Ukraine

[Bingers]

What do yous lot think would represent a good outcome in Ukraine?

I would like to see it return to its pre-2014 borders, but I really don't think that is going to happen.

Does Trump really think that he can negotiate on behalf of another country?

Will Putin give up any land he has taken?

What will peace look like after a deal is done? How will it be maintained?

Will Russia go for somewhere else next?

Will China take it as a green light to take Taiwan?

Will the US try one of its targets like Greenland or Panama?

Lots going on in the world.

[DavCobb]

I won't pretend to be T.H.E. political commentator but Trump is proving to be a very powerful and influential man, again. He is pretty much saying that the war was started by Zelensky and getting around the table with Russia was silly. Then are his views on a Gaza 'take over'. He seems to think he can solve the worlds issues with a flick of a switch, whilst his advisors have to try and clean up any messes he leaves in his wake.

They all (including Starmer) have to dance around him and try to keep everyone else happy.

Always an interesting time in the world.

[F30]

Got my gas bill today

[Tabasco Kid]

There is absolutely no chance of Putin returning any territory gained. And there is more chance of a coup d`etat unseating him, than NATO getting involved. The boys from Wagner proved that a couple of years ago.
Anybody who has wasted over 800 thousand lives, and 28 ships, on a land grab is making a few internal enemies. And the need to turn to N Korea for extra forces reinforces that point. But hes in too deep now to turn back. And those sanctions must be biting deeply.  The trouble is, even if his plane does get shot down, or he somehow falls out of a hotel window, there is another unstable individual waiting to take his place.
The situation in Syria, and the Montreux convention, means that Russia now has restricted warship access to its ice free ports at Tartus and Sevastopol. Although I see that they are chancing their arm with Sudan, another country on the verge of all out war. https://www.ft.com/content/78359f17-3aec-4e47-8c0f-29352781b109
Which would mean attention shifting to Kaliningrad as its only ice free port, outside of the pacific. A smallish enclave bordered on each side by NATO in the form of Poland and Lithuania. And in response to Russian and Chinese vessels anchor dragging, and thus severing underwater Baltic power cables, Lithunia has disconnected the overland cables that cross its territory to Kaliningrad. So that should be the next flash point. Whatever happens, Putin and conflict are never far apart.

All my own work, and nothing via the BBC, and as such, I do not feel an urgent need to shop for grapes in the dept marked "sour".

[Manwork04]

Ukraine paraded US weapons and troops through the Center of Kyiv, never a good idea, add to that wanting to join the EU and NATO.
Of course the MSM give the narrative that it’s all Russias fault, but there are two sides to every story.
So far in less than 8 weeks Trump has ended the war in Gaza and now Ukraine as he predicted.

[F30]

The war in the Ukraine hasn't ended

[Manwork04]

The war in the Ukraine hasn't ended

They are having peace talks 😉

[F30]

The Ukraine isn't involved in these "peace talks"

[Manwork04]

The Ukraine isn't involved in these "peace talks"

That’s because without the US they would be part of the Soviet Union by now.
Let the big boys sort it out.

[F30]

They were part of the Soviet Union, which no longer exists... Odd how donnie suddenly wants 50% of Ukraine's rare earth minerals isn't it?

"Under the Biden administration, the US and Ukraine were very close but Trump has made it clear that Kyiv shouldn’t receive any more aid without getting anything in return.
His attempt to get access to Ukraine’s rare minerals was rejected by Zelensky, who said no security guarantees were offered in exchange".
From the fake news BBC

[Tabasco Kid]

That’s because without the US they would be part of the Soviet Union by now.
Let the big boys sort it out.

They always were part of the Soviet Union, until its collapse in 1991.  As Ukraine seized part of Russias Kursk region in a counter offensive, both sides still hold cards. And Russians love their territorial gains, not losses, I would say that this still has a long way to go. Especially as Putin launched drones at the Chernobyl dome a couple of days ago. That truly is the mark of a desperate unhinged individual.

[Tabasco Kid]

They were part of the Soviet Union, which no longer exists... Odd how donnie suddenly wants 50% of Ukraine's rare earth minerals isn't it?

"Under the Biden administration, the US and Ukraine were very close but Trump has made it clear that Kyiv shouldn’t receive any more aid without getting anything in return.
His attempt to get access to Ukraine’s rare minerals was rejected by Zelensky, who said no security guarantees were offered in exchange".
From the fake news BBC

If it means breaking Chinas chokehold on said minerals, that I can see the orange ones reasoning. Plus, as much as Russia loves a bit of territorial gain, the US loves a fiscal gain.
Anyway, gotta go, the current Mrs T is back from work, and she has bought Pizza with her.   Ciao.

[singcobb]

They are having peace talks

Is this the same peace talks that could have prevented the war that your hero Boris scuppered?

[Manwork04]

Is this the same peace talks that could have prevented the war that your hero Boris scuppered?

He’s not my hero, just a good guy who gets things done, light years better than the rabbit in the headlights Starmtrooper.
You poke the bear parading US missiles and wanting to join NATO, not to mention having a brigade of Nazis in your army, what do you expect?

[singcobb]

He’s not my hero, just a good guy who gets things done, light years better than the rabbit in the headlights Starmtrooper.
You poke the bear parading US missiles and wanting to join NATO, not to mention having a brigade of Nazis in your army, what do you expect?

Yes he got things done. He convinced Zelensky who was on the verge of meeting Putin to prevent the war not to negotiate. I wonder how many of Boris's mates make money from the arms industry.

[Manwork04]

Yes he got things done. He convinced Zelensky who was on the verge of meeting Putin to prevent the war not to negotiate. I wonder how many of Boris's mates make money from the arms industry.

I’m pretty sure Zelenskyy has his own mind.

[singcobb]

I’m pretty sure Zelenskyy has his own mind.

Only where money is concerned.

[Manwork04]

Only where money is concerned.

Unfortunately for him President Trump is a bit too clever and wants a return on all the billions in arms given to Ukraine.
Meanwhile the most embarrassing and pathetic leader this country has since in lifetimes is siding with the Europeans, he really is the metaphorical child with candy.

[Tabasco Kid]

Unfortunately for him President Trump is a bit too clever and wants a return on all the billions in arms given to Ukraine.
Meanwhile the most embarrassing and pathetic leader this country has since in lifetimes is siding with the Europeans, he really is the metaphorical child with candy.

Of course he does. You didnt think that all of that financial, and material aid came free of charge?  The UK only made the last of our WW2 repayments under the lend lease act in 2006. (bullion only, no cash). I dread to think how much Kuwait were charged for their liberation. (service not included).

[Manwork04]

Of course he does. You didnt think that all of that financial, and material aid came free of charge?  The UK only made the last of our WW2 repayments under the lend lease act in 2006. (bullion only, no cash). I dread to think how much Kuwait were charged for their liberation. (service not included).

No such thing as a free lunch or war for that matter.