Ukraine, latest..

LizzieDrip

^”But Trump is now questioning the worth of the US’s support and floated the idea of charging Taiwan for protection”^

Trump appears to be running a global, mafia-style protection racket

So now he's prepared to antagonise China.. talk about risky..

LizzieDrip

^”But Trump is now questioning the worth of the US’s support and floated the idea of charging Taiwan for protection”^

Trump appears to be running a global, mafia-style protection racket

Basically that’s what he is, a racketeer.

Doodledog

How can someone enter negotiations when there have already been reports on what he is going to say/avoid saying? Why would reporters be told what is going to happen, even if it were all cast in stone, which it can't be as much depends on the other parties to the negotiations.

There is so much speculation around all of this that I've stopped reading. One minute it all seems terrifying, and the next thing reports are shown to be supposition. At times I think it was so much better when we heard the News once a day instead of round the clock.

You’re not wrong!

LizzieDrip

^”But Trump is now questioning the worth of the US’s support and floated the idea of charging Taiwan for protection”^

Trump appears to be running a global, mafia-style protection racket

But he doesnt have to support at all?

Does he.

I for one feel I have very much taken the US "world police" role for granted.

Yes -that fits exactly....

”But Trump is now questioning the worth of the US’s support and floated the idea of charging Taiwan for protection”

Trump appears to be running a global, mafia-style protection racket

Very aggressive indeed, Not Spaghetti , but typical Trump, I'm quoting from the article you posted

"Support from the US, Taiwan’s biggest backer, is considered crucial for the island’s survival.
While the US officially refuses to say if it would militarily defend Taiwan against a Chinese attack, former president Joe Biden said repeatedly that under his leadership they probably would.

The US sells Taiwan billions of dollars in weapons under legal obligations to provide it with defensive means and uses its military and foreign policy to support the peaceful “status quo” in the Taiwan Strait.

But Trump is now questioning the worth of the US’s support and floated the idea of charging Taiwan for protection. He’s accused Taiwan of “stealing” the US’s semiconductor business, and railed against trading partners – including Taiwan – having surpluses against the US. He has threatened or imposed steep and sweeping tariffs

And very aggressive re Taiwan pascal.

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/21/donald-trump-russia-ukraine-foreign-policy-impact-taiwan

This is a good discussion - from last night. It's the Brwscast, Americast and Ukraincast teams together.

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0ksnfwm?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

Best to wait and see what is in the deal. In my opinion.

I find your last two posts interesting pascal30

Meanwhile China is building a railway across Mongolia.. taking over the world by stealth

How can someone enter negotiations when there have already been reports on what he is going to say/avoid saying? Why would reporters be told what is going to happen, even if it were all cast in stone, which it can't be as much depends on the other parties to the negotiations.

There is so much speculation around all of this that I've stopped reading. One minute it all seems terrifying, and the next thing reports are shown to be supposition. At times I think it was so much better when we heard the News once a day instead of round the clock.

The DM article repeating the O/time P rumour came out 12 hours ago and todays' DM online reflects the reality, no deal and hostile relations. No idea where the initial rumour came from, perhaps SM speculation?

I was also realised this morning that the German Elections are tomorrow and both Ukraine and tariff threats are "on the agenda".

Cossy

Rosie51

There aren't words acceptable to GN to articulate my feelings on this development. I thought aid was aid, no strings........

I agree

Initially I felt sick at heart when I read this thread last night, but a bit of googling revealed that it was not quite as cut and dried and settled as the OP seemed to say. And the ABC news article (which was very up to date) seemed to confirm this. It was on the DM front page in more or less the OP's words, though

I can't see Zelensky rolling over that easily and international negotiations are usually long and drawn out.

So it's really 'wait and see'.

We will have to see what mood POTUS is in after meeting with President Macron on Monday, he will have had three days to ponder on Europes position regarding Ukraine.

Details on Starmer's intentions on meeting Trump

"Starmer will not challenge Trump on his attack on Zelenskyy when the pair meet

UK prime minister aiming to cool escalating transatlantic row over war in Ukraine

"Starmer is hoping to defuse the row, including by avoiding direct reference to the president’s recent comments.

One British official said: “We want to focus on the future rather than relitigating any of the disputes there have been in recent days. If the president asks our view then we will give it, in line with statements we have made. But it is always better to focus on the future rather than trying to go over arguments of the past.”

Starmer’s trip comes as European leaders express alarm at having been left out of talks between the US and Russia, and at the tone of Trump’s recent remarks about Ukraine.

www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/feb/21/starmer-trump-zelenskyy-attack-ukraine

“ Sir Keir Starmer is to announce a new package of support for Ukraine, despite Donald Trump piling pressure on Kyiv to back down and accept a peace deal with Russia.

The Telegraph can reveal that the Prime Minister will use the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion to unveil a “triple whammy” of measures, including military aid and sanctions, on Monday.

It is in stark contrast to the approach taken by Mr Trump, who has in recent days called Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, a “dictator” and is pressing for a speedy end to the conflict.

Amid a widening split between the US and Europe over the Ukraine war, the US president on Friday accused Sir Keir of doing “nothing” to bring the conflict to a close.

The US also indicated that it could leave an international effort to prosecute Russia for war crimes.

The differences between London and Washington will be put under a spotlight when Sir Keir visits the White House for face-to-face talks with Mr Trump on Thursday.

In an attempt to calm any tensions, The Telegraph understands that during the trip Sir Keir is expected to finally announce the date – most likely to be 2030 – by which 2.5 per cent of UK GDP will be spent on defence.”

”The comments overwhelmingly criticize the potential deal between the U.S. and Ukraine, viewing it as extortion or blackmail by Trump. Many express distrust in Trump's promises, fearing he will not uphold any agreement and may instead favor Russia. Commenters are concerned about the ethical implications of the U.S. demanding mineral rights from a war-torn Ukraine in exchange for security assistance, likening it to a mafia-style shakedown. There is a strong sentiment of shame and disappointment in the U.S.'s actions, with some suggesting that Ukraine should seek more trustworthy partners like the EU."

Hear, hear!

Whitewavemark2

The US has become a pariah state.

Best avoided.

Sadly, I agree and what’s worse is all Trump/Vance/Musk’s poor decisions will impact many other countries. This is just the start

Churchview

So if this is right, has Trump not abused the situation of a country being on its knees to enrich the USA?

Correct Churchview.

As if we didn’t already know what a monster Trump is, we now have it ‘writ large’ in front of our eyes.

Sadly, whilst Trump leads the US, we can no longer regard them as an ally. If he’ll do this to Ukraine, he’ll do it to any of us.

According to The Washington Post, Trump's deal links the US's continuing support to them being able to have some of Ukraine's mineral wealth. Comments to the article have been put together by AI, please see below. this is what many Americans think of Trump.
"The comments overwhelmingly criticize the potential deal between the U.S. and Ukraine, viewing it as extortion or blackmail by Trump. Many express distrust in Trump's promises, fearing he will not uphold any agreement and may instead favor Russia. Commenters are concerned about the ethical implications of the U.S. demanding mineral rights from a war-torn Ukraine in exchange for security assistance, likening it to a mafia-style shakedown. There is a strong sentiment of shame and disappointment in the U.S.'s actions, with some suggesting that Ukraine should seek more trustworthy partners like the EU."

The US has become a pariah state.

Best avoided.

Not only Ukraine, though. People are starving and food is going rotten because of what Trump and Musk are doing ( the richest man in the world taking food away from the poorest). And, when it comes to drilling or digging for whatever Trump wants to make his country rich global warming and protecting the environment will be totally ignored.

Rosie51

There aren't words acceptable to GN to articulate my feelings on this development. I thought aid was aid, no strings........

I agree