Russia has invaded Ukraine

BREAKING: FIFA will ban Russia and its teams, ejecting the country from qualifying for the 2022 World Cup only weeks before it was to play for one of Europe’s final places in the tournament. UEFA will join FIFA in issuing and honoring the ban. - New York Times.

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Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is urging President Biden and NATO to impose a "no-fly zone" over "significant parts" of the country, telling Axios in a statement that Ukraine "can beat the aggressor" if the Western allies "do their part." -Axios.

That said, CNN anchor, Jim Sciutto warns:

“Folks backing this need to acknowledge how this would put US/NATO aircraft head-to-head with Russian aircraft and air defense systems. Chance of escalation is real and chance of US/NATO losses as well. This is not Serbia or Iraq.”

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UPDATE: NATO rules out 'no-fly zone' over Ukraine.

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said that NATO had no intention of entering Ukraine by land or air to stop Russia.

NATO’s responsibility is to ensure that the conflict does not “spiral out of control, escalate or turn into a full-scale war in Europe with NATO allies,” Stoltenberg said. - Kyiv Independent.

Originally Posted by Mick

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is urging President Biden and NATO to impose a "no-fly zone" over "significant parts" of the country.

That wont happen, that would be direct NATO v Russia, which we dont want.

[Jaymoss]

Deffo think Zelensky was over playing his hand requesting that. Maybe he got carried away and thought the support his country was getting was a little more than it is

The marines thought killed on Snake Island are apparently alive and well, according to the Ukraine Navy.

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Meanwhile some Russian billionaires are calling for the end of the war.

I can imagine some very nasty groups [and Mafia] within Russia are taking some big financial hits now, and considering whether they can take Putin out.

https://www.standard.co.uk/business/...n-b985156.html

Shell to exit Russia as oil giant joins corporate backlash against Ukraine invasion

Oil giant Shell has bowed to pressure to exit all joint operations with Russian energy firm Gazprom, ditching stakes in natural gas projects and the undersea pipeline Nord Stream 2 worth around $3 billion.

It comes a day after rival BP announced it was to sever links with Kremlin-controlled Rosneft in a move which sent its shares down 7.5% despite rising Brent Crude and natural gas prices.

Norway’s biggest energy company Equinor also announced a retreat from Russia, where it holds assets of $1.2 billion, amid a growing corporate backlash.

Shell holds a 27.5% stake in Gazprom’s offshore gas project Sakhalin-2, which supplies about 4% of the global market for liquefied natural gas.


It is also holds a 10% stake worth $1 billion in Gazprom’s Nord Stream 2, the 750-mile undersea pipeline that had been due to double the flow of natural gas from Russia to Germany before Berlin pulled the plug last week.

CEO Ben van Beurden said: “We are shocked by the loss of life in Ukraine, which we deplore, resulting from a senseless act of military aggression which threatens European security.”

Shell’s staff in Ukraine and other countries have been working to manage the company’s response to the crisis on the ground. Shell will also work with aid partners and humanitarian agencies to help in the relief effort.

“Our decision to exit is one we take with conviction,” said van Beurden. “We cannot – and we will not – stand by. Our immediate focus is the safety of our people in Ukraine and supporting our people in Russia.

“In discussion with governments around the world, we will also work through the detailed business implications, including the importance of secure energy supplies to Europe and other markets, in compliance with relevant sanctions.”

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https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sp...ce-2022-02-28/

MANCHESTER, Feb 28 (Reuters) - UEFA have cancelled their sponsorship deal with Russian energy company Gazprom, European soccer's governing body said on Monday, reaction to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

"UEFA has today decided to end its partnership with Gazprom across all competitions. The decision is effective immediately and covers all existing agreements including the UEFA Champions League, UEFA national team competitions and UEFA EURO 2024.

The sponsorship deal has been in place since 2012 and has been reported to be worth around 40 million euros per season.

UEFA and FIFA announced on Monday that all Russian national and club teams were suspended from international football.

Originally Posted by Carth

Nope, been warm and comfy playing some No Mans Sky


Having said that, I recall taking a drink/toilet break just after half 2

Can I suggest you hide in the cupboard under the stairs?

Interesting… just posted by Ukraine Ministry of Defence, Olensii Reznikov, translated from Russian-

Russian soldier! You were brought to our land to kill and die. Do not follow criminal orders. We guarantee you a full amnesty and 5 million rubles if you lay down your arms. For those who continue to behave like an occupier, there will be no mercy

[mrmistoffelees]

Originally Posted by Paul

The marines thought killed on Snake Island are apparently alive and well, according to the Ukraine Navy.

---------- Post added at 18:04 ---------- Previous post was at 18:01 ----------

Meanwhile some Russian billionaires are calling for the end of the war.

I can imagine some very nasty groups [and Mafia] within Russia are taking some big financial hits now, and considering whether they can take Putin out.

I came to post similar, oligarchs are now publicly calling for peace talks, I’d be amazed if things are not shifting gears internally against Putin

Interesting… just posted by Ukraine Ministry of Defence, Olensii Reznikov, translated from Russian-

5 million Rubles may sound like a lot but it’s worth £50,000

1 ruble = 1p

[papa smurf]

Originally Posted by Mick

5 million Rubles may sound like a lot but it’s worth £50,000

1 ruble = 1p

Give it a few days and 5 million will be about 40 pence.

https://twitter.com/vancityreynolds/...185055750?s=21

Ryan Reynolds and his wife, Blake Lively, are matching donations (up to $1 million) to the USA for UNHCR refugee charity to support Ukrainian refugees.

Ryan Reynolds
@vancityreynolds

In 48 hours, countless Ukrainians were forced to flee their homes to neighboring countries. They need protection. When you donate, we’ll match it up to $1,000,000, creating double the support.⬇️ http://unrefugees.org/SupportUkraine

[Jaymoss]

Originally Posted by Paul

The marines thought killed on Snake Island are apparently alive and well, according to the Ukraine Navy.

Guess I was right to be a cynic with that story.

As I said before there will be propaganda coming at us from all angles

[Pierre]

Originally Posted by Hugh

Can I suggest you hide in the cupboard under the stairs?

Is that the same one from earlier?

Originally Posted by Pierre

Is that the same one from earlier?

Can’t tell, as there’s no call sign, but it has the same flight pattern (varying between 1000 and 5000 feet, and variable speeds of 150-400 knots).

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https://apple.news/AqRIq9hVPTJueMtGiSwJlAw

The European Parliament is set to officially throw its support behind making Ukraine an official candidate for membership of the European Union.

A motion published on Monday night with support of all the parliament's mainstream political groups urged the EU to push towards "granting EU candidate status to Ukraine".

The landmark symbolic motion will be voted on by MEPs on Tuesday as part of an emergency Brussels session of the parliament, focusing on the invasion of Ukraine. Its backing by all the main groups means it is certain to pass when it goes to the floor.

The renewed push for membership comes amid an outpouring of solidarity across Europe for the country, which was invaded by Russia last week.

The European Parliament motion calling for a membership push for Ukraine is supported by the centre-right, socialist, liberal, green, conservative and left groups in the parliament. The legislature’s far-right caucus is the only group not to put its name to the motion.

The motion says the parliament "calls on the EU institutions to work towards granting EU candidate status to Ukraine, in line with article 49 TEU and merit-based, and, in the meantime, to continue to work towards integration into the EU Single Market along the lines of the Association Agreement".

How is joining the EU going to help them ?