Russia - threadbanned users in OP

Hold elections where? What about the annexed regions? What about the regions where bombs are still going off? Where is the line drawn for an election? (Not saying it shouldn't happen but I think my priority would be on getting more materials when people are dying on front line everyday).

In the previous page here I said - I am totally pee'd off that they are being held up by Trump and GOP fcking around re stopping this large support package which has huge implications for Ukraine let alone Europe and the world.

I cannot believe that .. even though he is not in office he alone is shaping the way this war against Ukraine is going. I have no doubt he alone now runs the GOP / Republican party .. what he says goes. He alone is stopping this US aid going to Ukraine. And then we have Trumps crazy invite to attack nato. This guy gets it and puts it exactly as I saw it:

This is an absolute say it as it is from Gabrielius Landsbergis - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Member of Parliament of Lithuania

Again like my last post - he puts into words how I feel also:

https://twitter.com/GLandsbergis/status/1759271051177943311

UNROLLED:

During the Munich conference I was asked why I am so gloomy. Well, somebody has to tell it like it is, so here’s how it is: Things are not going well. 

It is good practice to evaluate things honestly - with all their gloominess. And if we don't shock ourselves back into action it will get worse. In Ukraine, in the rest of Europe and possibly globally.

Ukraine is starved of ammunition and forced to pull back, Europe is facing challenges which might test Article 5, and global instability emerges because autocrats are emboldened by Russia's action and our cautious response. This is not pessimism. This is fact. 

Baseless optimism is a form of self-deception, it is demobilising us. How can we expect to convince the public to spend more on defence, take a stronger stance against Russia and support countries on the eastern flank if leaders won’t admit there is an urgent need? 

And we need action right now, because tomorrow might be too late. We need a push, a jolt, a shock to wake us up. The war is not over, it's far from won, the enemy is very much alive and our European future is at stake. 

I have no doubt that the West has the capacity to help Ukraine win this war. That is a fact. It is also clear that Russia’s industrial power is no match for the united West. But ... 

We don't lack capacity, we lack the political will and urgency necessary to support Ukraine and maintain our collective security. Russia, on the other hand, has the will to destroy Ukraine and reestablish the Russian Empire. When will we start using our capacity to deter this? 

Currently we are an open book to our adversary - clear red lines of non-engagement, disagreements over continuation of assistance and an optimistic blindness to increasing risks. We show no urgency in ramping up our readiness. 

Strategically the goal should be to change Putin's calculations. Disrupt the field. I know it’s not easy, but it is better to admit mistakes and chart a new path forward, rather than to engage in empty self-congratulation.

So yes, I am returning from Munich a bit gloomy. 

Ireland features .. video of this talk:

from newsweek

Who Is Konstantin Nikolaev? Putin Ally Behind Mike Johnson Campaign Donation

it seems his face and chest are badly bruised, the prison people said this is common in heart attack victims

but biden can overide congress, like he done as regards isreal, send them the munitions which are awaiting disposal

Biden can bypass Congress if the US is selling arms to Ukraine. Munitions awaiting disposal may not be covered, likewise selling them for 99c each.

Why they allowed the lend lease act to lapse without even being used once is baffling. I assumed that was the fallback plan if Congress didn't approve new funding. It still gave Ukraine munitions, but they would need to return or pay for them eventually (could be written off at a later date). Key point being Ukraine wouldn't be left short.

That's not going to happen, Trump can't force Europeans to take their own security seriously.

If he pushes it, threatens to leave NATO, withdraw US troops from Europe, Western Europe will just continue as is and not bother with security. There is nothing that will change that.

I don't know why America couldn't sell all their cluster Munitions to Ukraine that they themselves are banned from using, I think someone said they have 6 million in storage. Like that would of probably saved adviika from falling. Sell them even 1 dollar for 1 cluster artillery shell. Least it fills in the gaps and would help Ukraine considerably. It's just the delay if Ukraine do get the 60 billion in US aid. Where will the front lines be then? What will the state of some of Ukrainian forces be in that have had to fight without the necessary artillery etc? They have lost a lot of people who should not have died if they were given all they should of been given and will lose more by the time IF there given the aid they deserve. I honestly think Ukraine need to drop there mobilisation age and recruit younger ages, it's more if Ukraine don't get the 60 billion US say by the summer what way will their forces be by then. I just wonder is Ukraine just holding out for the 60 billion US aid so they don't need to mobilise the younger people which I can understand but if there not given it there going to have to. It's more if the aid is not given when would this call have to be made.

Ahhh thanks for clearing that up as I was wondering why they couldn't sell the Cluster Munitions to Ukraine on the cheap just to get rid of them and could of helped Ukraine considerably.

France show long time ago that they only provide "help" if it is manufactured in France and someone else pay for it. Similar situation is going on now with Czech president. Only talk without anything concrete.

I am of the opinion at this point we just need to shut the whole thing down and kick them out. No doubt they will do likewise to our embassy in Moscow but thats fine as at this point there is no commercial business for us to be doing there and it's frankly IMHO a waste of our money having an embassy there.