Ukraine (Mod Note & Threadbanned Users in OP)

Some commentators have picked up on the suggestion that for Putin this is mainly about normalising relations with the Trump regime and getting the sanctions lifted - the supposed 'peace process' for Ukraine is much more of a sideshow.

Could well be that. Russia is facing economic collapse and the lifting of sanctions would be a high priority for them.

Where did you find the US is down 600 billion?? Since the beginning in Feb 2022, to the present, $175 Billion has been earmarked / approved for Ukraine. $65 billion has actually been drawn down, and 95% of that has gone directly to US munitions manufacturers, to replace the older stock sent to Ukraine with newer updated weapons to the US military stocks. Are you using the Trump version of economics?? You know, the version where he's demanding repayment of $500 billion for the $65 billion the US has spent on helping Ukraine against Russia?

Both Putin and Trump have legacy ambitions, which is why they chime with eachother.

Vance knows now that Trump will want one of his own kids to be his successor. Will he flip again and go full anti trump?

The problem is that with Trump spreading these lies, lots of Americans will believe him. And increase anti Ukraine sentiment in the US and the world. Not to mention what the Russian will do with it, propaganda wise.

As the EU and our EEA and British allies prepare a package of support for Ukraine and finally start seriously talking about our own defence cababilities, independent of an unreliable partner in the US, what is Ireland's role in the future? Ireland prospers in a peaceful Europe. Is it fair that we spend 0.2% of our GDP on defence while more or less expecting our neighbours to pay 10 times that and more? I think "strict" Irish neutrality has run its course. I think we need to be a part of Europe's defence in a meaningful way like several other small European nations are.

That would be a solid start and as we have seen, the Russians and their Chinese accomplicies are no strangers to attacking undersea infrastructure. We are of course heavily dependent on such infrastructure so I hope we won't be hearing any "sure we're an island, they can't do anything to us" nonsense.

All Trumps nonsense has done is increase popularity of Zelensky

A comedian is now more popular than a clown

Zelensky can call Trumps nonsense out by holding a snap election and either himself or Zalushny or Budanov would win by a landslide

Putin of course would try to run his puppets but they can mysteriously fall out of a window or have a heart attack in a true Russian politician fashion

Actually that a chunk of population are in occupied territories or Russia proper presents a very interesting opportunity

If anyone with a passport who happens to not be in free Ukraine would have to travel to Kiev to vote with the passport stamped when entering country via designated port of entry and again when voting

If they are male well they can’t leave again because war

If they are female and want to leave the country well they have to relinquish their passport and citizenship if they want to go back to Russia or just prevent them from leaving since it show on passport they voted and now want to leave hence committing fraud

The constitutional question could be held in a referendum at same time as the election

That puts Putin in a bind, does he permit the Ukrainians who are in occupied territories or Russia itself to travel or not

It starkly then forces those who might harbour Russian sympathies to chose a side

Yes it would

But three years of war would have convinced even the most pro Russians in Ukraine just what a terrible idea the Russian way is

Especially since it’s the Russian “speakers” in east who suffered the most and in my scenario would have to be permitted to travel to Kiev to vote

BTW neither Trump nor Putin cares about “free and fair” elections, if Trump wants to hold free and fair elections well he can then send more equipment to liberate and defend Ukrainian voters

He can also provide air defence and a squad of us marines to defend each polling station, to show how America is committed to freedom and democracy/s

These guys don’t care about rules, so **** the rules and screw then over in their own game by making up rules

Indeed.

Each evening state TV shows in Russia talk of little else but invading more of Europe and dropping nuclear bombs.

Putin is consumed with the past, and he sees Russian imperialism as the only way forward. Even if a peace deal is reached now, the number one stipulation from Russia is no NATO membership for Ukraine, this is so that Putin, at some future date, can re-invade the country.

It's not just Ukraine. I would place a large amount of money on Putin absorbing Belarus in 5 years regardless of whatever outcome with Ukraine at the present.

We can't discount the possibility that China will decide it is in its interest to support Russian rearmament. Europe needs to be armed to a point that Russia simply never tries to attack us, Ukraine included, ever again.