Russia Attacks Ukraine - 23 Feb 2022 #11

[snarast]

Hi didn't.

Technically he did but that power (The Royal Prerogative) is exercised by the government. The Monarch doesn't arrange State Visits. The Monarch is basically a tool of the Government in most cases.

The Monarch never interferes with government or politics but has the ability to do so in extreme circumstances.

Personally, I think that the King should in this case refuse to entertain DT on his visit. I'm sure he can arrange to be busy or sick during the time he's here. Donald Trump is completely incapable of behaving in a civilised and respectful manner and, in my personal opinion, should not be allowed in to the UK.

There’s that transatlantic alliance again - unless the UK wants to ditch it in addition to ditching the EU.

 

[weepingangel]

Hi didn't.

Technically he did but that power (The Royal Prerogative) is exercised by the government. The Monarch doesn't arrange State Visits. The Monarch is basically a tool of the Government in most cases.

The Monarch never interferes with government or politics but has the ability to do so in extreme circumstances.

Thank you for clarifying that for me

 

[PommyMommy]

'We stand with Ukraine' — Starmer reaffirms support for Ukraine during meeting with Zelensky."We stand with Ukraine for as long as it may take," U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer told reporters at a press briefing on March 1 alongside President Volodymyr Zelensky, adding that Ukraine has "full backing across the United Kingdom."

Starmer's comments come one day after a heated exchange between Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump in the White House that further exposed rifts in relations between Europe and the United States.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1895906573798801588

Ukrainians, foreigners raised Hr 27 million 'for nukes' hours after Zelensky-Trump White House clash.Ukrainians and foreign donors have sent over 27 million hryvnia ($649,000) in donations to the fundraiser "for nukes" that was opened immediately after the publicized White House clash between U.S. President Donald Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The "for nukes" reference serves as a joke that refers to President Volodymyr Zelensky previous assertions that if Western allies are not ready to accept the country into NATO, then the U.S. should provide Ukraine with an alternative security guarantee, such as nuclear weapons.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1895919236738138510

Uncovering Russia's crimes after the Kakhovka dam explosion​

On the morning of June 6, 2023, Russian forces destroyed the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant, causing water to flood tens of settlements with thousands of people. The occupied eastern bank of Kherson Oblast has suffered the most - but the Russian authorities refused to evacuate people and provided insufficient resources to save the civilians, as the Kyiv Independent’s Olesia Bida reveals in her new documentary, “When the Water Screams.”

For this documentary, the Kyiv Independent’s War Crimes Investigations Unit has gathered dozens of unique testimonies from volunteers, eyewitnesses, and relatives of eyewitnesses who experienced the flooding.

 

[JennieM]

So he asked to speak with the King. Hope that he will seek counsel from the King. Moo...

Zelensky to meet King Charles, BBC understands​

King Charles III will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tomorrow, the BBC understands.

The meeting comes at the request of the UK government.

Zelensky tells BBC Ukraine 'ready to sign' minerals deal with US

The Ukrainian president's comments to Laura Kuenssberg came after he failed to sign the deal at the White House on Friday.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[PommyMommy]

FEB 17, 2025

Russia Recruits Cuban Mercenaries, One Ended Up Prisoner Of War In Ukraine | Investigation​

Cuban Frank Dario Jarrosay Manfuga is now a prisoner of war in Ukraine, captured while fighting for the Russian army. He claims he was deceived into going to Russia with the promise of a construction job. His story is part of a larger pattern of how Russia might recruit foreigners, targeting Cubans among others with promises of high salaries.

There are an estimated 5,000 Cuban mercenaries among the foreign fighters in Ukraine, many drawn by economic hardship. The country’s long-standing ties with Russia also play a role. While Havana claims it doesn't support recruitment of foreign mercenaries, the Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has publicly backed Russia’s actions.

 

[justtrish]

Zellensky has said he's willing to sign the cease fire agreement if he has a guarantee that NATO countries will provide security to Ukraine if Russia breaks their word and invades Ukraine. The US and Russia are the only countries who don't want to agree to those terms.

When you look at the countries in NATO and how many active duty servicemembers they have, the US has nearly half of ALL of them combined. When NATO agrees to provide security, how much of that burden would fall on the US? It would be a guess on my part so I'll say IMO "NATO" agreeing to provide security really means the US will provide security and some other countries might send some assets. It's my opinion the burden has heavily fell on the US many times, so I would imagine it's easy for the other countries to be in agreement that the US will basically agree to provide security.

 

[JennieM]

UK to loan Ukraine £2.26bn to bolster defence​

The UK and Ukraine have agreed a £2.26bn loan to support Ukraine's defence capabilities, Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko says.

Volodymyr Zelensky and Sir Keir Starmer, together with Chancellor Rachel Reeves, held a video call with Marchenko this evening.

Marchenko wrote on social media, external that the funds are "ensured by frozen Russian assets".

He added that he was "grateful" to the UK for "holding the aggressor accountable for the war".

EPA-EFE/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK

Zelensky tells BBC Ukraine 'ready to sign' minerals deal with US

The Ukrainian president's comments to Laura Kuenssberg came after he failed to sign the deal at the White House on Friday.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Legally Bland]

When you look at the countries in NATO and how many active duty servicemembers they have, the US has nearly half of ALL of them combined. When NATO agrees to provide security, how much of that burden would fall on the US? It would be a guess on my part so I'll say IMO "NATO" agreeing to provide security really means the US will provide security and some other countries might send some assets. It's my opinion the burden has heavily fell on the US many times, so I would imagine it's easy for the other countries to be in agreement that the US will basically agree to provide security.

I don't believe any other NATO country has demanded rights to mineral assets for not providing security guarantees.

 

[MrsWatson]

UK to loan Ukraine £2.26bn to bolster defence​

The UK and Ukraine have agreed a £2.26bn loan to support Ukraine's defence capabilities, Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko says.

Volodymyr Zelensky and Sir Keir Starmer, together with Chancellor Rachel Reeves, held a video call with Marchenko this evening.

Marchenko wrote on social media, external that the funds are "ensured by frozen Russian assets".

He added that he was "grateful" to the UK for "holding the aggressor accountable for the war".

EPA-EFE/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK

Zelensky tells BBC Ukraine 'ready to sign' minerals deal with US

The Ukrainian president's comments to Laura Kuenssberg came after he failed to sign the deal at the White House on Friday.

www.bbc.co.uk

Well done, Sir Keir. I bet no one even raised their voice.

 

[weepingangel]

Norwegian fuel supplier refuses U.S. warships over Ukraine

Haltbakk Bunkers will cease supplying fuel to U.S. forces in Norway and American ships docking in Norwegian ports, citing dissatisfaction with recent U.S. policy towards Ukraine.

ukdefencejournal.org.uk

 

[JennieM]

26m ago20.18 GMT
Czech prime minister Petr Fiala said that “Europe is facing a great historical test,” and that it has to be able to take care of itself. “Nobody else will do it.”

Fila said Saturday that Europe has to increase its military support for Ukraineand European countries have to increase their arms spending to reach “at least” 3% of GDP.

“If we do not increase our efforts quickly enough, allowing the aggressor to dictate the terms, we will not end well,” he said.

‘You have full backing across the UK’: Zelenskyy leaves Downing Street after meeting with Starmer – as it happened

Ukrainian president has held talks with PM Keir Starmer ahead of defence summit with European leaders tomorrow. This blog is now closed.

www.theguardian.com

 

[JennieM]

49m ago19.57 GMT
French president Emmanuel Macron spoke with both Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US president Donald Trump following their confrontation at the White House, according to Agence France-Presse.

In an interview with Tribune Dimanche on Sunday, Macron called for a return to calm and respect, and emphasized the need to move forward, as the stakes were too high.

‘You have full backing across the UK’: Zelenskyy leaves Downing Street after meeting with Starmer – as it happened

Ukrainian president has held talks with PM Keir Starmer ahead of defence summit with European leaders tomorrow. This blog is now closed.

www.theguardian.com

 

[JennieM]

1h ago19.38 GMT

European leaders defend Zelenskyy after confrontation with Trump​

“A new era of wickedness has begun,” said German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock on Saturday, Reuters reports, calling for Germany to release an additional 3 billion euros ($3.1 billion) in aid for Ukraine.

View image in fullscreen
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock addresses the media during a statement in Berlin, Germany, March 1, 2025. (Michael Ukas/dpa via AP)
Ukrainian lawmaker Andrii Osadchuk said the tone from Donald Trump and vice president JD Vance was in line with prior rhetoric, and that Kyiv’s other Western partners needed to do more.

“Not just a lot, but probably everything will depend on Europe - both for itself and for Ukraine,” Osadchuk said.

Former president Petro Poroshenko, Zelenskyy’s main domestic political rival, said it was not the time to criticise Zelenskyy but that he hoped the president had a “Plan B”.

‘You have full backing across the UK’: Zelenskyy leaves Downing Street after meeting with Starmer – as it happened

Ukrainian president has held talks with PM Keir Starmer ahead of defence summit with European leaders tomorrow. This blog is now closed.

www.theguardian.com

 

[Marantz4250b]

Norwegian fuel supplier refuses U.S. warships over Ukraine

Haltbakk Bunkers will cease supplying fuel to U.S. forces in Norway and American ships docking in Norwegian ports, citing dissatisfaction with recent U.S. policy towards Ukraine.

ukdefencejournal.org.uk

Good!

 

[justtrish]

I don't believe any other NATO country has demanded rights to mineral assets for not providing security guarantees.

I wasn't aware the US demanded it, I thought it was proposed by Zelensky partially because we have already provided them with BILLIONS of dollars.

ETA: Has any other NATO country provided the amount of money the US has?

 

[keek]

Good!

I don't think T will care and others pay the price. It will totally PISS him off though.

 

[I am not Sherlock H.]

BBC online February 18, 2025 article by Anthony Reuben entitled ‘How much do Nato members spend on defence?’:

How much do Nato members spend on defence?

Nato expects 23 of its 32 members to have met the target of spending 2% of GDP on defence in 2024.

www.bbc.com

And apologies included as I am not a mathematician or economist so can’t commit to a more detailed analysis. Would leave that to qualified experts if of interest. MOO

A secondary reference BBC online February 26, 2025 article entitled ‘What is Nato, why isn't Ukraine a member and is defence spending increasing?’:

What is Nato, why isn't Ukraine a member and is defence spending increasing?

The UK says it will boost defence spending, as arguments continue about whether Ukraine could join Nato.

www.bbc.com

 

[Leilei]

Norwegian fuel supplier refuses U.S. warships over Ukraine

Haltbakk Bunkers will cease supplying fuel to U.S. forces in Norway and American ships docking in Norwegian ports, citing dissatisfaction with recent U.S. policy towards Ukraine.

ukdefencejournal.org.uk

Unbelievable.
Making enemies out of our allies is NOT smart, and now it's affecting those men and women serving who he claims to support so much.
This is NOT good, but I sure don't blame the supplier. I blame our "leadership".
IMO.

 

[Legally Bland]

I wasn't aware the US demanded it, I thought it was proposed by Zelensky partially because we have already provided them with BILLIONS of dollars.

ETA: Has any other NATO country provided the amount of money the US has?

At first it was a Ukrainian proposal in return for security guarantees. I'm sure you've seen the videos and know how the shakedown went.

I don't believe any other NATO country is as big as the US, so I doubt they have "provided" more.

I'm also pretty sure that any grants given by other countries to Ukraine aren't suddenly expected to be repaid.

 

[Lucy6226]

What about Trump supporters like me? How will they be treated?

I'm sure that I would be treated very bad. No doubt about it. JMO.

Wow. "What about me??!"
How are the Ukrainians being treated??

The US is strong and the Ukraine is not. Not comparable at all. <modsnip> I do want the war to stop so that the killing and destruction will end.

President Trump is trying to stop World War III. Zelenskyy is pushing the world toward it. JMO.

That is the issue. US (DT) thinks their balls are too big for anyone to stand up to them. When Russia betrays you your country will find out the hard way I'm sure. <modsnip>
You can't even keep your own people safe now!

So Americans would only fight and die in aerial combat with the Russians.

No thanks. I'd rather have Europe do it. JMO.

Wow. Just Wow. Any loss of life is okay so long as it's not American???

How many non American lives were ended during the search for weapons of mass destruction? That wasn't our war to fight but we stood with the US regardless. But hey least we know who are allies are now