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Ukraine- the situation is VERY serious

(544 Posts)
Claremont Thu 13-Feb-25 09:56:45

for Ukraine and the whole of Europe.

And will FORCE the UK to choose.

(Capitals do not always represent shouting, but emphasis).

Casdon Fri 14-Feb-25 13:06:24

David49

Casdon

How did you make the leap from me disputing your version of events to telling me what my view is?

OK so would you support the UK backing Ukraine 100% boots on the ground accepting the cost and losses

A simple yes or no answer will do.

A simple yes or no answer doesn’t cut it. A lot of tough negotiation is needed before the absolutes become clear for each side. It depends then on what those absolutes impede in terms of agreement. Only a fool would commit themselves to boots on the ground before understanding the whole picture.

Iam64 Fri 14-Feb-25 13:06:32

David49

Casdon

How did you make the leap from me disputing your version of events to telling me what my view is?

OK so would you support the UK backing Ukraine 100% boots on the ground accepting the cost and losses

A simple yes or no answer will do.

Good job you aren’t involved in peace talks David

Casdon Fri 14-Feb-25 13:08:16

Iam64

David49

Casdon

How did you make the leap from me disputing your version of events to telling me what my view is?

OK so would you support the UK backing Ukraine 100% boots on the ground accepting the cost and losses

A simple yes or no answer will do.

Good job you aren’t involved in peace talks David

Quite, Iam64. Nobody takes well to having words put in their mouth and then given a yes/no option.

David49 Fri 14-Feb-25 13:10:16

“So, if the US truly want to take this to its natural conclusion I would advise them to get their bases the hell out of the UK and Europe. Europe should unite in defending themselves against Russia and the US.”

Not so fast, thats going to need Europe trebling its defence spending, that’s not going to happen so no point discussing it. NATO is dependant on the US for most of its nuclear deterrent and its conventional reserves, of which the UK has very little.

vintageclassics Fri 14-Feb-25 13:13:29

Putin must never be allowed to been seen as winning this war - if he does it will spark further land grabs - NATO needs to accept Ukraine as a member as part of any negotiation. The sooner Trump is gone the better - the man is a guilty of condoning genocide and happily displacing people who have no wish to move from their homeland - he is an utter disgrace to humanity

woodenspoon Fri 14-Feb-25 13:15:37

If European countries increased their defence spending, the Americans might well reconsider. As always, it’s the money. Trump is a business man, he sees it from that viewpoint. Funding Europe gains Americans very little. Money that could be spent elsewhere. After all, as he sees it, America and Russia aren’t at war.

Claremont Fri 14-Feb-25 13:19:21

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

Casdon Fri 14-Feb-25 13:21:35

The UK spent more than it’s agreed NATO percentage last year, and is continuing to increase its commitment year on year woodenspoon.

sarahcyn Fri 14-Feb-25 13:24:07

@Grantanow Nato is not the same as the EU.

knspol Fri 14-Feb-25 13:25:10

I agree that Putin invaded Ukraine because he knows how weak Europe and Nato are. He knew Ukraine would not be allowed into EU because of fear of the EU having to defend Ukraine against Putin.
Trump also realises the weakness but is what we read/hear on the news the full picture? Surely even Trump would not cut out Zelensky in any peace negotiations? I really find this hard to believe but if true then imo we should unite with the EU against Putin but that puts us in a very vulnerable position now we are outside the EU.

woodenspoon Fri 14-Feb-25 13:26:01

Casdon

The UK spent more than it’s agreed NATO percentage last year, and is continuing to increase its commitment year on year woodenspoon.

I know that! Other countries are not. We will be paying the lions share, as always.

woodenspoon Fri 14-Feb-25 13:27:15

Defence spending and Ukraine were on the agenda when David Lammy met JD Vance on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference this morning.
The vice-president has told reporters the UK foreign secretary agreed that "Europe should take a bigger role in its own security".
And Lammy says the UK is "committed to increasing defence and encourage our friends across Europe to do the same".

GrannyGravy13 Fri 14-Feb-25 13:31:31

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.

M0nica Fri 14-Feb-25 13:36:04

Claremont

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

No they don't, Putin doesn't give a toss whether we have nuclear bases of not. We will be close to the top of Putins bomb list because of who we are and what we represent.

Casdon Fri 14-Feb-25 13:38:07

woodenspoon

Casdon

The UK spent more than it’s agreed NATO percentage last year, and is continuing to increase its commitment year on year woodenspoon.

I know that! Other countries are not. We will be paying the lions share, as always.

There’s no need to exaggerate, we don’t pay the lions share? We just pay what we should. Some countries pay a higher percentage than we do, too. I’m sure those European countries which pay less than their share will come into line sharpish too now this has happened.

GrannyGravy13 Fri 14-Feb-25 13:47:17

Latest statistics I could find on % of GDP sent to NATO by member states.

woodenspoon Fri 14-Feb-25 13:48:25

Casdon

woodenspoon

Casdon

The UK spent more than it’s agreed NATO percentage last year, and is continuing to increase its commitment year on year woodenspoon.

I know that! Other countries are not. We will be paying the lions share, as always.

There’s no need to exaggerate, we don’t pay the lions share? We just pay what we should. Some countries pay a higher percentage than we do, too. I’m sure those European countries which pay less than their share will come into line sharpish too now this has happened.

I’m not exaggerating Casdon. It’s online at bbc. A meeting between Vance and Lammy. France and Germany don’t pay their share. This will be a wake up call for the nations who want the protection afforded by America but don’t want to pay for it.

woodenspoon Fri 14-Feb-25 13:49:34

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

Casdon Fri 14-Feb-25 13:50:58

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?

GrannyGravy13 Fri 14-Feb-25 13:51:51

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.

Casdon Fri 14-Feb-25 13:53:10

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.

GrannyGravy13 Fri 14-Feb-25 13:54:20

Casdon 👍

NotSpaghetti Fri 14-Feb-25 13:57:52

I would not trust Vance to be correct.

NotSpaghetti Fri 14-Feb-25 13:58:59

Also, should it only be about percentages?

Milest0ne Fri 14-Feb-25 14:33:28

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?