re: Latest Updates: Russia-Ukraine Conflict

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Unless Ukraine and the West create a serious plan to radically increase aid to support mobilization - where Ukraine commits to mobilizing more people on the condition that they are properly armed and trained, and the West provides robust air defense to intercept missiles as decisively as the U.S. does for Israel - Ukraine will lose the war of attrition. This will force unfavorable peace, and mass migration from Ukraine to other countries, setting a dangerous precedent, and making it look like the West lost to Russia in the eyes of the world, especially among the enemies of the West

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yep.

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If Russia retains its occupied territories, it will undermine one of Europe’s core security principles: that borders cannot be redrawn by invading force. In 2014, Russia violated this order, leading to the 2022 invasion. This time, it’s not just Ukraine that will have failed - it’s Ukraine, the U.S., and Western Europe’s failure to defeat Russia.

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double yep.

And China is emboldened to move on Taiwan and probably before that outlying Japanese Islands... because borders can be changed just by force...

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making it look like the West lost to Russia in the eyes of the world, especially among the enemies of the West

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So, China?

Realistically China is the only "enemy of the West" that the West couldn't easily and decisively annihilate.

I think this conflict is pretty unique with all of the factors at play here, but I'm sure they are learning at least some lessons and adjusting their Taiwan strategy accordingly.

President Zelenskyy Unveils Ukraine’s Victory Plan

Oct 16, 2024 12:25
Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy presented his Victory Plan at the Verkhovna Rada on October 16, stressing the end of the war depends on Ukraine’s partners and not on Russia’s leader Vladimir Putin.

The Victory Plan consists of 5 points and 3 secret subpoints.

"If the plan is supported, we can end the war no later than next year," Zelenskyy said. "If we and our partners don't strengthen now, Putin will significantly strengthen next year.”

The President emphasized that Moscow is not interested in peace.

"Russia isn’t seeking an honest peace. Putin only wants war. We must change the circumstances so the war ends regardless of what Putin wants," Zelenskyy said.

The key points from President Zelenskyy’s address are as follows:

Invitation of Ukraine to NATO: Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine's invitation to NATO would serve as a "proof of determination" and signal how NATO partners envision Ukraine’s role in the future "security architecture."

Strengthening Defense: This point includes operations in strategic locations to prevent the creation of buffer zones within Ukraine, enhanced anti-aircraft defenses, joint efforts with partners to shoot down Russian aircraft, expanding the use of Ukrainian drones and missiles, removing restrictions on the use of weapons, and providing access to partner intelligence.

Deterrence: Zelenskyy called for the deployment of a comprehensive non-nuclear deterrence package aimed at protecting Ukraine from Russian aggression and limiting Russia's capabilities.

Development of Strategic and Economic Potential: Zelenskyy also highlighted the need to strengthen Ukraine’s strategic and economic potential, as well as intensify sanctions against Russia.

Post-War Contribution to NATO: After the war, the Ukrainian military could apply its experience to bolster NATO and European defense efforts. The President also suggested that Ukrainian forces could eventually replace the U.S. contingent in certain areas.

According to Zelenskyy, the second, third, and fourth points have secret sub-points that are revealed to the US and certain EU countries, including Britain and Italy.

Zelenskyy had planned to unveil his Victory Plan to Ukraine's Western allies during the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting at Germany's Ramstein airbase on October 12. However, the gathering was canceled after US President Joe Biden postponed his overseas travel due to Hurricane Milton.

United24Media

Should call it a 'Victory Wishlist'

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Should call it a 'Victory Wishlist'

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Someone should tell Zelensky what "plan" means.

Unless NATO (the United States) decides to fight Russia themselves, the Ukrainians are fricked. And no NATO population wants to fight WWIII with Russia over 20% of Ukraine. Or even 100% of Ukraine.

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If their economy was imploding like some on here suggest, they would be more open to it.

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I think that there's a very strong argument that Russia's current offensive is only designed to last through the US presidential election.

Crazy video of a Russian APC that drove right up next to a Ukrainian tank.and got blown up.

I don't know if the APC driver thought that the tank was disabled (it is smoking at the beginning of the video), or if he somehow didn't see it, or if he thought that it was a Russian tank. The three Russians who survive the original blast were riding on the top of the APC.

I can't remember seeing such a close-up armor engagement since the fight for Mariupol at the beginning of the war.

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I also wonder what was going through the Ukrainian tanker's mind as he saw the APC approaching. I wonder if he delayed shooting because he was afraid that it was a Ukrainian APC.

No, it's not any money at all -- just old equipment whose only real purpose was to fight Russia.

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Dozens of soon-to-be-retired Australian Abrams tanks will be sent to Ukraine under a $245 million military support package to bolster the war-torn country's fight against Russia's invasion.

More than a year after Kyiv first expressed interest in the aging M1A1 fleet, and months after Australia rejected a request to donate its grounded Taipan helicopters, the Albanese government has confirmed it will now gift 49 of the American-made tanks.

Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy, who is attending a NATO defence ministers meeting in Brussels this week, will brief his Ukrainian counterpart directly about the latest support package.

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