Ukraine- the situation is VERY serious

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.

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

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

I fear revenge

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?

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....

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

"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.

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.

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.'

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.

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

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.

Wyllow3 it's a red Queen version...

Putin invaded Ukraine because he was bored.

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.

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.

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

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

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

My personal view is that here in the UK we need to show that we are part of Europe's partnership and continue to commit support to Ukraine.
Trump loves Putin as he is the dictator that Trump wants to become in the USA. We need to stand up to both Trump & Putin. If we all work together then we will show both of them that we are strong.

Shazmo24

My personal view is that here in the UK we need to show that we are part of Europe's partnership and continue to commit support to Ukraine.
Trump loves Putin as he is the dictator that Trump wants to become in the USA. We need to stand up to both Trump & Putin. If we all work together then we will show both of them that we are strong.

If The US decides to stand back we will find out quick enough how united Europe is over Ukraine.

^”My personal view is that here in the UK we need to show that we are part of Europe's partnership and continue to commit support to Ukraine.
Trump loves Putin as he is the dictator that Trump wants to become in the USA. We need to stand up to both Trump & Putin. If we all work together then we will show both of them that we are strong”^

Hear, hear Shazmo24.

We in Europe need to stop being afraid of Trump and Putin!

If The US decides to stand back we will find out quick enough how united Europe is over Ukraine.

Excellent comment, David49

Except that it’s not going to happen. Trump’s ego is too big not to flex it at every opportunity, he wants to be seen as a saviour.

I too was shocked at the way Sebastian Gorka spoke to Victoria Derbyshire. She kept her cool though.

I think we all need to take a chill pill.

It is very early days and from what I've seen Trump throws out a few ideas, feels the room and then starts negotiating.

Nothing is settled as yet, far from it.

I am not a fan of US Politics, either side of the equation but Trump has a point in regard to the amount of money the US spends propping up failing governments.

Europe has been sitting on its hands and lost control of many borders. Global politics has been disruptive and Europe has simply been tinkering around the edges.

People are tired of hard earned tax payer money going into minority based virtue projects. Citizenship should come with responsibilities such as working, paying tax and assimilating into the host countries laws and social expectations.

The Middle East, the Arab nations refuse to help out their own people in Gaza. The strip is now a uninhabitable and it will take a hell of a lot of money to fix. The US is not wiling to throw money into something which will unlikely unravel again. The wealthy Arab nations need to put their hands in their pockets, charity begins at home. Then, perhaps if they actually have a financial stake in the rebuild the religious and political argy bargy can be fixed in house.

Its early days and interesting times, lets just wait and see before we run off screaming 'the sky is falling.'!