Russia-Ukraine War (continuing)

Having direct talks with Putin pretty much made NATO irrelevant too. He can't complain if Europe create a replacement for NATO minus the USA.

Protests against electricity prices in Russia.

Usually a protest has to be applied for in Russia and only if it's given permission from the kremlin is it allowed take place. So I'm not sure what's happening here.

Hard to know what the real truth is- I’m not sure a “hold over” is the correct term. Trump loves simplicity, bless his cotton socks- Europe, The EU and even NATO, are complex structures- they don’t hold Trumps interest and are quite simply way too much hard work that get in the way of his golf , burger eating and Truth Social posting.

I think Trump wants instant gratification as well as adulation -he can get this from Russia - there’s essentially just one person there to “get on with”- Putin.
Since Trump doesn’t care about Ukraine no less Europe, why not do business with Putin? Instant praise coupled with billions of dollars of rich resources from Ukraine - what’s not to like? Americans don’t in the main, give a sh1t about Europe or Ukraine either- so again, it doesn’t hurt Trump at home.

Trump doesn’t want “noise” from Russia whilst he’s in power - he wants money and trade- he doesn’t give a fig if Russia is raping every second Ukrainian woman or planning a covert terrorist attack on their nuclear plant in a few years time- as long as he gets to say he ended the war and gets his pay check he’s happy.

Is that too simple? Maybe it is but Trump is a completely self centered narcissist - he’s also very lazy- he’s a crook, a rapist and a lot of other nasty things- he can act this way simply because he’s programmed to act this way- he doesn’t need any external help or indeed pressure to do so. His overt attitude and behaviour and words towards the Palestinian people really shows me everything we need to know about just how he thinks- it’s not a mystery or indeed a conspiracy theory- it’s clearly “Trump” being Trump.

^^^™Ad hominum

We're not looking to invade Russia just push them out of Ukraine. But we will squeeze them economically until they give up their nukes and reduce their military to a force that wouldn't take Estonia on their own.

Because otherwise the US will stop sending weapons (as per the package deal agreed by the previous administration), won't sell American weapons even if Ukraine comes with a fistful of dollars from the EU, and Musk will turn off Starlink for Ukraine (terminals were mostly bought by Poland, but the connection itself is paid for by the US MoD). It is an extortion.

Analysis of the originally proposed deal: https://www.csis.org/analysis/assessing-viability-us-ukraine-minerals-deal

Right now I think that Zelenskyy is very likely to sign some kind of minerals rights deal with the US. He is an ok negotiator himself, not the best, but better than Trump anyway. If he can get a deal where US companies have to provide the investment in exchange for some part of the profit, it could be a deal that Trump can sell to his followers as a win.

But that's going to happen anyway isn't it? Trump is withdrawing military support from Ukraine and giving into Russia. It's not like if Zekensky gives him the minerals Trump is going to back Ukraine militarily.

as Trump says ‘ that Putin wants to end the war - with all this unnecessary killing ‘, towns, etc , being levelled to rubble, etc, etc.

so since you , President Trump are on talking terms with Putin please tell him that the quickest and QUICKEST. Way to end the war and IMMEDIATELY STOP all the killing is to F—k off back home to your side of the pre 2014 border.

Whatever happens it is imperative that Europe isolates Russia economically and builds its armed forces. That way Russia won't be able to catch up. Their army has been all but destroyed and their economy/infrastructure is crumbling. Let them crumble.

Europe can afford to defend itself without US but needs more coordination, study says
By Reuters
February 21, 2025 12:47 PM

BERLIN, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Europe needs to spend around 250 billion euros ($261.6 billion) annually in defence investments to secure itself without U.S. support, a sum the bloc could bear given its economic strength, according to a study published on Friday.
This spending, equivalent to 1.5% of the EU's gross domestic product, would allow Europe to mobilize some 300,000 soldiers to defend itself against Russia, the study by research institute Bruegel and the Kiel Institute for the World Economy said…

"In economic terms, this is manageable ... That is far less than had to be mobilized to overcome the crisis during the COVID pandemic, for example," Guntram Wolff, co-author of the study, said in a statement.

It appears not all is lost.

I have seen an article in which it is mentioned that multiple Republican politicians have been meeting their electorates in town hall meetings and that they have been blowing up in their faces with very angry voters lashing out at them.

Tide turning?

Exactly none of what you quoted or wished for is going to happen.

Unfortunately.

Have you not been paying attention to Trump recently? He could shut this country down overnight if he wanted to. And if threatened or insulted, - he will. Time to keep the heads down and wait for him to get distracted by the next shiny thing.

Oh, I'm not one bit afraid of a severe recession. And yes, - I don't want us having to go to war either.

But he's shown since re-election that he'll play as dirty as he can and that he cares not a jot for right v wrong or human lives destroyed.

No European country is going to sneeze right now and alert him to their existence.

Yes. Agree, agree, and agree. There is no hope of us maintaining mutually friendly relations with that US administration anymore after the last few days carry on and it's pointless going over there to be issued ultimatums and humiliated as will happen.

I'm surprised to be saying this as until recently I thought the looney lefties saying we should boycott it were just that.

I've changed my mind.

And he's complaining how an US ally (Ukraine) didn't surrender when they were invaded by their neighbours. It's pretty despicable.

Can we all agree that Trump is greedy? Giving him what he wants and keeping the head down is precisely the kind of behaviour that will have him returning for more. Appeasement doesn't work with someone who doesn't have restraints on their greed.