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Re:Ask HN: How are world leaders able to visit Ukraine? by ggeorgovassilis on Thursday June 16, 2022 @08:38AM (#31765336)
I can only offer speculation. During those visits you mentioned, combat was taking place far (for some definition of distance) away from the place of visit, which sets the base risk. I understand that NATO has fairly good intelligence on all troop movements in the area which further quantifies the actual risk. Lastly: a prominent casualty might sway public support further in Ukraine's favour which probably isn't in Russia's interest.
Re:Ask HN: How are world leaders able to visit Ukraine? by sonotathrowaway on Thursday June 16, 2022 @09:41AM (#31765933)
Support would be the least of their worries. Triggering a direct NATO response would mean fighting first class armies, not their deprecated weapon systems.
Re:Ask HN: How are world leaders able to visit Ukraine? by ggeorgovassilis on Thursday June 16, 2022 @10:11AM (#31766254)
> Triggering a direct NATO response would mean fighting first class armies

Agreed. However a political casulty probably would not provoke a military response, yet.

Re:Ask HN: How are world leaders able to visit Ukraine? by troglonoid on Thursday June 16, 2022 @02:13PM (#31769190)
Historically, political leader assassinations have triggered wars or military responses. What would be the difference in this case?

I suspect the death of the German Chancellor or French President, caused by a direct attack by Russia, wouldn’t be taken lightly.

Re:Ask HN: How are world leaders able to visit Ukraine? by ggeorgovassilis on Thursday June 16, 2022 @02:29PM (#31769344)
> Historically, political leader assassinations have triggered wars or military responses

Because everyone involved was looking for a pretext to war. So far NATO members shy away from confrontation.