this post was submitted on 02 Dec 2025
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Europe

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"If Europe suddenly wants to start a war with us and starts it," Putin said, then it would end so swiftly for Europe that there would be no one to negotiate with in Europe. Putin used the Russian word for "war". He also suggested that the war in Ukraine was not a full-blown war and that Russia was acting in a "surgical" manner which would not be repeated in a direct confrontation with European powers. "If Europe suddenly wants to fight with us and starts, we are ready right now," Putin said.

NOTE: imo there is a lot of saber-rattling going on lately. Its all part of the political game. Pls let's keep our heads cool with clickbait titles and speculations. I can sympathise with the worries and that these are trying times for us.

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[–] Aequitas@feddit.org -2 points 4 days ago (16 children)

France or the UK would not start a nuclear war with Russia over the Baltic states, Poland, or Finland, as that would spell their own demise. Nor would they do so for Germany, Italy, or Sweden. And the US cannot be relied upon.

[–] GissaMittJobb@lemmy.ml 7 points 4 days ago (9 children)

You're under the impression that France, the UK and the US would stand idly by as nukes start to drop around the globe?

[–] Aequitas@feddit.org -2 points 4 days ago (8 children)

Not idly. But they would not use their nuclear bombs.

[–] GissaMittJobb@lemmy.ml 5 points 4 days ago (1 children)

I'm convinced that if one nuke drops, then they will all start dropping at a rapid rate.

This is why no one ever actually uses them, because as soon as you do, it's game over

[–] Aequitas@feddit.org -2 points 4 days ago (2 children)

That would lead to the complete destruction of France/UK. Why would they do that?

[–] GissaMittJobb@lemmy.ml 5 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Russia dropping nukes on other countries would lead to the complete destruction of Russia. Why would they do that?

[–] Aequitas@feddit.org -3 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Why would it lead to the complete destruction of Russia?

[–] GissaMittJobb@lemmy.ml 4 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Why would other nuclear powers stand idly by once Russia drops nukes?

[–] Aequitas@feddit.org -2 points 4 days ago

Because a nuclear retaliation by France or the UK against Russia would result in the destruction of France and the UK. Imagine this scenario: Moscow drops a nuclear bomb on a major European city. Do you think Macron would stand up in front of the French people and say: β€œThis means the end for all of us, but we will now take revenge on Russia”?

Strategic nuclear weapons have only one purpose: to protect one's own existence from other nuclear weapons in a tit-for-tat principle. They are completely unsuitable for supporting allies, because their existence is always considered less relevant than one's own.

One exception was the Cold War, when the US considered NATO and the Soviets considered the Warsaw Pact to be their quasi-property.

[–] richardwonka@mas.to 2 points 4 days ago (1 children)

@Aequitas - that was what we all thought throughout the cold war.

Songs were written about this.

Yet here we are - again.

[–] Aequitas@feddit.org -2 points 4 days ago

France and the UK did not use nuclear weapons during the Cold War. And the US explicitly and unambiguously extended nuclear deterrence to the entire NATO territory. But that is no longer the case. France and the UK would have more interest in dishonoring the alliance for existential reasons alone, as long as they themselves are not bombed. But from the US perspective, the Europeans were vassal states. An attack on them had to be seen in the US as an attack on its own territory. The same does not apply from a French or British perspective. Anyone who thinks that they would risk their existence for an act of revenge against Russia is living in La-La Land.

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