Ukraine

[GoCubsGo]

Absolutely nailed it.

[Vrede too]

Absolutely nailed it.

https://x.com/RealTimers/status/1895681738346807681

Funny, but sad.

Stephen King's Reaction to Trump's Clash With Zelensky Takes Off Online

... King, a vocal Trump critic, took to X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday to condemn the meeting.

"Trump and Vance threw Zelenskyy under the bus because people are angry about Musk's crazy cutting spree, and Trump kissing Putin's a**. Tossed the base some red meat (I'm looking at you, Lindsey Graham). Old pro wrestling trick. Fire up the crowd," he wrote.

The post has since garnered 1.9 million views and 74,000 likes as of Sunday afternoon....

... Former national security adviser John Bolton, a Trump critic, wrote on X on Friday: "Trump has put the US on the wrong side of the Russia-Ukraine war and it's shameful. He is every day making it more and more difficult to pull the West back together. After his term, the U.S. will need to convince our allies that we are dependable and still a nation of normal people."

I would not argue either point, regardless of who the new POTUS is.

... Former Wyoming GOP Representative Liz Cheney, a Trump critic, wrote on X on Friday: "Generations of American patriots, from our revolution onward, have fought for the principles Zelenskyy is risking his life to defend. But today, Donald Trump and JD Vance attacked Zelenskyy and pressured him to surrender the freedom of his people to the KGB war criminal who invaded Ukraine. History will remember this day—when an American President and Vice President abandoned all we stand for."

[GoCubsGo]

We are in the process of surrendering or have already surrendered our place as world leaders or beacons of freedom and democracy.

It's ironic, Solar over at CPF always rails against the NWO (New World Order) as something trump and the far right are going to defeat.

And here they are actively and ignorantly creating it.

[Vrede too]

We are in the process of surrendering or have already surrendered our place as world leaders or beacons of freedom and democracy.

It's ironic, Solar over at CPF always rails against the NWO (New World Order) as something trump and the far right are going to defeat.

And here they are actively and ignorantly creating it.

Some of the things they break can never be fixed.

Stephen King hits out at ‘bullies’ Donald Trump and JD Vance over Zelensky White House row
Author voiced his disdain after Trump’s treatment of Ukrainian president

... The author would have usually shared his post on X, but he left the app shortly after Trump won a second term as president due to his affiliations with app owner Elon Musk.

However, he returned last month with a post reading: “Just wanted to say that Trump is a traitorous, Putin-loving dips***! Goes double for Elon!”

King previously said of Trump in an interview with The Sunday Times: “I happen to think that Trump was a horrible president and is a horrible person.



“I think he actually engaged in criminal behaviour and, certainly, I felt that he was a sociopath who tried to overturn the American democracy not out of any political wish of his own but because he could not admit that he had lost. So, I don’t really understand the people who continue to support him.”

Morons.

Yep. We are living in a horror story to rival any of King's novels.

[Vrede too]

I watched the encounter and describe it as unfortunate. I agree with Trump and Vance that Zellensky is ungrateful for what the US had done for Unkraine. That being said, the open forum was not the best place to call him out. It seems Zellensky should understand if the minerals deal is signed it implies there will be protection for Ukraine.

The bottom line. Without US support Ukraine is toast.

"unfortunate" It was a deliberate abandonment of an ally.

"ungrateful" Evidence?

"implies" The US will get the minerals if Russia occupies, too. Unless there are ironclad security guarantees DonOLD's word is as good as it ever is - garbage.

Ukraine has been counted out before, in 2022 when TRE45QN was calling his idol PUTIN a "genius". We'll see. Ukraine's own weapons industry has become huge, it will now be free to launch many more painful attacks deep within Russia, and Europe can step up its aid and may even put troops into Ukraine. I'm not hopeful, but I'm not as defeatist as useful idiots like you are.

As an aside, it takes a special kind of asshole to squeeze a leader and a democratic country that's fighting for its life.

Who the fuck does that?

I would. Especially when we give, give, give and get nothing in return. We are not an endless source of charity.

Most of the giving has been to our own weapons industry, creating American jobs and profits. European defense is also our national security, not quite "charity."

A few more thoughts:

I see some conservatives think Zelensky should apologize for what happened today. I see no reason for that. He was just looking out for his country’s interests, just as Trump is looking out of the U.S. interests.

Criticizing Zelensky for not wearing a suit is just silly, especially when you consider John Fetterman constantly dressing like a bum.

Does Trump really want the war to end? Probably. Does he really want peace? I doubt he really cares. I think he wants the war to end because it’ll be something he can brag about. That’s it.

Good point, likely.

I think Zelensky will have no choice but to crawl back to Trump and give in to whatever deal he demands. Without the U.S., Ukraine has zero chance.

Have I mentioned that I'm a retired U.S. Navy Admiral and former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe?

Zelensky Can Still Hold Out for 'Indefinite Period'—Former NATO Commander

Amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, retired U.S. Navy Admiral James Stavridis predicted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky can still "hold out for an indefinite period," even without the United States' backing, assuming European allies continue their support....

Why It Matters

... The U.S. has been a critical ally for Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion just over three years ago. According to German-based think tank the Kiel Institute, the U.S. has spent just under $120 billion on Ukraine between early 2022 and December 2024. The Defense Department has put the total support for the war effort at nearly $183 billion, which includes military training in Europe and the replenishment of U.S. defense stockpiles.

At the same time, other NATO members—including Canada and European nations—have spent billions on the effort to push back Russian President Vladimir Putin's forces as well. The Kiel Institute puts the figure at nearly $139 billion from European countries, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has said 60 percent of Ukraine's support from member states came from Canada and Europe in 2024.

Remember those numbers. DonOLD has been LYING, as usual, about the US spending "$350 billion" and Europe contributing far less.

What to Know

... The retired admiral said "there will still be a lot of capacity going toward Ukraine," even without the U.S. support. Stavridis said he assumes aid from other NATO members to Ukraine will "continue and even go up."

"In that scenario, I think the Europeans backing to the Ukrainians—I think Zelensky can hold out for an indefinite period," he said.

Great minds . . .

... What People Are Saying

Former Wyoming GOP Representative Liz Cheney, a Trump critic, wrote on X: "Generations of American patriots, from our revolution onward, have fought for the principles Zelenskyy is risking his life to defend. But today, Donald Trump and JD Vance attacked Zelenskyy and pressured him to surrender the freedom of his people to the KGB war criminal who invaded Ukraine. History will remember this day—when an American President and Vice President abandoned all we stand for."

Hero

[GoCubsGo]

Putin can't be trusted to honor a ceasefire if he can be trusted at all.

DonOld can't be trusted to keep a vague promise if he can be trusted at all.

Zelensky did what he needed to do.

Slava Ukraine.

[GoCubsGo]

Let's cut Medicaid and SNAP!

[Whack9]

They're doing that thing that they so often do in both politics and likely at home. Blaming the victim.

Ukraine: Gets invaded by Russia. Fights back.
Trump: Surrender and give in.
Ukraine: No.
Trump: See! Ukraine is a warmonger that's fine with Ukrainians dying! They don't want peace!

[Whack9]

White house instructs officials to draft proposal to lift sanctions on Russia:

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/202 ... dApp_Other

The United States is drawing up a plan to potentially give Russia sanctions relief as Donald Trump seeks to restore ties with Moscow and stop the war in Ukraine, a US official and another person familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The White House has asked the state and treasury departments to draft a list of sanctions that could be eased for US officials to discuss with Russian representatives in the coming days as part of the administration’s broad talks with Moscow on improving diplomatic and economic relations, the sources said.

The sanctions offices are now drawing up a proposal for lifting sanctions on select entities and individuals, including some Russian oligarchs, according to the sources.

So-called options papers are often drafted by officials working on sanctions, but the White House’s specific request for one in recent days underscores Trump and his advisers’ willingness to ease Russian sanctions as part of a potential deal with Moscow.

It was not immediately clear what Washington could specifically seek in return for any sanctions relief.

Also Hegseth orders cyber offensive against Russia to be paused:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pete-hegse ... and-pause/

Multiple U.S. officials tell CBS News that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a directive to U.S. Cyber Command last month to pause planning against Russia, including provocative offensive cyber operations.

Also military aid to Ukraine has been paused

[Vrede too]

With the regional secession and occupation it seems certain that we'll be discussing Ukraine for a long time. Feels worthy of its own thread to me, but if folks want to stick with Other countries, so be it.

Ukraine-Russia: Germany suspends Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline

Big step towards NATO solidarity.

Probably overdue for it's own thread, just hope we don't need to expand it.

The fear is real. It's got a 1930's vibe.

The thread title may prove to be geographically optimistic.

3 years, I hate it when we're correct.

[GoCubsGo]

There has to be an actual pee tape.

[Vrede too]

White house instructs officials to draft proposal to lift sanctions on Russia:

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


Also Hegseth orders cyber offensive against Russia to be paused:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pete-hegse ... and-pause/


Also military aid to Ukraine has been paused

Trump Loses It After Former Adviser Calls Him Out on Putin Stance

... “Vladimir Putin couldn’t be happier,” (TRE45QN National Security Advisor Gen HR) McMaster told CBS, sizing up the events of the day. “Because what he sees is all of the pressure on Zelenskiy, all of the pressure on Ukraine, and no pressure on him.”

... “He appeals to President Trump’s sense of aggrievement,” McMaster said. “And he’s been very successful at it because he’s a master manipulator and one of the best liars in the world.”

[neoplacebo]

I think he plans on destroying the country before the mid term elections. I recently revised my estimate of when things will implode from two years to less than one. I figure he'll let the government shut down in a couple weeks and maybe let that go on until we actually default on the debt. He's a real crazy fucker. And the cult gushes in stupefied awe. Tragically hilarious.

[Vrede too]

I think he plans on destroying the country before the mid term elections. I recently revised my estimate of when things will implode from two years to less than one. I figure he'll let the government shut down in a couple weeks and maybe let that go on until we actually default on the debt. He's a real crazy fucker. And the cult gushes in stupefied awe. Tragically hilarious.

Some fear that he is destroying the world:

Polish Cold War Hero Slams 'Insulting' Trump-Zelenskyy Meeting: 'We Are Shocked'
Lech Wałęsa, who helped topple his Communist government in 1989, rebuked President Donald Trump in a letter signed by 38 other former political prisoners.


... Wałęsa and 38 of his countrymen wrote in a letter on Facebook that Trump’s expectation was “insulting” and that any current gratitude should be reserved for “the heroic Ukrainian soldiers who shed their blood in defense of the values of the free world” — not for Trump.

“They have been dying on the frontline for more than 11 years in the name of these values and independence of their Homeland, which was attacked by [Vladimir] Putin’s Russia,” a translation of the Polish letter continued.

Wałęsa, who led a nationwide Solidarity movement at the height of the Cold War and helped topple Poland’s Communist government, added in the letter Monday: “We do not understand how the leader of a country that is the symbol of the free world cannot see it.”

Those who signed the letter noted in it that they watched Friday’s televised meeting “with fear and distaste” as the hostile “atmosphere” in the Oval Office reminded them of “Security Service interrogations” and “Communist courts” where unflinching authorities warned “they hold all the cards.”

“They deprived us of freedom and civil rights because we did not agree to cooperate with the authorities and did not show them gratitude,” the Polish letter explained. “We are shocked that you treated President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a similar way.”

... A former shipyard worker in Gdansk, Wałęsa was imprisoned in 1981 for 11 months after founding the pro-democracy Solidarity movement. Wałęsa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983. In 1989, he negotiated with the Russia-backed government for Poland to hold elections — and shepherded Poland into a democracy during his presidency from 1990 to 1995.

PINO and the GQP detest democracy.

[neoplacebo]

Does anyone think any of our right wing sometime commenters will ever realize what's actually going on? I count three of them...Jasmine, Soupy, and the cat pan. I figure one of them MIGHT eventually come around. But I'm not gonna say which one.

[Vrede too]

Does anyone think any of our right wing sometime commenters will ever realize what's actually going on? I count three of them...Jasmine, Soupy, and the cat pan. I figure one of them MIGHT eventually come around. But I'm not gonna say which one.

Jasmine - I don't think she's a fan of DonOLD, so we may see some increasing criticism. However, she's an extreme libertarian and I don't think that will change. She even supports Jim Crow as long as it's private rather than government imposed.

SoupySales - Having his facts and logic shredded for over a decade has made no difference. I don't expect change, but he may be the most likely of the three.

1 FAT CAN is just a MAGAt child here to troll. He'll never grow up.

[neoplacebo]

Does anyone think any of our right wing sometime commenters will ever realize what's actually going on? I count three of them...Jasmine, Soupy, and the cat pan. I figure one of them MIGHT eventually come around. But I'm not gonna say which one.

Jasmine - I don't think she's a fan of DonOLD, so we may see some increasing criticism. However, she's an extreme libertarian and I don't think that will change. She even supports Jim Crow as long as it's private rather than government imposed.

SoupySales - Having his facts and logic shredded for over a decade has made no difference. I don't expect change, but he may be the most likely of the three.

1 FAT CAN is just a MAGAt child here to troll. He'll never grow up.

Yeah, Soupy would be my guess. That's why we're hominy, baby.

[Vrede too]

International geopolitics are more complex than that, but it does explain why Elon is POTUS and DonOLD is PINO. Thanks.

Yeah, a couple of dummies who have made billions.

Non sequitur. SoupySales, are you ok?

Don't you know that qualifies them as experts in everything. Bet they could both perform brain surgery while simultaneously whipping up a five star meal.

Hell, you should see me running and tying my shoes at the same time. trump would say it's like nothing you've ever seen.

Surprising China news sends Tesla's stock reeling

Tesla (TSLA) shares lost 3% on Mar. 4 following Monday’s drop. Amid weak sales, tariff worries, and CEO Elon Musk’s intensifying political role, the stock has lost a third of its market value since President Donald Trump took office.

Data from the China Passenger Car Association showed that Tesla’s February wholesale number, which includes exports and retail sales, dropped 49% year-over-year.

In February, Tesla sold 30,688 new energy vehicles (NEVs) in China, its lowest monthly total in over two years. In contrast, Chinese EV maker BYD led the market with 318,233 sales.

In January, Tesla's sales in Europe plummeted 45%, while the overall industry sales in the region surged 37%, according to Bloomberg.

The company’s fourth-quarter earnings and revenue, reported in late January, both missed analysts’ estimates. Its automotive revenue fell 8% to $19.8 billion year over year, while operating income declined 23% to $1.6 billion....

Musk’s increasing political engagement may be impacting the decisions of many of Tesla’s core customers, who are historically left-leaning, environmentally conscious buyers....

Tariff concerns mount

Investors also worry about Trump's tariffs, which could hurt Tesla’s profit.

A 25% tariff on Mexican and Canadian imports took effect at midnight on Mar. 4. This means goods and materials from these countries, where several of Tesla's key suppliers operate, will cost more....

Yeah, a dummy who has lost billions.

[GoCubsGo]

[1 CAT FAN]

Maybe I'll put off my European vacation until the next admin*.

Bucket list? Where will you find the time with your "daily" obligations tending your very few sheep here?