Russia Attacks Ukraine - 23 Feb 2022 #11

[Jade]

Good the Trump Vance folks don’t care the about the humiliation of a world wide plummet in support for their administration since now the rest of the free world doesn’t want them anyway.

Trump lost his seat at the table. Done. That didn’t take long.

All imo

 

[Simply Southern]

And you and I do not live in such close proximity to war zones over time. You and I have never been bombed. Shaming Europeans is totally ludicrous. Their sacrifices are exponentially greater over all of History than yours and mine.
It is not ALL ABOUT MONEY.

Just a minor point on that perception issue. I lived in an 80% Red county. and 80% of those people neither cared nor understood the International stage. Their issues were guns, economy, wokeness and guns and guns.

I, therefore, do want to thank you for your serious and valuable information and consideration of this International Stage. Regardless, of which side of the American fence you are on... please please do help your acquaintances get more knowledgeable.

One more minor point.
I know that word---'disrespectful'---- is the new buzzword.
No leader on the face of the earth has been more disrespectful, saying horrible, horrible horrible things of every other world leader who does not please him.
I could find 100 links if need be, but I think this is well enough known by the world, as well.

Yes, protection and defense is expensive!!! The US spends almost 14% of GNP on our defense. The US chooses to fund it with our taxpayer dollars. We are paying for the best protection. We don't have control over where/how other countries choose to spend their money. When country's do not invest in security and defense, we do reserve the right to denied donations of taxpayer money. When I see countries spending 1-3% percent of GNP, I don't feel we should donate them. What we have given to Ukraine are donations.

I found it amazing, folks would think the US should fund more than are willing to ask their citizen taxpayers to pay. And even more amazing they would be mad and saying derogatory things about us. This is insane. That's like my neighbor put in a security system and me expecting him to pay for one for me. Then me getting mad because he doesn't and running around the neighborhood and complaining because he won't fund my security system. Just trying to throw a little perspective on this.

Moo...

 

[JennieM]

Who wanted to put Zelensky in a suit?​

Mike Wendling
US digital reporter

IMAGE SOURCE, GETTY IMAGES
Image caption,
Brian Glenn, pictured with girlfriend Marjorie Taylor Greene, asked about the Ukrainian leader's wardrobe

Just before the heated exchange in the Oval Office, Zelensky faced questioning and comments over his choice to wear combat gear from a conservative journalist. The wardrobe question presaged the argument about thankfulness and respect.

"Why don't you wear a suit? Do you own a suit? A lot of Americans have a problem with you not respecting the dignity of the office," the reporter asked.

Zelensky has made a habit of wearing sweatshirts, usually adorned with the Ukrainian trident symbol, even when at important meetings with world leaders. He seemed unperturbed by the question.

"I will wear [a] costume after this war will finish,” he told the reporter. “Maybe something like yours, maybe something better… Maybe something cheaper."

The question was posed by Brian Glenn, the chief White House correspondent for Real America’s Voice, a right-wing network with a show line-up chock-full of Trump allies.

It is unclear how salty the Ukrainian president meant to be in his answer - the word “suit” can be translated into Ukrainian as “kostyum” - and the news conference swiftly moved on.

But the issue of due respect was at the centre of the full-fledged argument that burst out in the Oval Office just minutes later.

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

 

[JennieM]

Yes, protection and defense is expensive!!! The US spends almost 14% of GNP on our defense. The US chooses to fund it with our taxpayer dollars. We are paying for the best protection. We don't have control over where/how other countries choose to spend their money. When country's do not invest in security and defense, we do reserve the right to denied donations of taxpayer money. When I see countries spending 1-3% percent of GNP, I don't feel we should donate them. What we have given to Ukraine are donations.

I found it amazing, folks would think the US should fund more than are willing to ask their citizen taxpayers to pay. And even more amazing they would be mad and saying derogatory things about us. This is insane. That's like my neighbor put in a security system and me expecting him to pay for one for me. Then me getting mad because he doesn't and running around the neighborhood and complaining because he won't fund my security system. Just trying to throw a little perspective on this.

Moo...

If the US ever went to war for 3 years and got support from its allies, would the US and its people think it fair and would they be willing to share 50% of the country’s recourses in exchange for that support? Also trying to throw a little perspective.

 

[chimpface]

The only disrespect I saw came from Trump and Vance. Trump, a draft-dodger, yelling at a war-weary man who literally took up arms in the streets to protect his country and people, is laughable. They looked like fools. MOO

He had bone spurs though! About 4 times

 

[Marysmith]

Who wanted to put Zelensky in a suit?​

Mike Wendling
US digital reporter

IMAGE SOURCE, GETTY IMAGES
Image caption,
Brian Glenn, pictured with girlfriend Marjorie Taylor Greene, asked about the Ukrainian leader's wardrobe

Just before the heated exchange in the Oval Office, Zelensky faced questioning and comments over his choice to wear combat gear from a conservative journalist. The wardrobe question presaged the argument about thankfulness and respect.

"Why don't you wear a suit? Do you own a suit? A lot of Americans have a problem with you not respecting the dignity of the office," the reporter asked.

Zelensky has made a habit of wearing sweatshirts, usually adorned with the Ukrainian trident symbol, even when at important meetings with world leaders. He seemed unperturbed by the question.

"I will wear [a] costume after this war will finish,” he told the reporter. “Maybe something like yours, maybe something better… Maybe something cheaper."

The question was posed by Brian Glenn, the chief White House correspondent for Real America’s Voice, a right-wing network with a show line-up chock-full of Trump allies.

It is unclear how salty the Ukrainian president meant to be in his answer - the word “suit” can be translated into Ukrainian as “kostyum” - and the news conference swiftly moved on.

But the issue of due respect was at the centre of the full-fledged argument that burst out in the Oval Office just minutes later.

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

They're just trying anything to get him to look bad. I respect that he didn't have an expensive suit on. And if he did they'd make comments about how that looks when his countrymen are suffering.

 

[chimpface]

The only countries we're hearing complain are European. Haven't heard a word out of the Middle East. Israel voted with the United States on the UN resolution, they've got our back, and vice versa. Haven't heard a word out of Mexico, our closest neighbor. Haven't heard a word out Asia, or Japan and many more. I consider all these rational countries.

Yeah, the US still has a lot of friends and partners. We have not limited ourselves to a small group of region partners. We've tried to establish strong world wide partnerships.

I think the US media will lose interest, move on to new problem and if they don't Trump's a big guy he can take the heat. The European media will start to focus on Zelenskyy's new plans. European citizens will want answers to, the extent of their involvement, putting troops in Ukraine, additional taxpayer cost and the threat of nuclear war.

Moo...

"small group of region partners"

Ie; the EU, USA's biggest trading partner? That one?

Lol

 

[chimpface]

If the US ever went to war for 3 years and got support from its allies, would the US and its people think it fair and would they be willing to share 50% of the country’s recourses in exchange for that support? Also trying to throw a little perspective.

Here's some perspective, Article 5 of the NATO treaty has only ever been triggered once, by the US.

And us in the UK went to war with them.

 

[JennieM]

Here's some perspective, Article 5 of the NATO treaty has only ever been triggered once, by the US.

And us in the UK went to war with them.

Did the UK get 50% of the US whole supply of minerals and was a ‘common fund’ set up?

 

[Simply Southern]

<modsnip: quoted post was removed>
Is the UK pulling out of NATO?

If the US pulled out of NATO, there would be a financial struggle. Only the US and Poland pay the 2% and above. How long could Poland survive being the largest funder?

Best I remember, the US stood strong with the UK in the world wars and reconstruction.

Yes, this whole thing is about money. The US wants to reduce our funding in line with our partners. Our partners don't want to increase their funding up to the minimum.

America's not on its own, we have many partners, with more fire power than Europe. Israel, Japan, Saudi Arabia just to name of few. They have all heavily invested in defense. European countries have become weaker, more reliant on US defense, versus funding themselves.

Moo...

 

[Simply Southern]

I do not believe Z wants America to fight against Russia - they want peace - permanent peace - like the Baltic States have after 50 years of Soviet rule. I now live in one of those Baltic States. My parents homeland that they had to flee back in 1944 when the Russians did come in here & occupy it!
And now my "adopted" country America - is definitely going off the wrong track with this latest press conference.
Disrespectful?? You probably have not lived under a regime - that most of the European countries have over! They KNOW what Putin is like. I feel sorry for the Americans that are falling for Trump's diplomacy, his rudeness, his arrogance.....
I think I have said enough....

View attachment 567151

He clearly stated that in the press conference yesterday. Moo

 

[JennieM]

Is the UK pulling out of NATO?

If the US pulled out of NATO, there would be a financial struggle. Only the US and Poland pay the 2% and above. How long could Poland survive being the largest funder?

Best I remember, the US stood strong with the UK in the world wars and reconstruction.

Yes, this whole thing is about money. The US wants to reduce our funding in line with our partners. Our partners don't want to increase their funding up to the minimum.

America's not on its own, we have many partners, with more fire power than Europe. Israel, Japan, Saudi Arabia just to name of few. They have all heavily invested in defense. European countries have become weaker, more reliant on US defense, versus funding themselves.

Moo...

The US might as well pull out of NATO after yesterday’s embarrassing showdown. It’s cosying up to Russia, not Europe.

 

[chimpface]

Yes, protection and defense is expensive!!! The US spends almost 14% of GNP on our defense. The US chooses to fund it with our taxpayer dollars. We are paying for the best protection. We don't have control over where/how other countries choose to spend their money. When country's do not invest in security and defense, we do reserve the right to denied donations of taxpayer money. When I see countries spending 1-3% percent of GNP, I don't feel we should donate them. What we have given to Ukraine are donations.

I found it amazing, folks would think the US should fund more than are willing to ask their citizen taxpayers to pay. And even more amazing they would be mad and saying derogatory things about us. This is insane. That's like my neighbor put in a security system and me expecting him to pay for one for me. Then me getting mad because he doesn't and running around the neighborhood and complaining because he won't fund my security system. Just trying to throw a little perspective on this.

Moo...

Depends if you signed multiple mutual treaties to protect your neighbour or not.

Ukraine should never have given its Nukes up. I d imagine multiple American presidents are rolling in their graves at the situation that is happening right now.

 

[chimpface]

The US might as well pull out of NATO after yesterday’s embarrassing showdown. It’s cosying up to Russia, not Europe.

I think yesterday was the end of NATO. The current admistration has been signalling it since 2016. Yesterday it was on show for the whole world.

 

[chimpface]

Is the UK pulling out of NATO?

If the US pulled out of NATO, there would be a financial struggle. Only the US and Poland pay the 2% and above. How long could Poland survive being the largest funder?

Best I remember, the US stood strong with the UK in the world wars and reconstruction.

Yes, this whole thing is about money. The US wants to reduce our funding in line with our partners. Our partners don't want to increase their funding up to the minimum.

America's not on its own, we have many partners, with more fire power than Europe. Israel, Japan, Saudi Arabia just to name of few. They have all heavily invested in defense. European countries have become weaker, more reliant on US defense, versus funding themselves.

Moo...

Saudi Arabia

Didn't realise they had nuclear weapons

 

[Simply Southern]

Did the UK get 50% of the US whole supply of minerals and was a ‘common fund’ set up?

The fund is to be used for reconstruction. The US will match $2 for every dollar of new business, that the US brings to Ukraine. Ukraine keeps 50% of all new business and 50% is put into the fund to be used for reconstruction. Ukraine keeps 100% of all existing revenues. After reconstruction is complete, many many years from now, the fund will resolve after repaying the 2.00 match that was put up as front ,money.

We're only asking for what we pay into the fund back. Europe secured their loan with mineral rights.

Zelenskyy came to us with this plan to partner with mineral rights. Requested a meeting with Trump after the election. He also presented his plan to France in October. This whole thing was conspired and designed by Zelensky. We were the only one that offered a partnership. Now he's demanding we provide US security, troops on the ground. Trump has said from day one, we will not provide security. He knew this when he got on the plane and came to America. What a waste of time money and fuel.

It's all irrelevant now. The deals off the table. Europe's going to figure this out. Zelenskyy will continue the war.

Moo

 

[I am not Sherlock H.]

My late father, a long term structural civil engineer at NASA that worked on the Apollo lunar lander moon shot space program used to always say: “empty barrels make the most noise”.

How that phrase, which I heard for well near 50 years still echos so prophetically IMO. And in particular after the IMO horrid display of what was seen yesterday. On the national stage, in full view. In the people of USA’s White House. SMH. MOO

 

[Simply Southern]

If the US ever went to war for 3 years and got support from its allies, would the US and its people think it fair and would they be willing to share 50% of the country’s recourses in exchange for that support? Also trying to throw a little perspective.

If we were flat broke I'm sure we would. If we wanted to continue the war we'd have no choice.
The agreement it's not to support the war. The agreement is to have funding to rebuild his war torn country and to try to bring in new business of which he will receive 50% to use in any way he chooses.

Moo

 

[Simply Southern]

"small group of region partners"

Ie; the EU, USA's biggest trading partner? That one?

Lol

The UK is not our biggest trading partner. That's one of the issues, we buy way more from EU than they buy from us and paying 20% tariff. This was discussed in the press conference with the UK prime minister this week.
Moo

 

[Simply Southern]

Saudi Arabia

Didn't realise they had nuclear weapons

We have our own nuclear weapons and they are strategically placed around the world. Moo