You know if Navalny's death does prompt stronger action then great but at the same time it would be so utterly ridiculous on the West's part that the death of a single man would push them and not the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians or the attempted takeover of an entire country, I get the anger over Putin killing him but it's so stupid and frustrating if this causes them to get off their ass and not the 1,000 other reasons.

Yet another example of the West being reactive instead of proactive.

Ukraine could face a "catastrophic shortage of ammunition and air defenses" by late March if Congress does not pass a bill that contains $61 billion in crucial funding for Kyiv, ABC News reported on Feb. 22, citing two anonymous U.S. officials.

ABC News: Ukraine Could Face 'Catastrophic' Arms Shortage Within Weeks, US Officials Say

It sure would be ridiculous, but then again, the West (read: the countries that do not share a border with Russia) has created a bubble where they've patted themselves on the back for making decisions that were objectively way overdue. Also, they've been more focused on Putin and Russia than Ukraine at all times. We've got quotes like "Putin shall not get embarrassed" which was utterly ridiculous when on the other side of this equation thousands of people had to die.

What's true in Germany is that the country's political leaders, regardless of party, have a tremendous focus on polling since more than a decade. Meaning that the government typically does not lead, but rather goes with the flow of the popular opinion. In that sense, repeated news of Nawalny's death can really have some sway, because it's a reminder of how much of a scumbag Putin is. And with the USA being put on hold due to republicans, Scholz can't really fall back on his typical excuse of not doing anything without his partners. Man, that would be ironic; if Russia's negative influence in the USA suddenly makes the decision-making in Europe more ballsy.

It's great that UK broke multiple stupid taboos but I feel we could we sending a lot more still, I'd say quality is there but definitely not quantity. France/Italy are incredibly powerful militaries but their contributions say otherwise. Germany's stupid fear over sending Taurus, A+ on defensive weaponry but sitting blocking punches without hitting being able to hit back doesn't win a fight.

Honestly, it's almost like many countries in western Europe are hiding behind eastern Europe like scared little children, step the fuck up and lead, show your strength, stop being reactive and start being proactive, stop hoarding your military supplies whilst others puts themselves at risk on our behalf, despite the fact that many countries in western Europe are far more powerful and richer than most of Ukraine's strongest supporters.

Even Japan is doing better than France/Italy/Spain in terms of GDP % and Japan is on the other side of the world. The Baltics, Nordics and some in Eastern/Central Europe show strength and courage that I can't really say about anyone else.

Fuck Republicans too.

Speaking of Stupid Rules.

It's for each and every ally to decide whether there are some caveats on what they deliver, and different allies have had a bit different policies on that," Stoltenberg told Radio Free Europe in an interview published on Tuesday.

"But in general, we need to remember what this is. This is a war of aggression by Russia against Ukraine, in blatant violation of international law. And according to international law, Ukraine has the right to self-defence," Stoltenberg added. "And that includes also striking legitimate military targets, Russian military targets, outside Ukraine. That is international law and, of course, Ukraine has the right to do so, to protect itself."

Kyiv Has Right To Strike Russian Targets ‘Outside Ukraine’, Says NATO Chief

The ridiculous rule born out of fear that Ukraine isn't allowed to use certain western weaponry on Russian soil because Putin might get mad at us, thus ensuring that Ukraine has to fight a war with one hand tied behind its back, rules which would never have applied to a NATO country, quite the opposite, if it was Russia invading Poland then NATO would be bombing the shit out of Russia itself.

Fucking Wagner, who everyone knew for years was working directly on behalf of Russia, attacked American troops before in Syria but Ukraine isn't allowed to use certain weapons on Russian soil? Weapons which the West aren't operating, nor are we telling Ukraine where to strike, nor are those weapons even ours anymore once they pass into Ukraine, it's not a loan, it's a donation.

Cause Putin might get upset and he might threaten us for the 10,000th time

Like, I ain't saying Ukraine should all of a sudden start carpet bombing Russian cities but it's a joke they aren't allowed to use certain western weapons on Russian soil at all, not even for military targets. War sucks, for all sides, but it was Russia who started this unjust war and you don't win a war by being a nice guy which is in effect what the West demands of Ukraine.

Ukraine should be allowed to hit military targets inside of Russia using western weaponry, they should be allowed to liquidate any Russian training camps inside of Russia using western weaponry, you telling me it's bad to do it inside of Russia but as soon as that soldier steps foot into Ukraine it's fine? It's completely stupid logic.

Not to mention Ukraine has been hitting shit inside of Russia for almost 2 years now and Russia hasn't responded by nuking Ukraine. Every single escalation taboo has been broken. Russia ain't going to go to war with us because Ukraine used a Storm Shadow inside of Russia, they'll moan like always and do fuck all, the only language Russia understands is strength and if you don't show it, they take advantage of it.

The solution to the minefields is possibly staring us in the face but Ukraine isn't allowed to do it, instead of going through them, go around them, an invading force into Russia, establish a staging area and attack Russian troops from behind, we've already seen how poor the defences are inside of Russia itself multiple times but the only ones allowed to probe are the "Russian Volunteers" because Ukraine can claim no responsibility. The West of course wouldn't have the stomach to approve of such a move but it may be easier than charging head first into minefields, trenches and artillery.

Reportedly Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to visit Armenia soon.

As a major new study by the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) makes clear, Russian aggression is not a passing phenomenon. Over the past three decades, Russia's post-Soviet leadership has consistently concluded that it needs to maintain military dominion in its former empire, as well as the ability to control political, economic, and even social developments in its erstwhile vassals.

To achieve this dominance, Russia's leaders have likewise concluded that undermining the structures of US and European power in the world — ranging from NATO and transatlantic solidarity to the rules of the global trading and financial systems — is a critical Russian national-security interest.

US Capitulation on Ukraine Will Bring Another War - CEPA

Agreement on Security Cooperation and Long-Term Support Between Ukraine and Denmark — Official Website of the President of Ukraine

Another A-50 Was Shot Down

Russia is claiming friendly fire.

A-50 has a flight crew of five, supplemented by 10 specialists who operate a host of sensors, radios, and datalinks to coordinate air and ground forces in response to what its sensors can see. The A-50s play important supporting roles. They help to detect incoming Ukrainian missile raids and also relay radio signals from front-line forces to their headquarters, which might be hundreds of miles away.

Another 15 specialised forces dead.

Russia only had 9 of these, now 7 thanks to the 2 destroyed. Between these two losses, that's $600m+ down the drain.

What a disaster for Russia's air-force the past 2 weeks, 7 jets and an A-50.