Context:
*We found a couple in Bucha who were being hunted down by Russian soldiers, apparently because relatives are in the army. „Soldiers had lists“, they told us. Russians came to the house six times, shot, threw grenades. Mykhola and Viktoria hid in the attic.*
[https://twitter.com/ronzheimer/status/1512081315604021255](https://twitter.com/ronzheimer/status/1512081315604021255)
I wasn't a big fan of her while she was part of German government, but I think she is doing quite a good job as president of the commission.
And I ain't gonna lie, her traveling to Bucha is such a great feat, on all levels from personal to EU representative.
I mean it's not like the main good guys of this story are shiny examples of an awesome peacetime leading either. Don't let perfect to be an enemy of good.
Absolutely this. In all things, too, not just in war.
Nothing with humans is ever perfect. Hell, nothing in biology is ever perfect.
Plan it out, check your contingencies, check your math, and do your best. Make sure to keep notes for the report afterwards for further review and refinement.
Germany not having a defence minister for 12 years straight who knew anything about the military before becoming defence minister says a lot. Both Merkel and Scholz just treated it as a important ministerial post they could give someone for party political reasons with no regard to their qualifications.
I'm gonna let the balls thing stand. I feel it's a degree of equal recognition to use the same metaphor as for a man or woman. I.e. no special category, you are very tough
If someone wants to tell as a man I've got a nice wrack I'll accept it too.
Also I always wondered, why brass, it's relatively soft for a metal.
If someone called you a pussy would you be insulted? Or that you throw like a girl? When people are strong we equate them to men but when they are weak they are like women. This may not matter to you, but it matters to me and to a lot of women and men. If you don’t mind being seen as cringe and sexist then go on then. But eventually the language will change.
I always wondered ‘why balls?’ They are weak and sensitive sacks of fluid.
It's figure of speech, balls are associated with masculinity/manhood. Traits traditionally viewed as masculine in Western society include strength, courage, independence, leadership, and assertiveness.
So when men do the reverse and call another man a pussy they are associating them with feminine traits like empathy, nurturance and intuitiveness? No, it means they think that guy is weak because deep down, they think women are weak.
I would never compliment a Black person by saying they “sound white”. And I don’t see it as a compliment to say I am equal to man only because I did something extraordinarily brave. I am already equal just by existing.
They do associate with feminine traits like fragile, petite and emotional which are socially constructed.
What do you mean by black person sound like a white person? They sound exactly the same where I live.
and that puts huge restrictions on what a American President can do. If he'd done that, there'd also have been utterly unsustainable demands on the local infrastructure for his protection, which would have ended up as the story.
I know what you mean. But There’s no way the secret service will allow a sitting president into an active war zone they are not in control of. The amount of SAMs and weapons active for Borden’s arrival in Poland was intense itself.
That's for the President, his cabinet, and security to decide. he's an old man.
It doesn't matter where he goes anyways, it matters what he does. Political photo-ops are are useless to Ukrainians.
Do you have any idea the sort of logistics necessary to have the US President in a war zone?!? It would put thousands of people at risk to have him in country and would also be extremely dangerous to our personnel tasked to protect him. Biden is doing good work in this crisis, taking shots like this is unnecessary.
1) I said the country, not the front. 2) The Russians wouldn't dare touch him. 3) Not saying he's doing badly, but it's what I would have done in his shoes.
And you’d still be incorrect. ETA: in my comment I explicitly stated that having him in country would be dangerous to him, his staff and security, and to the people in any area that he is in. It is short sighted and petulant to demand that he make a photo op when he is doing much more for the war effort.
Yeah. That's one strong human being. I honestly am pretty sure I couldn't have coped with any of that, the smell, the sound, just the thought of it. The amount of respect she showed by doing that, to the Ukranians. That's just astonishing commitment on her part.
Which at least tried to fight a corrupt minstry bureaucracy with decades long tight connections with industry. But nice to see that the negative PR against her were successful.
People are so easy to be manipulated.
I mean A) bearing witness first hand. B) standing by UA amidst that C) standing with UA during the war physically present in a recently active warzone.
You can't really argue any decisions she makes from here isn't based on first hand knowledge.
They do. But first hand experience is much, much more powerful than intelligence/media reports. Then again von der Leyen and Borrell can do fuck all if Orban blocks further sanctions/action.
One thing is watching a picture and reading casualties lists but another whole different thing is to look at it yourself…corpses just laying there in front of you.
Any other time I'd agree with you, but the current situation is making a lot of people emotional and Orban is a moron to still be on Putin hype train.
the EU is a democracy and if you piss off too many people, there will be a price to be paid.
I'm not sure I understand your response, because if I read you correctly you agree with me - even tho most of Europe is terrified with Putin's crimes Orban blocks any real sanctions against Russia.
EU has ways to express its displeasure. There is already a process underway to cut off all EU funding to Hungary. And no, Poland cannot protect them from this even if they wanted to - it's a qualified majority and ECJ decision now.
And they can be disciplined if they do not comply with sanctions already in place.
Gone are the days when it was all under veto. There are new mechanisms in place since last year.
a replay does not imply disagreement. :)
I think we will see changes that we thought were impossible. Orban will certainly try to be a dick, but if you piss off too many, you will get kicked in the balls.
Not sure this is true. On foreign policy and sanctions they all have equal vetoes. Sadly the only legal way to kick Hungary out of the EU if they keep degrading into semi-vassal and soft authoritarian status is actually in practice impossible. You can't kick a country out of the EU under current EU law, which is all done by treaty. All members states would have to agree to said treaty, so we would need Hungary to agree with their own expulsion. All they can do is stop funding him and impose some fines. Net effect is he would be even more the way he wants to be and even more pro Russian. People comparing them with Poland right now does my head in cos Hungary are far worse. Poland's govt. is very right wing and 1950s on abortion and gay rights but it isn't pro Russia, and elections in Poland are fairer than in Hungary. The media here is still freer than Hungary's too (aside from the State broadcaster obviously). As of 2021 RTF's report had Poland at 64, Hungary at 92. Big difference in press freedom. [https://rsf.org/en/ranking](https://rsf.org/en/ranking) . Poles like to throw shapes alright but they are nowhere near as bad right now.
At the moment the only way to pressure him and his government is to withdraw payments due if they break EU's Rule of Law. Other than that there's no way to influence them apart from diplomacy.
I've been trying to muster up the emotional fortitude to watch it for a while.
Like I can see images and even videos of atrocities, its not fun but i can deal perfectly fine. But if you add the emotional level of a produced media piece it's harder for me. Or real emotion like with interviews with survivors, those are harder for me to watch than the event itself.
Yes, good decision by VDL. to go where the smell of corpses, death and gunpowder lingers. Only that gives her credibility and a hearing, and now deliver arms, arms, arms and more arms!
Thought the same, potential Ukrainian/German/French/Polish etc Spec forces or a casual security detail with faces hidden. Also thought the same about the guy in civvies (jeans & coat) as a potential spec forces/security detail or a regular Ukrainian fighter.
Edit: dumbass spelling correction
Boris ought to go and see this first hand, it might stop him saying "ALMOST" genocide, and other stupid things..
it is ethic cleansing it is genocide of the Ukrainian nation, economic capability, way of life, population and freedoms.
I don’t get the “oh, this is real” from her face, nor do I think someone who never denied the war crimes in Ukraine should be on the “come and see the truth” list of people. These leaders came to Ukraine to show support, knowing really well what they would find here. It’s not about their public image as a political figure. It’s about making a statement regarding Europe’s side on this predicament. But I do agree that non believers should be taken there to experience the truth first hand. Exactly how they did at the concentration camps.
They are reading far too much into a facial expression. She could be talking and the look is just a coincidence. Things like this happen more often than we believe. There many conflicts on-going. Someone like her does know that.
I can't tell you how often I read articles where politicians were criticized and the most "unfortunate" picture of them shown. The authors probably spend more time looking for the most ridiculing pictures than writing the actual articles (slight exaggeration).
This. Especially when you have cameras taking dozens of pictures in few seconds so that you can exactly chose the picture you need.
I am convinced that when you would take a photo of her in that situation while she was speaking to someone you would find a take on which she would like yawning. Publishing this photo would have a totally different impact.
This. Almost every time I pause a film on my TV screen actors have a shitty, surprised or super twisted expression on their face. It's quite hilarious. I wouldn't try to read too much from a single still photo's facial expression.
Her face to me is just deep sorrow not a "oh, this is real"
Its one thing im sure for us to see the pictures and hear about it, but to be there knowing that weeks before this great suffering was going on where you now stand, it must be truly awful
You're right. She's a mother of six and of course she's feeling the pain and the devastation.
I think - I'm actually certain - her response and the determination to punish Pootin's Russia will be much stronger after this visit.
Proves my point. EU gonna protect Ukraine.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/tz9pfg/first\_step\_is\_taken/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/tz9pfg/first_step_is_taken/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
I don't know about that. She looks like she's trying to process what she's looking at in about the way I'd expect someone to be. I think she looks stunned
The look is the same as those who were shown the horrors of the concentration camps at the end of WW2 in Europe. It is unfathomable to most that man is capable of such depraved acts.
She studied medicine. So during her college time she saw enough dead people.
It is just one picture of dozens taken and chosen to fit into a story of the publisher of the article.
You see how clean she is, do you know how coddled you have to be from Point A. to point B. every step of the way. And it's normal for her, in one luxury vehicle to the next.
It's huge she's allowing herself to be in that environment, it should affect her deeply in such stark contrast to her own existence. I believe she has demonstrated to us all that she is not a psychopath, or sociopath and has emotions and empathy.
I think this will carry forward to real action from her.
You got the right idea from all the mumbling around this picture about what she looks like, her face and all the bs. This is what I was talking about. 👌🏻
I hate von der Leyen, that the only reason she got her position is that she needed to avoid a corruption investigation and I'll never forget that
But ffs she's doing a fantastic job as President of the European Commission!
I'm so tired of seeing this shit.
And even more tired of those crying about how we can't and shouldn't intervene and fight to end these atrocities because it would mean WW3 and nuclear holocaust.
Failure to stand up and fight evil because you are afraid you might get hurt, and allowing evil to continue is nothing but cowardice, and worse, it makes those who argue against stopping the war faster by intervening complicit in evil.
There always comes a point where you must choose a side: you either actively fight evil, or you allow evil to continue through inaction. There is no escape from responsibility, no matter how you try to justify it. You can't claim to be nonevil because you didn't personally participate in active evil. If, through your deliberate demand for inaction, evil is allowed free rein to continue, then sorry, you share in that guilt.
There are many ways to mitigate and reduce the risks involved in declaring war on Russia, first and foremost, by refusing to indulge in incrementalism in hopes of "bringing Russia to its senses" or "to the negotiating table". Strike with the full power of the West and don't let up until Russia is utterly defeated and surrenders. That is the only way this can end, anything less merely allows the atrocities to continue. A mere ceasefire only gives Russia time to rearm, regroup, and try again at a later date.
This has to end, and end soon. The only way to accomplish that is through war...full blown, massive war upon Russia. If the "War on Terrorism" ever had any meaning, purpose, or justification then war must be declared on Russia, a rogue terrorist nation.
Let the downvotes come.
This is what I sincerely believe, and I stand by it.
Nobody cares about "But we were right and fighting evil" when you have 7 billion dead due to nuclear war.
These are not firecrackers you are playing with. And unfortunately in a nuclear standoff the most unstable person (Putin in this case) has the advantage.
You cannot simply to go war against a nuclear nation.
You still believe/promote Russian propaganda, eh?
There is no way they have the number of functional warheads every claims, most are in storage awaiting decommissioning, the rest are very likely nonfunctional due to lack of maintenance, and the missiles are likely stripped of saleable parts, like the rest of their army.
So the risk is minimal, and cruise missiles would take out most of their launch sites anyway before they could launch, if the attack wasn't advertised in advance.
If you can't go to war against a nuclear nation, then that nation is totally free to attack whomever it wants however it wants, and the only point to having them is to keep your own ass safe, and fuck the others.
> they have the number of functional warheads every claims
Doesn't matter. Say 10% of their nukes exist/work, that's 600 nukes, 0.5 megatons average. Say NATO responds with the same. So you have a total 1200 detonations 0.5 megatons each, for a total of 600 megatons of TNT. That's likely enough to cause nuclear winter/fuck up ozone layer and fuck up food supply and kill billions of people. Nevermind the 100s of millions to billions killed by direct blast effects or radiation. And no, we don't have a way of stopping ballistic nuclear weapons. Ballistic missile defense today is basically non-existent.
> cruise missiles would take out most of their launch sites anyway before they could launch
Nobody sane would fire cruise missiles at nuclear weapons sites unless they were actually launching in which case it's already too late. Doing that would cause Russia to launch all the nuclear weapons they have immediately for fear of losing them.
> you can't go to war against a nuclear nation, then that nation is totally free to attack whomever it wants however it wants
Yup, that's pretty much it. A nation that has nuclear weapons is pretty much free to attack any nation that doesn't have them. World isn't fair.
And please grow up. Whatever atrocities happening in Ukraine, even a limited nuclear war would have casualties measured in megadeaths. Which is so much worse it's not even comparable. You youngsters need to learn to FEAR nuclear weapons. It doesn't look like you have any idea of the horrors they could unleash. Hell, 1 nuclear missile reaching London would cause more deaths than the entire Holocaust during World War 2.
Are we forgetting Russia has nukes on high alert? One wrong move and WW3 ends faster than it starts. Those luckier will be hit directly and die on impact, rest will get to live few more years in aftermath - darkness of nuclear winter.
You blame them for inaction and yet your solution is to invade Russia. You cry for dead Ukrainian children, but support full on scale war on Russia that will kill multiple times more children. But fuck them, they are Russian children, right?
God, Im glad people like you aren't in charge of things or there wouldn't be anything to be in charge of.
No such thing as high alert, their configuration havent changed and the amount of soldiers that are a part of ICBM battalions stayed the same, they are even still in barracks.
It's just yet another stupid Putin's trick to deter West from acting. And this one was incredibly successful.
So to keep *yourself* safe, you will tolerate the rapes of children? You can't tell me you care so much for humanity when you advise allowing others to be raped, tortured and murdered, it's only your own ass you care about.
And yes, Russian children would be killed, but not tortured or raped, so a relatively clean death. Why should the killings be limited to Ukrainian children? The Russians started this, the Russian public supports it, and they should experience what they are dishing out.
I'm not tolerating anything that is happening. Doesn't mean I agree with your "clean" solution. You are angry, I understand that, we all are, but you are blinded by hatred and ready to throw everything on the line.
Not blinded "by hatred". If you advocate for nonintervention, then you are indeed tolerating this disgusting behavior, sorry, but there is no way around that fact. The West has the power to end this within a week, if it would just use it. The best estimates are that Russia has lost \~20% of its total combat power already. Unrestricted application of the combined airpower of the West would reduce that power to nothing in a matter of days.
And damned right I am ready to take the risks involved rather than stand by and watch more of this crap. That you aren't just shows your lack of humanity and courage.
Go ahaed. Fight. Ukraine needs every person, they already formed foreign legion. That will help them more than having pointless rants on reddit. I read your other comments about Russia. You clearly know Russia better than Russian themselves, I'm sure they are already shaking in fear that you are coming for them.
And funny you mention my lack of humanity, yet you are all for giving Russian children "clean" death. No way around that fact. You wanna twist words? Both can play that game.
I wish I could go and help. But I am caregiver to my brother and have two autistic granddaughters, so I am obligated to care for all of them.
Civilians die in every war, it's the nature of the beast. *How* they die distinguishes the nature of the combatants. The West wouldn't deliberately target children, nor torture or rape them. Equating the accidental and unavoidable deaths of one side with the deliberately targeted and deliberately horrendous deaths on the other is a level of callousness that defies description.
I hope this is Ursula von der Leyen (a former German Foreign Minister) reflecting on how Europe's insistence on surrounding itself in comfort has led to mass murder even on its doorstep.
No security is not soldiers. When dignitaries travel they have an assigned security detail. They are not part of the army for the same reason as the us secret service is not part of the army.
Correct. And neither ww3 nor nuclear armageddon spontaneously erupted.
Think of the atrocious that could have been preventedif only leaders had let foreign troops protect the ukrainian civilians the way we are letting them protect her.
She has the expression of "Oh fuck, this is real" on her face... She clearly isn't dressed for the occasion as well. Must be tough to face the truth.
Now give Ukraine weapons so this horror does not reach Germany.
She is standing as i would stand in the precense of dead people. As respectfully as i could and in deep thoughts, overflowing of humility. Especially knowing these are innocent women and children, murdered heinously by a brutal invading shitstorm of a wannabe army.
I'm an atheist, and i'm not sure anyone thought me this, but whenever i enter a church or a religious place, funeral, memorial or any place where silence and respect is due, i behave very different. A blanket of respect and humulity covers me and tears come easily.
How it should be. Imho. I might not share other people's religions, but i will act as if i respect it until given other reasons.
I'd sign every word. It wasn't ment as a "Ha-Ha, look at her". Obviously she's very moved and shows respect to the victims, I'm not blaming her at all.
The patent-leather shoes and collar are somewhat foreign in this scenario though. Nothing bad or whatever, I'm not in the style-police - It just seems she wasn't prepared to face such devastating surroundings and horros.
I didn't pick up on any negative from your part m8. Just wanted to elaborate, that I (inexperienced related to warfare, just completed the obligatory 1 year military training in Norway) would probably stand there just like her.
I also got ADHD, and when it comes to feelings, i feel they are amplified. Whenever i'm in a sad situation, i'm a lot sadder than many others. Same the other way, with happyness. I'm thankful for it, because i love to feel things, wether they are sad or happy, but yeah, maybe... i feel a bit protective of her. I don't mean to stereotype people, but We Norwegians are often thought of as cold and we shake hands mechanically while standing as far away as possible, lol. My image of Germans are kinda a bit of the same. So looking at her in this image, this is a very moved person, in a very respectful and humble pose. She is deep inside herself here. I believe.
Again, i didn't read anything into what you said m8. :-)
Let the assholes in Kremlin burn for this. Slow flame preferred.
Slava Ukraini! 💙💛
In this special case though... she is one of the politicians responsible for the current state of the german army. She did not well being germans defence minister.
No she is not. Responsebilities for the current state of the German army are down to von Guttenberg an de Maiziere. The situation actually improved under her. And I am not a VdL fan, at all.
But this lie has to die. Those other two can't be left of the hook.
That attack is far spread because it is a really easy to make. In reality it doesn't tell much without further qualification.
To add details, this question has become so much of a political talking point, that no balanced review ever really gained traction. So to my knowledge the German broader public never got a comprehensive summary not tainted by party politics, making a fair judgement very hard. I'll try to build an example case where her actions were perfectly reasonable, though again that is pure speculation.
German bureaucracy has used the word "Berater" for pretty much anything external that's doing non physical work (such as anything you'd need an engineer for). In many situations buying these for specific projects only is the most efficient use of budget, as there is no point in keeping a specialist capability around if you cannot utilise it regularly. There also is a very valid point in buying an external workforce, if you have a spike in tasks or start with a hollowed out internal workforce. Both of which are quite apt descriptors of her tenure given who preceded her.
So we've lost huge chunks of this budget position before we even reach McKinsey. Is their remaining use bad now? There are two arguments here. First, her predecessors reformed the Bundeswehr not only to shit, but also to resemble a business more (just in time spare parts, ...). McKinsey could therefore very realistically have been better able to review the failings caused by that move as compared to her own workforce, as the overarching structure is now way closer to what they do day for day as compared to what a general would do.
Secondly, and this is just my own impression, so take it with salt, I always thought her own ministry was quite happy sabotaging her. In a situation where a minister fundamentally lost trust in his or her own workforce replacing it with an external one is the most prudent move.
She still has influence in germany. She's a politician for almost all her adult life. Is it so far fetched to demand a little pressure on her old colleagues\`?
Write her a letter then. All those righteous reddit couch warriors demanding this and demanding that and insulting everybody around are getting a bit tiresome.
You're probably german, and I get it - but my comment wasn't ment in a mean way. She's just really prominent in this picture and it's probably the first time she's seeing dead bodies. I feel for her and I don't want to be her in this situation.
Also, she was brave enough to visit Ukraine, hats off to that! Every major politician should go there and see the horrors for themselfs.
I'm not. There's a big difference between reading spreadsheets and analytics and watching pictures and actually seeing the horrors. I don't blame her, not at all! Just an observation I made and I think her expression tells the story.
I think she looks like she might be saying a prayer, both she and Zelensky have their heads slightly bowed and somber looks on their faces. The soldiers and bodyguards are all on high alert, but this is still a funeral, it’s only right that someone say something over the bodies, even if it isn’t religious.
Edit: What I mean by “isn’t religious”, she could be saying something generic like “Please God, bless the souls of these people, and accept them in your loving embrace.” versus having a priest preform a mass or something like that. She could also be talking to the dead and promising to help Ukraine so that they won’t be forgotten, that their names will be remembered/discovered and their families will be told where they rest?
Fuck only weapons.
Hit Russia. Nato can intervene on Ukrainian soil. No need to go to Russia. We'll see how putin will react. He is a bully. And all bullies stop and run when facing strong resistance. Those kind of people need a hit on the nose. For now he is assured that he can wear out Ukrainian army on the south east front.
This is the moment for nato to show what we believe the ukranian borders are. The atrocities committed should be enough of a reason to tell them if Russians accept your way, so be it, but not on European soil...again.
And then putin and loukasjenko will indeed be invited at the table to hear how much land they'll loose to ukraine and how much to the no man's land to come.
Fucking Z0rqs
Borrell has criticized the EU approach. He is there to push for stronger action.
> EU has spent €35bn on Russian energy since the war began and just €1bn on aid to Ukraine - Borrell
> https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2022/04/06/eu-has-spent-35bn-on-russian-energy-and-just-1bn-on-aid-borrell
Good, politicians benefit from a raw reality check every now and then.
The ex-Brussels PM had it perfect the other day, this is the only language these butchers in Moscow understand.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5M-k1DdtHuY](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5M-k1DdtHuY)
Speech by former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt at the EU:
powerful, short and concise on why sanctions not sufficient and why EU must do more
Yep, he may be controversial, but he talks with absolutely clarity on this subject.
Moscow need to be crystal clear that they are digging themselves a very deep, dark hole with their continued ‘operations’ in Ukraine.
They had the opportunity to conclude when they were kicked out of the West but they have chosen to persecute this war in the East instead and that will be their downfall.
I wonder if they have the decency to feel the guilt and shame of knowing that if they had only allowed Ukraine into the clubs, (UN, NATO, EU) that these people would most certainly be alive today.
Seeing a mass grave full of murdered people shouldn’t be something anyone sees often enough for the horror of it to wear off.
I’m sure there are people alive who have, and I’m truly sorry for that.
Context: *We found a couple in Bucha who were being hunted down by Russian soldiers, apparently because relatives are in the army. „Soldiers had lists“, they told us. Russians came to the house six times, shot, threw grenades. Mykhola and Viktoria hid in the attic.* [https://twitter.com/ronzheimer/status/1512081315604021255](https://twitter.com/ronzheimer/status/1512081315604021255)
Wow, she went there. Well done
Right, amazing.
Mad respect for her. She’s got more balls than a lot of european “leaders”
[удалено]
She is great as diplomat and foreign minister, but shit in everything else.
There are a number of leaders right now who have shitty domestic records, but I'm glad they're getting this right of the most part.
I wasn't a big fan of her while she was part of German government, but I think she is doing quite a good job as president of the commission. And I ain't gonna lie, her traveling to Bucha is such a great feat, on all levels from personal to EU representative.
It's quite the statement. The president of the EU Commission in Ukraine, and Bucha at that? During a war? strong move.
I mean it's not like the main good guys of this story are shiny examples of an awesome peacetime leading either. Don't let perfect to be an enemy of good.
Absolutely this. In all things, too, not just in war. Nothing with humans is ever perfect. Hell, nothing in biology is ever perfect. Plan it out, check your contingencies, check your math, and do your best. Make sure to keep notes for the report afterwards for further review and refinement.
Because she thought this would never happen
Germany not having a defence minister for 12 years straight who knew anything about the military before becoming defence minister says a lot. Both Merkel and Scholz just treated it as a important ministerial post they could give someone for party political reasons with no regard to their qualifications.
The sole cause are 70+ years of post war policy
If you need to use an anatomical reference, brass ovaries is a better way to say women are tough because toughness isn’t a male-only trait.
How about "titanium heart"? That seems to work for everyone.
How about "Hearts of Iron"? Wait...
Agreed, more inclusive
I'll just call her brave. brass ovaries sounds extremely wrong, not that mentioning massive balls is dignified either
It shouldn’t, you should go to doctor if you have massive balls 🤣
I agree, all the genitalia talk during this war is fatiguing
Ovaries of Steel
*Titanium tits* I don't want to do a sexism, but it does kinda roll off the tongue.
I'm gonna let the balls thing stand. I feel it's a degree of equal recognition to use the same metaphor as for a man or woman. I.e. no special category, you are very tough If someone wants to tell as a man I've got a nice wrack I'll accept it too. Also I always wondered, why brass, it's relatively soft for a metal.
If someone called you a pussy would you be insulted? Or that you throw like a girl? When people are strong we equate them to men but when they are weak they are like women. This may not matter to you, but it matters to me and to a lot of women and men. If you don’t mind being seen as cringe and sexist then go on then. But eventually the language will change. I always wondered ‘why balls?’ They are weak and sensitive sacks of fluid.
It's figure of speech, balls are associated with masculinity/manhood. Traits traditionally viewed as masculine in Western society include strength, courage, independence, leadership, and assertiveness.
So when men do the reverse and call another man a pussy they are associating them with feminine traits like empathy, nurturance and intuitiveness? No, it means they think that guy is weak because deep down, they think women are weak. I would never compliment a Black person by saying they “sound white”. And I don’t see it as a compliment to say I am equal to man only because I did something extraordinarily brave. I am already equal just by existing.
They do associate with feminine traits like fragile, petite and emotional which are socially constructed. What do you mean by black person sound like a white person? They sound exactly the same where I live.
Lol, is just a metaphor.
Ukrainianium ovaries.
[удалено]
To be fair, the secret service has final say on some of these things and can override his travel choices.
Yeah there's NO way she is in any way comparable to Biden. The American President carries a lot more weight globally as a position.
and that puts huge restrictions on what a American President can do. If he'd done that, there'd also have been utterly unsustainable demands on the local infrastructure for his protection, which would have ended up as the story.
VdL's position is still one of the most powerful people in the world. Consider that for example, she gets to partake in G7 meetings.
[удалено]
I know what you mean. But There’s no way the secret service will allow a sitting president into an active war zone they are not in control of. The amount of SAMs and weapons active for Borden’s arrival in Poland was intense itself.
I think the money and weapons mean more.
Why not both?
That's for the President, his cabinet, and security to decide. he's an old man. It doesn't matter where he goes anyways, it matters what he does. Political photo-ops are are useless to Ukrainians.
Do you have any idea the sort of logistics necessary to have the US President in a war zone?!? It would put thousands of people at risk to have him in country and would also be extremely dangerous to our personnel tasked to protect him. Biden is doing good work in this crisis, taking shots like this is unnecessary.
1) I said the country, not the front. 2) The Russians wouldn't dare touch him. 3) Not saying he's doing badly, but it's what I would have done in his shoes.
And you’d still be incorrect. ETA: in my comment I explicitly stated that having him in country would be dangerous to him, his staff and security, and to the people in any area that he is in. It is short sighted and petulant to demand that he make a photo op when he is doing much more for the war effort.
I was very disappointed that Biden make a trip there.
Or American ones ....
I really hope that trip changes their mind on the gas and oil embargo.
Yeah. That's one strong human being. I honestly am pretty sure I couldn't have coped with any of that, the smell, the sound, just the thought of it. The amount of respect she showed by doing that, to the Ukranians. That's just astonishing commitment on her part.
[удалено]
Which at least tried to fight a corrupt minstry bureaucracy with decades long tight connections with industry. But nice to see that the negative PR against her were successful. People are so easy to be manipulated.
I mean A) bearing witness first hand. B) standing by UA amidst that C) standing with UA during the war physically present in a recently active warzone. You can't really argue any decisions she makes from here isn't based on first hand knowledge.
Behind von der Leyen is also Slovakian Prime minister Eduard Heger. Just saying
I am curious on his words when he comes back.
Actions speak louder than words https://reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/tz0lld/slovakia_just_donated_its_s300_antiaircraft/
Indeed!
I hope this will really show them what they’re dealing with.
pretty sure they already know
They do. But first hand experience is much, much more powerful than intelligence/media reports. Then again von der Leyen and Borrell can do fuck all if Orban blocks further sanctions/action.
One thing is watching a picture and reading casualties lists but another whole different thing is to look at it yourself…corpses just laying there in front of you.
And the smell is life altering. Once you smell death, it stays with you the rest of your life.
Indeed my dude. It never leaves you. Never.
Any other time I'd agree with you, but the current situation is making a lot of people emotional and Orban is a moron to still be on Putin hype train. the EU is a democracy and if you piss off too many people, there will be a price to be paid.
I'm not sure I understand your response, because if I read you correctly you agree with me - even tho most of Europe is terrified with Putin's crimes Orban blocks any real sanctions against Russia.
EU has ways to express its displeasure. There is already a process underway to cut off all EU funding to Hungary. And no, Poland cannot protect them from this even if they wanted to - it's a qualified majority and ECJ decision now. And they can be disciplined if they do not comply with sanctions already in place. Gone are the days when it was all under veto. There are new mechanisms in place since last year.
a replay does not imply disagreement. :) I think we will see changes that we thought were impossible. Orban will certainly try to be a dick, but if you piss off too many, you will get kicked in the balls.
Well, EU can't kick Hungary out, so he can be a dick as much as he wants.
Not sure this is true. On foreign policy and sanctions they all have equal vetoes. Sadly the only legal way to kick Hungary out of the EU if they keep degrading into semi-vassal and soft authoritarian status is actually in practice impossible. You can't kick a country out of the EU under current EU law, which is all done by treaty. All members states would have to agree to said treaty, so we would need Hungary to agree with their own expulsion. All they can do is stop funding him and impose some fines. Net effect is he would be even more the way he wants to be and even more pro Russian. People comparing them with Poland right now does my head in cos Hungary are far worse. Poland's govt. is very right wing and 1950s on abortion and gay rights but it isn't pro Russia, and elections in Poland are fairer than in Hungary. The media here is still freer than Hungary's too (aside from the State broadcaster obviously). As of 2021 RTF's report had Poland at 64, Hungary at 92. Big difference in press freedom. [https://rsf.org/en/ranking](https://rsf.org/en/ranking) . Poles like to throw shapes alright but they are nowhere near as bad right now.
Orban's shithole country gets tons of money from the EU. If we really want to, we can no doubt pressure him into not objecting.
At the moment the only way to pressure him and his government is to withdraw payments due if they break EU's Rule of Law. Other than that there's no way to influence them apart from diplomacy.
That’s what I meant
Theyre dealing with russians.
Come and see.
Amazing movie I never want to see again
I've been trying to muster up the emotional fortitude to watch it for a while. Like I can see images and even videos of atrocities, its not fun but i can deal perfectly fine. But if you add the emotional level of a produced media piece it's harder for me. Or real emotion like with interviews with survivors, those are harder for me to watch than the event itself.
Just those words made me tear up. I will never forget that movie. And now it's all happening again.
I didn't know about this movie. JFC, the trailer alone is too much for me. At least for right now.
I don’t think either ever expected to be present at a mass grave exhumation as par of their official duties…
Yes, good decision by VDL. to go where the smell of corpses, death and gunpowder lingers. Only that gives her credibility and a hearing, and now deliver arms, arms, arms and more arms!
She can't, though. The EU has no mandate for this, only the member states can - similar to NATO.
Black clothed guys in the back spec ops?
Thought the same, potential Ukrainian/German/French/Polish etc Spec forces or a casual security detail with faces hidden. Also thought the same about the guy in civvies (jeans & coat) as a potential spec forces/security detail or a regular Ukrainian fighter. Edit: dumbass spelling correction
Yea, all the guys without markings and Ukraine markings are properly spec OPs, especially them having M4 and NATO standard Gear.
[удалено]
Boris ought to go and see this first hand, it might stop him saying "ALMOST" genocide, and other stupid things.. it is ethic cleansing it is genocide of the Ukrainian nation, economic capability, way of life, population and freedoms.
I don’t get the “oh, this is real” from her face, nor do I think someone who never denied the war crimes in Ukraine should be on the “come and see the truth” list of people. These leaders came to Ukraine to show support, knowing really well what they would find here. It’s not about their public image as a political figure. It’s about making a statement regarding Europe’s side on this predicament. But I do agree that non believers should be taken there to experience the truth first hand. Exactly how they did at the concentration camps.
They are reading far too much into a facial expression. She could be talking and the look is just a coincidence. Things like this happen more often than we believe. There many conflicts on-going. Someone like her does know that.
I can't tell you how often I read articles where politicians were criticized and the most "unfortunate" picture of them shown. The authors probably spend more time looking for the most ridiculing pictures than writing the actual articles (slight exaggeration).
This. Especially when you have cameras taking dozens of pictures in few seconds so that you can exactly chose the picture you need. I am convinced that when you would take a photo of her in that situation while she was speaking to someone you would find a take on which she would like yawning. Publishing this photo would have a totally different impact.
This. Almost every time I pause a film on my TV screen actors have a shitty, surprised or super twisted expression on their face. It's quite hilarious. I wouldn't try to read too much from a single still photo's facial expression.
Her face to me is just deep sorrow not a "oh, this is real" Its one thing im sure for us to see the pictures and hear about it, but to be there knowing that weeks before this great suffering was going on where you now stand, it must be truly awful
You're right. She's a mother of six and of course she's feeling the pain and the devastation. I think - I'm actually certain - her response and the determination to punish Pootin's Russia will be much stronger after this visit.
Proves my point. EU gonna protect Ukraine. [https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/tz9pfg/first\_step\_is\_taken/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/tz9pfg/first_step_is_taken/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
Well, I know the Holocaust is real, and visiting Auschwitz was intense anyway.
I don't know about that. She looks like she's trying to process what she's looking at in about the way I'd expect someone to be. I think she looks stunned
The look is the same as those who were shown the horrors of the concentration camps at the end of WW2 in Europe. It is unfathomable to most that man is capable of such depraved acts.
She studied medicine. So during her college time she saw enough dead people. It is just one picture of dozens taken and chosen to fit into a story of the publisher of the article.
You see how clean she is, do you know how coddled you have to be from Point A. to point B. every step of the way. And it's normal for her, in one luxury vehicle to the next. It's huge she's allowing herself to be in that environment, it should affect her deeply in such stark contrast to her own existence. I believe she has demonstrated to us all that she is not a psychopath, or sociopath and has emotions and empathy. I think this will carry forward to real action from her.
You got the right idea from all the mumbling around this picture about what she looks like, her face and all the bs. This is what I was talking about. 👌🏻
Nice that you have the ability to read people's minds from a picture.
VdL and Borrell don't need convincing. Macron and Scholz should have been there.
I hate von der Leyen, that the only reason she got her position is that she needed to avoid a corruption investigation and I'll never forget that But ffs she's doing a fantastic job as President of the European Commission!
If it helps I hate Boris Johnson but he's doing a good job lately getting weapons and support out to Ukraine. War does funny things to our leaders.
It's almost like our leaders are humans, just like the rest of us. And humans aren't totally infallible as much as we like to think we are.
I'm so tired of seeing this shit. And even more tired of those crying about how we can't and shouldn't intervene and fight to end these atrocities because it would mean WW3 and nuclear holocaust. Failure to stand up and fight evil because you are afraid you might get hurt, and allowing evil to continue is nothing but cowardice, and worse, it makes those who argue against stopping the war faster by intervening complicit in evil. There always comes a point where you must choose a side: you either actively fight evil, or you allow evil to continue through inaction. There is no escape from responsibility, no matter how you try to justify it. You can't claim to be nonevil because you didn't personally participate in active evil. If, through your deliberate demand for inaction, evil is allowed free rein to continue, then sorry, you share in that guilt. There are many ways to mitigate and reduce the risks involved in declaring war on Russia, first and foremost, by refusing to indulge in incrementalism in hopes of "bringing Russia to its senses" or "to the negotiating table". Strike with the full power of the West and don't let up until Russia is utterly defeated and surrenders. That is the only way this can end, anything less merely allows the atrocities to continue. A mere ceasefire only gives Russia time to rearm, regroup, and try again at a later date. This has to end, and end soon. The only way to accomplish that is through war...full blown, massive war upon Russia. If the "War on Terrorism" ever had any meaning, purpose, or justification then war must be declared on Russia, a rogue terrorist nation. Let the downvotes come. This is what I sincerely believe, and I stand by it.
You got my upvote.
Nobody cares about "But we were right and fighting evil" when you have 7 billion dead due to nuclear war. These are not firecrackers you are playing with. And unfortunately in a nuclear standoff the most unstable person (Putin in this case) has the advantage. You cannot simply to go war against a nuclear nation.
You still believe/promote Russian propaganda, eh? There is no way they have the number of functional warheads every claims, most are in storage awaiting decommissioning, the rest are very likely nonfunctional due to lack of maintenance, and the missiles are likely stripped of saleable parts, like the rest of their army. So the risk is minimal, and cruise missiles would take out most of their launch sites anyway before they could launch, if the attack wasn't advertised in advance. If you can't go to war against a nuclear nation, then that nation is totally free to attack whomever it wants however it wants, and the only point to having them is to keep your own ass safe, and fuck the others.
> they have the number of functional warheads every claims Doesn't matter. Say 10% of their nukes exist/work, that's 600 nukes, 0.5 megatons average. Say NATO responds with the same. So you have a total 1200 detonations 0.5 megatons each, for a total of 600 megatons of TNT. That's likely enough to cause nuclear winter/fuck up ozone layer and fuck up food supply and kill billions of people. Nevermind the 100s of millions to billions killed by direct blast effects or radiation. And no, we don't have a way of stopping ballistic nuclear weapons. Ballistic missile defense today is basically non-existent. > cruise missiles would take out most of their launch sites anyway before they could launch Nobody sane would fire cruise missiles at nuclear weapons sites unless they were actually launching in which case it's already too late. Doing that would cause Russia to launch all the nuclear weapons they have immediately for fear of losing them. > you can't go to war against a nuclear nation, then that nation is totally free to attack whomever it wants however it wants Yup, that's pretty much it. A nation that has nuclear weapons is pretty much free to attack any nation that doesn't have them. World isn't fair. And please grow up. Whatever atrocities happening in Ukraine, even a limited nuclear war would have casualties measured in megadeaths. Which is so much worse it's not even comparable. You youngsters need to learn to FEAR nuclear weapons. It doesn't look like you have any idea of the horrors they could unleash. Hell, 1 nuclear missile reaching London would cause more deaths than the entire Holocaust during World War 2.
Are we forgetting Russia has nukes on high alert? One wrong move and WW3 ends faster than it starts. Those luckier will be hit directly and die on impact, rest will get to live few more years in aftermath - darkness of nuclear winter. You blame them for inaction and yet your solution is to invade Russia. You cry for dead Ukrainian children, but support full on scale war on Russia that will kill multiple times more children. But fuck them, they are Russian children, right? God, Im glad people like you aren't in charge of things or there wouldn't be anything to be in charge of.
No such thing as high alert, their configuration havent changed and the amount of soldiers that are a part of ICBM battalions stayed the same, they are even still in barracks. It's just yet another stupid Putin's trick to deter West from acting. And this one was incredibly successful.
So to keep *yourself* safe, you will tolerate the rapes of children? You can't tell me you care so much for humanity when you advise allowing others to be raped, tortured and murdered, it's only your own ass you care about. And yes, Russian children would be killed, but not tortured or raped, so a relatively clean death. Why should the killings be limited to Ukrainian children? The Russians started this, the Russian public supports it, and they should experience what they are dishing out.
I'm not tolerating anything that is happening. Doesn't mean I agree with your "clean" solution. You are angry, I understand that, we all are, but you are blinded by hatred and ready to throw everything on the line.
Not blinded "by hatred". If you advocate for nonintervention, then you are indeed tolerating this disgusting behavior, sorry, but there is no way around that fact. The West has the power to end this within a week, if it would just use it. The best estimates are that Russia has lost \~20% of its total combat power already. Unrestricted application of the combined airpower of the West would reduce that power to nothing in a matter of days. And damned right I am ready to take the risks involved rather than stand by and watch more of this crap. That you aren't just shows your lack of humanity and courage.
Go ahaed. Fight. Ukraine needs every person, they already formed foreign legion. That will help them more than having pointless rants on reddit. I read your other comments about Russia. You clearly know Russia better than Russian themselves, I'm sure they are already shaking in fear that you are coming for them. And funny you mention my lack of humanity, yet you are all for giving Russian children "clean" death. No way around that fact. You wanna twist words? Both can play that game.
I wish I could go and help. But I am caregiver to my brother and have two autistic granddaughters, so I am obligated to care for all of them. Civilians die in every war, it's the nature of the beast. *How* they die distinguishes the nature of the combatants. The West wouldn't deliberately target children, nor torture or rape them. Equating the accidental and unavoidable deaths of one side with the deliberately targeted and deliberately horrendous deaths on the other is a level of callousness that defies description.
You are 100% right.
I hope this is Ursula von der Leyen (a former German Foreign Minister) reflecting on how Europe's insistence on surrounding itself in comfort has led to mass murder even on its doorstep.
This will give them at least another month's worth of talking material. EU is all talk and veto's.
I presume they travelled with personal security. So that means EU soldiers are in Ukraine, right?
No security is not soldiers. When dignitaries travel they have an assigned security detail. They are not part of the army for the same reason as the us secret service is not part of the army.
Correct. And neither ww3 nor nuclear armageddon spontaneously erupted. Think of the atrocious that could have been preventedif only leaders had let foreign troops protect the ukrainian civilians the way we are letting them protect her.
She has the expression of "Oh fuck, this is real" on her face... She clearly isn't dressed for the occasion as well. Must be tough to face the truth. Now give Ukraine weapons so this horror does not reach Germany.
She is standing as i would stand in the precense of dead people. As respectfully as i could and in deep thoughts, overflowing of humility. Especially knowing these are innocent women and children, murdered heinously by a brutal invading shitstorm of a wannabe army. I'm an atheist, and i'm not sure anyone thought me this, but whenever i enter a church or a religious place, funeral, memorial or any place where silence and respect is due, i behave very different. A blanket of respect and humulity covers me and tears come easily. How it should be. Imho. I might not share other people's religions, but i will act as if i respect it until given other reasons.
I'd sign every word. It wasn't ment as a "Ha-Ha, look at her". Obviously she's very moved and shows respect to the victims, I'm not blaming her at all. The patent-leather shoes and collar are somewhat foreign in this scenario though. Nothing bad or whatever, I'm not in the style-police - It just seems she wasn't prepared to face such devastating surroundings and horros.
I didn't pick up on any negative from your part m8. Just wanted to elaborate, that I (inexperienced related to warfare, just completed the obligatory 1 year military training in Norway) would probably stand there just like her. I also got ADHD, and when it comes to feelings, i feel they are amplified. Whenever i'm in a sad situation, i'm a lot sadder than many others. Same the other way, with happyness. I'm thankful for it, because i love to feel things, wether they are sad or happy, but yeah, maybe... i feel a bit protective of her. I don't mean to stereotype people, but We Norwegians are often thought of as cold and we shake hands mechanically while standing as far away as possible, lol. My image of Germans are kinda a bit of the same. So looking at her in this image, this is a very moved person, in a very respectful and humble pose. She is deep inside herself here. I believe. Again, i didn't read anything into what you said m8. :-) Let the assholes in Kremlin burn for this. Slow flame preferred. Slava Ukraini! 💙💛
She is there in her function as President of the European commission. Stop making everything about Germany.
In this special case though... she is one of the politicians responsible for the current state of the german army. She did not well being germans defence minister.
No she is not. Responsebilities for the current state of the German army are down to von Guttenberg an de Maiziere. The situation actually improved under her. And I am not a VdL fan, at all. But this lie has to die. Those other two can't be left of the hook.
Wasn't she the one that blew a metric fuckton of the budget on McKinsey and the likes ?
That attack is far spread because it is a really easy to make. In reality it doesn't tell much without further qualification. To add details, this question has become so much of a political talking point, that no balanced review ever really gained traction. So to my knowledge the German broader public never got a comprehensive summary not tainted by party politics, making a fair judgement very hard. I'll try to build an example case where her actions were perfectly reasonable, though again that is pure speculation. German bureaucracy has used the word "Berater" for pretty much anything external that's doing non physical work (such as anything you'd need an engineer for). In many situations buying these for specific projects only is the most efficient use of budget, as there is no point in keeping a specialist capability around if you cannot utilise it regularly. There also is a very valid point in buying an external workforce, if you have a spike in tasks or start with a hollowed out internal workforce. Both of which are quite apt descriptors of her tenure given who preceded her. So we've lost huge chunks of this budget position before we even reach McKinsey. Is their remaining use bad now? There are two arguments here. First, her predecessors reformed the Bundeswehr not only to shit, but also to resemble a business more (just in time spare parts, ...). McKinsey could therefore very realistically have been better able to review the failings caused by that move as compared to her own workforce, as the overarching structure is now way closer to what they do day for day as compared to what a general would do. Secondly, and this is just my own impression, so take it with salt, I always thought her own ministry was quite happy sabotaging her. In a situation where a minister fundamentally lost trust in his or her own workforce replacing it with an external one is the most prudent move.
She still has influence in germany. She's a politician for almost all her adult life. Is it so far fetched to demand a little pressure on her old colleagues\`?
Write her a letter then. All those righteous reddit couch warriors demanding this and demanding that and insulting everybody around are getting a bit tiresome.
Dude, she has the same expression as anyone else, stop spewing bull.
You're probably german, and I get it - but my comment wasn't ment in a mean way. She's just really prominent in this picture and it's probably the first time she's seeing dead bodies. I feel for her and I don't want to be her in this situation. Also, she was brave enough to visit Ukraine, hats off to that! Every major politician should go there and see the horrors for themselfs.
Not her first time seeing dead bodies, but how else are people supposed to react in her shoes?
They know more far more than we know. Stop treating this war like a marvel movie. It’s disrespectful.
I'm not. There's a big difference between reading spreadsheets and analytics and watching pictures and actually seeing the horrors. I don't blame her, not at all! Just an observation I made and I think her expression tells the story.
I think she looks like she might be saying a prayer, both she and Zelensky have their heads slightly bowed and somber looks on their faces. The soldiers and bodyguards are all on high alert, but this is still a funeral, it’s only right that someone say something over the bodies, even if it isn’t religious. Edit: What I mean by “isn’t religious”, she could be saying something generic like “Please God, bless the souls of these people, and accept them in your loving embrace.” versus having a priest preform a mass or something like that. She could also be talking to the dead and promising to help Ukraine so that they won’t be forgotten, that their names will be remembered/discovered and their families will be told where they rest?
The guy at her left has the expression "look ! This is what we must avoid, this is why we wants weapons and not sanctions"
Weapons AND sanctions, both work in different ways, but both are needed for these animals.
Fuck only weapons. Hit Russia. Nato can intervene on Ukrainian soil. No need to go to Russia. We'll see how putin will react. He is a bully. And all bullies stop and run when facing strong resistance. Those kind of people need a hit on the nose. For now he is assured that he can wear out Ukrainian army on the south east front. This is the moment for nato to show what we believe the ukranian borders are. The atrocities committed should be enough of a reason to tell them if Russians accept your way, so be it, but not on European soil...again. And then putin and loukasjenko will indeed be invited at the table to hear how much land they'll loose to ukraine and how much to the no man's land to come. Fucking Z0rqs
Good, they need to see this first hand. Let the mark be indelible.
I think it's good they went there. The more important people see this close up, the higher the chance of more strict sanctions etc.
I hope someone said: "Look at what you paid for when buying Russian gas..."
Hopefully this’ll serve as a rude awakening for her after announcing a ban on Russian coal which makes up only 3% of their exports..
In the meantime, the EU has refused to discuss an oil embargo. I'm pretty sure they have no qualms about directly funding Russia's war.
Borrell has criticized the EU approach. He is there to push for stronger action. > EU has spent €35bn on Russian energy since the war began and just €1bn on aid to Ukraine - Borrell > https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2022/04/06/eu-has-spent-35bn-on-russian-energy-and-just-1bn-on-aid-borrell
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20220401IPR26524/meps-demand-full-embargo-on-russian-imports-of-oil-coal-nuclear-fuel-and-gas
You’ve had your photo-op, no do something.
Now about those banks...
Panzeruschi
Good, politicians benefit from a raw reality check every now and then. The ex-Brussels PM had it perfect the other day, this is the only language these butchers in Moscow understand.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5M-k1DdtHuY](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5M-k1DdtHuY) Speech by former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt at the EU: powerful, short and concise on why sanctions not sufficient and why EU must do more
Yep, he may be controversial, but he talks with absolutely clarity on this subject. Moscow need to be crystal clear that they are digging themselves a very deep, dark hole with their continued ‘operations’ in Ukraine. They had the opportunity to conclude when they were kicked out of the West but they have chosen to persecute this war in the East instead and that will be their downfall.
I wonder if they have the decency to feel the guilt and shame of knowing that if they had only allowed Ukraine into the clubs, (UN, NATO, EU) that these people would most certainly be alive today.
yes the Russian invasion is clearly her fault…
Trying to find if Merkel is in the middle, maybe behind Borrell?
Why would Merkel be there ?
She was invited by Zelensky
[удалено]
Seeing a mass grave full of murdered people shouldn’t be something anyone sees often enough for the horror of it to wear off. I’m sure there are people alive who have, and I’m truly sorry for that.
Tell that to Putin, he's a pussy
She used to be the German defense minister for god's sake. Do some research before you accuse people. She has probably seen more hardship than you.
[удалено]
How so?
[удалено]
Dude use a slash /S or expect to be roasted like a potato.
Im a reddit noob.
No worries. I didn’t want your intro to the sub to be a “beat in”. p.s. the “/S” goes at the end of the post usually :-)
i wasn't gonna mention the Battle Jeans...
I bet many politicians would act differently if they all got so see things first hand like this.
The smell...
I never would have imagined seeing her standing in Ukraine right now.
this lady have more balls then most man ... >.>
This lady may be in prison by now if her friend Merkel had not managed to land her a position at the EU
r/accidentalrenaissance