Tonge moor green jacket Posted August 17, 2025 Posted August 17, 2025 3 hours ago, kent_white said: That's for 2 main reasons. 1 - Starmer is the junior partner in the UK/US relationship, sadly. Trump isn't the junior partner in the US/Russia relationship - although he looks and acts like one. 2 - So far, Starmer has been getting results from that approach. Where as Trump has got nothing from a similar approach with Putin. It's back to DT now. Does he put his money where his mouth is and re-sanction Russia as he's threatened to if there is no ceasefire. Or does he (once again) U-turn on his threats and promises (something Trumpamaniacs seem happy for him to do - but are you in arms when Keir does). Works both ways you see 😁 They met for the first time the other day, with a couple of staged events for the cameras before and after. From that brief episode, there was absolutely nothing which suggested that. Simply 2 leaders performing in public. Neither of us known what went on, and neither know what has being going on previously. It's all hearsay, based largely on previously set views on the individuals. What can't be avoided, is the desire for so many to see an end to the war. Initially, it was vital for the west to support Ukraine with weapons etc to give Putin a bloody nose. It worked to an extent, but, as usual, there isn't total agreement, on how that should look, amongst European countries, with some doing more than others. America lumped in more than all the others. Now the narrative seems to be changing, with folk wanting it over, and loads- including many on here- believing some land may have to be conceded. Now then, without knowing for sure, plenty are slagging off Trump because rumours suggest he also thinks land should be conceded. Fwiw, it is far more complex, and with previously agreed deals between Trump and Zelenskyy, then Putin won't be getting all his own way. What has also gone under the radar somewhat is the apparent arrival of many c17 globemanster transport aircraft very recently from America to Ukraine. Over a period of 72 hours or so, with little fanfare and little known about their cargo. This isn't an example of America giving up on Ukraine, but one of applying pressure to Russia. It may also be connected with the minerals agreement, who know, but there is far more detail to this than we know. Quote
Cheese Posted August 17, 2025 Posted August 17, 2025 1 minute ago, Tonge moor green jacket said: They met for the first time the other day, with a couple of staged events for the cameras before and after. From that brief episode, there was absolutely nothing which suggested that. Simply 2 leaders performing in public. Neither of us known what went on, and neither know what has being going on previously. It's all hearsay, based largely on previously set views on the individuals. What can't be avoided, is the desire for so many to see an end to the war. Initially, it was vital for the west to support Ukraine with weapons etc to give Putin a bloody nose. It worked to an extent, but, as usual, there isn't total agreement, on how that should look, amongst European countries, with some doing more than others. America lumped in more than all the others. Now the narrative seems to be changing, with folk wanting it over, and loads- including many on here- believing some land may have to be conceded. Now then, without knowing for sure, plenty are slagging off Trump because rumours suggest he also thinks land should be conceded. Fwiw, it is far more complex, and with previously agreed deals between Trump and Zelenskyy, then Putin won't be getting all his own way. What has also gone under the radar somewhat is the apparent arrival of many c17 globemanster transport aircraft very recently from America to Ukraine. Over a period of 72 hours or so, with little fanfare and little known about their cargo. This isn't an example of America giving up on Ukraine, but one of applying pressure to Russia. It may also be connected with the minerals agreement, who know, but there is far more detail to this than we know. They met at a Russia-US Summit in 2018, and had met previously at the G20 a year earlier. Quote
BobyBrno Posted August 17, 2025 Posted August 17, 2025 This is good news and I’ll happily withdraw my criticism of Starmer last night. Quote
kent_white Posted August 17, 2025 Posted August 17, 2025 25 minutes ago, BobyBrno said: This is good news and I’ll happily withdraw my criticism of Starmer last night. And I'd be happy to withdraw my criticism of DT if this is true too. From Steve Witkoff...... "We got to an agreement that the United States and other European nations could effectively offer Article 5-like language to cover a security guarantee," in reference to the critical Nato provision. I would be amazed if it is though! Quote
Spider Posted August 17, 2025 Posted August 17, 2025 1 hour ago, kent_white said: And I'd be happy to withdraw my criticism of DT if this is true too. From Steve Witkoff...... "We got to an agreement that the United States and other European nations could effectively offer Article 5-like language to cover a security guarantee," in reference to the critical Nato provision. I would be amazed if it is though! Mentioned this yesterday. Seems to be the direction of travel, and whilst it still means defeat for Ukraine at least it stops the relentless Russian advance. Its still a capitulation and Ukraine deserve much much better Quote
Lt. Aldo Raine Posted August 17, 2025 Posted August 17, 2025 The problem with political pointscoring is that it can often bite you on the arse Quote
Tonge moor green jacket Posted August 17, 2025 Posted August 17, 2025 1 hour ago, kent_white said: And I'd be happy to withdraw my criticism of DT if this is true too. From Steve Witkoff...... "We got to an agreement that the United States and other European nations could effectively offer Article 5-like language to cover a security guarantee," in reference to the critical Nato provision. I would be amazed if it is though! Sounds good. Proof of the pudding etc- especially if they were actually attacked again, rather than a gradual albeit increase of assistance. Doesn't help when the current agreement was broken by one of the signatories to it of course, but the response in 2014 was lily-livered indifference which emboldened the Russians, for further attacks later. Quote
kent_white Posted August 17, 2025 Posted August 17, 2025 24 minutes ago, Tonge moor green jacket said: Sounds good. Proof of the pudding etc- especially if they were actually attacked again, rather than a gradual albeit increase of assistance. Doesn't help when the current agreement was broken by one of the signatories to it of course, but the response in 2014 was lily-livered indifference which emboldened the Russians, for further attacks later. At the current time - I'd be very extremely wary of counting on American support if any member country invoked Article 5. Let alone an Article 5 lite. DT would make his mind up whether to support or not based on whatever whim or flight of fantasy has most recently triggered one of his many nerves. Quote
jayjayoghani Posted August 17, 2025 Posted August 17, 2025 The Governor of California (or someone within his team) has started tweeting Trump style. Very amusing. Quote
Lt. Aldo Raine Posted August 17, 2025 Posted August 17, 2025 The host not appreciating the irony of his own words and the woman not understanding it at all Quote
bolty58 Posted August 17, 2025 Posted August 17, 2025 10 hours ago, kent_white said: I thought this would be the case! 😁 Jesus compared to Trump who flip flops all over the place - Keir Starmer looks like a stump. I just don't think you can see/admit it because of your own political bias. More twaddle - with a fitting correction. Anyway, comparing Trump to Jesus is likely to be a bit much for the devout types on here. Quote
Tonge moor green jacket Posted August 18, 2025 Posted August 18, 2025 12 hours ago, kent_white said: At the current time - I'd be very extremely wary of counting on American support if any member country invoked Article 5. Let alone an Article 5 lite. DT would make his mind up whether to support or not based on whatever whim or flight of fantasy has most recently triggered one of his many nerves. Aye, quite possibly. Fortunately, there will be others within his extended team that will be presenting the wider picture. At the same time, his approach has forced Europe to boost its own defence sector (at least start doing) which is perfectly reasonable. The big problem for Trump, which isn't being discussed much in the media, is his minerals deal. He will have companies ready and waiting to invest in the country, and develop sites accordingly. Without adequate support, Trump doesn't get what he has agreed to. These companies aren't going to go near the place with missiles flying overhead, and tanks not too far away. There is also enough evidence that Russia is on the brink off sufficient financial strife to have its war efforts collapse. A lot of missile production at the moment, but the newly drafted soldiers aren't up to much, their equipment varies from ancient to reasonable. Bigger hardware is good, but not impregnable. Trump could impose the secondary sanctions which would mean India's purchase of Russian oil is at risk, and that would hit Putin's cash raising abilities. Russia's farming is up the creek, interest rates are high etc- he can't carry on for too much longer, and the provision of more long range strike capability together with defensive interceptors could see the conflict start to turn around, and the land grabs being lost back to Ukraine. Quote
Bertie Posted August 18, 2025 Posted August 18, 2025 9 hours ago, jayjayoghani said: The Governor of California (or someone within his team) has started tweeting Trump style. Very amusing. These are brilliant. About time someone played him at his own game. Michelle Obama once said (r/e Trump) “when they go low we stay high”. Nah. Doesn’t work in America. Hopefully Newsom now emerges as the leader the Dems lack, someone who can communicate effectively with the electorate to show how ridiculous and ridiculed the orange man baby is. Quote
Lt. Aldo Raine Posted August 18, 2025 Posted August 18, 2025 1 hour ago, Bertie said: These are brilliant. About time someone played him at his own game. Michelle Obama once said (r/e Trump) “when they go low we stay high”. Nah. Doesn’t work in America. Hopefully Newsom now emerges as the leader the Dems lack, someone who can communicate effectively with the electorate to show how ridiculous and ridiculed the orange man baby is. Yeah, it has to be done right and it can backfire because there's always the possibility Trump stoops lower but it's being done very well Quote
jayjayoghani Posted August 18, 2025 Posted August 18, 2025 3 hours ago, Bertie said: These are brilliant. About time someone played him at his own game. Michelle Obama once said (r/e Trump) “when they go low we stay high”. Nah. Doesn’t work in America. Hopefully Newsom now emerges as the leader the Dems lack, someone who can communicate effectively with the electorate to show how ridiculous and ridiculed the orange man baby is. He does seem like he'd be a popular candidate. Don't think the inbred states typically like politicians from California though. Quote
frank_spencer Posted August 18, 2025 Posted August 18, 2025 56 minutes ago, jayjayoghani said: He does seem like he'd be a popular candidate. Don't think the inbred states typically like politicians from California though. He's Kier Starmer level of lefty rather than Bernie Sanders so his biggest issue at the minute is convincing the left he's a good option he's already got the centrists onside. Quote
kent_white Posted August 18, 2025 Posted August 18, 2025 5 hours ago, Bertie said: These are brilliant. About time someone played him at his own game. Michelle Obama once said (r/e Trump) “when they go low we stay high”. Nah. Doesn’t work in America. Hopefully Newsom now emerges as the leader the Dems lack, someone who can communicate effectively with the electorate to show how ridiculous and ridiculed the orange man baby is. Quote
Spider Posted August 18, 2025 Posted August 18, 2025 3 minutes ago, mickbrown said: Trump is a Russian asset And a peadophile Quote
Cheese Posted August 18, 2025 Posted August 18, 2025 4 minutes ago, mickbrown said: Trump is a Russian asset He does parrot a lot of Kremlin lines. Quote
Sweep Posted August 18, 2025 Posted August 18, 2025 41 minutes ago, mickbrown said: Trump is a Russian asset 37 minutes ago, Spider said: And a peadophile Worryingly, I think the second is actually far more likely and would be less surprising a revelation Quote
kent_white Posted August 18, 2025 Posted August 18, 2025 1 hour ago, Sweep said: Worryingly, I think the second is actually far more likely and would be less surprising a revelation I'd be more worried about the first one to be honest! Quote
bolty58 Posted August 18, 2025 Posted August 18, 2025 12 hours ago, jayjayoghani said: He does seem like he'd be a popular candidate. Don't think the inbred states typically like politicians from California though. Which is quite understandable. Quote
bolty58 Posted August 18, 2025 Posted August 18, 2025 9 hours ago, Sweep said: Worryingly, I think the second is actually far more likely and would be less surprising a revelation Even more worryingly, this place seems to have multiplying mad conspiracy theorists. Quote
Sweep Posted August 19, 2025 Posted August 19, 2025 Hey guys, look at all my hats. This one was made in China, and this one was made in China, and this one was made in China.. Quote
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