Russian Ukraine Invasion

[Syne]

At this point, it might seem more daunting to transition from a wartime economy than to keep fighting.

[Yazata]

The Ukranian position continues to deteriorate in Pokrovsk. They are fighting on three sides and the Russians have begun making noticeable gains each day. I'm guessing that Ukraine will have to start thinking about withdrawing eventually. But as we saw in Bakhmut and then in Avdiivka and then in Kursk, they are loathe to do that, willing to take casualties and wait until the last minute, defending increasingly indefensible positions.

It's also getting late in summer 2025. If Ukraine is contemplating another of their summer offensives, we should be seeing it soon. (If it's coming at all.) In 2023 they launched their grand 60,000 man offensive in the south bristling with supposedly invincible NATO equipment and tactics... that went nowhere. In 2024 they surprised everyone by punching into Russia proper with more success, carving out a small enclave that they held for the better part of a year, forcing the Russians to commit a large force to retake it. So far in 2025, crickets.

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[Syne]

I wonder when new US weapons purchased by NATO will make their way to the battlefield... and if it will have a noticeable effect.

[stryder]

I wonder when new US weapons purchased by NATO will make their way to the battlefield... and if it will have a noticeable effect.

It depends if Putin capitulates to Trumps demand within the next 8 days. After all it's a timeline and if there was a chance of a ceasefire then it's likely the "supply" will not flow properly until that date is exhausted. (Since Trump and his thinks crippling Ukraine is the way to get a ceasefire initially)


That being said Ukraines already got some problems internally with a Corruption probe into how money thats been spent on drones has been inflated during warfare.
Supposedly those commiting the fraud were doing up to a 30% markup on the costs. That means Ukraine could of have 30% more drones fielded if the corruption hadn't existed, which in turn means some of the deaths that it's been suffering could of been avoidable if people concerned themselves with their country more rather than their pocket.

[Syne]

I just looked it up. Apparently the deal is for NATO countries to start sending Ukraine weapons from their stockpiles immediately, and then buy from the US to resupply.
The Aug 8th deadline is just about sanctions.

Yeah, I said early on that Ukraine was known for corruption.

[Yazata]

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[Syne]

Zelenskyy is refusing any compromise that includes land swaps, so Putin seems to have surged the attack leading up to his meeting with Trump.
I'm sure Putin wants to negotiate from a position of strength. So does Zelenskyy, but he has nothing to demonstrate strength.

[Syne]

Europe is STILL buying more oil from Russia than sanctions are taking out of the Russian economy.
IOW, Europe is directly funding the war on Ukraine.

[stryder]

Europe is STILL buying more oil from Russia than sanctions are taking out of the Russian economy.
IOW, Europe is directly funding the war on Ukraine.

When you say Europe you mean Hungary (And possibly a few other countries that have been under Russias sphere of influence.)

The problem at the moment appears to be China, India (although they've been hit with higher tariffs) and Turkey (Who are notorious for wheeling and dealing historically).

[Syne]

Europe is STILL buying more oil from Russia than sanctions are taking out of the Russian economy.
IOW, Europe is directly funding the war on Ukraine.

When you say Europe you mean Hungary (And possibly a few other countries that have been under Russias sphere of influence.)

The problem at the moment appears to be China, India (although they've been hit with higher tariffs) and Turkey (Who are notorious for wheeling and dealing historically).

Several European countries still import oil from Russia, despite ongoing sanctions and political tensions. Key importers include Hungary, Slovakia, and to a lesser extent, France, Belgium, and Spain. Hungary and Slovakia primarily rely on Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline, while others, like France, import Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG). - Google AI

All are EU member nations. Why hasn't the EU, and it's other member nations, applied pressure to stop funding Russia's war?
Macron was even at the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting, but his country still buys from Russia.

The problem with secondary sanctions on India is driving a large economy straight into the arms of Russia and China, in a more permanent economic alliance.