Vlads Pals ?

[ToraToraTora]

https://112.international/ukraine-top-news/four-eu-countries-block-russias-disconnection-from-swift-70092.html
..4 EUSSR countries veto blocking Russia from SWIFT. Selfish B'stards!

[naomi24]

Ich, according to this it's been hit by Russian shells. I don't know how accurate that is, or how reliable the source. Just saying.

https://journalrecord.com/2022/02/24/ukraine-loses-control-of-chernobyl-site-increase-in-radiation-detected/

[sevenOP]

"countries veto blocking Russia from SWIFT"

Nord Stream 1 is 1 reason.

[ichkeria]

Thanks naomi I hadn't seen that.
I hope it isn't true.
The fog of war and all that ...

[Stickybottle]

What are the odds on Banzai getting BA ?
Remarkable ! Pmsl

Nearly as funny as the remark about purposely making Chernobyl leak again
Lol !

[Old_Geezer]

We all like to be paid, but most draw the line with trading with the enemy. Germany and Russia may not (yet ?) be at war but the Russian invasion in Europe ensures that they are no ally, and need opposing even if just on moral grounds.

[naomi24]

Ich, if you don't mind me asking what is your background?

[pat2604]

/The most rude and obnoxious people it has ever been my misfortune to meet/

Not my experience Sticky! I married one. I know many more. They are stoic and usually keep themselves to themselves and arewary but obnoxious they are not. The Brits are far more obnoxious on foreign holidays!!

[ichkeria]

I’m Irish Naomi but I have long standing connections with Ukraine.
I know Kyiv so well.
Every district, every major landmark.
The bars, the restaurants, the forests etc
So seeing this is very distressing.
I feel guilty making too much of a fuss about that as I’m safe here in the UK.

[naomi24]

Thanks ich.

[Stickybottle]

pat2604
/The most rude and obnoxious people it has ever been my misfortune to meet/

Not my experience Sticky! I married one. I know many more. They are stoic and usually keep themselves to themselves and arewary but obnoxious they are not. The Brits are far more obnoxious on foreign holidays!!
——-
Your husband is obviously not included in that assessment ! Lol
The ones I encountered in Cyprus had no concept of other people
No idea what a queue was and thought they could play water polo in a rough manner around toddlers
Speak as you find
The one I met at Checkpoint Bravo was a nice chap who swapped me a ushanka for 20 cigarettes and a can of Coke
That was the exchange rate and normal practice way back when ! Lol

[naomi24]

Incidentally, Ich. You've no reason to feel guilty. I think this is distressing even for people with no connections to the Ukraine. Horrendous really.

[pat2604]

Don't forget Sticky that queues rarely happen anywhere out of the UK ;0)

Did you realise that in Russia they are not brought up to talk or smile at strangers. They find it difficult to understand our culture of even smiling or nodding at strangers. It's not rudeness. I have learned a lot!!

My Russian came over as a refugee with his family years ago. His family history would make a great film! Exciting and mind blowing!!

[ichkeria]

I know naomi, thank you.
But when i think of what it's like for people who are there ...

"Did you realise that in Russia they are not brought up to talk or smile at strangers. They find it difficult to understand our culture of even smiling or nodding at strangers. It's not rudeness. I have learned a lot!! "

yes this is also true of Ukrainians. People don't smile or wave at you in the street as they would here.
But maybe better to have that and a genuine warmth when you get to know them! That also applies to Russians.

[pat2604]

Yes Ich, there is a genuine warmth and a sense of loyalty to their friends and family. You never enter a Russian household without being invited to eat and drink with them. They are generous people in general.

[naomi24]

//when i think of what it's like for people who are there ... //

I can empathise. The situation is not a million miles from my experience.

[ichkeria]

Absolutely pat.
And they are being robbed blind by their own leaders.
Very sad.

[dannyk13]

We have quite a lot of Ukranians in Bradford and they have integrated very well.

[ichkeria]

I think Manchester is Ukraine Central in the UK: I noticed that Oleksandr Zinchenko the Man City/Ukraine player was with a demo in the city last night.

[pat2604]

Ich. I could cry. Hubby really doesn't want to talk about it. I can see why.