Europe thinks the unthinkable: Retaliating against Russia – POLITICO
www.politico.eu

Ideas range from joint offensive cyber operations against Russia, and faster and more coordinated attribution of hybrid attacks by quickly pointing the finger at Moscow, to surprise NATO-led military exercises, according to two senior European government officials and three EU diplomats

“The Russians are constantly testing the limits — what is the response, how far can we go?” Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže noted in an interview. A more “proactive response is needed,” she told POLITICO. “And it’s not talking that sends a signal — it’s doing.”

Finally.

    • favoredponcho@lemmy.zip
      195·
      3 days ago

      Russia needs to be occupied for at least 100 years so that the country and population can be developed and taught how to operate properly and not like a mafia state.

      • Aceticon@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
        141·
        2 days ago

        I think that if you look around (just look at things like ChatControl, ICE in the US and the support for the Genocidal White Colonialist state of Israel in most of the West) we in the “developed” West are fast moving backwards and becoming more like Russia - more surveillance, more authoritarianist use of force, more corruption, more racism, more imperialism, a more oligarchic economic system, more concentration of power, more inequality.

        Even in a perfect World were common Russians accepted it with open arms, I’m not so sure an occupation of Russia by Western nations would ultimatelly end in them “developing” towards Western Standards rather than in Western nations finishing regressing towards Russian Standards.

          • BrowseMan@sh.itjust.works
            5·
            1 day ago

            Because of the USSR playing its role as boogyman.

            On top of that the at the time Germany and current Russia are totally different: its geography, its people, its government, its economical status.

            Occupation is generally a bad idea, but occupying RUSSIA… Very, very, very bad idea. You’d just confirm the lies the Kremlin tell its population and unite the country against the EU.

            Edit: typo

            • favoredponcho@lemmy.zip
              2·
              2 days ago

              The world is full of irony. A decade ago, no one would’ve discussed this seriously and no one in the West would’ve thought occupying Russia was desirable or necessary. Russia, however, probably sold this idea to its population in order to justify the Ukraine war and additional aggressions against Europe. In turn, by invading Ukraine, Russia has created a reality where it really is necessary for someone to put them in check. Europe needs to wake up to threats against its own safety and if they don’t, they’ll end up like Ukraine. Retaliating against Russia is necessary and once they do, the fighting won’t stop until Putin is toppled and Russia submits full stop. From there it is a question of what happens to Russia. It’s clear letting things play out post-USSR collapse didn’t work. Russia is a mafia state. The West will have to take an active hand. Hopefully, the US can rid itself of its weak Russian puppet and join Europe in working for their own joint interests.

            • BarneyPiccolo@lemmy.today
              1·
              2 days ago

              You’d just confirm the lies the Kremlin tell its population and unite the country against the EU.

              Well, sure, if you allow them to retain control of their propaganda network, and you obviously aren’t going to do that.

              The occupying force will be controlling the messaging, and if they truly are acting in a constructive manner, and truly purging the government of criminal influences and national security threats, and transparently informing the citizens of their progress in taking back the country on behalf of the citizens, then they should have a chance at possibly gaining the trust of the citizens.

              The problem is that it never goes like that. Occupiers tend to be assholes.

        • Lemminary@lemmy.world
          1·
          2 days ago

          And China, and possibly India. I’m so tired of the world powers being run by a bunch of dickheads.

    • Gary Ghost@lemmy.world
      62·
      3 days ago

      How many Russians actually want war with Ukraine? Wouldn’t bombing Moscow punish the wrong people? Bomb the kremlin

      • ctrl_alt_esc@lemmy.ml
        61·
        3 days ago

        Unfortunately, most of them do. Obviously, still no reason to level the city, but you should not fall for that romantic thought of an oppressed populace that is secretely against the war.