Simple Truths;

The Ukr conflict is of extreme importance to Europe, but not to the US.

Trump's threat of increasing sanctions on Russia if they don't come to a deal is just not going to work.

Russia doesn't need a negotiated settlement while they are taking what they want on the battlefield. But they will need one eventually for the long term security of their western border.

Zelensky's only strategy is to find a way to get the US directly involved in the conflict, but that won't happen (see number 1).

European countries might get directly involved but only as a means to induce US involvement, but that won't happen (see number 1).

Ukr army openly admit they can't recruit enough men 'to meet demand' (replace battlefield losses) - ergo - the Ukr army's total collapse is inevitable.

General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
3 hours ·
The estimated total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 23.01.25 were approximately /
The estimated total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 23.01.25
personnel ‒ about 825320 (+1340) persons,
tanks ‒ 9850 (+6) units,
armored combat vehicles ‒ 20497 (+12) units,
artillery systems ‒ 22256 (+62) units,
MLRS ‒ 1262 (+0) units,
anti-aircraft systems ‒ 1050 (+0) units,
aircraft ‒ 369 (+0) units,
helicopters / helicopters – 331 (+0) units,
UAV operational-tactical level – 23111 (+72),
cruise missiles – 3051 (+0),
warships / boats – 28 (+0) units,
submarines - 1 (+0) units,
vehicles and fuel tanks – 34905 (+68) units,
special equipment – ​​3714 (+3)

Trump proves he's been badly misinformed and issues ultimatum to Putin based on the West's own propaganda.

Trump has repeated the false narrative that the Russian economy is struggling when just 2 days ago Reuters reported a Russian budget deficit of just 1.7% of GDP for 2024. Compare to Germany - deficit of 1.7% and the UK deficit of 4.4%.

The Russian CB increased interest rates because to economy is overheating, not crumbling. There is near zero unemployment, steadily increasing wages and the military budget is 7% of GDP, nowhere near the 20+% 'war economy' claimed by the west.

Reminder too that the world bank and IMF recently raised the Russian 'purchasing power parity' to that above Japan and Germany.


Russian losses on the battlefield are a 10th of that claimed by Zelensky, (see 'Mediazona' web page) which are parroted by the Pentagon and then Trump. Meanwhile public support for Putin in Russia remains very high, so all in all, not much in the way of leverage for the western bargaining position.

Ogee wrote: Thu Jan 23, 2025 10:28 pm Trump proves he's been badly misinformed and issues ultimatum to Putin based on the West's own propaganda.

What in the sam hill. This guy is fixin to destroy any relations we have left with Russia..

boytoy wrote: Thu Jan 23, 2025 11:31 pm What in the sam hill. This guy is fixin to destroy any relations we have left with Russia..

TRUMP PLANS TO WITHDRAW 20,000 US TROOPS FROM EUROPE

(you're on your own Euro trash )

Wait, what!!

Noooo, Zelensky and Rutte want morrr not less

boytoy wrote: Thu Jan 23, 2025 11:31 pm What in the sam hill. This guy is fixin to destroy any relations we have left with Russia..

Just the opposite. Russia respects tough and determined opponents,
and despises weak, indecisive, retreating and fearful ones.

And there are already some results of Trump's declarations:

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pu ... 025-01-23/

wojtek wrote: Fri Jan 24, 2025 9:16 am Just the opposite. Russia respects tough and determined opponents,
and despises weak, indecisive, retreating and fearful ones.

And there are already some results of Trump's declarations:

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pu ... 025-01-23/

Reuters as a reliable source really? "Source says..", "Under anonymity...", "according to two of the sources", "allegedly". My cat can write a more reliable story.

Which sources, besides cats, do you find trustworthy?

Regarding Trump's announcement about possible sanctions:

https://theins.ru/en/economics/277728

But in fact, there is some information chaos. On Tuesday,
Putin expressed readiness for negotiated talks on ending the war,
but said he expects 'the complete capitulation of Ukraine'.
These demands include forcing Ukraine to become a neutral state
that will never join NATO, imposing serious restrictions on the size
and armament of the Ukrainian army, and finally removing
the current Ukrainian government. So nothing new.

https://theins.ru/en/economics/277696

General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
1 hour ·
The estimated total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 24.01.25 were approximately /
The estimated total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 24.01.25
personnel ‒ about 826820 (+1500) persons,
tanks ‒ 9852 (+2) units,
armored combat vehicles ‒ 20508 (+11) units,
artillery systems ‒ 22295 (+39) units,
MLRS ‒ 1263 (+1) units,
anti-aircraft systems ‒ 1050 (+0) units,
aircraft ‒ 369 (+0) units,
helicopters / helicopters – 331 (+0) units,
UAV operational-tactical level – 23162 (+51),
cruise missiles – 3051 (+0),
warships / boats – 28 (+0) units,
submarines - 1 (+0) units,
vehicles and fuel tanks – 34992 (+87) units,
special equipment – ​​3715 (+1)

wojtek wrote: Fri Jan 24, 2025 9:16 am Just the opposite. Russia respects tough and determined opponents,
and despises weak, indecisive, retreating and fearful ones.

And there are already some results of Trump's declarations:

I hope so... we all need to just get along it's starting to become a bit of a drag and instead of funding the Ukrainians we really should be trying to help our our goddamn sick veterans and focusing on building our ruined country