Now it turns out there is another dimension to this war.

There is a stash of very valuable rare earth elements ($500 billion apparently) that Trump wants and it appears to be under land that at present Russia controls - what a surprise eh

Zelenski says he can have them (on a deal) but obviously Russia will want them too, although they were never mentioned previously by Putin.

So now what?

I suspect whatever was there, even if it was used disposable nappies, the Russians and Ukrainians would fight over it.
Read some history of the Ukraine and their treatment under Stalin in the 30’s and you’ll realise why.

Think I'll give the reading a miss - I'm trying to keep it light.

It's a shame things have come to this. My father in WW2 did a lot of Russian convoy stuff, he liked the Russian people - in fact in the late 70s he was even sent some medals from the Russian government as thanks for his efforts, I have them now.

I just wish a solution could be found, a fair one that is.

I have been watching some bloke on YouTube called Bald and Bankrupt who travelled round the old USSR showing that the people of Russia are the same as us, just trying to get on with their lives the best they can. It's the politicians who are the problem (where have I heard that before).

Then he was arrested and kicked out for comments he had made about the situation in Ukraine.......

makes you wonder if that kicked it off in the first place and it also makes you wonder whats under the ground in the other regular conflict area afghanistan.

I've spent some time working in St. Petersburg, Moscow and Archangel (as it happens, one of the main Arctic convoy ports).

Yes, Russians are 'normal people,' but of the ones I've met I'd make a distinction between Russian women and Russian men. Russian women are lovely - in appearance and as personalities. A lot of Russian men are moody buggers - and real loudmouths in drink (which is a lot of the time).

My dad too in the Merchant Navy he was never allowed to set foot ashore there…fraternization not encoraged…although my Uncle Freddy was in the RN and acquired a fur hat…it’s not the people, it’s the politicians.

sounds a good description of many east europeans though especially poles.

I don’t think Ukraines mineral wealth ever entered his head, he seen Ukraine as a threat if they joined NATO. Ukraine has other tremendous natural resources for meeting domestic oil and gas production needs, with estimates of approximately 900 billion cubic meters of proven reserves of natural gas. In Europe, Ukraine ranks second for gas reserves.
The majority of the old Russian states have huge amounts of natural resources, why didn’t he invade them if that was the case, Russia has also huge amounts of natural resources as well.

You are correct Jamie…Putin just wants to recreate the Russia of the 1950’s, he is and ex KGB officer after all.
All about macho pride.

Bloody hell Snowy we actually agree !

Seen that...I nearly fell of my chair.

You’re my bloody brother, about time.