Russia-Ukraine War (continuing)

A large amount of stuff burning in Rostov, going by the huge volumes of smoke.

It's time for European countries to look at disconnecting from reliance on the US arms industry. The US has shown it cannot be trusted. Increasing self reliance and looking at grippen, mirage and typhoon instead of f16s and f35s would seem to provide more long-term security for both initial supply and long-term mainenace.

Similarly for any other US weapons systems, a European alternative is needed to ensure we are not relying on, what is for now, an unreliable single source.

I was chatting with a Ukrainian friend yesterday, and he pointed out that interoperability of weapons in the Ukraine will be a mess, should the US withdraw supplies. German barrels don't fit on French pistols and so on. Apparently, RuZZia found out the hard way that North Korean weapons don't interoperate either, and also that much of what NK supplied in terms of weapons were broken and disfunctional USSR materiel.

Can you comment on the interoperability issues facing Ukraine if it gets weapons built in Europe? Will the weapons work together? Thanks.

Trump making Europe great again

Ukraine should pay 500bn to America, but they should fine America 1000bn for breaking the Budapest agreement. So America owes Ukraine 500bn. They could pay this by sending jets, ammo, oil, etc etc. It's a beautiful deal, a beautiful deal. I love a beautiful deal. Really I do. It's a beautiful deal.

Yep. The US at best is no longer a reliable ally. At worst they are compromised by Russia.

Europe needs to plan to the future and for right now. Time to stand up and invest in Europe and buy European.

It also may mean some very uncomfortable situations emerging. China for example. Huge human rights abuses, Taiwan issue, their ocean expansion. But China is no threat to Europe currently. Perhaps we could get them to make deals with us rather than US and Russia.

I hate to say it and it's fcuking sick, but the lesson from this war is invest in a nuclear stockpile. It's the only way to keep numerically superior country out. Worked for North Korea.

Pathetic is anti-western vatniks whining about Europe's contributions.

So, more money than the US. And, recent pledges of even more.

Maybe the best thing that can happen for Ukraine is for the US to be sidelined, ending the uncertainty of their compromised POTUS meddling with them.

I hadn't heard about that, but Google is telling me it was "an awful gowl". In case you're not Irish, that is a bit different. Probably not as harsh.

Anyway, I though the right wing Yanks were all for just telling it like it is, not sparing the "snowflake's" feelings and all that jazz? Or was that another lie?

Did they just mean they are all for being nasty and bullying to everyone, saying exactly what they like and suffering no consequences for it but free to rain down harsh consequences on anyone who dares respond?

Trump could be called a lot worse things. He is awful, and from European pov his admin. is worse than we all feared it would be.

I think JD Vance compared him to Hitler at one time, didn't he? In fact a lot of those who he later moulds into his toadies, had run ins with him in the past.

I'm all for USA being sidelined and kept away from having anything to do with europe. But why then have all the Europeans been in a tizzy about Trump not being committed to Ukraine when they just could have easily told him to piss off we don't need your help we'll fix it ourselves.

alternatively the EU could request the removal of all US military bases from the EU and open up engagement with China to broker a peace deal that supports the EU China and the Ukraine. Let MAGA smoke that one.

Ukraine officials saying the EU not enough and they need US backing… cue increased funding by the EU.

This is a war of survival and if they have to mildly insult Europe to up their game so be it.

Every year, no matter who the president is, the shamrock is disposed of immediately after the photo op by the secret service as a potential bio hazard.

Guaranteeing Ukraine security in return for giving up nukes?