If Russia invades Ukraine (more)...

[Son of Mathonwy]

Trump blames Zelensky for starting war after massive Russian attack
...
"You don't start a war against someone 20 times your size and then hope that people give you some missiles," he told reporters at the White House, also blaming former US President Joe Biden for the conflict.



Guess his boss had a chat again just before speaking to the press

ETA:

Trump said he had a "great" phone call with Putin last month, and the Russian president sent him a portrait as a gift a week later.

What a piece of shit. Who knows what's going on in his head, but unfortunately, no matter the random shit that comes out of his mouth he's clearly out to make whatever short-term monetary gain he can, no matter the price anyone else has to pay. I was (and continue to be) surprised that he resumed assistance for Ukraine, but perhaps he realizes that total victory for Russia will not likely lead to the peace prize he wants.

[Which Tyler]

Danish soldiers head to Ukraine for drone training mission

General Peter Harling Boysen announced that Danish soldiers will go to Ukraine to train in the use of combat drones. The courses are planned to be conducted away from the frontlines. Copenhagen aims to gain first-hand knowledge to prepare its forces for future conflicts.

Also, this
UEFA did not allow a minute of silence, the players had other plans
The Ukrainian players, however, achieved their goal. In agreement with the Romanian players, they stood on the field immediately after the match started. They observed a minute of silence and then the match began.

[Donny osmond]

interesting article in The Week this week, taken from NYT (https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/202 ... baden.html - needs a subscription)

Shows the close relationship between Ukraine's generals and others, mostly US, and the degree to which they used US intelligence and weapons to come very close to, if not winning, certainly having Russia on the ropes. But then...

[Son of Mathonwy]

Although signing this minerals deal presumably makes sense for Ukraine right now, it's despicable for the US to extort wealth in this way with Ukraine facing existential threat. Under peaceful conditions, there's no way Ukraine would have signed this.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/202 ... eal-russia

[Sandydragon]

Although signing this minerals deal presumably makes sense for Ukraine right now, it's despicable for the US to extort wealth in this way with Ukraine facing existential threat. Under peaceful conditions, there's no way Ukraine would have signed this.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/202 ... eal-russia

It’s despicable. I don’t think Ukraine has any choice. The alternative is very high risk. The US has just authorised a shipment of $50m of new military aid. That’s not much really but is symbolic that perhaps Trump is now begging to find some balance here, or at least wants to protect his investment. There are also signs that Russia isn’t happy with the arrangement; will they risk annoying Trump? Will Trump change his mind next week? Anything is possible.

[Which Tyler]

Poland to close Russian consulate in Kraków over Warsaw fire

Ministers say investigation proves Russian intelligence services were behind shopping centre blaze last year

[paddy no 11]

Can't say I follow the military side of this but looks like Ukraine have landed a serious blow with this drone attack

Vlad will be throwing fellas out windows all evening

[Galfon]

Drone warfare, whether it's these far distant remote controlled
( but tucked in your own pocket at the same time ), or the fibre-optic battlefield stuff are a pretty scary reminder of the speed sci-fi can become reality. Don't know who's winning the race with this stuff.
A couple of large bridges just collapsed close to the Ukr border too, but 'nowt to do with us guv.', and not relevant to any talks, for sure.

[Sandydragon]

Can't say I follow the military side of this but looks like Ukraine have landed a serious blow with this drone attack

Vlad will be throwing fellas out windows all evening

Reputationally very embarrassing. It won’t change the course of the war but it makes Putin look weak which is a result in itself.

The only problem with that is you don’t know who would replace him if toppled.

[paddy no 11]

Can't say I follow the military side of this but looks like Ukraine have landed a serious blow with this drone attack

Vlad will be throwing fellas out windows all evening

Reputationally very embarrassing. It won’t change the course of the war but it makes Putin look weak which is a result in itself.

The only problem with that is you don’t know who would replace him if toppled.

I don't want to find out but I'm not sure anyone could be worse, putin arrived at the right time and done his deals with the oligarchs, nobody knows his true personal wealth nobody who comes after him will have such clout,...........that could be nonsense also

[Danno]

At least his chef isn't around anymore.

If he does go I could see the power vacuum tearing the place apart and Ukraine shoving them back over the border, reclaiming the Crimean peninsula, joining NATO and never having to worry about Russia again.

[Sandydragon]

At least his chef isn't around anymore.

If he does go I could see the power vacuum tearing the place apart and Ukraine shoving them back over the border, reclaiming the Crimean peninsula, joining NATO and never having to worry about Russia again.

That’s one scenario but I wouldn’t bet the farm on it. Putin isn’t a man alone, plenty agree with his warped view and apparently some feel Putin isn’t strong enough.

I’m not sure I’d want to see the outcome of a tactical nuke being used.


If there is a coup then I’d expect plotters to ensure the army in Ukraine is onside so they don’t desert their posts. Any collapse in moral would have to be sustained for Ukraine to really make hay.

Maybe if we’re lucky and Putin keeps over, his replacement decides it’s just not worth the cost and agrees to terms. My o it concern is that the losses have been so great that any Russian leader is effectively boxed in.

[Danno]

I'm being incredibly optimistic up there

[Sandydragon]

I'm being incredibly optimistic up there

I really hope you’re right.

[Zhivago]

Drone warfare, whether it's these far distant remote controlled
( but tucked in your own pocket at the same time ), or the fibre-optic battlefield stuff are a pretty scary reminder of the speed sci-fi can become reality. Don't know who's winning the race with this stuff.
A couple of large bridges just collapsed close to the Ukr border too, but 'nowt to do with us guv.', and not relevant to any talks, for sure.

I kid you not - I've seen a video where this was countered with scissors.

[Zhivago]

At least his chef isn't around anymore.

If he does go I could see the power vacuum tearing the place apart and Ukraine shoving them back over the border, reclaiming the Crimean peninsula, joining NATO and never having to worry about Russia again.

That’s one scenario but I wouldn’t bet the farm on it. Putin isn’t a man alone, plenty agree with his warped view and apparently some feel Putin isn’t strong enough.

I’m not sure I’d want to see the outcome of a tactical nuke being used.


If there is a coup then I’d expect plotters to ensure the army in Ukraine is onside so they don’t desert their posts. Any collapse in moral would have to be sustained for Ukraine to really make hay.

Maybe if we’re lucky and Putin keeps over, his replacement decides it’s just not worth the cost and agrees to terms. My o it concern is that the losses have been so great that any Russian leader is effectively boxed in.

The vox populi that you can easily find on YouTube attests to this.