Ukraine- the situation is VERY serious

No Dorrain, complacency is what leads to unwanted consequences, whereas time spent in reconnaissance is seldom wasted.

^ however there are checks and balances which will keep him under control.^

There are ‘checks and balances’ which are supposed to stop a US President carrying out, what is in effect, a coup. But they are being completely ignored and are, so far, proving to be ineffectual.

Can you clarify what ‘checks and balances’ exist that will keep him under control and explain how they will be more effective than the ones he has currently ignored?

And let’s not forget that Trump is an unsuccessful businessman. He’s kept afloat by sponging on others, including, it is widely suspected, being in debt to Putin…

www.law.cornell.edu/wex/separation_of_powers_0

www.usa.gov/branches-of-government#:~:text=The%20ability%20of%20each%20branch,agencies%20and%20high%20court%20appointees.

Dorrain

www.law.cornell.edu/wex/separation_of_powers_0

www.usa.gov/branches-of-government#:~:text=The%20ability%20of%20each%20branch,agencies%20and%20high%20court%20appointees.

That I am afraid is yesterday’s news.

The whole point that you seem to be missing is that Trump is riding rough shod over these “checks and balances” and the system is largely failing to stop him - so far.

But that is largely for the internal politics of the USA .

What we are concerned about on this thread is the external politics of the USA.

Europe and the USA have largely operated politically under the post war agreement of mutual support and cooperation with the USA the senior partner. Various institutions were built up to underpin this, but when you have a world leader intent on changing this arrangement, you will naturally expect a response from all the players. This May destabilise the whole area, and the European leaders will do well to put their whole energies into preventing this instability and uncertainty to continue without some form of controls set up.

I assume that this is beginning to be addressed by the emergency meetings of the European leaders and contact with Trump.

It’s not a case of managing Trump his message to Europe is “Put up or Shut up”. Ukraine is not a big issue in the US, if Europe wants to continue the fighting Europe will pay, in economic hardship and lives.

Europes response, will determine Trumps action, personally I don’t believe Europe will decide to escalate the war without the US backup and nuclear umbrella. NATO conventional weapons are much stronger than Russia, realize it will amount to a declaration of war and we can expect strikes on the UK. Our own Navy and Airforce will have to defend us and other countries, we can expect some damage and loss of life.

The ball is in our court we havn’t had an enemy that can bomb us for over 70 yrs

General Dannatt, retired head of the army, has stated that we have inadequate troops to send to any peace keeping force, much less defend us here.
As others have said, Ukraine and Europe are no longer important to America. The world has moved on from the 1940s. The old ties have eroded. Trump is saying you want protection, then pay for it.

Our armed services were deliberately reduced because if austerity. Another fine mess created and left for others to clear up

It is bizarre that some are saying the US has paid out for long enough so now is Europe’s turn, the US doesn’t want anything to do with other western countries anymore.
Fact is US isn’t into acts of largesse, is always a two way road, unless we are stupid enough to think that for decades the US has just thrown money at Europe like an over indulgent parent. These things don’t happen. Since the Second World War the US has had numerous bases in the UK/Europe and stored missiles/arms here, are they now going to remove them?
I very much doubt it. They need a foot in the door in this part of the world, and have bought our subservience. Indeed whenever the US decided to do a spot of empire building in the ME the UK/Europe had to spend billions supplying their own armed forces and weaponry to aid and abet them. That isn’t just the cost financially we should count we are also talking about the lives of our service personnel.
Total rubbish to keep on with this - the US is Santa and Europe/the UK are like spoiled brats narrative.
Let’s try to be a little bit more intelligent about this, unlike Trump.

A few months ago, Putin was threatening to bomb London. Wishful thinking on his part. Europe and the UK must start paying for the full cost of the their own defence and preferably find some way out of the current mess in Ukraine. We need to improve communication with Putin rather than define him as the arch villain. I just hope that the UK doesn’t end up buying American defence systems and weapons thus implying that Trump has created yet another profitable business enterprise!

Since the Cold War ended about 30yrs ago the US has progressively withdrawn troops and bases, leaving just a few operational, all the European defence is shared out through NATO, combined, Russia is outclassed. We have seen Russia has struggle to overwhelm little Ukraine and has probably lost 100,000 troops in the process, thats more than the original men committed to the first invasion force.

Russia has used the threat of nuclear escalation which is its only effective defence, its time to make the decision, either call his bluff, or settle Ukraine now.

ronib

A few months ago, Putin was threatening to bomb London. Wishful thinking on his part. Europe and the UK must start paying for the full cost of the their own defence and preferably find some way out of the current mess in Ukraine. We need to improve communication with Putin rather than define him as the arch villain. I just hope that the UK doesn’t end up buying American defence systems and weapons thus implying that Trump has created yet another profitable business enterprise!

A very large part of our current defence capability is already US sourced, changing that takes decades not years.

There is a lot of comment in the media this weekend.

Strikingly was an article about inability to strike “successful” deals that he says he is so good st.

A look at his history of important deals shows that every single one he struck as president has failed abysmally.

He has already conceded stuff to Putin before talks have even begun, and in doing so is seeking to undermine Zelenskyy by blocking him out of the talks.

At the same time Trump is demanding that money spent on Ukraine by the USA be repaid. What’s the betting he will try to link that with the rare minerals Ukraine has.

Trump has made it clear that the USA won’t be the final guarantor of peace - so why on earth should they be solely in charge of the talks!!?

As someone asked.

“How can a deal be made about Ukraine without Ukraine? And how can a deal be made about Europe without Europe?”

Whitewavemark2

There is a lot of comment in the media this weekend.

Strikingly was an article about inability to strike “successful” deals that he says he is so good st.

A look at his history of important deals shows that every single one he struck as president has failed abysmally.

He has already conceded stuff to Putin before talks have even begun, and in doing so is seeking to undermine Zelenskyy by blocking him out of the talks.

At the same time Trump is demanding that money spent on Ukraine by the USA be repaid. What’s the betting he will try to link that with the rare minerals Ukraine has.

Trump has made it clear that the USA won’t be the final guarantor of peace - so why on earth should they be solely in charge of the talks!!?

As someone asked.

“How can a deal be made about Ukraine without Ukraine? And how can a deal be made about Europe without Europe?”

Indeed. Trump brokers deals without the most important party being there. Perhaps in business he could bulldoze deals through like this but is a whole different ball game in politics. If any party gets cheesed off by this it could mean years if not decades of a grudge war.

Can’t Zelensky and Europe/Uk tell Trump to simply go away? If you won’t remain financially invested why are you stirring the pot? Trump doesn’t want to be involved so he should walk away? Permanently…. Unless he wants a refund?

I suspect that Macron will be proven correct in his call for a European Army, if we are to defend ourselves alone against Putin and other potential enemies.

Creating one will however not be easy.

I really hope that Starmer doesn't negotiate any sort of deal with Trump. The sooner Europe becomes independent (as much as possible) of the USA the better.. We need strong unity..

ronib

Can’t Zelensky and Europe/Uk tell Trump to simply go away? If you won’t remain financially invested why are you stirring the pot? Trump doesn’t want to be involved so he should walk away? Permanently…. Unless he wants a refund?

Yes that’s exactly what he says he wants. I suspect the rare minerals in Ukraine are in his greedy sights.

PS 50% of the minerals was mentioned by Trump😮

Whitewavemark2

I suspect that Macron will be proven correct in his call for a European Army, if we are to defend ourselves alone against Putin and other potential enemies.

Creating one will however not be easy.

A European army would cause more problems than it solves.

All of the armed forces across Europe (including UK) co-operate on training exercises throughout the world as it is.

If push comes to shove, they could jointly be deployed for peacekeeping under the UN or NATO umbrella.

I personally would not like to see a European military force.

One thing. The part of Ukraine that Putin has his eye on and will probs get, is rich in minerals. As a business man I can see why Trump is cosying up to Putin. There will be a deal made about the minerals am sure.

Ah can see this has already been mentioned.

Whitewavemark2

I suspect that Macron will be proven correct in his call for a European Army, if we are to defend ourselves alone against Putin and other potential enemies.

Creating one will however not be easy.

Macron like most French leaders and indeed most French people, is not pro US, but the UK has always hung onto the shirt tails of any US President, and am not convinced that Starmer will break with the US and join Europe on this. Which will be further isolating for the UK and out is in a very vulnerable position. We need the help and protection of our nearest neighbours.
That is just common sense.

Correction - put us in a very vulnerable position

babs yes I agree.

Starmer would be foolish to turn his head towards the USA rather than Europe during this time of chaos.

Mind you I suspect that he will have little choice, listening to Vance and others.

GrannyGravy13

Whitewavemark2

I suspect that Macron will be proven correct in his call for a European Army, if we are to defend ourselves alone against Putin and other potential enemies.

Creating one will however not be easy.

A European army would cause more problems than it solves.

All of the armed forces across Europe (including UK) co-operate on training exercises throughout the world as it is.

If push comes to shove, they could jointly be deployed for peacekeeping under the UN or NATO umbrella.

I personally would not like to see a European military force.

It certainly won’t be easy.

However it could take many forms and I think that it must be given some consideration if Europe is to build its defence against Putin.

We clearly can no longer rely on USA.