Russia Attacks Ukraine - 23 Feb 2022 #11

[branmuffin]

I like the new German Chancellor who wants to be independent from the US and pay for their own defense. Seems fair to me.

Your examples of US taxpayers spending money on multiple other countries defense exemplifies why we need that to stop. We have a major deficit spending problem that needs to be solved. JMO.

Would you support, then, decommissioning every US military base in the world? I wonder how much it costs to maintain them. How many nations are willing to keep bases in their own countries if American presence is there only to benefit the US? Initially, the presence of US military was to ensure the safety from attacks by enemy agents. If the US is now only interested in becoming isolationist again, why would they need to keep those bases?

 

[Niner]

I live in a flight path training area. I hear the roar and the ground shake, as flighter jets fly out skies. They fly so low, many times we can see the pilots, and occasionally throw us a wave. Makes chills run down my spine.
Moo

I have seen a few NATO jets flying over my area too! I used to live near Hamilton Air Force base back in the mid 50s - before they outlawed sonic booms! Boy! Did we hear alot of those!

Russia has not been able defeat Ukraine after three years of fighting. I don't see them being able to defeat the 32 member strong NATO and other countries that would surely help. JMO.

https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_52044.htm

True - he thought he would be there - at least a month & have it conquered... wonder what happened to some of his generals...
Or he can go with his usual words - nuclear weapons - that is what I am afraid of. Would he be that stupid to use them?? If so, let's hope the wind is blowing to the east....

 

[Vern]

Would you support, then, decommissioning every US military base in the world? I wonder how much it costs to maintain them. How many nations are willing to keep bases in their own countries if American presence is there only to benefit the US? Initially, the presence of US military was to ensure the safety from attacks by enemy agents. If the US is now only interested in becoming isolationist again, why would they need to keep those bases?

The irony is that it is Germany that pays to maintain, run and upgrade etc the bases within their nation. Given they are already footing those bills, they may as well put them to use for their own troops if the occasion should rise.

.

 

[Simply Southern]

"Left him trembling with fear"???

"bellows reverberated through the halls"

Honestly,
this sounds like gossips' tale.

Let's be serious hahaha

I do know Bessent quickly and abruptly left Ukraine after the meeting. They quickly sent in Rubio from the state department and a team. Then they sent General Kelly.

I 100% believe it, based on his actions with the media.

Moo

 

[Simply Southern]

I have seen a few NATO jets flying over my area too! I used to live near Hamilton Air Force base back in the mid 50s - before they outlawed sonic booms! Boy! Did we hear alot of those!



True - he thought he would be there - at least a month & have it conquered... wonder what happened to some of his generals...
Or he can go with his usual words - nuclear weapons - that is what I am afraid of. Would he be that stupid to use them?? If so, let's hope the wind is blowing to the east....

I hear the Sonic booms, but feel the ground shake long before a visual . They run maneuvers in the Blue Ridge/Appalachian mountains. We call it ... the sound of freedom. They travel from Cherry Point North Carolina base, on the coast. They travel across the entire state of Virginia almost to the WVA border. They will run really low, right on our house tops and then shoot up into the sky.

In the summer and we are outside a lot, everyone stops and looks to the sky and waves, jumps up and down. Kids love seeing them.
Moo...

 

[branmuffin]

Perfect timing, when trying to work towards peaceful negotiation. Wonder why you didn't issue this revolution last year? Zelenskyy just can't resist causing conflict. He's an actor, attention seeking can be expected. He clearly lacks negotiating skills and a blatant disregard for confidentiality, or respect for those trying to help him. He seems to enjoy I'm putting his allies in an uncomfortable situation.

The more he infuriates Putin, the less likely an end to the conflict, or less concessions for Ukraine.

Reagan was an actor. Did that have a negative impact on his presidency? Zelensky is a Ukrainian, an actor and a Jew. About the only thing that motivates his stance to save Ukraine from Putin is the fact that's he's Ukrainian. I think you underrate Zelensky saying he lacks negotiating skills. I think the words you might be looking is that Zelensky is a man who doesn't cave to bullies. Doesn't matter if they are Russian or American, he's doing the right thing for his country. I find it difficult to understand what Trump's ideological stance is when it comes to negotiating the fate of Ukraine. Is it because he's more interested in peace or a piece of the pie?

 

[Dotta]

Reagan was an actor. Did that have a negative impact on his presidency? Zelensky is a Ukrainian, an actor and a Jew. About the only thing that motivates his stance to save Ukraine from Putin is the fact that's he's Ukrainian. I think you underrate Zelensky saying he lacks negotiating skills. I think the words you might be looking is that Zelensky is a man who doesn't cave to bullies. Doesn't matter if they are Russian or American, he's doing the right thing for his country. I find it difficult to understand what Trump's ideological stance is when it comes to negotiating the fate of Ukraine. Is it because he's more interested in peace or a piece of the pie?

President Zelensky
is a man who doesn't bow to the bullets!

 

[branmuffin]

If Russia attacks a NATO country, I'm 100% sure the US would be a leader in the fight. Latvia and Poland are NATO nation's. US, NATO and Poland have built a state of the air missile defense system in Poland. US has troopers on the ground and much military equipment on the front line,in Poland. I often see US Blackhawks paroling the Polish border on flight tracker. Latvia has troops and conducts training operations for NATO troops.

What Zelenskys fighting/advocating for is continued direct financial support from the US, in additional to the billions NATO has spent, and the European countries. He wants "guaranteed protection" from Russian, which will require some type of "occupation" in Ukraine. He's wanted NATO since the date of his election.
Moo...

You can find flight paths of aircraft that don't turn their transponders off. Right now, there are no flights over Belarus, Latvia, Ukraine or Poland. So someone's turned off the lights. You make sounding like wanting admittance to NATO a crime. Almost every country that borders Russia or are susceptible to marine invasion by Russia are already members.
Estonia - NATO member
Latvia - NATO member
Turkey- NATO member
Greece -NATO member
Romania - NATO member
Bulgaria - NATO member
Finland - NATO member
Norway - NATO member
Sweden - NATO member

The only two who are not members are Belarus and Ukraine. When you look at a map those two countries are either a buffer zone between Europe or Russia or the greatest oversight of protection against the biggest threat in the world right now.

 

[branmuffin]

Moo. I am so mad, Zelenskyy yelling at any US official. Trump is a better person than I am. I would have walked away days ago. He certainly has no self control, I see why they don't let him anywhere near negotiation with Putin. And have us all in world war III within minutes. I'm trying to keep in mind, we need to try to save those that are dying everyday.

Furious Zelensky 'screamed at Trump's envoy' over woeful mineral deal

Recalling the president's fury, Ukrainian lawmakers claimed Zelensky's bellows reverberated through the halls of Kyiv's presidential palace as he laid into the US Treasury Secretary

www.dailymail.co.uk

Volodymyr Zelensky furiously erupted at a senior member of Donald Trump's administration and left him trembling with fear, it was claimed today, as the US and Ukraine inch closer to a deal to end the Ukraine war.
.....
Recalling the president's fury, Ukrainian lawmakers claimed Zelensky's bellows reverberated through the halls of Kyiv's presidential palace as he laid into Bessent for expecting him to 'sell his country' to Washington.

'He was very angry,' a person present told the Financial Times, explaining how the gilded doors of Zelensky's presidential office did nothing to stop those outside from hearing every word of the verbal beatdown.

Bessent was visibly shaken, his voice trembling as he delivered a stumbling statement to reporters moments after enduring the wrath of the Ukrainian President.

It comes as Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov today declared Moscow would 'stop hostilities only when negotiations produce a firm and sustainable result that suits the Russian Federation'.

Meanwhile, Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov accused Europe and the UK of prolonging the fighting in response to a fresh package of sanctions levelled by Brussels.

Trembling in fear? The dude needs to find another job.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

I actually think that President Zelenskyy has the patience of a saint.

It seems certain bully people have to be yelled at because they aren't getting the message that their standover tactics won't be tolerated and you are going to stand up for your country.

 

[Dotta]

"Zelensky and Syrsky addressed Ukrainians.

'Three years of heroism'

'I am proud of Ukraine!
We thank everyone who protects and helps it',

Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on social media
on the third anniversary of Russia's aggression in Ukraine.

'Three years of resistance.
Three years of gratitude.
Three years of absolute heroism of Ukrainians.
I am proud of Ukraine!
We thank all those who protect and help it.
All those who work for Ukraine.
And eternal memory for all those
who gave their lives for our state and people'.

The Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
also published his appeal to Ukrainians,
emphasizing the courage and determination of soldiers fighting to defend the country.

'Over the course of three years,
the enemy lost almost 870,000 soldiers and officers,
of which the Russians' irretrievable losses amounted to about 250,000 people, over 10.1 thousand tanks, 21.1 thousand armored combat vehicles, 23.3 thousand artillery systems.
And this list of losses could go on',

the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,
General Oleksandr Syrsky wrote.

After Three Years of War
'Kyiv Still Stands'

'How to evaluate our results?
Compare them with the enemy's plans.

Kiev,
which the Russians wanted to capture
'in three days',
still stands three years later.

In 2022,
the aggressor wanted to cut us off from the sea,
preparing a landing near Odessa.

And today the Russian Black Sea Fleet has practically ceased to exist',
Generał added.

'Through skill and resilience,
our warriors
are holding back an enemy that is outnumbered and outreached.

I am proud of each and every person who defends our country!

I am honored to be the Commander-in-Chief of such warriors
in times like these!'."

"Trzy lata heroizmu". Zełenski i Syrski zwrócili się do rodaków

"Jestem dumny z Ukrainy! Dziękujemy wszystkim, którzy ją chronią i jej pomagają" - napisał w mediach społecznościowych Wołodymy Zełenski w związku z

wydarzenia.interia.pl

 

[Simply Southern]

The irony is that it is Germany that pays to maintain, run and upgrade etc the bases within their nation. Given they are already footing those bills, they may as well put them to use for their own troops if the occasion should rise.

.

This is a reality small amount to pay, 34.50 million a year, for one of the best military defense bases in the world. The bases protect not only German citizens but all of Europe. The US has 40 military installations in Germany. They also employ 12,000 German citizens.* I've sure the German troops use the base as well as all NATO troops. This is all part of the NATO alliance.

The crown jewel is Rammstein

Ramstein Air Base > Home

www.ramstein.af.mil

*Per article
The German government has provided €243 million ($270 million) over the past seven years to support US troops based in the country.

The sum accounts for costs such as benefits for former workers and operating costs associated with maintaining buildings and other properties.

Read more: US military in Germany: What you need to know

Another €480 million in financial support has gone toward contributing to NATO-related construction costs in Germany, "almost exclusively" on account of the United States.

The numbers were revealed in a parliamentary response from the Finance Ministry to the Left party that was seen by the dpa news agency.

Germany is the European country where most US troops are posted, with 35,000 soldiers deployed there along with 17,000 American civilians. Around 12,000 German civilians also work in jobs connected to the US military.

Moo

 

[branmuffin]

This is a reality small amount to pay, 34.50 million a year, for one of the best military defense bases in the world. The bases protect not only German citizens but all of Europe. The US has 40 military installations in Germany. They also employ 12,000 German citizens.* I've sure the German troops use the base as well as all NATO troops. This is all part of the NATO alliance.

The crown jewel is Rammstein

Ramstein Air Base > Home

www.ramstein.af.mil

*Per article
The German government has provided €243 million ($270 million) over the past seven years to support US troops based in the country.

The sum accounts for costs such as benefits for former workers and operating costs associated with maintaining buildings and other properties.

Read more: US military in Germany: What you need to know

Another €480 million in financial support has gone toward contributing to NATO-related construction costs in Germany, "almost exclusively" on account of the United States.

The numbers were revealed in a parliamentary response from the Finance Ministry to the Left party that was seen by the dpa news agency.

Germany is the European country where most US troops are posted, with 35,000 soldiers deployed there along with 17,000 American civilians. Around 12,000 German civilians also work in jobs connected to the US military.

Moo

Ummm, not all of Europe. Right?

 

[Stunned]

President Zelensky
is a man who doesn't bow to the bullets!

And believes in Democracy.

 

[SouthAussie]

"In a win for Ukraine on the third anniversary of Russia's invasion, the U.N. General Assembly on Monday refused to approve a U.S.-backed resolution that urged an end to the war without mentioning Moscow's aggression. Instead, it approved a European-backed Ukrainian resolution demanding Russia immediately withdraw its forces, which the Trump administration opposed."

https://www.npr.org/2025/02/24/g-s1-50473/un-ukraine-resolution-russia

 

[SouthAussie]

"Three years on from President Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the UK has today imposed over 100 new sanctions [107 to be precise] directly targeting those who continue to aid the invasion.

Today’s measures will target funds going into Putin’s war chest and propping up Russia’s kleptocratic system.

The sanctions will also target Russia’s military machine, entities in third countries who support it and the fragile supply networks that it relies on.

Targets include:

• producers and suppliers of machine tools, electronics and dual-use goods for Russia’s military, including microprocessors used in weapons systems.
• North Korean Defence Minister No Kwang Chol and other North Korean generals and senior officials complicit in deploying over 11,000 DPRK forces to Russia.
• 13 Russian targets, including LLC Grant-Trade, its owner Marat Mustafaev and his sister Dinara Mustafaeva, who have used the company to funnel advanced European technology into Russia to support its illegal war

Lasting peace will only be achieved through strength. That is why we are focused on putting Ukraine in the strongest possible position."

UK announces largest sanctions package against Russia since 2022

Three years on from President Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the UK has today imposed over 100 new sanctions directly targeting those who continue to aid the invasion.

www.gov.uk

 

[nhmemorymaker]

Moo. I am so mad, Zelenskyy yelling at any US official. Trump is a better person than I am. I would have walked away days ago. He certainly has no self control, I see why they don't let him anywhere near negotiation with Putin. And have us all in world war III within minutes. I'm trying to keep in mind, we need to try to save those that are dying everyday.

Furious Zelensky 'screamed at Trump's envoy' over woeful mineral deal

Recalling the president's fury, Ukrainian lawmakers claimed Zelensky's bellows reverberated through the halls of Kyiv's presidential palace as he laid into the US Treasury Secretary

www.dailymail.co.uk

Volodymyr Zelensky furiously erupted at a senior member of Donald Trump's administration and left him trembling with fear, it was claimed today, as the US and Ukraine inch closer to a deal to end the Ukraine war.
.....
Recalling the president's fury, Ukrainian lawmakers claimed Zelensky's bellows reverberated through the halls of Kyiv's presidential palace as he laid into Bessent for expecting him to 'sell his country' to Washington.

'He was very angry,' a person present told the Financial Times, explaining how the gilded doors of Zelensky's presidential office did nothing to stop those outside from hearing every word of the verbal beatdown.

Bessent was visibly shaken, his voice trembling as he delivered a stumbling statement to reporters moments after enduring the wrath of the Ukrainian President.

It comes as Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov today declared Moscow would 'stop hostilities only when negotiations produce a firm and sustainable result that suits the Russian Federation'.

Meanwhile, Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov accused Europe and the UK of prolonging the fighting in response to a fresh package of sanctions levelled by Brussels.

dbm

 

[nhmemorymaker]

Moo. I am so mad, Zelenskyy yelling at any US official. Trump is a better person than I am. I would have walked away days ago. He certainly has no self control, I see why they don't let him anywhere near negotiation with Putin. And have us all in world war III within minutes. I'm trying to keep in mind, we need to try to save those that are dying everyday.

Furious Zelensky 'screamed at Trump's envoy' over woeful mineral deal

Recalling the president's fury, Ukrainian lawmakers claimed Zelensky's bellows reverberated through the halls of Kyiv's presidential palace as he laid into the US Treasury Secretary

www.dailymail.co.uk

Volodymyr Zelensky furiously erupted at a senior member of Donald Trump's administration and left him trembling with fear, it was claimed today, as the US and Ukraine inch closer to a deal to end the Ukraine war.
.....
Recalling the president's fury, Ukrainian lawmakers claimed Zelensky's bellows reverberated through the halls of Kyiv's presidential palace as he laid into Bessent for expecting him to 'sell his country' to Washington.

'He was very angry,' a person present told the Financial Times, explaining how the gilded doors of Zelensky's presidential office did nothing to stop those outside from hearing every word of the verbal beatdown.

Bessent was visibly shaken, his voice trembling as he delivered a stumbling statement to reporters moments after enduring the wrath of the Ukrainian President.

It comes as Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov today declared Moscow would 'stop hostilities only when negotiations produce a firm and sustainable result that suits the Russian Federation'.

Meanwhile, Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov accused Europe and the UK of prolonging the fighting in response to a fresh package of sanctions levelled by Brus

I dunno.... This article is the Daily Mail after all. ha ha ha... but really.. it is funny....shaking in fear.

This part is NOT funny.
Instead, the contract was reportedly more exploitative than the conditions imposed on Germany after World War I, expecting Ukraine to relinquish huge quantities of oil, gas and mineral resources as a payment for US aid already provided.

 

[acutename]

"These were Donald Trump's first words after his conversation with Putin. ​

Could it be that he miscalculated?​

View attachment 566127

'There are no signs of a decrease in the intensity of Russian attacks on Ukraine',
military analysts say.

Quite the opposite:
Russia launched a record number of drones during a recent night attack.

Meanwhile,
12 days have passed since Trump's phone call with Putin,
after which he famously said:
'I think President Putin wants peace'.

An analyst of events in the war in Ukraine,
believes that Russia's course may harden.

'Instead of announcing the end of the conflict,
Vladimir Putin will outline a new phase of confrontation with the West.

He will warn individual countries about the consequences of further support for Ukraine
and announce plans to further intensify military operations'.

'The Ukrainians boast about their successes,
the Russians boast about their successes,
but there are no significant changes on the front line.
There are no breakthrough shifts that would indicate that one side has some greater success',
one of the experts sums up.

He emphasizes that although there are many words,
there is no visible strategy or plan on the American side.

According to the analysis of 'Wall Street Journal'
Russia does not want a quick ceasefire and plans to drag out the peace talks indefinitely,
in order to use the situation on the battlefield to determine the terms of ending the war."

Much more in the link

To były pierwsze słowa Donalda Trumpa po rozmowie z Putinem. Czyżby się przeliczył?

Nie ma oznak wskazujących na zmniejszenie intensywności rosyjskich ataków na Ukrainę - oceniają analitycy wojskowi. Wręcz przeciwnie: Rosja odpaliła rekordową liczbę dronów podczas niedanego nocnego ataku....

wiadomosci.wp.pl

I just do not see what stops Putin from renewed aggression at any time- even if there is a supposed "end to the war" and he signs an agreement. I see him as a 'that was yesterday, today is a new day' kind of guy. IMO.

 

[Dotta]

Reagan was an actor. Did that have a negative impact on his presidency? Zelensky is a Ukrainian, an actor and a Jew. About the only thing that motivates his stance to save Ukraine from Putin is the fact that's he's Ukrainian. I think you underrate Zelensky saying he lacks negotiating skills. I think the words you might be looking is that Zelensky is a man who doesn't cave to bullies. Doesn't matter if they are Russian or American, he's doing the right thing for his country. I find it difficult to understand what Trump's ideological stance is when it comes to negotiating the fate of Ukraine. Is it because he's more interested in peace or a piece of the pie?

Exactly!
Re your sentence bolded by me

I simply cannot stay silent on this subject,
is it Off Topic?

My country still remembers
President Ronald Reagan's words to Mr Gorbachev.

"Tear down that wall, Mr. Gorbachev!"​

On June 12, 1987, during a speech at the Brandenburg Gate, right next to the Berlin Wall,
Ronald Reagan addressed Mikhail Gorbachev directly.

He called on the leader of the USSR
to destroy this physical symbol of the Iron Curtain
separating capitalist and communist countries.

Yes!

What a Leader!

Besides,
actors are people with great empathy, emotional intelligence, vivid imagination, and sometimes a Vision not known to ordinary folks.
Not to mention the ability to concentrate and resistance to stress.

Never underestimate an actor who is also a lawyer!

Yep, I had to say this!

JMO