There's going to be increasing pressure put on every subsequent aid package that the US tries to get through. And the ones that do get through, are inevitably going to keep getting smaller over time. And if Trump gets in, I doubt he'll be happy about sinking more and more money into some endless war. He has always been dead set against this with previous US overseas military engagements.
And where are you getting that from ? there doesn't seem to be a slow down in aid and Europe has stepped up its funding as time goes by. What's more likely to happen is European countries will do like USA, they will dump their current stock into Ukr and update their stocks. As has been pointed out, the vast majority of USA funding has been spent in the USA on the above strategy. Its a boon to their economy.
Most of the world are not sanctioning Russia. They have plenty of viable trading partners throughout the world, and crucially have lots of important resources in abundant quantities that nations desperately need. Particularly developing nations, which Russia and China are strategically aligned with in the BRICS and SCO etc. Russia will have plenty of economic potential going forward.
You're wrong their, no point in having a small number of trading partners that are out to screw you. A developing nation with little or no money thousands of miles away isn't much help. What are they going to do, redirect all the pipelines overnight ? Russia had a great thing going on with its next door neighbour, a neighbour with deep pockets. That's gone and could be gone for good.
I would fully expect Russia to help rebuild Ukrainian infrastructure, once the conflict has concluded. But only if it ends favourably for them and they are satisfied with the security situation.
Are you saying that Russia will bring Ukr up to the standard of rural Russia.. hahahahah… They say Brexit is the gift that keeps giving and now the UKr war is Russia's gift that keeps giving. Eventually Russia will see, to stop the rot they will have to pay for Ukr's rebuild, they won't want to do it, but they will have to.
Be great for Ukraine. Anything like that would help.
They could even pay a Ukrainian Co. for the disposal of surplus US cluster munitions that need to be destroyed. I'm sure any AFU Co. would be more than willing to oblige.
the Kerch bridge is very ‘close in design ‘to the Irish Bridge . Both bridges are under water but the Irish Bridge - when shown in its entirety - has a solid approach entrance at both ends as one enters the underwater bridge. The Irish. bridge only works where the water level over it is never more than circa 9 inches -re cars- but can be deeper for more higher sprung vehicles eg trucks. they are cheaper to construct than an over the water bridge
“Things can fall apart very quickly.” In an exclusive interview with The Economist, Emmanuel Macron issues a dark and prophetic warning to Europe
https://twitter.com/TheEconomist/status/1785957790130790404
https://www.economist.com/leaders/2024/05/02/emmanuel-macrons-urgent-message-for-europe
Touching the armor betrays a subconscious admiration for the west
Notice how that vehicle is intact and is not orbiting the planet
One question from the last few months was why wasn't the EU buying arms off the US to fill the gap for Ukraine. The same should be asked here. Von der Leyen is very quick to voice her support for Israel regardless of their acts. Surely they'd be happy to give her the Patriots for a few shekels.
paywalled. what does he say? Plus, it's the Economist, can you summarize?
Not the Economist Article but from 7 days ago or so. His speech at Sorbonne University which maybe similar:
https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/04/25/europe-is-mortal-macron-warns-as-he-calls-for-more-eu-unity-and-sovereignty-in-landmark-sp
https://www.thejournal.ie/emmanuel-macron-france-europe-russian-aggression-ukraine-6364136-Apr2024/
France, Cyprus and Greece blocked EU funding arms purchases from non EU countries. That has only changed recently (specifically the need for artillery) where if Ukraine needs something that the EU cannot provide in a timely fashion the EU will seek it outside the bloc.
Israel have modified their patriot systems so it's not as easy as Ursula cutting the Israelis a cheque.
Fair play to Macron. He started implementing right wing ideologies to keep his left leaning party in power and the pro Russian right out.
This was important for Ukraine because Macron is one of a very select group of leaders saying they might intervene directly.
I don't think you'll ever see the French on the ground but they'll definitely give more weapons and may even use their own to conduct long distant strikes to hurt the Russians.
would not some of the ‘items listed’ in that $61 bn be vague enough to be inclusive of such ammunition. Individuals are smart enough to come up with such wording - unless the US wanted to specifically exclude such ammunition
I see Russian sources have said that they have repaired much damage to their oil refineries and can fix future damage within two weeks.
? Why are they saying this? Misinformation, to discourage further attacks.
Macron is anticipating a Trump victory. Meaning an EU wide effort to full support and backing for Ukraine to stop Putin.
I mean when the Kerch bridge was first truck bombed, despite the fact that it was extremely obvious that the damage was extensive and would take months to repair the Russians were releasing fake videos of the thing being used in a limited fashion that night.
"Hey don't bother hitting our oil refineries we can repair it really really fast so its not worth your time to bomb them"
translates to:
"Please don't bomb our oil refineries it's absolutely murdering our economy and the repairs are really difficult with all the sanctions because many of the components are western. Plus we've sent many able bodied workers/repairers to die in Ukraine"
https://www.intellinews.com/ukraine-s-drone-attacks-on-russian-oil-refineries-cause-domestic-petrol-prices-to-surge-323509/
If it wasn't actually affecting them they wouldn't be saying anything about it.
It's same as "western weapons will not make any difference. Btw, stop sending them or else".
I'd say that its more for home consumption… we mustn't cause any panic amongst the native's must we? Things are shakey enough as they are, without making them worse.
Surprised Gazprom has announced this.
"Gazprom" has reported a record net loss for the first time since 1999"
Gazprom" at the end of 2023 went into a loss, which amounted to 629 billion rubles ($6.7 billion). This follows from the company's report on international standards (IFRS).
The hatches were closed on this Russian vehicle. But you can see the drone targeted just where the hatch shut and it sprang the hatch open and then eventually everything inside just cooked off and exploded. Looks like there possibly were citizens of Russia inside following Putin's orders.
Meanwhile, for all those following Putin's financial fortunes!
That was some hit…the drone was like a show jumper, slow on the approach, then full gallop into the vehicle!! I doubt very much if anyone that was in it would have survved. Before it cooked off, there as smoke escaping out of everywhere, even the gun barrel.
I foresee some Gazprom executives having an accident in the near future.
Might be time for them to get rid of the imp first. Not only is he's a threat to them, he's also cutting in to the bottom line which seems to be the only thing that motivates these guys.
Speaking of accidents, earlier on, I came across a post claiming that Lavrov was taking retirement, and being replaced….but try as I might, I cannot it'sd it again. But, if its true, it will not be a secret for very long…something deep in the Kremlin is stirring if Lavrovs name is being mentioned!
I'm not sure. I haven't seen any mention of it to be included. Hopefully it is but if not might mean it could be given to Ukraine down the line but 100% it's what they need right now.
Not surprising, more blatant human rights violations by the RuZZian Orcs.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-ukraine-disabilities-war-crimes-disappeared-b2537811.html
Not a great outlook
https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-russia-war-latest-large-fire-as-russia-hits-port-city-with-ballistic-missile-12541713?postid=7618810#liveblog-body
BBC Discussed the topic of handing over 300bn in Russian seized assets to Ukraine. Main obstacle left seems at EU level
Which of the EU elections candidates running are most anti Russia?
Potentially over one hundred Russian troops killed in Kuban by ATACMS
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2024/05/02/hundreds-of-russian-troops-gathered-out-in-the-open-they-didnt-know-the-ukrainians-had-aimed-four-atacms-rockets-at-them/?sh=fc9bdab1a2e4
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