If anyone still had illusions about what we are dealing with then today must surely have dispelled them.
We have to accept that the US is no longer an ally. I don't blame Starmer trying to be diplomatic but, seriously, what would the point of a US -UK trade deal be? Trump would rip it up the moment something displeased him. He is treating all the US's former allies like dirt.
We need to get closer to Europe and, I thought I would never say this, but we would be better off being friendlier to China than the USA.
If history has taught us anything it is that you can never ever appease thugs and bullies like Trump & Putin. It's doomed to failure so better cutting your losses sooner rather than later.
this is the same look you give the waiter when your grandpa is yelling trying to get something taken off the bill
Is it worth it Marco? It's america and you were a Senator, so you're probably a multi-millionaire and effectively immune from most crimes unless you're as stupid as that corrupt guy from New Jersey.
It's not as though he gets to do what he wants as Secretary of State, as some of the other Cabinet members might in their areas. He has to entirely subordinate himself to Trump's will.
Thank you @POTUS for standing up for America in a way that no President has ever had the courage to do before. Thank you for putting America First. America is with you!
Saul Staniforth @SaulStaniforth Caroline Flint: "Our Royal Family, when it comes to big moments.. they really pull it out of the hat. We had the King of hearts winning the heart of the President of the United States of America"
@JenniferJJacobs Lindsey Graham says Zelenskyy needs to apologize.
He should say " ... 'if i had it all to do over again, I'd have done it differently. I'm sorry.' If he can't say that, then Ukraine, you either need to send us somebody new we can deal with or just accept the consequences," @LindseyGrahamSC says on Fox News.
'Send somebody new'. Floating a way out.
And Graham is comparitively 'strong' on Ukraine compared to most of them.
They are genuinely trying to claim the USA is making its policy decisions because, in an unnecessarily on camera discussion, Zelensky was not deferential enough.
It makes them look like maniacs, no country runs its policies that way.
this is the same look you give the waiter when your grandpa is yelling trying to get something taken off the bill
Is it worth it Marco? It's america and you were a Senator, so you're probably a multi-millionaire and effectively immune from most crimes unless you're as stupid as that corrupt guy from New Jersey.
It's not as though he gets to do what he wants as Secretary of State, as some of the other Cabinet members might in their areas. He has to entirely subordinate himself to Trump's will.
Thank you @POTUS for standing up for America in a way that no President has ever had the courage to do before. Thank you for putting America First. America is with you!
“…no President has ever had the courage to do before…”.
So, just having heard the brief reports from Washington, what was it?
1. Zelensky tried to play nice bit his speaker of truth too power persona got the better of him 2. The additional terms and expectations of the deal, written or unwritten were too onerous and he had his IMF in Lviv moment 3. Zelensky intended to pull out their true intentions 4. MAGA always set it up to go this way
Or some mix of the above or something else?
2 and 4. Trump wanted complete surrender to his plans from Zelensky and probably threw in some extra bits as well whilst utterly refusing any security gaurantees. He hoped he would get agreement but had the ambush planned with Vance in case it didn't work out.
We need to call his bluff and pledge full suport for Ukraine whilst telling Trump to go take a long walk off a short pier.
this is the same look you give the waiter when your grandpa is yelling trying to get something taken off the bill
Is it worth it Marco? It's america and you were a Senator, so you're probably a multi-millionaire and effectively immune from most crimes unless you're as stupid as that corrupt guy from New Jersey.
It's not as though he gets to do what he wants as Secretary of State, as some of the other Cabinet members might in their areas. He has to entirely subordinate himself to Trump's will.
Thank you @POTUS for standing up for America in a way that no President has ever had the courage to do before. Thank you for putting America First. America is with you!
The US Ambassador to Ukraine has retweeted the Rubio statement and translated it. She’s a career civil servant.
this is the same look you give the waiter when your grandpa is yelling trying to get something taken off the bill
Is it worth it Marco? It's america and you were a Senator, so you're probably a multi-millionaire and effectively immune from most crimes unless you're as stupid as that corrupt guy from New Jersey.
It's not as though he gets to do what he wants as Secretary of State, as some of the other Cabinet members might in their areas. He has to entirely subordinate himself to Trump's will.
Thank you @POTUS for standing up for America in a way that no President has ever had the courage to do before. Thank you for putting America First. America is with you!
“…no President has ever had the courage to do before…”.
Right…
In Stalin's interminable speeches in the Party congress, the first man to stop clapping was shot.
Exclusive: President Zelensky just got off the phone with French President Macron and now is talking to NATO secretary general Rutte, person close to the Ukrainian leader tells me @FT .
This seems like an attempt to try and reduce US public support for Zelenskyy . As we can see the traitorous scum surrounding Trump are full on with the narrative that Zelenskyy is ungrateful and needs to be taught a lesson .
this is the same look you give the waiter when your grandpa is yelling trying to get something taken off the bill
Is it worth it Marco? It's america and you were a Senator, so you're probably a multi-millionaire and effectively immune from most crimes unless you're as stupid as that corrupt guy from New Jersey.
It's not as though he gets to do what he wants as Secretary of State, as some of the other Cabinet members might in their areas. He has to entirely subordinate himself to Trump's will.
Thank you @POTUS for standing up for America in a way that no President has ever had the courage to do before. Thank you for putting America First. America is with you!
I feel sure Marco's generous praise will stand him in good stead when he's inevitably pushed out of the plane over whatever in 2026.
Honestly, why do these people believe their arselicking will mean fuck all the moment they cease to satisfy Trump's immediate needs?
Those criticising Zelenskyy should also consider that English is not his first language. Or even his second.
Interpreting, and devising responses to, these two in real time would be quite difficult.
But Zelenskyy does not need an excuse. The fault is with Trump and Vance.
Anyone who has seen those images and thinks Zelensky shares any of the blame for the spectacle is an idiot or a Trump die hard (and therefore an idiot).
this is the same look you give the waiter when your grandpa is yelling trying to get something taken off the bill
Is it worth it Marco? It's america and you were a Senator, so you're probably a multi-millionaire and effectively immune from most crimes unless you're as stupid as that corrupt guy from New Jersey.
It's not as though he gets to do what he wants as Secretary of State, as some of the other Cabinet members might in their areas. He has to entirely subordinate himself to Trump's will.
Thank you @POTUS for standing up for America in a way that no President has ever had the courage to do before. Thank you for putting America First. America is with you!
These people are absolute lunatics.
It reminds me of the anecdote from the 1956 Kruschev condemnation of Stalins atrocities.
A heckler called out, "So why did you back him?, why didn't you speak out?"
"Who said that?" Shouted Kruschev, glowering at the audience.
Silence in the hall.
"That's why" said Kruschev.
That's how it works in dictatorial states, and that's what America is now.
Any politician who was supporting Trump to win last November and now coming out as shocked at what happened today can STFU .
They know who Trump is and were happy to support him inspite of that .
Which is proabbly why American politicians, long inured to this, will take up a line against Zelensky being this super rude person, since they really cannot pretend to be surprised anymore.
But UK politicians will be sufficiently removed from events that they will try to pretend.
Dear Volodymyr @zelenskyyua, we stand with #Ukraine in good and in testing times. We must never confuse aggressor and victim in this terrible war. (FM)
This seems like an attempt to try and reduce US public support for Zelenskyy . As we can see the traitorous scum surrounding Trump are full on with the narrative that Zelenskyy is ungrateful and needs to be taught a lesson .
Yes, it's surely am attempt to soften up public opinion for when the alliance with Putin is formally declared. We can't be that far off now.
Sorry President Trump. We know we said we were going to invite you but suddenly remembered we had already invited President Zelensky. Sure you understand.
Dear Volodymyr @zelenskyyua, we stand with #Ukraine in good and in testing times. We must never confuse aggressor and victim in this terrible war. (FM)
Can't disagree with that, and it's good to hear from the next German Chancellor.
this is the same look you give the waiter when your grandpa is yelling trying to get something taken off the bill
Is it worth it Marco? It's america and you were a Senator, so you're probably a multi-millionaire and effectively immune from most crimes unless you're as stupid as that corrupt guy from New Jersey.
It's not as though he gets to do what he wants as Secretary of State, as some of the other Cabinet members might in their areas. He has to entirely subordinate himself to Trump's will.
Thank you @POTUS for standing up for America in a way that no President has ever had the courage to do before. Thank you for putting America First. America is with you!
Courage? What an odd choice of words. If looking to please Trump I'd have said something like no President had the intellect to make the right choices for america like that, since even taking the statement on its merits it doesn't take courage to berate a much weaker country, whereas it takes intellect to see best path when all others failed.
Sorry President Trump. We know we said we were going to invite you but suddenly remembered we had already invited President Zelensky. Sure you understand.
Yes, Mr President, we invited you, but we don't think you were sufficiently grateful...
Zelenskyy leaves the White House without signing Trump’s deal. This man has cojones the size of boulders.
Trump, the self proclaimed great deal maker, fails again. Now it is time for Europe to step up to the plate and deliver.
Do the minerals deal as a coalition of the willing. And make it clear, the terms are nowhere near as onerous as Trump and Vance were trying to screw Ukraine over on. America can join at a time when its political class sees sense. Or is replaced.
Meanwhile, all sanctions stay in place on Russia. And then, on anyone who breaks them. China will come on board to keep its European market. If America wants isolation - it can have it.
Those criticising Zelenskyy should also consider that English is not his first language. Or even his second.
Interpreting, and devising responses to, these two in real time would be quite difficult.
But Zelenskyy does not need an excuse. The fault is with Trump and Vance.
Anyone who has seen those images and thinks Zelensky shares any of the blame for the spectacle is an idiot or a Trump die hard (and therefore an idiot).
Few will see it on their news updates I suspect. Or they will see mostly the Vance parts only, implying what prompted it was beyond the pale.
It's almost impressive how much the american right was turned against Ukraine, since it wasn't universal amongst them to start with, but they believe it wholeheartedly. There was that story a few months ago about right wing podcasters being paid by Russia Today to spew anti-Ukraine messaging - they didn't know where the money was coming from, but the main point was how they were very happy to talk about Ukraine being the enemy, and to be paid for what they already believed.
Off topic, because I am feeling so chuffed with my new purchase and I have been down the pub to celebrate, but here is a picture (sorry 2 in one day, but I rarely post pictures) from behind the bonnet of my new car. No safety features like a modern car but it does have roll bars and the 4 point racing style seat belts, but that is it.
I cannot recall anything that has united our forum in condemnation across the political divide than has happened live on our tv screens in the last hour
WilliamGlenn still holding out though - lol.
He’s either too thick or too stubborn to read the obvious memo “Trump and JD Vance are utter c*nts!”
If anyone still had illusions about what we are dealing with then today must surely have dispelled them.
We have to accept that the US is no longer an ally. I don't blame Starmer trying to be diplomatic but, seriously, what would the point of a US -UK trade deal be? Trump would rip it up the moment something displeased him. He is treating all the US's former allies like dirt.
We need to get closer to Europe and, I thought I would never say this, but we would be better off being friendlier to China than the USA.
If history has taught us anything it is that you can never ever appease thugs and bullies like Trump & Putin. It's doomed to failure so better cutting your losses sooner rather than later.
I voted for Brexit, and while I don't regret that vote, I do think that right now the UK would be better off being friendly to the Europeans. (And yes, probably the Chinese too.)
I cannot recall anything that has united our forum in condemnation across the political divide than has happened live on our tv screens in the last hour
WilliamGlenn still holding out though - lol.
He’s either too thick or too stubborn to read the obvious memo “Trump and JD Vance are utter c*nts!”
at this point he an obvious paid shiller
Do we even know if he is the old williamglenn , given the way his view has shifted?
If anyone still had illusions about what we are dealing with then today must surely have dispelled them.
We have to accept that the US is no longer an ally. I don't blame Starmer trying to be diplomatic but, seriously, what would the point of a US -UK trade deal be? Trump would rip it up the moment something displeased him. He is treating all the US's former allies like dirt.
We need to get closer to Europe and, I thought I would never say this, but we would be better off being friendlier to China than the USA.
If history has taught us anything it is that you can never ever appease thugs and bullies like Trump & Putin. It's doomed to failure so better cutting your losses sooner rather than later.
I voted for Brexit, and while I don't regret that vote, I do think that right now the UK would be better off being friendly to the Europeans. (And yes, probably the Chinese too.)
The dynamics have moved such that the European political community (maybe plus Canada) can become something those of who voted for Brexit can live with if its role is appropriately narrow. At the same time we can grow a defence org from NATO.
And as with Covid, much can be done quickly with cash, and the markets will get the need.
I cannot recall anything that has united our forum in condemnation across the political divide than has happened live on our tv screens in the last hour
WilliamGlenn still holding out though - lol.
He’s either too thick or too stubborn to read the obvious memo “Trump and JD Vance are utter c*nts!”
at this point he an obvious paid shiller
Do we even know if he is the old williamglenn , given the way his view has shifted?
He was always pro-Trump even in 2016 in his anti-Brexit heyday.
Surely keeping a photo is better than a full bottle of whisky? It can take time, and be a personal journey for everyone, but also spiritually liberating when we allow ourselves to let go of momento’s. All my momento of Wilbur are gone now except the photo’s. He was on Amoxy for breathing, and died in my arms, still with his eyes wide open looking at me, so for a long time I couldn’t accept he was gone. And I was told that despite what he died of, he would still be safe to eat!
And the den and run gone like they never happened. But I got the photo’s. Wilbur had a snout infection. I then heard over and over selective breeding to create ornamental pets concentrates genetic mutations making health problems. Shit Autumn. Shit 2024.
Those criticising Zelenskyy should also consider that English is not his first language. Or even his second.
Interpreting, and devising responses to, these two in real time would be quite difficult.
But Zelenskyy does not need an excuse. The fault is with Trump and Vance.
Anyone who has seen those images and thinks Zelensky shares any of the blame for the spectacle is an idiot or a Trump die hard (and therefore an idiot).
Few will see it on their news updates I suspect. Or they will see mostly the Vance parts only, implying what prompted it was beyond the pale.
It's almost impressive how much the american right was turned against Ukraine, since it wasn't universal amongst them to start with, but they believe it wholeheartedly. There was that story a few months ago about right wing podcasters being paid by Russia Today to spew anti-Ukraine messaging - they didn't know where the money was coming from, but the main point was how they were very happy to talk about Ukraine being the enemy, and to be paid for what they already believed.
Some of them knew where the money was coming from, some didn't.
I really don't understand his position. I agreed with him on many things, but it's been clear for ages that you cannot support both Trump/GOP/Musk and Ukraine. Yet he tried. And I think the reason he's left isn't anything I, or anyone else, said, but because the waveforms of reality have collapsed and shown him the cat in the box is, sadly, dead.
Edit: and as I've said before, I'd love to have to apologise to him over this. I'd be ecstatic if I was wrong, because that would mean that Trump and the GOP were wholeheartedly supporting Ukraine more than Biden did.
I know it will work easily on the GOP base, but I'm still surprised at how effectively Trump will portray Zelensky not merely as being unreasonable, but an outright enemy of the United States.
I'm surprised that anybody's remotely surprised to discover that Trump is a nasty, unpleasant, rude bully.
All I've learnt today is that Vance is at least as bad, and possibly even more dangerous, being marginally more intelligent.
I'm reminded of the "let's go back in time and kill Hitler" stories that end up with someone just as evil but a bit more clever and ruthless running the Reich.
Didn’t Stephen fry do one like that? Sterilised the Jews and used them to help win the war.
European leaders need to do what they didn’t want to and seize all those Russian assets .
It’s a bit of a legal minefield with opposing views but at this point not sure what else can be done that will remove some of Trumps power to influence events .
I really don't understand his position. I agreed with him on many things, but it's been clear for ages that you cannot support both Trump/GOP/Musk and Ukraine. Yet he tried. And I think the reason he's left isn't anything I, or anyone else, said, but because the waveforms of reality have collapsed and shown him the cat in the box is, sadly, dead.
This seems like an attempt to try and reduce US public support for Zelenskyy . As we can see the traitorous scum surrounding Trump are full on with the narrative that Zelenskyy is ungrateful and needs to be taught a lesson .
For 80 years the US has been the linchpin of the Western alliance. Now in a matter of weeks it has done an 180 degree turn and seems to want to ally itself with Russia rather than against it.
Were I an Israeli politician, I'd be saying to myself: if the US can do this to long-standing allies, if it can betray a country invaded by those wanting to obliterate its existence, my country can't be certain it won't do the same to us too, one day. And from that realisation policies will flow, policies many of us will not like at all.
Dear Volodymyr @zelenskyyua, we stand with #Ukraine in good and in testing times. We must never confuse aggressor and victim in this terrible war. (FM)
I'm surprised that anybody's remotely surprised to discover that Trump is a nasty, unpleasant, rude bully.
All I've learnt today is that Vance is at least as bad, and possibly even more dangerous, being marginally more intelligent.
I'm reminded of the "let's go back in time and kill Hitler" stories that end up with someone just as evil but a bit more clever and ruthless running the Reich.
Didn’t Stephen fry do one like that? Sterilised the Jews and used them to help win the war.
I vaguely recall a 'Tales of the Unexpected' which covers a couple's problems conceiving. And when a healthy boy was born, the doctor asks: "And what will you call him, Herr Hitler?"
I really don't understand his position. I agreed with him on many things, but it's been clear for ages that you cannot support both Trump/GOP/Musk and Ukraine. Yet he tried. And I think the reason he's left isn't anything I, or anyone else, said, but because the waveforms of reality have collapsed and shown him the cat in the box is, sadly, dead.
A few days ago when Trump started with the Zekenskyy is a dictator stuff. He couldn't handle the contradictions of his support for Ukraine and for Trump.
I really don't understand his position. I agreed with him on many things, but it's been clear for ages that you cannot support both Trump/GOP/Musk and Ukraine. Yet he tried. And I think the reason he's left isn't anything I, or anyone else, said, but because the waveforms of reality have collapsed and shown him the cat in the box is, sadly, dead.
A few days ago when Trump strutted with the Zekenskyy of a dictator stuff. He couldn't handle the contradictions of his support for Ukraine and for Trump.
This seems like an attempt to try and reduce US public support for Zelenskyy . As we can see the traitorous scum surrounding Trump are full on with the narrative that Zelenskyy is ungrateful and needs to be taught a lesson .
European leaders need to do what they didn’t want to and seize all those Russian assets .
It’s a bit of a legal minefield with opposing views but at this point not sure what else can be done that will remove some of Trumps power to influence events .
As many American assets are also under Putins control, perhaps we should expand the programme of asset seizures.
Those criticising Zelenskyy should also consider that English is not his first language. Or even his second.
Interpreting, and devising responses to, these two in real time would be quite difficult.
But Zelenskyy does not need an excuse. The fault is with Trump and Vance.
Anyone who has seen those images and thinks Zelensky shares any of the blame for the spectacle is an idiot or a Trump die hard (and therefore an idiot).
Few will see it on their news updates I suspect. Or they will see mostly the Vance parts only, implying what prompted it was beyond the pale.
It's almost impressive how much the american right was turned against Ukraine, since it wasn't universal amongst them to start with, but they believe it wholeheartedly. There was that story a few months ago about right wing podcasters being paid by Russia Today to spew anti-Ukraine messaging - they didn't know where the money was coming from, but the main point was how they were very happy to talk about Ukraine being the enemy, and to be paid for what they already believed.
Do we think the man who walks in Leon's footsteps is potentially paid by Russia?
Anyone seen BoJo? Waiting for him to come along to tell us how wonderful it was to see Messers Trump and Vance humiliating an ally because it’s all for the best, you see…
Never mind BoJo, anyone heard from Leon? LuckyGuy1983?
Do they spend their every waking moment here then ?
Ones in Bangkok where it is very much either very very late or very very early.
European leaders need to do what they didn’t want to and seize all those Russian assets .
It’s a bit of a legal minefield with opposing views but at this point not sure what else can be done that will remove some of Trumps power to influence events .
I gather one point was they wanted to use them for Ukrainian reconstruction, as have already been using the interest on them.
That's not pleasant but also I think that's the reason he's not here too.
He seemed to genuinely reconcile in his head the idea of backing Trump and backing Ukraine by his belief that America's Military Industrial Complex will see Ukraine through even if Trump won.
Sadly he was wrong, and I think he realised he was too, saw the writing on the wall and that's why he's gone.
It must be truly upsetting to realise what a big mistake you've made, especially on something you feel so passionately about. I feel sorry for him.
Support for Trump is rapidly becoming utterly toxic on the British Right. I'm amazed at the speed of the shift. I wonder who'll be the last person left standing. Liz Truss looks to be quite flat footed in that regard.
Yesterday not looking quite such a good day for Starmer.
He has just invited for a second state visit to the UK a US President who has just engaged in a shouting match with Zelensky for not grovelling to him enough for a deal while trying to defend his country from Putin
Starmer can only correct this by withdrawing the invite
The King cannot welcome Trump now
Can anyone imagine the demonstrations
Just not acceptable and a case could be made for the invite being offered far too soon anyway
Or else he invites Zelensky for a State Visit first and the King also travels to Canada before Trump arrives (I believe they were hoping to confine Trump to Balmoral Estate, Dumfries House and Windsor Castle and keep him out of London anyway)
Yesterday not looking quite such a good day for Starmer.
He has just invited for a second state visit to the UK a US President who has just engaged in a shouting match with Zelensky for not grovelling to him enough for a deal while trying to defend his country from Putin
Starmer can only correct this by withdrawing the invite
The King cannot welcome Trump now
Can anyone imagine the demonstrations
Just not acceptable and a case could be made for the invite being offered far too soon anyway
Or else he invites Zelensky for a State Visit first and the King also travels to Canada before Trump arrives (I believe they were hoping to confine Trump to Balmoral Estate, Dumfries House and Windsor Castle and keep him out of London anyway)
Rejoin the EU, invite Canada and Ukraine to also join.
Not the EU. It’s something else but the something needs to form this weekend.
If we (and Canada) can no longer rely on the US (and thus NATO) an expanded EU is our best bet.
Gven the complete inability of the EU to do anything in a unified manner - and the fact that some members are openly hostile to Ukraine, plus the fact it would take decades and completely new Treaties - unanimously agreed by all current members - to get any new members, this is, as I said, an idiotic idea. Far better to get those countries that are willing to form a new defence organisation including Ukraine but with the USA and countries like Hungary left out in the cold.
Exactly. Rump-NATO is the nearest thing we have as a starting point. Going through the EU on this is a hiding to nothing.
NATO has, built into it, the idea of other alliances and sub-groupings. See the exercises that the UK has been doing with Northern Europe, since Cameron was PM.
Given that various European nations may not want to defend Ukraine, or even the Baltics, we need flexible alliances.
The future appears to be JEF.
If you assume for the moment that Britain is serious about its own defence, and collective defence with willing partners, (which is a bit charitable given the status quo on spending) then JEF + Poland are the serious core of a future defence alliance.
All credit to the Cameron Ministry for creating JEF.
I'm surprised that anybody's remotely surprised to discover that Trump is a nasty, unpleasant, rude bully.
All I've learnt today is that Vance is at least as bad, and possibly even more dangerous, being marginally more intelligent.
I'm reminded of the "let's go back in time and kill Hitler" stories that end up with someone just as evil but a bit more clever and ruthless running the Reich.
Didn’t Stephen fry do one like that? Sterilised the Jews and used them to help win the war.
That's not pleasant but also I think that's the reason he's not here too.
He seemed to genuinely reconcile in his head the idea of backing Trump and backing Ukraine by his belief that America's Military Industrial Complex will see Ukraine through even if Trump won.
Sadly he was wrong, and I think he realised he was too, saw the writing on the wall and that's why he's gone.
It must be truly upsetting to realise what a big mistake you've made, especially on something you feel so passionately about. I feel sorry for him.
His feelings for Musk and Trump were stronger than those for his wife's homeland.
Which leads me to ask some interesting questions about myself...
Saul Staniforth @SaulStaniforth Caroline Flint: "Our Royal Family, when it comes to big moments.. they really pull it out of the hat. We had the King of hearts winning the heart of the President of the United States of America"
@JenniferJJacobs Lindsey Graham says Zelenskyy needs to apologize.
He should say " ... 'if i had it all to do over again, I'd have done it differently. I'm sorry.' If he can't say that, then Ukraine, you either need to send us somebody new we can deal with or just accept the consequences," @LindseyGrahamSC says on Fox News.
'Send somebody new'. Floating a way out.
And Graham is comparitively 'strong' on Ukraine compared to most of them.
They are genuinely trying to claim the USA is making its policy decisions because, in an unnecessarily on camera discussion, Zelensky was not deferential enough.
It makes them look like maniacs, no country runs its policies that way.
*reveals them to be
Trumpistan perhaps does run its policies that way.
Support for Trump is rapidly becoming utterly toxic on the British Right. I'm amazed at the speed of the shift. I wonder who'll be the last person left standing. Liz Truss looks to be quite flat footed in that regard.
Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people.
Be strong, be brave, be fearless. You are never alone, dear President @ZelenskyyUa .
We will continue working with you for a just and lasting peace.
Note that she says working for peace, not working to defeat Russia.
People are broadly resigned on that point I think, though would like the latter to be done. There are still different types of peace, and some are better for Ukraine than others.
Comments
We have to accept that the US is no longer an ally. I don't blame Starmer trying to be diplomatic but, seriously, what would the point of a US -UK trade deal be? Trump would rip it up the moment something displeased him. He is treating all the US's former allies like dirt.
We need to get closer to Europe and, I thought I would never say this, but we would be better off being friendlier to China than the USA.
If history has taught us anything it is that you can never ever appease thugs and bullies like Trump & Putin. It's doomed to failure so better cutting your losses sooner rather than later.
Saul Staniforth
@SaulStaniforth
Caroline Flint: "Our Royal Family, when it comes to big moments.. they really pull it out of the hat. We had the King of hearts winning the heart of the President of the United States of America" *reveals them to be
Right…
We need to call his bluff and pledge full suport for Ukraine whilst telling Trump to go take a long walk off a short pier.
https://x.com/EenaRuffini/status/1895562442840948775
Exclusive: President Zelensky just got off the phone with French President Macron and now is talking to NATO secretary general Rutte, person close to the Ukrainian leader tells me
@FT
.
https://x.com/ChristopherJM/status/1895564362766749969
Honestly, why do these people believe their arselicking will mean fuck all the moment they cease to satisfy Trump's immediate needs?
Interpreting, and devising responses to, these two in real time would be quite difficult.
But Zelenskyy does not need an excuse. The fault is with Trump and Vance.
A heckler called out, "So why did you back him?, why didn't you speak out?"
"Who said that?" Shouted Kruschev, glowering at the audience.
Silence in the hall.
"That's why" said Kruschev.
That's how it works in dictatorial states, and that's what America is now.
But UK politicians will be sufficiently removed from events that they will try to pretend.
Dear Volodymyr @zelenskyyua, we stand with #Ukraine in good and in testing times. We must never confuse aggressor and victim in this terrible war. (FM)
So now you can fuck off.
Meanwhile, all sanctions stay in place on Russia. And then, on anyone who breaks them. China will come on board to keep its European market. If America wants isolation - it can have it.
It's almost impressive how much the american right was turned against Ukraine, since it wasn't universal amongst them to start with, but they believe it wholeheartedly. There was that story a few months ago about right wing podcasters being paid by Russia Today to spew anti-Ukraine messaging - they didn't know where the money was coming from, but the main point was how they were very happy to talk about Ukraine being the enemy, and to be paid for what they already believed.
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2m
Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people.
Be strong, be brave, be fearless. You are never alone, dear President Zelenskyy.
We will continue working with you for a just and lasting peace.
“Did we have a date pencilled in…?”
“Err… well, aspirationally, maybe August?”
“Diary commitments, we could say, unavoidable, His Majesty simply couldn’t shift…”
“What about if he were to open that new landfill site on that date, that would put that week out….”
Off topic, because I am feeling so chuffed with my new purchase and I have been down the pub to celebrate, but here is a picture (sorry 2 in one day, but I rarely post pictures) from behind the bonnet of my new car. No safety features like a modern car but it does have roll bars and the 4 point racing style seat belts, but that is it.
It's always someone else's fault.
It is really hard to counter lies; especially when the liar does not care about the consequences of those lies.
Russian State Media (TASS) was in the meeting.
AP and Reuters were not.
Get it yet?
Winston Churchill visiting the WH in 1942. Not wearing a suit. 🇬🇧 🇺🇦
Trump and Vance are not selling out Ukraine because of anything Zelenskyy said to them.
Trump and Vance are selling out Ukraine because of things Putin and Musk said to them.
Everyone knew things would change if Trump got in, but they still seem to have been caught offguard by how quickly and definitively he has moved.
NEW: US terminates funding for Ukraine energy grid restoration — NBC News.
• Senior US official says they will investigate fraud in US aid to Ukraine
Sandpit was clearly wrong in his assessment but it was (I think) genuinely held and he has more than most on this board at stake.
@ftukpolitics
Trump team raises return of Open golf to Turnberry with Starmer
And as with Covid, much can be done quickly with cash, and the markets will get the need.
Though I note Musk didn't wear a suit or take off his cap in either the Oval Office or at the Cabinet meeting the other day.
Edit: and as I've said before, I'd love to have to apologise to him over this. I'd be ecstatic if I was wrong, because that would mean that Trump and the GOP were wholeheartedly supporting Ukraine more than Biden did.
Anyone who knows or has been married to a narcissist knows you can’t deal with them, and you can’t trust them.
It’s a bit of a legal minefield with opposing views but at this point not sure what else can be done that will remove some of Trumps power to influence events .
https://x.com/USA_Polling/status/1895211595099447544
Were I an Israeli politician, I'd be saying to myself: if the US can do this to long-standing allies, if it can betray a country invaded by those wanting to obliterate its existence, my country can't be certain it won't do the same to us too, one day. And from that realisation policies will flow, policies many of us will not like at all.
The US can no longer be trusted.
Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people.
Be strong, be brave, be fearless.
You are never alone, dear President
@ZelenskyyUa
.
We will continue working with you for a just and lasting peace.
Dear Volodymyr @zelenskyyua, we stand with #Ukraine in good and in testing times. We must never confuse aggressor and victim in this terrible war. (FM)
Or somesuch. It was when I was a kid...
Edit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genesis_and_Catastrophe:_A_True_Story
BREAKING: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said Ukraine can rely on Germany and the EU, according to Reuters.
He seemed to genuinely reconcile in his head the idea of backing Trump and backing Ukraine by his belief that America's Military Industrial Complex will see Ukraine through even if Trump won.
Sadly he was wrong, and I think he realised he was too, saw the writing on the wall and that's why he's gone.
It must be truly upsetting to realise what a big mistake you've made, especially on something you feel so passionately about. I feel sorry for him.
If you assume for the moment that Britain is serious about its own defence, and collective defence with willing partners, (which is a bit charitable given the status quo on spending) then JEF + Poland are the serious core of a future defence alliance.
All credit to the Cameron Ministry for creating JEF.
Which leads me to ask some interesting questions about myself...
Starmer urgently needs to put out some sort of at least anodyne statement.