Ukraine- the situation is VERY serious

Claremont sensitive or not it would be in the public domain.

I haven’t got FaceBook so any links via it I cannot access.

wibblywobblywobblebottom

Putin invaded Ukraine because he was bored.

He invaded to stop Ukraine joining NATO.. amongst other reasons like trying to reunite Russia with lost territories..

GrannyGravy13

Claremont I cannot find any definitive information on USA siting nuclear weapons in Suffolk again.

Please can you provide a link that is not via Facebook

Who said this is a Facebook link?

You do realise that putting US nuclear back at Lakenheath is very sensitive and will not be published all over the place, with available links, I am sure.

Lots of activity and contracts, building, etc- raising much unrest and questions.

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0kpvsyh

wibblywobblywobblebottom

Putin invaded Ukraine because he was bored.

Putin has his troops in Africa too. He has quite a bit of excitement already. I honestly think that he has the interests of Mother Russia foremost in his plans but he may well have miscalculated the effort needed to secure his borders. A very accomplished leader in certain respects but unable to change tack when needed? He does have an amazing arsenal of weapons at his disposal so a major player in world politics.

Putin invaded Ukraine because he was bored.

Wyllow3 it's a red Queen version...

I couldn’t agree more about Ukraine I was looking forward to Ukraine becoming a part of the EU but with the new administration under Trump I see what’s happening and I think it’s diabolical. If the United States abandon countries that simply want to be independent and take care of themselves then what are we all about? I am an American I live in Great Britain and I am so saddened for the USA! I believe if Trump has his way he will abandon the EU.

Claremont I cannot find any definitive information on USA siting nuclear weapons in Suffolk again.

Please can you provide a link that is not via Facebook

Claremont

Having USA nuclear bases in the UK makes us target number 1

Where are these ^nuclear bases^🤷‍♀️
They must be keeping them well hidden.
Unless you’re talking about Foulness island. That’s very top secret and an American company run all the testing there.

Romola

Can we please stop discussing Brexit here? It was and is a disaster but is not central to the UK's situation vis á vis Trump's and Putin's intentions concerning Ukraine.
Putin and his supporters are cock a hoop. In the short term, this is a win for him. He is a clever and experienced operator, far more so than Trump.
Will the European members of NATO be able to persuade Putin that the annexation of Ukraine is not going to happen? If we don't, which country will be next?

It is relevant, as Nato or not, it does separate us in so many ways from our European closest allies.

As for US nuclear weapons on UK soil, it seems that this is very much the plan for Trump. 'Evidence is mounting that the US is preparing to site some of its nuclear weapons in the UK, specifically at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk. This originated when the US Department of Defense added the UK to a list of NATO nuclear weapons storage locations in Europe being upgraded under a multimillion-dollar infrastructure programme.

Fresh budget documents dated March 2023 back up the suspicion that Washington is in the process of re-establishing its nuclear weapons presence in Britain. Published as part of the US Air Force (USAF) 2024 budgetary justification package, the papers outline the need for a ‘surety dormitory’. Surety is a term used by US government departments to refer to the capability to keep nuclear weapons secure.'

Casdon

I just watched Vance. His grip on world politics and how to influence other nations seems frighteningly tenuous.

Its crude and totally US centred - ie the lectures about us an democracy, all based on a right wing US model.

But it's no surprise really - Vance has no real education and experience as a world diplomat, has he? He showed arrogance instead of any diplomacy.

"Confusion and concern after Trump's suggestion of US-Russia-Ukraine talks in Munich"

"German officials have expressed surprise and bewilderment at Donald Trump’s claim that Russian officials would meet in Munich for a three-way discussion with the US and Ukraine.
The Russians are not here and they have not been invited.

Then there is the issue of Ukraine’s bid to join Nato. It’s still on the table, say Europeans, while US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared to rule it out this week before later softening his stance somewhat.

I asked a senior European figure here if today’s talks had produced any clarity on the US position on Ukraine, and a deal to end the war there. "Not really," was their attributable reply, "we are still trying to work out what it is."
Boris Pistorius, the German defence minister, has told journalists it was a mistake for Trump to give away key bargaining concessions to Russia before talks had even begun, a view widely echoed here

all quotes from BBC newsfeed www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c24728zpp70t

It feels like a bizarre game of chess without everyone knowing the rules:

Definitely time for us to make some.

I just watched Vance. His grip on world politics and how to influence other nations seems frighteningly tenuous.

Summary of what Vance said -
He tells us off (Europe) for losing our democratic values and offers no insight on the future of NATO or Ukraine. Apparently hardly anyone clapped.

He began by saying the Trump administration was "thinking and praying" for those affected by yesterday's suspected car-ramming attack in Munich
Vance said he fears "the threat from within" and that there is no issue more "urgent" than mass migration - which he described as being at an "all time high" in various countries around the world

He also said he feared there'd been a retreat of "fundamental values" - such as free speech - in Europe and the UK, calling on all countries to live by "democratic values

On defence spending, which he said was likely to be discussed at length over the conference, Vance said European countries must play a "bigger role" in the future of the continent - but also said it's becoming less clear what Europe is actually defending itself against (1)

And he ended by suggesting that if American democracy can survive 10 years of climate activist Greta Thunberg "scolding it", Europe can "survive a few months" of Elon Musk

(1) I'd say against you, Vance....

Can we please stop discussing Brexit here? It was and is a disaster but is not central to the UK's situation vis á vis Trump's and Putin's intentions concerning Ukraine.
Putin and his supporters are cock a hoop. In the short term, this is a win for him. He is a clever and experienced operator, far more so than Trump.
Will the European members of NATO be able to persuade Putin that the annexation of Ukraine is not going to happen? If we don't, which country will be next?

Putin's going to be mighty cross when he hears he's not getting what Trump has led him to believe.

I fear revenge

Interesting clash between Hartley-Brewer and Tice about allowing Putin to keep land taken, inc. Crimea!

GrannyGravy13

Claremont

Having USA nuclear bases in the UK makes us target number 1

You are incorrect Claremont

The USA has tactical nuclear weapons sited in five NATO countries Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey.

Currently none are sited in the UK.

Thank you for this. I didn't know. Trump wants to put some back here, I read recently.

Devorgilla

Grantanow and WW2, I have no more idea than you do why some people chose to vote to Brexit. None of my family did. Perhaps, for that small majority, it was a time when they disliked the ties more than they appreciated them.

I only know of 2 people who voted for Brexit. When you look at the figures it was not a properly democratic vote. only 17.5 million voted for brexit out of 68 million voters.

Very TIC.--- What would Trump do if Russia decide they wanted Alaska back?

Also, should it only be about percentages?

I would not trust Vance to be correct.

Casdon 👍

woodenspoon

Only Poland, according to Vance, honour their commitment which is why his first meeting is there. From his own mouth.

That’s not true though, is it? Poland pay more than the agreed NATO percentage, but they are not the only country that meets the NATO percentage. He only skim read his homework, obviously.

woodenspoon

Only Poland, according to Vance, honour their commitment which is why his first meeting is there. From his own mouth.

Vance is obviously not on top of his brief

I refer to the above graph.

I know some countries have to increase their commitment woodenspoon, that’s what I said? We don’t pay the lion’s share though, do we?