| Finland to make big NATO announcement today 08:06 - May 12 with 2857 views | blueasfook |
If they announce they are going to join, will certainly put a bee in old Vlad's bonnet.
Have another NATO member on your doorstep Vlad 
What a strategic fail his invasion of Ukraine has been. Instead of less NATO, he's going to get more NATO. (Possibly). |  |
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| Finland to make big NATO announcement today on 08:19 - May 12 with 2310 views | blueasfook |
They've announed they'll be joining. Vlad will be incensed!
All his own doing. But yes, an escalation in the situation. Be interesting to see what Russia's next move will be now. | |
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| Finland to make big NATO announcement today on 10:30 - May 12 with 2126 views | Ewan_Oozami |
FFS! Why is everybody trying to put the kibosh on mine and Mrs O's Baltic cruise this autumn??? |  |
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| Finland to make big NATO announcement today on 10:35 - May 12 with 2102 views | blueasfook |
| Finland to make big NATO announcement today on 10:30 - May 12 by Ewan_Oozami |
FFS! Why is everybody trying to put the kibosh on mine and Mrs O's Baltic cruise this autumn??? |
You'll be fine. Instead of whale watching, you'll be able to see Russian subs. | |
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| Finland to make big NATO announcement today on 10:46 - May 12 with 2060 views | giant_stow |
| Finland to make big NATO announcement today on 10:30 - May 12 by Ewan_Oozami |
FFS! Why is everybody trying to put the kibosh on mine and Mrs O's Baltic cruise this autumn??? |
You might end up having, as my Israeli mate* used to say, front row seats to the end of the world show. And what a place to watch.
*Don't worry everyone, she's a socialist. |  |
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| Finland to make big NATO announcement today on 10:49 - May 12 with 2046 views | Ewan_Oozami |
| Finland to make big NATO announcement today on 10:46 - May 12 by giant_stow |
You might end up having, as my Israeli mate* used to say, front row seats to the end of the world show. And what a place to watch.
*Don't worry everyone, she's a socialist. |
I hear the ship we're going on has a Milliways restaurant.... | |
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| Finland to make big NATO announcement today on 10:50 - May 12 with 2045 views | Churchman |
| Finland to make big NATO announcement today on 10:30 - May 12 by Ewan_Oozami |
FFS! Why is everybody trying to put the kibosh on mine and Mrs O's Baltic cruise this autumn??? |
At least you are on a boat. You can dodge the missiles in comfort while admiring the northern lights. I’m due to go to Finland skiing next January. I might change the black ski jacket and trousers for white camouflage ones and swap the helmet for a Kevlar one!
As it goes, Finland like any country has the right to ally itself with whoever it wants. It’s none of Russia’s business and if it hacks him off, so much the better. So he might move a few nuclear weapons a bit closer. So what. It’s just empty threat. |  | | |
| Finland to make big NATO announcement today on 10:51 - May 12 with 2050 views | clive_baker |
Hasn't Finland got a rather sizable military too? Good news on the face of it for NATO, but perhaps makes an active NATO involvement against Russia more likely? |  |
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| Finland to make big NATO announcement today on 10:54 - May 12 with 2030 views | Churchman |
| Finland to make big NATO announcement today on 10:51 - May 12 by clive_baker |
Hasn't Finland got a rather sizable military too? Good news on the face of it for NATO, but perhaps makes an active NATO involvement against Russia more likely? |
Yes, as does Sweden. They also minced Russia in the winter war of 1940. Stalin got his 10% of territory off Finland in the end at a cost of 450k soldiers. The Finns were tough and innovative. I doubt they’ve changed. | | | |
| Finland to make big NATO announcement today on 10:58 - May 12 with 2012 views | clive_baker |
| Finland to make big NATO announcement today on 10:54 - May 12 by Churchman |
Yes, as does Sweden. They also minced Russia in the winter war of 1940. Stalin got his 10% of territory off Finland in the end at a cost of 450k soldiers. The Finns were tough and innovative. I doubt they’ve changed. |
A welcome addition then. Yes Swedish air force is incredibly strong, they too would be a welcome addition. | |
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| Finland to make big NATO announcement today on 11:02 - May 12 with 1996 views | eastangliaisblue |
| Finland to make big NATO announcement today on 10:51 - May 12 by clive_baker |
Hasn't Finland got a rather sizable military too? Good news on the face of it for NATO, but perhaps makes an active NATO involvement against Russia more likely? |
For their population size yes they do. They have around 1 million reservists and the country has a large percentage of gun ownership. They have a highly trained military due to the fact they share a border with Russia. I'm hoping Putin would at least be sane enough to not invade Finland as well. He's struggling on one front let alone trying to fight on another. |  | | |
| [Redacted] on 11:08 - May 12 with 1954 views | victorywilhappen |
| Finland to make big NATO announcement today on 10:30 - May 12 by Ewan_Oozami |
FFS! Why is everybody trying to put the kibosh on mine and Mrs O's Baltic cruise this autumn??? |
[Redacted] |  | | |
| Finland to make big NATO announcement today on 11:16 - May 12 with 1910 views | clive_baker |
| Finland to make big NATO announcement today on 11:02 - May 12 by eastangliaisblue |
For their population size yes they do. They have around 1 million reservists and the country has a large percentage of gun ownership. They have a highly trained military due to the fact they share a border with Russia. I'm hoping Putin would at least be sane enough to not invade Finland as well. He's struggling on one front let alone trying to fight on another. |
Sadly the words Putin and sanity aren't ones you tend to see together very often.
I hope and pray you're right. I can't help but feel, especially if their invasion of Ukraine is anything to go by, that a full scale conflict between NATO members and Russia would not end well for Mr Putin and co. | |
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| [Redacted] on 11:22 - May 12 with 1868 views | victorywilhappen |
| Finland to make big NATO announcement today on 10:58 - May 12 by clive_baker |
A welcome addition then. Yes Swedish air force is incredibly strong, they too would be a welcome addition. |
[Redacted] | | | |
| Finland to make big NATO announcement today on 11:22 - May 12 with 1876 views | blueasfook |
| Finland to make big NATO announcement today on 11:16 - May 12 by clive_baker |
Sadly the words Putin and sanity aren't ones you tend to see together very often.
I hope and pray you're right. I can't help but feel, especially if their invasion of Ukraine is anything to go by, that a full scale conflict between NATO members and Russia would not end well for Mr Putin and co. |
I think the key thing is if Putin sees a new NATO ally on his border as the "existential threat" to Russia he keeps talking about. If Finland and/or Sweden becoming NATO members is one of his red lines then it's gonna kick off.
Time to think about emigrating to NZ I think... | |
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| Finland to make big NATO announcement today on 12:18 - May 12 with 1712 views | Basuco |
| Finland to make big NATO announcement today on 11:02 - May 12 by eastangliaisblue |
For their population size yes they do. They have around 1 million reservists and the country has a large percentage of gun ownership. They have a highly trained military due to the fact they share a border with Russia. I'm hoping Putin would at least be sane enough to not invade Finland as well. He's struggling on one front let alone trying to fight on another. |
I believe they also have national service to back up the military. |  | | |
| [Redacted] on 13:56 - May 12 with 1583 views | victorywilhappen |
| Finland to make big NATO announcement today on 10:54 - May 12 by Churchman |
Yes, as does Sweden. They also minced Russia in the winter war of 1940. Stalin got his 10% of territory off Finland in the end at a cost of 450k soldiers. The Finns were tough and innovative. I doubt they’ve changed. |
[Redacted] | | | |
| Finland to make big NATO announcement today on 14:09 - May 12 with 1547 views | HARRY10 |
| Finland to make big NATO announcement today on 10:51 - May 12 by clive_baker |
Hasn't Finland got a rather sizable military too? Good news on the face of it for NATO, but perhaps makes an active NATO involvement against Russia more likely? |
eh ?
Where do you think Ukraine has been getting all its arms/ammunition from...Ebay ?
The thought that NATO benefits from prolonging this should be obvious - though the thought they want it to continue is another matter.
Russia is doomed to lose...eventually. Just as Germany was in WW1/WW2. It is very doubtful that it has the capacity to replace equipment being destroyed - whereas Nato has huge resources. Russia v EU ....... 145m v 500m plus Turkey 80m, US 330m
If Russia was provoked as claimed, then it smacks of not being aware of the reality of the 21st century. Far better to be using its vast mineral resources to enhance its place on the world stage than to think outdated equipment can be used to win an outdated war.
Ukraine is not Chechenya "a quarrel in a faraway land between people of which we know nothing."
the real problem now is how to get the Russians out of Ukraine so Putin saves face - and who will eventually replace him, and what will follow that.
In his book The Last Battle, Cornelius Ryan goes into depth about how Germany was to be divided after the war - with discussions taking place as early as 1943. Originally the US wanted N Germany and the ports. However, as the war progressed and US troops were based in NI and SW England that became logistically almost impossible. It was that division that determined much of the strategy (and ultimately the tactics) of the latter part of the war.
I have no doubt that it is happening now. And there is no better way of encouraging a few 'recalcitrant' nations into NATO than by having Russia threaten them.
Odd thing, global politics. |  | | |
| Finland to make big NATO announcement today on 14:11 - May 12 with 1546 views | Guthrum |
| Finland to make big NATO announcement today on 11:22 - May 12 by blueasfook |
I think the key thing is if Putin sees a new NATO ally on his border as the "existential threat" to Russia he keeps talking about. If Finland and/or Sweden becoming NATO members is one of his red lines then it's gonna kick off.
Time to think about emigrating to NZ I think... |
It doesn't immediately affect his personal rule/survival, which is the real red line for Vladimir Putin.
He has little to gain and much to lose by widening the war at this stage. Conventionally, Russia is greatly outclassed. A nuclear exchange would mean the destruction of Russia as well as the West. Something he will not be wanting.
He's not really insane, just thinking with a Russian ultra-nationalist viewpoint, very different to ours. The really quite mild Victory Day speech on Monday (more self-justification and whining about being oppressed than substantive action) shows that. I think he took poor advice in launching this war and is now stuck in a tight spot - but in little danger domestically.
Indeed, the hostility from abroad can work to rally support behind him, by making opposition and protest "unpatriotic". |  |
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| Finland to make big NATO announcement today on 14:42 - May 12 with 1488 views | clive_baker |
| Finland to make big NATO announcement today on 14:09 - May 12 by HARRY10 |
eh ?
Where do you think Ukraine has been getting all its arms/ammunition from...Ebay ?
The thought that NATO benefits from prolonging this should be obvious - though the thought they want it to continue is another matter.
Russia is doomed to lose...eventually. Just as Germany was in WW1/WW2. It is very doubtful that it has the capacity to replace equipment being destroyed - whereas Nato has huge resources. Russia v EU ....... 145m v 500m plus Turkey 80m, US 330m
If Russia was provoked as claimed, then it smacks of not being aware of the reality of the 21st century. Far better to be using its vast mineral resources to enhance its place on the world stage than to think outdated equipment can be used to win an outdated war.
Ukraine is not Chechenya "a quarrel in a faraway land between people of which we know nothing."
the real problem now is how to get the Russians out of Ukraine so Putin saves face - and who will eventually replace him, and what will follow that.
In his book The Last Battle, Cornelius Ryan goes into depth about how Germany was to be divided after the war - with discussions taking place as early as 1943. Originally the US wanted N Germany and the ports. However, as the war progressed and US troops were based in NI and SW England that became logistically almost impossible. It was that division that determined much of the strategy (and ultimately the tactics) of the latter part of the war.
I have no doubt that it is happening now. And there is no better way of encouraging a few 'recalcitrant' nations into NATO than by having Russia threaten them.
Odd thing, global politics. |
Don't get the ebay bit, but my point was more around a full scale, boots on the ground NATO involvement, which would be a reality if Finland joined NATO and was subsequently attacked. Of course arms are being provided already to Ukraine by NATO states.
I wouldn't be so sure saving face will be Putin's thought process once in so deep. He's entirely unpredictable and seemingly increasingly unstable. | |
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| Finland to make big NATO announcement today on 15:05 - May 12 with 1446 views | BloomBlue |
Good for them joining NATO. They've seen the atrocities against citizens in Ukraine committed by russia and they know if Ukraine had been in NATO Russia would never invade. Lord Farquaad will threaten Finland but that's all he will do |  | | |
| Finland to make big NATO announcement today on 15:20 - May 12 with 1424 views | Swansea_Blue |
We see it as a logical response to Russia invading a neighbour. Putin will probably see it as a justification of his cause to 'liberate' his neighbours from the 'expansionist' NATO. |  |
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| Finland to make big NATO announcement today on 15:51 - May 12 with 1382 views | wellsy700 |
I used to live in Finland. The most peaceful people you could possibly meet, but they’re tough, very tough |  |
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| [Redacted] on 16:07 - May 12 with 1346 views | victorywilhappen |
| Finland to make big NATO announcement today on 15:51 - May 12 by wellsy700 |
I used to live in Finland. The most peaceful people you could possibly meet, but they’re tough, very tough |
[Redacted] | | | |
| Finland to make big NATO announcement today on 16:30 - May 12 with 1299 views | Mullet |
I assume they drop flat-pack bombs from flying Volvos and then fly home whilst Russians blow themselves up. |  |
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