| So here we go again! 07:53 - Feb 17 with 4243 views | bluejacko |
Yet another Govt willing to put our under strength,under equipped Army into an impossible situation!
Look at it this way would you pay third party insurance on your car and then expect comprehensive cover if you had an accident? That’s what our armed forces are the nation’s insurance policy!
Now after years of neglect they are being touted by Starmer to go to Ukraine and stand in the middle of two warring countries with the frontlines in places mere yards apart as ‘peacekeepers’!
We are at our lowest ebb in armoured vehicles and artillery so how exactly are we going to enforce a ceasefire?
There are 800 miles or so of border that would need policed ,obviously we would not be able to do that so who else would be in,the French with the Foreign Legion would be one,the Poles another a combined force from the Baltic states? Italy,spa inwho knows. The Germans would claim there are too many historical reasons they couldn’t do it!
So then how long do we commit our small army to an open ended operation that WILL cost lives and treasure?
Meanwhile Trump who dreamt up this bollards can sit on his throne and say see I delivered peace and you lot messed it up when the Orcs start all over again🤬
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| So here we go again! on 07:58 - Feb 17 with 2949 views | DarkBrandon |
They aren’t going to be standing between the two sides. They’ll be standing alongside the Ukrainians. Very different.
We’ve reneged on our promises to Ukraine once (following the collapse of the Soviet Union), let’s support them now.
Although we clearly need to invest heavily in our armed forces. I’d support an increase in VAT to do that, but others would have other ideas as to how it should be paid for |  | | |
| So here we go again! on 08:32 - Feb 17 with 2845 views | Swansea_Blue |
| So here we go again! on 07:58 - Feb 17 by DarkBrandon |
They aren’t going to be standing between the two sides. They’ll be standing alongside the Ukrainians. Very different.
We’ve reneged on our promises to Ukraine once (following the collapse of the Soviet Union), let’s support them now.
Although we clearly need to invest heavily in our armed forces. I’d support an increase in VAT to do that, but others would have other ideas as to how it should be paid for |
Yeah, I red it as we’d only be sending them after any peace deal to act purely as a peacekeeping support force for Ukraine really. I wouldn’t have thought it would be a combat situation or even a risk of one. Russia wouldn’t dare attack NATO forces. Maybe!? |  |
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| So here we go again! on 08:36 - Feb 17 with 2819 views | bluejacko |
| So here we go again! on 07:58 - Feb 17 by DarkBrandon |
They aren’t going to be standing between the two sides. They’ll be standing alongside the Ukrainians. Very different.
We’ve reneged on our promises to Ukraine once (following the collapse of the Soviet Union), let’s support them now.
Although we clearly need to invest heavily in our armed forces. I’d support an increase in VAT to do that, but others would have other ideas as to how it should be paid for |
Not so Brandon! We are not going to take sides in any fighting,you are right in there will probably be a minor threat from Ukrainian forces BUT the orcs would push and prick to test our resolve,drunken Russians opening fire,mines moved etc all deniable accidents !you get the drift here? | | | |
| So here we go again! on 08:40 - Feb 17 with 2780 views | Churchman |
| So here we go again! on 07:58 - Feb 17 by DarkBrandon |
They aren’t going to be standing between the two sides. They’ll be standing alongside the Ukrainians. Very different.
We’ve reneged on our promises to Ukraine once (following the collapse of the Soviet Union), let’s support them now.
Although we clearly need to invest heavily in our armed forces. I’d support an increase in VAT to do that, but others would have other ideas as to how it should be paid for |
Increase income tax. £10bn raised immediately and an instant 20% increase in the defence budget. Defence needs to be a priority. Like Covid at the time, it cannot be binned or ignored.
The OP is interesting, especially as Jacko knows about this stuff. The reality is Starmer is making noises that cannot be fulfilled. The U.K. could barely field a division and of it did so it’d need to borrow a few Galloways buses to move it.
Neglect, lack of support the army numbers about 60k. Our military people are excellent in themselves, but the support they’ve had has been a disgrace for decades. I really cannot see Starmer’s mob changing that.
Dannett has been very vocal on this. He will of course be ignored.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/feb/15/starmer-bin-history-fails-raise [Post edited 17 Feb 9:40]
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| So here we go again! on 08:55 - Feb 17 with 2704 views | RIPbobby |
Mr Starmer is in such a bad situation he feels he needs a war to boost his rating. The population does not want to get involved in any war at all. We have seen enough war. All we want is peace. Let our army defend our shores.
Why oh why is this planet constantly fighting over stupid things. Russia does not need Ukraine. There country is too big for them to look after all ready. Bloody crazy. Peace to the world. |  | | |
| So here we go again! on 09:01 - Feb 17 with 2647 views | Swansea_Blue |
| So here we go again! on 08:55 - Feb 17 by RIPbobby |
Mr Starmer is in such a bad situation he feels he needs a war to boost his rating. The population does not want to get involved in any war at all. We have seen enough war. All we want is peace. Let our army defend our shores.
Why oh why is this planet constantly fighting over stupid things. Russia does not need Ukraine. There country is too big for them to look after all ready. Bloody crazy. Peace to the world. |
Good points. Russia doesn’t need it and can’t manage what territory it already has, but Putin is an insecure, micro-dicked megalomaniac (see also Trump/Musk, etc). | |
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| So here we go again! on 09:13 - Feb 17 with 2565 views | bluejacko |
| So here we go again! on 08:32 - Feb 17 by Swansea_Blue |
Yeah, I red it as we’d only be sending them after any peace deal to act purely as a peacekeeping support force for Ukraine really. I wouldn’t have thought it would be a combat situation or even a risk of one. Russia wouldn’t dare attack NATO forces. Maybe!? |
The forces doing this ‘peacekeeping’ will not be under NATO command so essentially we would be on our own as the US has stated they would not get involved!
You really have look at this,for a buffer zone to be created both sides will have to give up land does anyone see that happening? We would need a logistics trail leading back to the UK and where will this force be based? Everything within miles of the front line has been flattened ! It’s just pie in the sky🙄 will there be air support,where will that operate from? The questions are endless. | | | |
| So here we go again! on 09:19 - Feb 17 with 2524 views | Swansea_Blue |
| So here we go again! on 09:13 - Feb 17 by bluejacko |
The forces doing this ‘peacekeeping’ will not be under NATO command so essentially we would be on our own as the US has stated they would not get involved!
You really have look at this,for a buffer zone to be created both sides will have to give up land does anyone see that happening? We would need a logistics trail leading back to the UK and where will this force be based? Everything within miles of the front line has been flattened ! It’s just pie in the sky🙄 will there be air support,where will that operate from? The questions are endless. |
Slightly different if we’re on our own( I didn’t realise that would be the case. I agree that it puts us in a situation where ‘accidents’ could happen. Not that I imagine for a minute that there’d be any drunken Russians in their army, much  | |
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| So here we go again! on 09:25 - Feb 17 with 2482 views | Kievthegreat |
I saw a really poignant post elsewhere about the current funding conundrum.
The need to increase defence spending in Europe is now certain. The harsh reality is that it's not just taxes that will rise. It will be hospitals and schools not built, arts and culture not funded, infrastructure not built. All of these things are a detriment to society, but the risk of not spending more on defence is simply too great not to do something.
The only thing that should be done is to ensure as much as possible is sourced from UK factories, or those of strong allies in Europe or even Ukraine. The American's shouldn't be rewarded with a growing export list except where no alternative exists (F-35). |  | | |
| So here we go again! on 09:30 - Feb 17 with 2461 views | bluejacko |
| So here we go again! on 09:25 - Feb 17 by Kievthegreat |
I saw a really poignant post elsewhere about the current funding conundrum.
The need to increase defence spending in Europe is now certain. The harsh reality is that it's not just taxes that will rise. It will be hospitals and schools not built, arts and culture not funded, infrastructure not built. All of these things are a detriment to society, but the risk of not spending more on defence is simply too great not to do something.
The only thing that should be done is to ensure as much as possible is sourced from UK factories, or those of strong allies in Europe or even Ukraine. The American's shouldn't be rewarded with a growing export list except where no alternative exists (F-35). |
Without defence all those things you mention can’t happen anyway!
As I’ve said you need to pay your insurance premium because Sod’s Law when you need it it won’t be there! It’s not down to just this govt either they all bury their heads in the sand and hope nothing comes our way. [Post edited 17 Feb 9:33]
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| So here we go again! on 09:36 - Feb 17 with 2426 views | Guthrum |
We're not even remotely close to that scenario yet.
Russo-American talks have not begun yet, let alone anything involving Ukraine. I don't think any of the parties are even close on terminology, let alone actual negotiating points. Putin thinks he's going to get everything he wants. Trump thinks he can just switch the war off and look good. Ukraine, undefeated on the battlefield, is not going to accept making all the concessions. Europe is very uncomfortable at anything which rewards Russia for aggression. Everyone is going to be in for a nasty surprise when negotiations actually start and they find they aren't on the same page at all.
Peace is still a long way off*. So this is a non-binding gesture of support in a position far removed from actually having to send peacekeepers to a former war zone. It will be a long while before Russia is in a fit state to restart fighting in Ukraine (they're pretty much out of modern armoured vehicles), let alone taking on the rest of Europe.
Plus the UK's contribution will be mostly support and specialist troops (something we do very well) as part of a much larger coalition.
* Unless the US declares war on Ukraine to make them stop fighting. Something Trump is very unlikely to do. For all his faults, the man doesn't like initiating wars. |  |
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| So here we go again! on 09:42 - Feb 17 with 2386 views | SuperKieranMcKenna |
| So here we go again! on 08:32 - Feb 17 by Swansea_Blue |
Yeah, I red it as we’d only be sending them after any peace deal to act purely as a peacekeeping support force for Ukraine really. I wouldn’t have thought it would be a combat situation or even a risk of one. Russia wouldn’t dare attack NATO forces. Maybe!? |
He wouldn’t - not directly anyway (maybe further hybrid attacks), Putin has an irrational fear of NATO. Russia couldn’t defend its own borders to Ukraine - hence Ukraines ongoing incursion there. They also now have over 800 miles of border with NATO in Finland. Europe can definitely police a ceasefire if possible. It has to be NATO too, the UN is absolutely toothless as proven by their inability to maintain the Lebanese border (even in ‘peacetime’). | | | |
| So here we go again! on 09:42 - Feb 17 with 2387 views | redrickstuhaart |
| So here we go again! on 08:55 - Feb 17 by RIPbobby |
Mr Starmer is in such a bad situation he feels he needs a war to boost his rating. The population does not want to get involved in any war at all. We have seen enough war. All we want is peace. Let our army defend our shores.
Why oh why is this planet constantly fighting over stupid things. Russia does not need Ukraine. There country is too big for them to look after all ready. Bloody crazy. Peace to the world. |
Errr. The suggestion is wed contribute to a peacekeping force, likely alomg with others. Sweden, Germany etc. Not start a war. | | | |
| So here we go again! on 09:45 - Feb 17 with 2369 views | Guthrum |
| So here we go again! on 09:30 - Feb 17 by bluejacko |
Without defence all those things you mention can’t happen anyway!
As I’ve said you need to pay your insurance premium because Sod’s Law when you need it it won’t be there! It’s not down to just this govt either they all bury their heads in the sand and hope nothing comes our way. [Post edited 17 Feb 9:33]
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Tho the point about insurance is that people group together to spread the risk and financial load. That is where NATO has been so effective these last 75 years. The problem we have now is that the largest contributor to the policy appears on the brink of defaulting on their premium, so the whole business may collapse.
The UK simply cannot afford to unilaterally defend itself in a modern (hugely expensive) military environment. Not without putting the entire economy on a war footing and racking up massive debt for the future. Probably not even then if we were attacked by a powerful coalition/superpower. As Russia is finding, pretty much nobody, except perhaps the USA and China, can.
Edit: There will have to be a formalised European military umbrella, with similar guarantees to NATO's Article 5. [Post edited 17 Feb 9:48]
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| So here we go again! on 09:51 - Feb 17 with 2342 views | pointofblue |
| So here we go again! on 09:36 - Feb 17 by Guthrum |
We're not even remotely close to that scenario yet.
Russo-American talks have not begun yet, let alone anything involving Ukraine. I don't think any of the parties are even close on terminology, let alone actual negotiating points. Putin thinks he's going to get everything he wants. Trump thinks he can just switch the war off and look good. Ukraine, undefeated on the battlefield, is not going to accept making all the concessions. Europe is very uncomfortable at anything which rewards Russia for aggression. Everyone is going to be in for a nasty surprise when negotiations actually start and they find they aren't on the same page at all.
Peace is still a long way off*. So this is a non-binding gesture of support in a position far removed from actually having to send peacekeepers to a former war zone. It will be a long while before Russia is in a fit state to restart fighting in Ukraine (they're pretty much out of modern armoured vehicles), let alone taking on the rest of Europe.
Plus the UK's contribution will be mostly support and specialist troops (something we do very well) as part of a much larger coalition.
* Unless the US declares war on Ukraine to make them stop fighting. Something Trump is very unlikely to do. For all his faults, the man doesn't like initiating wars. |
Trump doesn't need to declare war on Ukraine- just withdraw all support and funding. Europe cannot keep the war running on their own as things stand.
For all the outcry, Trump is again getting exactly what he wants from the moves over the weekend. Europe to find the money to defend the continent over the US. | |
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| So here we go again! on 09:57 - Feb 17 with 2290 views | Guthrum |
| So here we go again! on 09:01 - Feb 17 by Swansea_Blue |
Good points. Russia doesn’t need it and can’t manage what territory it already has, but Putin is an insecure, micro-dicked megalomaniac (see also Trump/Musk, etc). |
No. Putin is a Russian Nationalist, with all the historical and territorial baggage that entails. An intense fear of attack from the north, west and south. A longing to recover "lost" lands from the Empire and Soviet Union, if nothing else as a buffer against those attacks. A holy mission to take a leading position in the world, as the successor to Rome*. With a low opinion of the "weakness" of liberalism and democracy.
It isn't really megalomania as such, but doing what a lot of Russians would want him to. And, within those parameters, is very rational.
* Specifically the Eastern Roman Empire, or Byzantium. This is, essentially, the Russian Orthodox Church's position. The church and Putin are strong allies. | |
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| So here we go again! on 10:01 - Feb 17 with 2266 views | OldFart71 |
Consecutive Governments allowing the army to be run down from 120.000 to 70,000. I'm not even sure how many of those 70,000 would be available to go to war if required. The Conservatives had this grand plan to save money by letting many capable trained army professionals to leave in the belief they would come back as reservists. Many left and few came back leading to the Tories offering financial incentives for soldiers to return. It also didn't happen. The Tories during their fourteen years also gave small pay increases to soldiers as they did with the nurses so the incentive to join wasn't there. But that isn't the whole situation. There's far too much waste, far too many schemes that are not tax efficient. Contractors and suppliers charging silly money for their services and parts. I would seriously challenge that the best prices are obtained for these services and parts and that the people responsible for that are doing the job they are paid for. Also where are the questions being asked if these jobs aren't up to standard ? | | | |
| So here we go again! on 10:04 - Feb 17 with 2253 views | Churchman |
| So here we go again! on 09:36 - Feb 17 by Guthrum |
We're not even remotely close to that scenario yet.
Russo-American talks have not begun yet, let alone anything involving Ukraine. I don't think any of the parties are even close on terminology, let alone actual negotiating points. Putin thinks he's going to get everything he wants. Trump thinks he can just switch the war off and look good. Ukraine, undefeated on the battlefield, is not going to accept making all the concessions. Europe is very uncomfortable at anything which rewards Russia for aggression. Everyone is going to be in for a nasty surprise when negotiations actually start and they find they aren't on the same page at all.
Peace is still a long way off*. So this is a non-binding gesture of support in a position far removed from actually having to send peacekeepers to a former war zone. It will be a long while before Russia is in a fit state to restart fighting in Ukraine (they're pretty much out of modern armoured vehicles), let alone taking on the rest of Europe.
Plus the UK's contribution will be mostly support and specialist troops (something we do very well) as part of a much larger coalition.
* Unless the US declares war on Ukraine to make them stop fighting. Something Trump is very unlikely to do. For all his faults, the man doesn't like initiating wars. |
Reports of Russia’s military demise are more hope than reality, I suspect. The Russians have learned 21c warfare. After the US they have the strongest military in the world. Their army is approaching 1.5m plus 2m in reserve.
According to Statista estimates in May ‘Russia had a total of 4,255 total military aircraft but as the war continues, the figures are changing daily. They estimated that Russia has 809 fighter aircraft or interceptor aircraft, 730 dedicated attack aircraft, 559 attack helicopters, 1547 helicopters and more’. Tanks? Forbes says under 2400 (U.K. 200). They have also developed drone technology which is the future.
Trump is after mining rights - Ukraine’s resources. He likes and respects Putin and sees opportunity. So it’s at the expense of everyone else and is morally wrong, but who cares? Deals are about looking after no1. American first, fk fairness.
So Trump has already agreed publicly to Putin’s basic demands. They are done and dusted. Zelenski will be in the room but told to shut it. The talk will be about what else. Spheres of influence and trade.
Putin will get a free hand in the old Soviet Empire states should he choose to take it in return for Russian support for mineral extraction, Greenland, his crazy Gaza theme park and Panama. There’s plenty to agree and saw up.
If Putin was weak, Trump would not be talking to him any more than he’s interested in talking to the rest of Europe.
Edit: I’m just playing theories and possibilities. [Post edited 17 Feb 10:07]
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| So here we go again! on 10:05 - Feb 17 with 2248 views | Guthrum |
| So here we go again! on 09:51 - Feb 17 by pointofblue |
Trump doesn't need to declare war on Ukraine- just withdraw all support and funding. Europe cannot keep the war running on their own as things stand.
For all the outcry, Trump is again getting exactly what he wants from the moves over the weekend. Europe to find the money to defend the continent over the US. |
But that won't stop the war. The Ukrainians will keep on fighting for their independence even if only with pointy sticks (which is pretty much what the Russians are already down to). Europe are still in a position to make very hefty contributions to Kyiv on their own - plus Trump has said he has no problems with others buying US equipment to hand over (which gets around manufacturing bottlenecks).
Yes, the US wants to spend their money on their own rich people now, instead of the rest of the world. That was always coming once Trump was in the White House. He's now surrounded by people who think like his supporter base (a narrow, isolationist viewpoint), rather than the more semi-cosmopolitan, experienced heads he picked first time. | |
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| So here we go again! on 10:13 - Feb 17 with 2212 views | Guthrum |
| So here we go again! on 10:04 - Feb 17 by Churchman |
Reports of Russia’s military demise are more hope than reality, I suspect. The Russians have learned 21c warfare. After the US they have the strongest military in the world. Their army is approaching 1.5m plus 2m in reserve.
According to Statista estimates in May ‘Russia had a total of 4,255 total military aircraft but as the war continues, the figures are changing daily. They estimated that Russia has 809 fighter aircraft or interceptor aircraft, 730 dedicated attack aircraft, 559 attack helicopters, 1547 helicopters and more’. Tanks? Forbes says under 2400 (U.K. 200). They have also developed drone technology which is the future.
Trump is after mining rights - Ukraine’s resources. He likes and respects Putin and sees opportunity. So it’s at the expense of everyone else and is morally wrong, but who cares? Deals are about looking after no1. American first, fk fairness.
So Trump has already agreed publicly to Putin’s basic demands. They are done and dusted. Zelenski will be in the room but told to shut it. The talk will be about what else. Spheres of influence and trade.
Putin will get a free hand in the old Soviet Empire states should he choose to take it in return for Russian support for mineral extraction, Greenland, his crazy Gaza theme park and Panama. There’s plenty to agree and saw up.
If Putin was weak, Trump would not be talking to him any more than he’s interested in talking to the rest of Europe.
Edit: I’m just playing theories and possibilities. [Post edited 17 Feb 10:07]
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Agree with the stuff about mining and resources. That is a major driver for Trump. But much of the best stuff in Ukraine is still under the control of Kyiv. So that is a bargaining chip for Zelensky.
However, on the military front, you only have to look at the way Russia is fighting to see the decline in their power. Sacrificial probing attacks follwed by mass infantry assaults, for miniscule gains. It's sub-First World War stuff. Thay aren't even dominant in the artillery battle any more. Ukraine is as good with drones as the Russians. Glide bombs (WWII technology) are their biggest advantage, gained mainly by Ukraine's restricted anti-aircraft umbrella over Russian territory. | |
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| So here we go again! on 10:15 - Feb 17 with 2201 views | Churchman |
| So here we go again! on 10:05 - Feb 17 by Guthrum |
But that won't stop the war. The Ukrainians will keep on fighting for their independence even if only with pointy sticks (which is pretty much what the Russians are already down to). Europe are still in a position to make very hefty contributions to Kyiv on their own - plus Trump has said he has no problems with others buying US equipment to hand over (which gets around manufacturing bottlenecks).
Yes, the US wants to spend their money on their own rich people now, instead of the rest of the world. That was always coming once Trump was in the White House. He's now surrounded by people who think like his supporter base (a narrow, isolationist viewpoint), rather than the more semi-cosmopolitan, experienced heads he picked first time. |
It will because without the US Ukraine will collapse quite quickly now and there will be nothing of Ukraine bar a war crimes show trial in Moscow for Zelenski. That’s why for Zelenski a surrender has to come quickly to save anything. It’s the same scenario as Versailles in 1918 where Germany was on the point of military collapse when it surrendered, despite later nazi propaganda claiming otherwise.
Europe had negligible kit to hand over and its support, though double the US’, has been financial. If I were Putin, given Trump has already given him what he wants, I’d demand no American kit be sold to Ukraine or to Europe in the name of peace and as a gesture of friendship and goodwill, in return for promises and an agreement. | | | |
| So here we go again! on 10:28 - Feb 17 with 2142 views | Guthrum |
| So here we go again! on 10:15 - Feb 17 by Churchman |
It will because without the US Ukraine will collapse quite quickly now and there will be nothing of Ukraine bar a war crimes show trial in Moscow for Zelenski. That’s why for Zelenski a surrender has to come quickly to save anything. It’s the same scenario as Versailles in 1918 where Germany was on the point of military collapse when it surrendered, despite later nazi propaganda claiming otherwise.
Europe had negligible kit to hand over and its support, though double the US’, has been financial. If I were Putin, given Trump has already given him what he wants, I’d demand no American kit be sold to Ukraine or to Europe in the name of peace and as a gesture of friendship and goodwill, in return for promises and an agreement. |
On the other hand, US arms manufacturers would not be happy about a bar on sales for Ukraine. It also goes directly against the America First principle of boosting US industry. Trump doesn't want peace for it's own sake, just to stop paying for the war. If they were simply making money instead, can't see that would be a problem. | |
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| So here we go again! on 10:31 - Feb 17 with 2129 views | bluejacko |
| So here we go again! on 10:15 - Feb 17 by Churchman |
It will because without the US Ukraine will collapse quite quickly now and there will be nothing of Ukraine bar a war crimes show trial in Moscow for Zelenski. That’s why for Zelenski a surrender has to come quickly to save anything. It’s the same scenario as Versailles in 1918 where Germany was on the point of military collapse when it surrendered, despite later nazi propaganda claiming otherwise.
Europe had negligible kit to hand over and its support, though double the US’, has been financial. If I were Putin, given Trump has already given him what he wants, I’d demand no American kit be sold to Ukraine or to Europe in the name of peace and as a gesture of friendship and goodwill, in return for promises and an agreement. |
Can’t really agree there mate,Ukraine would not collapse quickly. They are now producing kit for themselves,can you really see Russia being able to mount and sustain an offensive to take Ukraine They had a free run on day1 with their ‘professional’ army and cocked it up!
The attacks on orc oil and factories infrastructure will continue apace further degrading the orc economy! | | | |
| So here we go again! on 10:32 - Feb 17 with 2120 views | redrickstuhaart |
| So here we go again! on 10:28 - Feb 17 by Guthrum |
On the other hand, US arms manufacturers would not be happy about a bar on sales for Ukraine. It also goes directly against the America First principle of boosting US industry. Trump doesn't want peace for it's own sake, just to stop paying for the war. If they were simply making money instead, can't see that would be a problem. |
Trump wont agree not to sell weapons. His interest is in himself first and money second.
Its sickening that we are at a point where noone bats an eyelid at trumps primary discussion with ukraine being about taking mineral rights and resources from them. | | | |
| So here we go again! on 10:37 - Feb 17 with 2091 views | RegencyBlue |
| So here we go again! on 10:04 - Feb 17 by Churchman |
Reports of Russia’s military demise are more hope than reality, I suspect. The Russians have learned 21c warfare. After the US they have the strongest military in the world. Their army is approaching 1.5m plus 2m in reserve.
According to Statista estimates in May ‘Russia had a total of 4,255 total military aircraft but as the war continues, the figures are changing daily. They estimated that Russia has 809 fighter aircraft or interceptor aircraft, 730 dedicated attack aircraft, 559 attack helicopters, 1547 helicopters and more’. Tanks? Forbes says under 2400 (U.K. 200). They have also developed drone technology which is the future.
Trump is after mining rights - Ukraine’s resources. He likes and respects Putin and sees opportunity. So it’s at the expense of everyone else and is morally wrong, but who cares? Deals are about looking after no1. American first, fk fairness.
So Trump has already agreed publicly to Putin’s basic demands. They are done and dusted. Zelenski will be in the room but told to shut it. The talk will be about what else. Spheres of influence and trade.
Putin will get a free hand in the old Soviet Empire states should he choose to take it in return for Russian support for mineral extraction, Greenland, his crazy Gaza theme park and Panama. There’s plenty to agree and saw up.
If Putin was weak, Trump would not be talking to him any more than he’s interested in talking to the rest of Europe.
Edit: I’m just playing theories and possibilities. [Post edited 17 Feb 10:07]
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Russia was once described as Upper Volta with nuclear weapons.
Given their militaries performance in Ukraine over the last three years I’d say that was still fairly accurate! |  | | |
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