Ukraine

[vinteuil]

I'm not the only person who finds JD Vance extremely sinister -

"JD Vance is already on the campaign trail for the 2028 elections. If he won, he could be in office for two terms. That means Europe must not merely brace for, but act on, the threat of 12 years of anti-democratic, mafia-style malice, racketeering and downright treachery from a White House now dominated by extremists of spectacular ignorance"

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/28/jd-vance-volodymyr-zelenskyy

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https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/vance-trump-europe-putin-ukraine-b2707181.html

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[Nick Armstrong]

It will be intriguing to see whether - and if so, how - the UK gets out of the State Visit which has been offered to Putin’s orange lap-dog.

Perhaps HMK will put his well-shod foot down - His Majesty might not want the resulting images going down in the history books…

Just received:

https://stoptrump.org.uk/petition-cancel/

[Nick Armstrong]

.... excellent cartoon in The Times

- the royal coach proceeding down the Mall, with one horse saying to another ' "Can I bring my friends?" was the last straw!'
- in the carriage a thunder-faced Charles & Camilla opposite Trump and Putin




.

Visual artists of various kinds are having a field day…

[vinteuil]

It will be intriguing to see whether - and if so, how - the UK gets out of the State Visit which has been offered to Putin’s orange lap-dog.

Perhaps HMK will put his well-shod foot down - His Majesty might not want the resulting images going down in the history books…

.... excellent cartoon in The Times

- the royal coach proceeding down the Mall, with one horse saying to another ' "Can I bring my friends?" was the last straw!'
- in the carriage a thunder-faced Charles & Camilla opposite Trump and Putin




.

[eighthobstruction]

It will be intriguing to see whether - and if so, how - the UK gets out of the State Visit which has been offered to Putin’s orange lap-dog.

Perhaps HMK will put his well-shod foot down - His Majesty might not want the resulting images going down in the history books…

....I saw a bit of data today that said - in terms of GNP, USA is actually 17th in the table of $ to Ukraine....(and here is another data flow which says referencing GDP that they are 12th https://www.ussc.edu.au/by-the-numbe...ukraine-by-gdp)

....the approx 2% that UK gives to Defence Spending apparently includes a large amount devoted to Service Pensions....

[Nick Armstrong]

After yesterday's disgusting spectacle, Europe can be under no illusions that America is now a failed state and can no longer to be relied on. The European Powers must now gradually detach themselves from the US military and intelligence complex and forge ahead alone, something that should have been done years ago.

Afraid we now have to look upon the US as a hostile nation and every country in Europe must urgently be put on to a war economy.

It will be intriguing to see whether - and if so, how - the UK gets out of the State Visit which has been offered to Putin’s orange lap-dog.

Perhaps HMK will put his well-shod foot down - His Majesty might not want the resulting images going down in the history books…

[teamsaint]

It seemed to me a long time ago that the most likely outcome was something like a military impasse/ stalemate, and that sooner or later, once this became the case , that negotiation, however unpalatable it might be, was the only way forward.Of course outright victory, whatever that looks like, was possible for either side. But that is broadly where they are now.

Some people might look at the explanatory essay in the middle of 1984 and conclude that we are not so very far away from Orwell’s imaginings.

[Petrushka]

I’ve never been more ashamed to be an American. I was hoping initially that the backlash here against Trump would be to Ukraine’s benefit, but it’s just a debacle for them. I hope the Europeans would rally to the Ukraine cause, but I suspect that it will be fine speeches, anti Trump and anti American posturing, and not much else. They’re screwed

After yesterday's disgusting spectacle, Europe can be under no illusions that America is now a failed state and can no longer to be relied on. The European Powers must now gradually detach themselves from the US military and intelligence complex and forge ahead alone, something that should have been done years ago.

Afraid we now have to look upon the US as a hostile nation and every country in Europe must urgently be put on to a war economy.

[Dave2002]

....North Eastern Ukrainians in War Region.....some pro- Russian....some pro Govt, caught in conflict and forceably retained in Russia....but i UN language they are all "forced transfers to enemy soil"....

So not "voluntary" refugees then?
They didn't have anywhere else "safe" to go.

[Dave2002]

It would have helped if Mr Zelensky had been more diplomatic - and at least acknowledged that there will have to be some sort of negotiation with Putin to end the war. Now it seems as if things will simply grind on without any foreseeable end or - unimaginable until yesterday - Russia will win and take Kiev. I always used to think that there might be some grown-ups working behind Trump somewhere to clear up his baby mess, but now I'm not so sure.

Completely disagree, but that's just my view today.

A week - as they say - is a long time in politics. We'll see.

[Nick Armstrong]

Deeply shocking and worrying. 'Performative bullying' as one tv presenter had it.

And an insanely dumb strategy to use against the person on the planet who’s best known for standing up to a bully

[Bella Kemp]

It would have helped if Mr Zelensky had been more diplomatic - and at least acknowledged that there will have to be some sort of negotiation with Putin to end the war. Now it seems as if things will simply grind on without any foreseeable end or - unimaginable until yesterday - Russia will win and take Kiev. I always used to think that there might be some grown-ups working behind Trump somewhere to clear up his baby mess, but now I'm not so sure.

[eighthobstruction]

Very interesting this - if your data is correct.

What does "Russia currently hosts the highest number of Ukrainian refugees" actually mean? Are those Russian speaking Ukrainians [which I think is most of them] who went to Russia voluntarily?

....North Eastern Ukrainians in War Region.....some pro- Russian....some pro Govt, caught in conflict and forceably retained in Russia....but i UN language they are all "forced transfers to enemy soil"....

[Dave2002]

Around 6.8 million refugees from Ukraine are recorded globally, and an additional 3.7 million are displaced within the country. Russia currently hosts the highest number of Ukrainian refugees (1.2 million), followed by Germany (1.2 million) and Poland (993,000). Around 254,000 refugees are in the UK.

Very interesting this - if your data is correct.

What does "Russia currently hosts the highest number of Ukrainian refugees" actually mean? Are those Russian speaking Ukrainians [which I think is most of them] who went to Russia voluntarily?

[eighthobstruction]

I’ve never been more ashamed to be an American. I was hoping initially that the backlash here against Trump would be to Ukraine’s benefit, but it’s just a debacle for them. I hope the Europeans would rally to the Ukraine cause, but I suspect that it will be fine speeches, anti Trump and anti American posturing, and not much else. They’re screwed

....No, it hasn't been just fine speeches, it won't be just fine speeches....it won't be perfect - because much of it relies on money (Europe 132 billion $, USA 120 billion dollars, most of which was spent in USA)....The Polish president went to Washington this week, was kept waiting for hours then only got 10minutes with Trump. The EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas did not meet U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during her scheduled visit to Washington “due to scheduling issues." What was the "not much else" that was available....Euro leaders have been very busy on the issue. USA Vice Presidents don't usually talk in the way Vance has done recently. Anyway I'll say no more that couldn't possibily said with clarity in this short form - and luckily I don't have to do it while being a Ukrainian speaking man with all the world watching.... good wishes to you rfg....

Around 6.8 million refugees from Ukraine are recorded globally, and an additional 3.7 million are displaced within the country. Russia currently hosts the highest number of Ukrainian refugees (1.2 million), followed by Germany (1.2 million) and Poland (993,000). Around 254,000 refugees are in the UK.