British-Trained Soldiers ‘Trounce’ Russian Military In Ukraine; UK-Led Europe ‘Leads’ The US With Operation Interflex

Eurasian Times ^ | 18/5/23 | Prakash Nanda

[Eleutheria5]

As Ukraine prepares for what is said to be the Spring Offensive against Russia, a debate has sprung up about why Europe’s contribution to the war is not getting due recognition as compared to that of the United States.

The debate is based on the age-old maxim that the quality manpower (in this case, the soldier’s quality and competence) is as important as quality weapons in fighting a war.

Accordingly, the point is being made that while the United States may have contributed more than half of the $160 billion in economic, humanitarian, and military aid that Ukraine has received since the outbreak of the war, Europe’s contribution is not as insignificant as has been perceived by many.

If Ukraine has defied the Russian might so far, it is also because of the quality and training of Ukrainian forces, a vital factor for which European powers in general and the United Kingdom, in particular, have played a significant role.

The importance of training Ukrainian soldiers has many dimensions, but three are particularly noteworthy.

.....

[Dick Vomer]

Facts are Ukraine has no path to victory. Vlad is not leaving the ethnic Russian provinces. Ukraine’s survival depends 100 percent on Western welfare. Bodes not well for them, for many reasons.

Victory for Ukraine is defeating the Russians militarily in Ukraine, pushing them out of the country, removing Russia's capability to reinvade by economic and military means and securing it's border.

Victory for Russia is extending it's "buffer zone" to prevent NATO missles from being placed on it's border, removing Ukraine's ability via NATO (proxy war) from invading Russia and removing the possibility of losing its warm water port, acquiring the oil/natural gas deposits off the Ukraine coast and extending it's sphere of influence by threatening to do the same thing to the Baltics, Moldova, Poland and all the other "-stans" on it's border.

Which one seems more likely?

I think the latter is where my money would go if there was an online casino offering that prop bet.

What is suprising to me is Moldova's actions in embracing the EU and possibly trying to poke the bear living in Transnistria. I can't believe they can see what is left of eastern Ukraine and somehow think that NATO will rush in and help them.

I think the leadership is not playing for the interests of it's people but for money and influence offered by EU bureaucrats.

[BroJoeK]

Eleutheria5: "He wants to change the subject to how horrible England is because of some of the many horrible things that they did, without acknowledging any of the wonderful things that England did..."

Sure, I understand all that, was just hoping to add a few facts in defense of Winnie the Pooh.
I don't like it when people insinuate that he was just a bear of very little brain. 😁

The simple facts are that Ukraine's right to defend itself against Russian invaders is not affected by any alleged corruptions in their government.
Nor are NATO countries' rights to help Ukrainians defend themselves compromised by any past, alleged, bear of very little brain wrong ideas or misdeeds.

And just so we're clear about this: Winnie the Pooh has no connection to or relationship with his every evil second cousin once removed, Vlad the Poot.
They have not spoken in decades, I'm sure...

😂

[Eleutheria5]

Eeyore tends to see things darkly, though.

[delta7]

Victory for Ukraine is defeating the Russians militarily in Ukraine, pushing them out of the country, removing Russia’s capability to reinvade by economic and military means and securing its border.
——-
Exactly why they have no path to victory, they are now 100 percent a welfare state, they have no means of support, little income generation, and as with most that are reliant on welfare, it will take decades to pull out of the cycle.

Pulling out of the welfare cycle with someone else’s money ( debt) never ends well for the debtor OR the creditor, especially when the creditor is bankrupt.

If you haven’t read the figures, Vlad is generating much income from his vast resources, resources that the West needs. The bonus-Ukraine’s Donbass area pre war generated 70 percent plus of Ukraine’s national income.

That said, Vlad isn’t leaving the ethnic Russian provinces, his population or Congress ( Duma) will not allow it. In fact, the cries to take Odessa, a city Katrina founded in the 1700’s, are increasing every day.

The Ukies are toast for decades to come.

[BroJoeK]

delta7: "The bonus-Ukraine’s Donbass area pre war generated 70 percent plus of Ukraine’s national income."

I've seen that number 70% trotted out before, and wondered where it came from.
Turns out, it's totally bogus, and we know that because:

1. When Vlad the Invader annexed Crimea in 2014, the result was Ukraine's GDP declined about 10%.

2. When the Russians again invaded, in 2022, the result was Ukraine's GDP declined about 30%.

As of today, Russians occupy around 14% of Ukrainian territory, causing a combined 40% reduction in GDP = 10% for Crimea, 30% for eastern Ukraine.
But how much of this was caused by the loss of territories and how much by the disruptive effects of Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilians and the consequent flood of refugees away from war zones?
My guess is half & half.

So, I think it's fair to say the Donbas region is important economically but claims that 70% of Ukraine's GDP comes from the Donbas are certainly wildly exaggerated.

[delta7]

https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/perspective/divided-ukraine-connolly.aspx

Just one article, in addition to all mining, coal, steel , lithium, oil, gas, industry, etc, Eastern Ukraine puts to shame western Ukraine. When Ukraine is finally split up, ( Odessa still up in the air) Eastern Ukraine will by all accounts emerge the bulk of revenue generation.

[BroJoeK]

delta7: "Just one article, in addition to all mining, coal, steel , lithium, oil, gas, industry, etc, Eastern Ukraine puts to shame western Ukraine.
When Ukraine is finally split up, ( Odessa still up in the air) Eastern Ukraine will by all accounts emerge the bulk of revenue generation."

Your article says nothing about 70% of GDP in the Donbas.

I'm certain it's a big number, but Ukraine's GDP has not fallen 70% since February 2022 when Ukraine was further split up, going from 7% occupied by Russia to now 14%.
Current estimates of Ukraine's GDP loss are in the range of 30%, not 70%.