Russia-Ukraine War

[N Crestway]

From watching mainly DW news (German news in English) there is still the sense that European NATO is well behind the ball in defense spending...graphs look impressive but probably and indication of just how weak defense spending was prior to 2023. No doubt at this point Trump is rattling alot of them so there will be a continued increase in defense spending as long as the Ukraine war lasts and maybe beyond.

Spending and allocating money is one thing but is it translating into timely weapons production? DW thinks not. Here in the West our weapons production is so inflated and costly. Russia on the other hand is on a war footing with weapons development and production considerably less costly.

[Kung Wu]

Trump's fault that $100B is missing, I'm sure.

[Atxshoxfan]

JUST IN: Ukrainian President Zelensky says Ukraine only received around $75 billion of the $177 billion in aid sent by the United States. "I don't know where all this money is."

That only left $102 billion for Biden to divide out to his friends and family.

[pinstripers]

JUST IN: Ukrainian President Zelensky says Ukraine only received around $75 billion of the $177 billion in aid sent by the United States. "I don't know where all this money is."

[C0|dB|00ded]

And they have.

Good job SB! Thanks for keeping it real.

[SB Shock]

I will say that most NATO members, if not all, need to spend more on defense and stop using us as the de-facto military and defense for their countries.

And they have.

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[SubGod22]

I will say that most NATO members, if not all, need to spend more on defense and stop using us as the de-facto military and defense for their countries.

[C0|dB|00ded]

https://www.politico.eu/article/trump-blames-putin-for-ongoing-ukraine-war/

Trump says it’s Putin’s fault Ukraine war isn’t over


U.S. president also says he’ll ask NATO allies to raise defense spending to 5 percent of GDP.

DAVOS, Switzerland — Donald Trump directly blamed Vladimir Putin for the fact the war in Ukraine is still raging — a day after threatening massive tariffs and sanctions on Russian products if he fails to make a deal to end the conflict.

Speaking in a video address to the World Economic Forum in Davos, the United States president said he would bring down the cost of oil, because "if the price came down, the Russia-Ukraine war would end immediately," adding: "It's time to end it."

Still, while Trump has previously slammed NATO members for their lackluster defense spending and other perceived ills, on Thursday in his WEF address he seemed to strike a conciliatory tone, saying: “I love Europe, I love the countries of Europe."

Trump also said he had spoken with Chinese President Xi Jinping, one of Russia's key allies, and asked him to pressure Putin to end the war.

"Hopefully China can help us stop the war with in particular Russia ... They have a great deal of power over that situation and we'll work with them. And I mentioned that with during our phone conversation with President Xi and hopefully we could work together and get that stopped."

Trump also took a dig at Putin's 2024 presidential election result, which he "won" with an improbably 88 percent of support, calling it "frankly ridiculous."

[C0|dB|00ded]

https://www.npr.org/2025/01/22/nx-s1-5270883/trump-threat-russia-ukraine-war-tariffs-sanctions

Trump threatens Russia with tariffs and sanctions if it does not agree to end war

President Trump threatened to impose "high levels" of tariffs and sanctions on Russia if there is no deal to end the war in Ukraine.

Trump called out Russian President Vladimir Putin by name in the social media post, arguing that he always had a good relationship with the leader, but that it was time to settle "this ridiculous War!"

"We can do it the easy way, or the hard way – and the easy way is always better," Trump wrote on his social media website. " 'It's time to MAKE A DEAL.' NO MORE LIVES SHOULD BE LOST!!!"

Credit where credit is due. This is a good start!

[C0|dB|00ded]

https://www.newsweek.com/europe-preparations-world-war-3-baltic-states-dragons-teeth-air-defenses-1993930

Europe Quietly Prepares for World War III

With warnings swirling over a possible war with Russia in a matter of years, NATO's European members have already started laying the groundwork for defenses, should Russian troops set foot on alliance soil.

"Russia is preparing for a war with the West," Bruno Kahl, the head of Germany's foreign intelligence service, said in late November.

But it's not likely to be a large-scale attack into NATO territory, the intelligence chief warned. Moscow could opt for a limited incursion or upping its hybrid warfare tactics to probe the alliance's conviction, Kahl said.

NATO is trying to prepare for both scenarios: an all-out war, and less obvious techniques designed to undermine stability in the alliance's member countries.

Let's go NATO!

Why do people like Putin exist? Does he just not get laid enough? His country has more natural resources and freakin' land space than most others. They aren't religious zealots. They are a fairly modern nation (unlike places like N. Korea).

Maybe it's some kind of parasitic worm in his head.

[C0|dB|00ded]

https://thehill.com/opinion/internat...aine-conflict/

With Trump taking over the US military, it’s time to finally change course on Ukraine

Trump needs to show how a strong American president, unlike Obama and Biden, responds to threats and bullying. In addition to warning Putin against further escalation, he should tell him to start withdrawing from Ukraine, send North Korean forces home, and demand that China start sending no-strings financial assistance to help Ukraine rebuild its country.

If Putin refuses to follow these measures, Trump should tell him that he will remove all restrictions on Ukraine’s use of Western weapons except for civilian structures and historical and cultural sites, such as the Kremlin’s iconic onion domes. He should also threaten to increase the supply of long-range missiles to Ukraine until Russia stops bombing Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, and say he will work with NATO to accelerate Ukraine’s admission to the alliance. Further, Trump should also significantly increase sanctions on China for helping Russia conduct its aggression.

Finally, he should tell Putin and Xi Jinping that since Russia’s 10-year invasion of Ukraine has clearly emboldened Beijing to step up its own aggression against Taiwan, he is declaring formally and officially, with the full consent and approval of Congress, that America will unconditionally defend Taiwan against any form of aggression.

Yup! Talk about onions.

[C0|dB|00ded]

So what you're saying is, Biden's years of indecisive action has resulted in many, many unnecessary deaths?

I'm saying that I'm happy with his decision NOW! It might have been a little soon to allow strikes within Russia from the onset. I have no idea what the perfect course of action is (hindsight 20/20), but it certainly does not include bending to the wannabe dictator's whims. That has almost always ended in more attempted conquests historically.

"Biden" is far from perfect. But he's been consistent. And sane!

#StandWithUkraine

[C0|dB|00ded]

Nope no confusion, we all know a life long troll who has gotten banded from every board he posts on is gonna troll.

Banned and banded! These are hurtful topics!

[jdmee]

You confusing Shocker sports and NIL w/ political talk? Speaking of that, have we downgraded to intramurals yet?

Super excited today to read about long-range missiles hitting their targets in Russia! Love the 4D chess move that Biden is committing prior to Trump taking over. They are either working together, or Biden is tying Trump's Putin-loving hands. Win. Win. Win!

Nope no confusion, we all know a life long troll who has gotten banded from every board he posts on is gonna troll.

[Kung Wu]

Super excited today to read about long-range missiles hitting their targets in Russia! Love the 4D chess move that Biden is committing prior to Trump taking over.

So what you're saying is, Biden's years of indecisive action has resulted in many, many unnecessary deaths?