Ukraine – Russia … not more of the last thread

[mtrycrafts]

I am not sure a lot of anxiety is warranted. Putin's military has proven to be a paper tiger. All they really have is a nuclear arsenal. They tried to invade one of the poorest countries is Europe, and they only managed to take 20% of it, and lost most of their military hardware in the process. They also exposed how poorly-trained their troops are. Given Russia's demographic collapse, I would not be surprised if this was their last hurrah. Their economy is bad and is about to get worse. Their 'allies' are not trustworthy. That being said, we should be doing everything we can to assist Ukraine into recovering their territory, including Crimea and the 2014 borders.

Now Russia is working on resuming direct airline flight to US per lates feeds. Will this happen? Will the US start removing sanctions on Russia? What's next
from this T .....

 

[mtrycrafts]

...

Trump needs to be impeached now.

Unfortunately, McConnel missed that chance twice and today it might be impossible.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Can US withdraw from NATO?

The United States has maintained longstanding support to NATO. Most recently, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, enacted on December 22, 2023, prohibits the President from unilaterally withdrawing from NATO without approval of a two-third Senate super-majority or an act of Congress.

 

[trochetier]

Zelensky and Trump blow up at WH.

WATCH: Trump and Vance blast Zelenskyy in Oval Office meeting, suggesting he needs to be more grateful

President Donald Trump chided Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after Vice President JD Vance, one of the administration’s most skeptical voices on Ukraine, said Zelenskyy was being disrespectful for debating Trump in the Oval Office in front of the American media.

www.pbs.org

 

[Mr._Clark]

Of course they can. The UK have an independent nuclear deterrent. Ukraine gave up the nuclear deterrent for security guarantees. Now is the time to honor that guarantee.

Europe is in a difficult position as it has a huge border with Russian from the arctic ocean to the black sea. So the defense of all the states is a very difficult proposition without NATO. I am really concerned that the US will pull out of NATO. If it does then a wider war in Europe is far more likely than not, and would turn nuclear quickly most likely.

Trump needs to be impeached now.

I find myself wondering if Trump is aware of the NPT.

>>>The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, more commonly known as the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), has made the world safer and more prosperous for over fifty years. The NPT, with its 3 pillars of nonproliferation, disarmament, and peaceful uses of nuclear energy, is the cornerstone of the global nuclear nonproliferation regime.

The Treaty first entered into force in 1970 and was extended indefinitely in 1995. Today, the NPT has become nearly universal. Over the years, the NPT has helped prevent additional states from acquiring nuclear weapons, provided the confidence necessary to facilitate cooperation on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and fostered a security environment that has enabled dramatic reductions in nuclear stockpiles and that is essential for future progress on nuclear disarmament.<<<

Technical Difficulties

 

[trochetier]

Seems to me Putin would prefer no Nato alliance to make it easier to take over territory.

Not necessarily take over territory, but the same strategic military reasons we didn't want the Warsaw pact alliance. Now, don't want, Russia, China, North Korea form a military alliance.

 

[Mr._Clark]

The United States has maintained longstanding support to NATO. Most recently, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, enacted on December 22, 2023, prohibits the President from unilaterally withdrawing from NATO without approval of a two-third Senate super-majority or an act of Congress.

This is the law, but it's not clear that Trump will follow the law.

>>>“He who saves his Country does not violate any Law,” Trump posted Saturday to Truth Social and X.

The phrase is attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte, who declared himself French emperor in the early 1800s.<<<

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5148926-trump-post-saving-country/

My rejoinder: He who says such things will be imprisoned on a remote island for life.

 

[Trell]

I find myself wondering if Trump is aware of the NPT.

>>>The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, more commonly known as the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), has made the world safer and more prosperous for over fifty years. The NPT, with its 3 pillars of nonproliferation, disarmament, and peaceful uses of nuclear energy, is the cornerstone of the global nuclear nonproliferation regime.

The Treaty first entered into force in 1970 and was extended indefinitely in 1995. Today, the NPT has become nearly universal. Over the years, the NPT has helped prevent additional states from acquiring nuclear weapons, provided the confidence necessary to facilitate cooperation on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and fostered a security environment that has enabled dramatic reductions in nuclear stockpiles and that is essential for future progress on nuclear disarmament.<<<

Technical Difficulties

Agree that Trump could very well be unaware of NPT.

A corner-stone of NPT is USA being prepared to use nuclear weapons to defend allies and friends as a deterrent, but with Trump in power (for a second time) that is now in doubt.

 

[trochetier]

Don't taxpayers pay for everything, including tariffs and many more, one way or another?

But our profligate spending shouldn't saddle future generations of tax payers with the debt interest is alright.

 

[Trell]

But our profligate spending shouldn't saddle future generations of tax payers with the debt interest is alright.

Then you should be against the new tax cuts and as well let the 2017 ones (for personal income) expire. Right?

 

[GO-NAD!]

Now Russia is working on resuming direct airline flight to US per lates feeds. Will this happen? Will the US start removing sanctions on Russia? What's next
from this T .....

If Canada denies overflight permission, that may be complicated.

 

[Trell]

Here's Kaja Kallas is the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission:

Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas.bsky.social)

Ukraine is Europe! We stand by Ukraine. We will step up our support to Ukraine so that they can continue to fight back the agressor. Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. It’s up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge.

bsky.app

 

[Trell]

>>>European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen voiced support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following a shouting match between Zelenskiy and U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Friday.

"Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people," she posted on X. "Be strong, be brave, be fearless. You are never alone, dear President @ZelenskyyUa. We will continue working with you for a just and lasting peace."<<<

EUs von der Leyen voices support for Zelenskiy after White House clash

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen backs Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky after his heated exchange with U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.

www.anews.com.tr

 

[mtrycrafts]

...

My rejoinder: He who says such things will be imprisoned on a remote island for life.

While I love this, I am not confident that this will happen in my life.

 

[GO-NAD!]

Of course they can. The UK have an independent nuclear deterrent. Ukraine gave up the nuclear deterrent for security guarantees. Now is the time to honor that guarantee.

Europe is in a difficult position as it has a huge border with Russian from the arctic ocean to the black sea. So the defense of all the states is a very difficult proposition without NATO. I am really concerned that the US will pull out of NATO. If it does then a wider war in Europe is far more likely than not, and would turn nuclear quickly most likely.

Trump needs to be impeached now.

Russia would have to defeat Ukraine before even thinking about attacking Western Europe. If the US withdraws nuclear protection, it would be up to the UK and France to offer protection, but I don't think there would ever be consideration given to actually providing Ukraine with nuclear weapons.

Impeachment didn't work before, it certainly won't work now.

 

[mtrycrafts]

But our profligate spending shouldn't saddle future generations of tax payers with the debt interest is alright.

And to add, our lack of will to tax those who have insane amount of wealth sufficiently but in fact run in the opposite direction, reduce taxes on them.

 

[mtrycrafts]

If Canada denies overflight permission, that may be complicated.

Let's hope so.

 

[GO-NAD!]

Trump keeps insisting that Zelenskyy make peace with Russia. Left unsaid, is that making peace amounts to surrendering.

Zelenskyy came prepared to make a deal with Trump, but wanted a security guarantee. Anything less - considering the steep price Trump is asking - would be a poor return for Ukraine. Trump was never going to offer that guarantee, because he doesn't care if Ukraine is defeated. I wouldn't be surprised if the talks between the US and Russia included discussion of US access to the valuable minerals in Ukraine, i.e. if Ukraine is defeated, the deal would be honoured by the Russians.

Bottom line is, this administration places no value in honouring contracts or treaties.

 

[Alex2507]

if Ukraine is defeated, the deal would be honoured by the Russians.

Yeah, like they wouldn't f^%& you ... never, not them.

 

[shadyJ]

After today's press conference, Zelensky needs to stop pretending the USA has anything to offer. Europe needs to get behind Ukraine one-hundred percent. The USA is finished on the world stage. Any country that has a treaty with the USA should assume it is nothing more than a piece of paper. Honestly, I would not even trust US treasury bonds at this point.