where they are due to play Poland at home, is now being discussed. Either venue moving or them being kicked out?

ATP chose not to do anything to China re Peng situation , neither did IOC (who are also toothless on drugs where Russia get to compete , being called Russian Olympic Ctte instead of under their flag. My feeling is tennis and athletics and the like will most likely turn a blind eye. Our number one is now a Russian, so self interest will prevail 



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Formula 1 has cancelled the Russian Grand Prix race - but only (seemingly) because of intense pressure from drivers

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There are now no direct flights from GB to Russia after a tit for tat banning order.

I don't see any sports person travelling to Russia for competition for some time unless they are from Russia or pro Russian countries.

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Cancelling Russian events and banning Russian teams - yes. A bit tough / unfair though to take action on individual competitors.



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Cant copy it but Twitter photos of Dayana Yastrzemska and her sister evacuating Kyiv after two nights in a car park, leaving her parents behind. Very emotional pictures and text.

Wish them well.

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Latest news is that some of the support that Putin had in the Eastern European countries is deteriorating. He is being heavily criticised by Czech President Zemen and Hungary's Prime Minister Orban who up to now have been staunch supporters.

I was also interesting yesterday to see China stating that Ukraine's territory and sovereignty should be respected and China followed that up by abstaining in the UN vote against Putin, when one might have expected them to support him.

On a much more personal level and tennis related, a tearful video hear from Sergiy Stakhovsky who reveals he is returning to Ukraine to join the army and to fight against the Russians.

twitter.com/samstreetwrites/status/1497531664926445575

Stay safe Sergiy, along with all the other brave souls defending your country.

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All just so shocking and scary .....

I know one Ukrainian guy quite well. Saw him yesterday. Really nice guy. Looks like he hasn't slept all week. His daughter is over there. Just terrifying.

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Well done Poland and Sweden on refusing to play Russia in the World Cup qualifying.

Russia should be thrown out - if they arent and Poland and Sweden pull out or get punished, teams like England should threaten to boycott the finals in protest. The organisers wont let FIFA allow that to happen; fifa need to act decisively and not Pussy foot here and throw Russia out.

I also see sports bodies like the Skiing have refused entry to Russian competitors, it will be interesting to see how tennis acts on this .

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Not sure they can stop Russian competitors competing outside of Russia.
There were slalom skiers from Russia competing today

Meanwhile China pushing Russia to have peace talks and Turkey refusing to let Russian warships into Turkish waters.

Swift payment to Russia look like being cut now

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JonH comes home wrote:

Cant copy it but Twitter photos of Dayana Yastrzemska and her sister evacuating Kyiv after two nights in a car park, leaving her parents behind. Very emotional pictures and text.

Wish them well.


 Yastramenska went to Bucharest and then the WTA event in Lyon gave her a wild card and she is now in the main draw there. Must surreal. 



-- Edited by JonH comes home on Sunday 27th of February 2022 07:19:39 AM

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