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Today Russia will declare itself the winner and Germany is holding elections. The latter may affect the support for Ukraine and the cohesion in the EU. Indeed, a fateful election. Hopefully, most Germans are not so narrow-minded and misled that they vote for AfD. We will see what kind of EU we wake up to on Monday. Hopefully, an EU where Germany takes the lead and supports Ukraine even more. Taurus?
Will the EU manage to put together the rumored €20 billion aid package? France is rumored to be reluctant due to budget rules…
CDU’s Friedrich Merz seems to be winning the election, and he has stated that he also wants to help lead Europe. The interesting thing is that the EU is already led by a CDU member, Ursula von der Leyen, and there is a division between the two. Ursula is considered one of Angela Merkel’s “girls.” Merz and Merkel hate each other. Merkel opposed Trump on many issues, including Nord Stream, and Scholz has continued to steer Germany away from Trump’s values. Many messy dramas as you can see, the conclusion is that I believe German-American relations could improve significantly with Merz as the new chancellor.
OT, my spell checker doesn’t like “kansler” and first changed it to “the German camel” and then to “the German cashier.”
Merz needs to get over 30% and some parties need to pass the threshold for the result to be positive for the EU and Ukraine. AfD is growing to 21% today and is cheered on by China, Russia, and the USA with the intention of dividing and splitting the EU, which is a force to be reckoned with.
Tonight we will know if we have a clear, upright path forward for the EU!
Merz needs to get over 30% and some parties need to cross the threshold for the result to be positive for the EU and Ukraine. AfD is growing to 21% today and is being cheered on by China, Russia, and the USA with the intention of dividing and splitting the EU, which is a force to be reckoned with.
Tonight we will know if we have a clear, upright path forward for the EU!
CDU’s Friedrich Merz seems to be winning the election, and he has stated that he also wants to help lead Europe. The interesting thing is that the EU is already led by a CDU member, Ursula von der Leyen, and there is a division between the two. Ursula is considered one of Angela Merkel’s “girls.” Merz and Merkel despise each other. Merkel opposed Trump on many issues, including Nord Stream, and Scholz has continued to steer Germany away from Trump’s values. Many messy dramas as you can see, the conclusion is that I believe German-American relations could improve significantly with Merz as the new chancellor.
OT, my spell checker doesn’t like “kansler” and first changed it to “the German camel” and then to “the German cashier.”
Today Russia will declare itself the winner and Germany is holding elections. The latter could affect the support for Ukraine and the cohesion in the EU. Indeed, a fateful election. Hopefully, most Germans are not so narrow-minded and misled that they vote for AfD. We will see what kind of EU we wake up to on Monday. Hopefully, an EU where Germany takes the lead and supports Ukraine even more. Taurus?
Will the EU manage to put together the rumored support package of 20 billion EUR? France is rumored to be reluctant due to budget rules…
The following text translated from Swedish to English:
“The rear slaughter continues. Bingo every day.”
Bakre slakten
Bakre slakten
Good morning, Johannites and mariners!
In yesterday’s thread, @Mats had lost the glimmers of light. I still have a few left:
– On several occasions, I have read that UA has already received weapons and liquid assets to manage through all of 2025.
– That might be the reason why, as JN1 says, a brigade is standing at attention, jumping on its way north and east.
– If there was something a vice president did in Munich, it was to wake up a bunch of politicians. A foreign minister called the speech “rude” on TV last Friday. However, she did not say he was wrong. I highly recommend yesterday’s Henrik Jönsson, where he carefully goes through the speech.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_x3kgY9kYfY
– A decent sum from the nearby area is said to be on its way.
– A really decent sum, like ten times higher, is also mentioned in Saturday’s world-leading analysis.
– Trump has taken his medicine and figured out the actual amount used for US support to UA. I have read that it is not a sign of normalization. (That guy will never be normal.) However, I do hope that he accidentally takes the right morning pills sometimes.
– Under similar tablet influence, the fool has promised EU countries to buy weapons for UA. That’s probably where they are right now. And for once, two representatives of the big country in the west, Vance and DJT, have congruent messages: “EU should arm itself, and can buy from us.” (New for this year.)
– Finally, in the list, I quote @Peter the Great: “Russia is a broken gas station with remnants of an army, no dynamics, no innovations, no popular engagement in anything, doomed to fail in advance.” I add a poor economy.
Well, there are indeed some small glimmers of light!
haha, pure happiness pill YM
haha, pure happiness pill YM
Thank you for the “glimpses”
Thank you for the “glimpses”
Thank you YM!
HJ has received some criticism (in my opinion justified, but I may be affected by the DN syndrome…) lately (I have been following him since he started) for not being critical enough of Musk.
However, I find it difficult to find fault here. He is clear about where he stands re:UA.
A HEAVY point is to evaluate the message separately from the sender, which not many seem to have succeeded in.
Even Trump was right about Europe’s gas dependency (he brings that up) but was laughed at, because if the WRONG person says it’s a snowstorm, all decent people immediately go out in bathing suits…
That level.
Should we hope for sobriety when European politicians have nursed their bruised egos and toes long enough, or is 2014 alive and kicking again?
Be right or DO right? Be kind or DO good?
If Vance manages to shock Europe’s leaders into action, he has at least accomplished something of value “before death turns his bones into fertilizer”.
Thank you YM!
HJ has received some criticism (in my opinion justified, but I may be affected by the DN disease…) lately (I have been following him since he started) for not being critical enough of Musk.
However, I find it difficult to find fault here. He is clear about where he stands re:UA.
A HEAVY point is to evaluate the message separately from the sender, which not many seem to have succeeded in.
Even Trump was right about Europe’s gas dependency (he brings that up) but was laughed at, because if the WRONG person says it’s snowing, all decent people immediately go out in their bathing suits…
That level.
Should one hope for sobriety when European politicians have nursed their bruised egos and tears long enough or is 2014 alive and kicking again?
BE right or DO right? BE good or DO good?
If Vance manages to shock Europe’s leaders into action, he has at least accomplished something of value “before death turns his bones into fertilizer”.
Good morning, Johannites and mariners!
In yesterday’s thread, @Mats had lost the glimmers of light. I still have a few left:
– On several occasions, I have read that UA has already received weapons and liquid assets to survive the whole of 2025.
– That might be the reason why, as JN1 says, a brigade is standing at attention, ready to move north and east.
– If there was something a vice president did in Munich, it was to wake up a bunch of politicians. A foreign minister called the speech “impolite” on TV last Friday. However, she did not say he was wrong. I highly recommend yesterday’s Henrik Jönsson, where he goes through the speech carefully.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_x3kgY9kYfY
– A decent sum from the nearby area is said to be on the way.
– A really decent sum, about ten times higher, is also mentioned in Saturday’s world-leading analysis.
– Trump has taken his medicine and figured out the amount actually used for US support to UA. I have read that it is not a sign of normalization. (That guy will never be normal.) However, I do hope that he accidentally takes the right morning pills sometimes.
– Under similar pill influence, the nutcase has promised EU countries to buy weapons for UA. That’s probably where they are right now. And for once, two representatives of the big country in the west, Vance and DJT, have congruent messages: “EU should arm itself, and can buy from us.” (New for this year.)
– Lastly in the list, I quote @Peter The Great: “Russia is a broken gas station with remnants of an army, no dynamics, no innovations, no popular engagement in anything, doomed to fail in advance.” I would add a poor economy.
Well, there are indeed some small glimmers of light!
I remember when a similar wave swept through the EU a few years ago. For example, Golden Dawn in Greece had success.
Nils Lundgren from Junilistan wrote a very good text in one of the newspapers. Not verbatim but:
Voters haven’t become neo-Nazis overnight. However, these fringe parties are the only ones critical of the EU. If you are tired of EU bureaucracy and them meddling in everything, these are the only parties to vote for.
I think it’s the same now, in Germany, the USA, and other countries. People are tired of the idiots in power because they are the cause of this mess, and now they are supposed to solve the problems they created themselves?
Moreover, they want to slap established parties and show them that they can’t take power for granted. Why can’t the major parties see this? Why don’t they listen to the voters?
Hubris? Lust for power?
It will be chaotic for a while, but then it will get better, I am convinced.
We have to go through this to understand how good we have it and learn from what has been good and reject what has been bad.
I believe that you can find a similar mechanism in several well-known contexts. Brexit was more of a protest vote against the sitting government than a desire to leave the EU. The choice of the president in the USA, I see (as you do) as a citizens’ mockery of the establishment they did not identify with. The Swedish Democrats identified an issue that many Swedes saw as a problem. Since the other parties denied/deny the problem and labeled its describers as racists, people voted/vote them, the others, down as much as possible.
So, the common factor is that people are voting against something, not for something.
I fondly remember the Swedish political discussions from half a century ago when the debaters had visions of the society they wanted to create, and mostly argued about the way to get there. Back then, voters were choosing between one or the other.
Exactly. I miss that too. More political conversation and solution-oriented, less strategizing and mudslinging.
It’s like politics has become clickbait.
Exactly. I miss that too. More political conversation and solution-oriented, less strategizing and mudslinging.
It’s like politics has become clickbait.
Lesia Debenko captures the essence of the problem. Established parties neglect at all costs an issue so that it is taken up by a party that gains sympathy by addressing the problem. In doing so, the established parties also become the cause of the problem.
“I’m observing reactions to Vance’s speech and I see that a normal discussion is impossible in the currently electrified society. The comeback of ‘Russian democracy’ is missing the point of what’s being discussed. It’s a whataboutism. There’s no question that Russia isn’t a democracy or any guiding star. The question is that you still, to this day, don’t understand why marginal parties have become so strong. Like the Swedish Democrats who are now part of the government. Because for quite some time, certain sentiment was suppressed at all cost. I’ll give you an example. A real one. My first Swedish ex-bf told me that in school their teacher brought some strange piece of paper saying that ‘Look at the expenses. It costs nothing to bring in immigrants.’ And the kids retaliated saying ‘but that’s not where you should look, you should look at the social benefits expenses.’ And the teacher was pissed off and told them to shut up. Is that how you build a society? By telling others to shut up and labeling them ‘racist’ and ‘xenophobic’? If that’s what you do, then you create room for not so great ppl to create not so great parties because parties are nothing but a reflection of sentiment, not the other way around. So of course if you first tell to shut up and then ban parties or annul elections, it makes it even worse. See the problem? I repeat again and again: just because you choose to ignore problems, they don’t go away. In fact they become a huge problem.”
Lesia Debenko captures the core of the problem. Established parties neglect at all costs an issue for it to be taken up by a party that gains sympathies by channeling the problem. In doing so, the established parties also become the cause of the problem.
“I’m observing reactions to Vance’s speech and I see that a normal discussion is impossible in the currently electrified society. The comeback of ‘Russian democracy’ is missing the point of what’s being discussed. It’s a whataboutism. There’s no question that Russia isn’t a democracy or any guiding star. The question is that you still, to this day, don’t understand why marginal parties have become so strong. Like the Swedish Democrats who are now part of the government. Because for quite some time, certain sentiment was suppressed at all cost. I’ll give you an example. A real one. My first Swedish ex-bf told me that in school their teacher brought some strange piece of paper saying that ‘Look at the expenses. It costs nothing to bring in immigrants.’ And the kids retaliated saying ‘but that’s not where you should look, you should look at the social benefits expenses.’ And the teacher was pissed off and told them to shut up. Is that how you build a society? By telling others to shut up and labeling them ‘racist’ and ‘xenophobic’? If that’s what you do, then you create room for not so great ppl to create not so great parties because parties are nothing but a reflection of sentiment, not the other way around. So of course if you first tell to shut up and then ban parties or annul elections, it makes it even worse. See the problem? I repeat again and again: just because you choose to ignore problems, they don’t go away. In fact they become a huge problem.”
L Debenko captures the core of the problem. Established parties neglect at all costs an issue just because it is brought up by a party that gains sympathy by channeling the issue. The other parties become the cause of the problem.
https://x.com/lesialvd/status/1890435551045849326?s=46
I am also including a translation of the above:
I observe the reactions to Vance’s speech and I see that a normal discussion is impossible in the current electrified society. The comeback of “Russian democracy” misses the point of what is being discussed. It’s a “whataboutism.” There is no doubt that Russia is not a democracy or any guiding star. The question is why you still don’t understand why fringe parties have become so strong. Like the Sweden Democrats who are now part of the government. Because for a long time, certain feelings were suppressed at all costs. Let me give you an example. A real one. My first Swedish ex-acquaintance told me that in school, their teacher brought in some strange paper that said: “Look at the expenses. It costs nothing to take in immigrants.” And the children responded by saying, “but that’s not where you should look, you should look at the costs of social benefits.” And the teacher got angry and told them to shut up. Is this how you build a society? By telling others to shut up and calling them “racists” and “xenophobic”? If that’s how it’s done, then you create space for less good people to create less good parties, because parties are nothing but a reflection of emotions, not the other way around. So if you first tell people to shut up and then ban parties or invalidate elections, it will of course get even worse. Do you understand what the problem is? I repeat over and over: just because you choose to ignore problems doesn’t make them disappear. In fact, they become a big problem.
Unfortunately, it’s not just that parties neglect issues that other parties advocate for and where those parties have high credibility with the voters. Parties also lack the will to quickly solve problems where they themselves have high credibility with the voters. If they solve a societal problem while in power before the next election, they have lost an issue that gains voters, and suddenly the election is about one of the opponent’s strong points.
@WR:
Another aspect of the subject:
My own, let’s say subjective, view of the so-called movement is that its task is to recruit votes, guess for whom. The limited experience I have from meetings at LO was that they were only interested in describing a lot of problems in the workplace. The proposed solutions were either waved away or silenced. It was all about feeling sorry for the employees! If you didn’t know how bad off you were as an employee, you would find out there. And that membership, as well as the right vote, was the way to the solution – which came later when the mills had ground.
It’s all about justifying its existence. And the party’s. Member benefits are secondary.
@WR:
Another aspect of the subject:
My own, let it be subjective, view of the so-called movement is that its task is to recruit votes, guess for whom. The limited experience I have from meetings at LO was that they were only interested in describing a lot of problems in the workplace. The proposed solutions were either waved off or silenced. Here, it was just about feeling sorry for the employees! If you didn’t know how bad off you were as an employee, you would find out there. And that membership, as well as the right vote, was the way to the solution – which came later when the mills had ground.
It’s all about justifying its existence. And the party’s. Member benefits are secondary.
Unfortunately, it is not just the case that parties neglect problems that other parties promote and where those parties have high credibility with the voters.
The parties also do not have a willingness to quickly solve problems where they themselves have high credibility with the voters. If one solves the societal problem while in power before the next election, one has lost an issue that gains voters, and suddenly the election is about one of the opponent’s strong points.
Well described, 205!
Well described, 205!
L Debenko captures the core of the problem. Established parties neglect at all costs an issue because it is brought up by a party that gains sympathy by channeling the issue. The other parties become the cause of the problem.
https://x.com/lesialvd/status/1890435551045849326?s=46
I am also adding a translation of the above:
I observe the reactions to Vance’s speech and I see that a normal discussion is impossible in the current electrified society. The comeback of “Russian democracy” misses the point of what is being discussed. It’s a “whataboutism.” There is no doubt that Russia is not a democracy or any guiding star. The question is why you still don’t understand why fringe parties have become so strong. Like the Sweden Democrats who are now part of the government. Because for a long time, certain feelings were suppressed at all costs. Let me give you an example. A real one. My first Swedish ex-acquaintance told me that in school, their teacher brought in a strange paper that said: “Look at the expenses. It costs nothing to take in immigrants.” And the children responded by saying, “but that’s not where you should look, you should look at the costs of social benefits.” And the teacher got angry and told them to shut up. Is this how you build a society? By telling others to shut up and calling them “racists” and “xenophobic”? If that’s how it’s done, then you create space for less good people to create less good parties, because parties are nothing but a reflection of emotions, not the other way around. So if you first tell people to shut up and then ban parties or invalidate elections, it will of course get even worse. Do you understand what the problem is? I repeat over and over: just because you choose to ignore problems doesn’t make them disappear. In fact, they become a big problem.
I believe that you can find a similar mechanism in several well-known contexts. Brexit was more of a protest vote against the sitting government than a desire to leave the EU. The choice of the president in the USA, I see (like you) as a mockery by the citizens against the establishment they did not identify with. The Sweden Democrats identified an issue that many Swedes saw as a problem. Since the other parties denied/deny the problem and labeled its describers as racists, people voted/vote them, the others, down as much as possible.
So, the common factor is that people are voting against something, not for something.
I fondly remember the Swedish political discussions half a century ago when the debaters had visions of the society they wanted to create, and mostly argued about the way to get there. Back then, voters were choosing between one or the other.
Just that thing with the fringe parties as the only counterbalance to a runaway EU is important – the mainstream only has a raison d’être if it leads in the right direction.
The same goes for our fringe party SD as the only clear critic of migration, in the middle of the political crowd swim the most timid fish and they hardly dare to initiate course changes.
That this provides valuable inertia in the democratic system is obvious, but it also results in an unreasonably long braking distance when danger is near. This is where free scouts among our bloggers serve an important function.
Just that thing with the fringe parties as the only counterbalance to a runaway EU is important – the mainstream only has a reason to exist if it leads in the right direction.
The same goes for our fringe party SD as the only clear critic of migration, in the middle of the political crowd swim the most timid fish and they hardly dare to initiate course changes.
That this provides valuable inertia in the democratic system is obvious, but it also creates an unreasonably long braking distance when danger is near. This is where free scouts among our bloggers serve an important function.
I usually write that RU reinforces existing problems and it’s the same with these parties, which are also called protest parties, they are like a parasite.
Trump is the president because previous administrations haven’t handled it so well.
It’s indisputable that in Sweden, due to poor politics, we now have more crime, more social exclusion, organized crime, a worse situation for the industry (electricity prices), and something that is not yet discussed – significantly increased corruption. The latter will be even more difficult to handle than all the other issues combined, as it is masked in civil society and not an easily identifiable group.
Not entirely easy for disgruntled citizens to vote today, though, as this is now happening on Tidölaget’s watch.
One wishes that these parties had so much humility that they could see their own part/role in/responsibility for the rise of populists/extremists.
If you kick the dog, it won’t bite any less.
Reclaiming ownership of the issue, however, will make the populists implode.
I usually write that RU reinforces existing problems, and it’s the same with these parties which are also called protest parties, they are like a parasite.
Trump is the president because previous administrations haven’t handled it so well.
It’s indisputable that in Sweden, due to poor politics, we now have more crime, more exclusion, organized crime, a worse situation for the industry (electricity prices), and something that is not yet discussed – significantly increased corruption. The latter will be even more difficult to handle than all the other issues combined, as it is masked in civil society and not easily identifiable as a group.
Not entirely easy for disgruntled citizens to vote today, however, as this is now happening on Tidölaget’s watch.
I want to see “normal” parties (old or new) address these issues, both the ones that are real problems and those that *potentially* have greater emotional than practical significance. Otherwise, one effectively hands over ownership of important issues to extremist parties, and they will not grow LESS in that situation. It’s not very respectful towards the voters either.
If you want to disarm the populists, steal their market. Explain at least WHY an easy solution DOESN’T work and what one is willing to do instead. In Germany, the choice is between a CDU/CSU showing signs of repentance under the gallows, an SDP triangulating on completely wrong issues (end wars? fck Scholz!), and BSW/dieLinke/AfD, which I choose to see as Putin’s Trojan horses. Then I understand that their messages about immigration and energy resonate perfectly with the voters; it’s what slips through the gates of Troy that truly worries me. FDP and die Grüne… I just can’t…
I want to see “normal” parties (old or new) address these issues, both the ones that are real problems and those that *potentially* have greater emotional than practical significance.
Otherwise, one effectively hands over ownership of important issues to extremist parties, and they will not grow LESS in that situation.
It’s not very respectful towards the voters either.
If you want to disarm the populists, steal their market.
Explain at least WHY an easy solution DOESN’T work and what one is willing to do instead.
In Germany, the choice is between a CDU/CSU showing signs of repentance under the gallows, an SDP triangulating on completely wrong issues (end wars? fck Scholz!), and BSW/dieLinke/AfD, which I choose to consider as Putin’s Trojan horses. Then I understand that their messages about immigration and energy resonate well with the voters; it’s what sneaks in through the gates of Troy that really worries me.
FDP and die Grüne… I just can’t…
I remember when a similar wave swept through the EU a number of years ago. For example, Golden Dawn in Greece had successes.
Nils Lundgren from the June List wrote a very good text in one of the newspapers. Not verbatim, but:
Voters have not overnight become neo-Nazis. However, these fringe parties are the only ones critical of the EU. If you are tired of the EU bureaucracy and them meddling in everything, these are the only parties to vote for.
I believe it’s the same thing now, in Germany, the USA, and other countries. People are tired of the idiots who have been in power because they are the cause of this mess, are they now going to solve the problems they created themselves?
Moreover, people want to give established parties a slap in the face and show them that they cannot take power for granted. Why can’t the major parties see this? Why don’t they listen to the voters?
Hubris? Lust for power?
It will be messy for a while, but then it will get better, I am convinced of that.
We have to go through this to understand how good we have it and learn from what has been good and reject what has been bad.
Operational information as of 08:00 on February 23, 2025 about the Russian invasion
112 combat actions recorded in the last 24 hours.
#Kharkiv 5
#Kupyansk 3
#Lyman 13
#Siverskyi 3
#Kramatorsk 6
#Toretsk 13
#Pokrovsk 34
#Novopavlivka 8
#Orikhivsk 4
#Prydniprovskij 1
#Kursk 13
The enemy attacked in the #Lyman sector 13 times. The Russians tried to break into AFU
’s defense near the settlements of Ivanivka, Kolodyazi, Yampolivka, and in the Serebryansky forest.
Map: https://x.com/coxoxoffoxoffic/status/1893607253573251116?s=46
In the #Pokrovsk sector, AFU
stopped 34 assaults and offensive actions by AFRF
near the settlements of Vodiane Druhe, Novotoretske, Yelizavetivka, Promin, Dachanske, Kotlyne, Udachne, Novooleksandrivka, Andriivka, and Ulakly.
The defense forces are holding back the enemy’s attacks, and the enemy is suffering significant losses – 265 occupiers have been neutralized in this area today, 112 of them irreversibly. Ten vehicles, two UAV antennas, a satellite communication unit, an electronic warfare unit, two motorcycles, an armored personnel carrier, two grenade launchers were also destroyed, and three artillery systems and an infantry fighting vehicle were seriously damaged.
Map: https://x.com/coxoxoffoxoffic/status/1893607272778960955?s=46
The operation in the Kursk sector continues. In the last 24 hours, Ukrainian defenders have repelled 13 hostile attacks in the area. The enemy carried out 20 air strikes, released 28 drones (FAB), and fired 383 times, including 14 times from rockets with multiple launchers.
Map: https://x.com/coxoxoffoxoffic/status/1893607281205366788?s=46
#The Pokrovsk losses above are from yesterday’s evening report, 10:00 PM, and do not include losses after 10:00 PM yesterday and until the morning report is compiled. (However one counts during the night).
The enemy attacked in the #Lyman sector 13 times. The Russians attempted to break into the AFU
defense near the settlements of Ivanivka, Kolodyazi, Yampolivka, and in the Serebryansky forest.
Map: https://x.com/coxoxoffoxoffic/status/1893607253573251116?s=46
In the #Pokrovsk sector, the AFU
stopped 34 assaults and offensive actions by AFRF
near the settlements of Vodiane Druhe, Novotoretske, Yelizavetivka, Promin, Dachanske, Kotlyne, Udachne, Novooleksandrivka, Andriivka, and Ulakly.
The defense forces are holding back the enemy’s attacks, and the enemy is suffering significant losses – 265 occupiers have been neutralized in this area today, 112 of them irreversibly. Ten vehicles, two UAV antennas, a satellite communication unit, an electronic warfare unit, two motorcycles, an armored personnel carrier, two grenade launchers were also destroyed, and three artillery systems and an infantry fighting vehicle were seriously damaged.
Map: https://x.com/coxoxoffoxoffic/status/1893607272778960955?s=46
The operation in the Kursk sector continues. In the last 24 hours, Ukrainian defenders repelled 13 hostile attacks in the area. The enemy conducted 20 air strikes, released 28 drones (FAB), and fired 383 times, including 14 times from multiple launch rocket systems.
Map: https://x.com/coxoxoffoxoffic/status/1893607281205366788?s=46
The number of attacks is decreasing sharply.
The number of attacks is decreasing significantly
Operational information as of 08:00 on 23.02.2025 about the Russian invasion
112 combat actions recorded in the last 24 hours.
#Kharkiv 5
#Kupyansk 3
#Lyman 13
#Siverskyi 3
#Kramatorsk 6
#Toretsk 13
#Pokrovsk 34
#Novopavlivka 8
#Orikhivsk 4
#Prydniprovskij 1
#Kursk 13
Never has an election in Germany been so important, not only for the Germans but also for Ukraine and the rest of the West.
Yes, Germany must get out of the ditch and become rational again, i.e. isolate all old Soviets and their useful idiots.
Hmmm. AfD will not get over 50%, so there will be some coalition government as usual. Apparently, women and men in Germany vote very differently. Women left and men right. Do not expect any changes in German politics. Even if words like “fateful election” and the like are used by Swedish media. Whatever they mean by that.
Hmmm. AfD will not get over 50%, so there will be some coalition government as usual. Apparently, women and men in Germany vote very differently. Women left and men right. Don’t expect any changes in German politics. Even if words like “fateful election” and the like are used by Swedish media. Whatever they mean by that.
OT:
Such an incredibly sympathetic, albeit temporary, editing function! Warm thanks to the webmaster!
Did you see MXT, you are being praised
Agree with the chorus of praise!
Did you see MXT, you are being praised
Thank you! * blushes *
The time limit can be extended if more people would like that. At the same time, you don’t want to have too much time so that old posts that no one is keeping track of suddenly get completely changed content. I don’t think there is any risk so far, but if it grows, the occasional malicious troll could sneak in.
Five minutes is more than enough time to read through and correct.
If you have too much time to make changes, the possible responses to an edited post may become incomprehensible.
Agree with WR! Good as it is.
Thank you! *blushes*
The time limit can be extended if more people would like that. At the same time, you don’t want to have too much time so that old posts that no one is keeping track of suddenly get completely changed content. I don’t think there is any risk so far, but if it grows, the occasional malicious troll might sneak in.
The response from European leaders (Weimar+
) including Nordic / Baltic countries (NB8 
) with the collective GDP of NB8 surpassing that of Russia.
Arm. Europe’s armed forces including Ukraine (Zelensky’s speech). Men and women from European countries. Peace through strength.
EU
Ukraine
.
Things to do.
Peace through strength – nicely written 205
Peace through strength – nicely written 205
The response from European leaders (Weimar+
) including Nordic / Baltic countries (NB8 
) with the collective GDP of NB8 exceeding that of Russia.
Arm. Europe’s armed forces including Ukraine (Zelensky’s speech). Men and women from European countries. Peace through strength.
EU
Ukraine
.
Things to do.
Absolutely violent losses from MXT – every day is like a tianmen square
Have you seen how the rear is exposed again?
For a long time, LV and special have had a few per day
Brilliant MXT – fun that Budanov at least listens to you nowadays and fights what you demand.
Absolutely violent losses from MXT – every day is like a tiananmen square
Have you seen how the rear is exposed again?
For a long time, LV and special have had a few per day
Brilliant MXT – fun that Budanov at least listens to you nowadays and fights what you demand.
How do the numbers affect Putin’s plans to declare RU the winner?
It is not mentioned at all, just like the donkeys and that Ukraine has a lot of territory in Kursk – everything is rigged by Trump and Putin already and has nothing to do with honest peace mediation.
It is not mentioned at all, just like the donkeys, and that Ukraine has a lot of territory in Kursk – everything is rigged by Trump and Putin already and has nothing to do with honest peace mediation.
How do the numbers affect Putin’s plans to declare RU as the winner?
Circus Mango Mussolini continues
So, Poland has now been snubbed by Trump, POOOOOLAND
If there’s any country in the West that idolizes the USA, it’s definitely Poland, and right after Ukraine, it’s Europe’s strongest defense force.
My sensational analysis of Trump is ready, by coming on so strong, he could accelerate it and hopefully it will come tomorrow
Ukraine has embarrassed the USA over the weekend, saying they only received 30 billion USD in direct aid and then some surplus weapons. Then UA declined the deal.
The only thing that could discredit my analysis is if the White House aftermath shows that Trump realized how wrong it went and completely changes course, but the likelihood that Mango Mussolini will come out strong this week is high because Zelensky made him look even dumber than last week.
What the id1ot is up to here is unclear – the USA has sent maybe over 30 billion in direct aid, the rest has stayed in the USA, we know that for example, some Bradleys needed months in the workshop before they could be driven to the fronts, and US weapons sales are maybe 400 billion USD in recent years, rising like a spear.
Either Mango believes that UA should give up 500 billion USD of its country and he wants to shine, or it’s designed by the Russian security service to cause a crash.
US defense sector stocks have fallen, the stock market has fallen, and his popularity numbers have fallen – I’ve already predicted that it will be the UA war that brings him down and I stand by it. Mistakes are being made all the time now, and this time it’s national security.
A little side note – if you think this is unique and new, I can recommend some literature on the Cold War about politicians in the West and others in decision-making positions who were Russian agents. The head of counterintelligence in the UK was a Russian agent, for example
A RUMOR at best, but in the latest mineral deal, the USA has now removed the word “security” so they no longer offer any security guarantees
Like a bad comedy if all the rumors are true about how the USA has behaved…
If you’re still reading Erik14, who is soon to be kidnapped and brought here for his excellent reporting, Ukraine has started to move again.
It will be quite excellent to soon hear Trump whine about Ukraine launching offensives, it’s coming soon.
That Trump is not already murdered at least proves that there is no Deep State of rank in the USA. Or is Vance his life insurance?
Circus Mango Mussolini continues
So, Poland has now been rejected by Trump, POOOOLAND
If there’s any country in the West that idolizes the USA, it’s probably Poland, and after Ukraine, it is Europe’s strongest defense force.
My sensational analysis of Trump is ready, by coming out so strongly, it could be accelerated and hopefully will be tomorrow
Ukraine has embarrassed the USA over the weekend, saying that they only received 30 billion USD in direct aid and then older surplus weapons.
Then UA declined the deal.
The only thing that could discredit my analysis is if the post-talk in the White House was that Trump understood how wrong it had gone and completely changed course, but the likelihood that Mango Mussolini will come out strong this week is high because Zelensky made him look even dumber than last week.
What the id1ot is doing here is unclear – the USA has maybe sent over 30 billion in direct aid, the rest has stayed in the USA, we know that, for example, some Bradleys needed months in the workshop before they could be driven to the front lines, and US arms sales are maybe 400 billion USD in recent years, rising like a spear.
Either Mango believes that UA should give up 500 billion USD of its country and he wants to shine, or it is designed by the Russian security service to cause a crash.
US defense industry stocks have fallen, the stock market has fallen, and his popularity ratings have fallen – I have already predicted that it will be the UA war that brings him down and I stand by it. Mistakes are being made all the time now, and this time it’s national security.
A little side note – if you think this is unique and new, I can recommend some literature about the Cold War, about politicians in the West and others in decision-making positions who were Russian agents. The head of counterintelligence in the UK was a Russian agent, for example
A RUMOR at best, but in the latest mineral deal, the USA has now removed the word “security,” so they no longer offer any security guarantees
Like a bad comedy if all the rumors are true about how the USA has behaved…
If you are still reading Erik14, who will soon be kidnapped and brought here for his excellent reporting, Ukraine has started to move again.
It will be quite excellent to soon hear Trump whining about Ukraine launching offensives, it will happen soon.
Fun feels almost like when you used to post your yellow walls years ago
Jodå. The yellow walls were highly appreciated. If you manage to put together similar essays here, with more focus on events than steel plates, and there is a share button. I believe it would result in almost world-leading returns.
Adding share buttons to the ToDo list!
Yes. The internet superman.
Yes. The internet superman.
Adding share buttons to the ToDo list!
Sure. The yellow walls were highly appreciated. If you manage to put together similar essays here, with more focus on events than steel plates, and there is a share button. I believe it would result in almost world-leading distribution.
Have we heard anything from the election in Germany yet?
It looked promising in the pre-talk.
Earliest by eight tonight. There should be a clear picture by ten.
Earliest by eight tonight. Should have a clear picture by ten.
The election exit poll will be published immediately after the polling stations close at 6:00 PM.
Exit poll. CDU 29% and AfD 19.5%. SPD down to 16%. The Left strong though with Greens 13.5% and Left Party 8.5%. One could probably say that the fringe parties have done well. The center with CDU and SPD so-so.
Election exit polls are published immediately after the polling stations close at 6:00 PM.
As it looks now, neither FDP nor BSW, nor any others, will enter the Bundestag, which means that CDU will have a majority with SPD or Afd, no support wheel in the form of any other party is needed.
Do we have any news from the election in Germany yet?
It looked promising in the pre-talk.
Zelensky will give a speech today as well – let us see
Will probably proclaim victory over RU.
Yes, that would sit nicely
Will probably proclaim victory over RU.
Zelensky will give a speech today as well – let us see
Hrmm… I think the comment field is starting to get Trump Tourettes, as “maggan” expressed the other day (about the comment field, which I haven’t had the energy for in a long time). – Johan No.1 has been holding back for a while, but is starting to let go.
The other day, Johan No.1 asked for Peter the Great’s (who commented directly) and my perspective (which stood out a bit), but I thought I had been clear and didn’t really know what to add at that moment. – I also couldn’t find a function to see what I had written before and don’t have time to read everything, after being away for a few days at a course with the theme “hunting protection”… But maybe someone feels compelled to point out if I contradict myself now.
I don’t know which day I should write, so I’ll do it here, today. – I realize it’s repetitive, but I also feel that I’ve been misunderstood and therefore it’s necessary.
Basic rule number one. Ukraine – Russia is not an existential issue for the US, but it is for us in Europe. – My follow-up question, does it show in politics, state budgets, etc.? (Another follow-up question to discuss at the next seminar exercise: If not, then who should take the hit for it?)
Basic rule number two, writing in capitals because I actually want to shout it out: IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO READ/HEAR ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE SOURCE WHEN IT COMES TO TRUMP, VANCE, and others. – Compare the discussion about JD Vance’s Munich speech, which didn’t contain anything at all of what “everyone” claimed (the media). Nothing. It took serious confirmation bias to misunderstand what he wanted to say. Many wanted to misunderstand, but that’s another matter.
Basic rule number three: You can’t interpret Trump literally. – It hasn’t worked before, so why would it work now? Annoying, for sure, but which international statesman can be interpreted literally? – The height of stupidity is to do the same thing again and expect a different result. Stop interpreting Trump literally. It only leads astray, and we know that. (Now back to capitals because I want to shout it out.) WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT THE WHOLE POINT IS THAT THE WORLD SHOULD NOT KNOW WHERE TRUMP’S US BOUNDARIES LIE. – Hasn’t anyone negotiated with tricky people from other cultures before? (Yes, Johan No.1, that’s a little dig at you.)
Since Vance hit the sore points head-on in his Munich speech, one after the other, it wasn’t fun. – In short, 1) Europe’s inability to take responsibility for its own security, economically and practically, 2) Europe’s inability to uphold liberal democracy and freedom of speech when it becomes uncomfortable, 3) Europe’s inability to understand that unrestrained immigration from countries with completely different values will change the whole society. (My perception is that the questions are closely related and can be summarized with the word security policy. It’s wishful thinking to come to a different conclusion, which is why I think the speech was excellently delivered.) – The speech is 20 minutes long and is available on Youtube. Listen to it, he doesn’t say anything strange at all.
Clearly, both Trump and Vance get angry when Europe’s leaders, and the media, attack them. My perception is that they see it as shooting the messenger, the one who has the guts to stop daydreaming and point out the obvious. The emperor is naked…
Swedish media is completely off track and has been for a long time. The snippets on X, Bluesky, and others encourage distortion, or rather a skewed angle, etc. – It’s impossible to interpret, etc. when dealing with Trump, because he charges into things with the finesse of a wild rhinoceros and then bellows out whatever he thinks will have the desired effect. If it doesn’t work, he yells louder or says even more outrageous things. – Nice guy? No, but it doesn’t matter, and all the talk about his views on women, personal conduct, etc., is pure whataboutism. (Google…)
A commentator on this site wrote the other day: The ammunition for the Patriot systems is running out, and Ukraine is asking to manufacture them under license. Who thinks Trump will give away that bargaining chip? – No attack on the person, just pointing out the general misconception in the Trump issue. I think our, otherwise, world-leading No.1 makes the same mistake. – Why should they get it for free?
Another comment, N Eklund yesterday, mentioned the following podcast on Youtube: Victor Davis Hanson Show https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d5T70IJ2x7o
Anyone who finds Trump incomprehensible MUST watch the episode. – It’s also worth reading carefully what commentator Peter the Great writes. The person is obviously more knowledgeable than most of us, possibly a professional in the field, and I see things there, both in what is written and how it is written.
Also, check out Max Villman’s Youtube podcast from nine days ago on the theme “USA abandoning Ukraine to Russia”.
OK. To the point. My perception is that Trump
– cares about the US (US first),
– doesn’t want others’ problems in his lap,
– doesn’t want the US to pay for others’ problems,
– has neither for nor against UA,
– UA is not his problem and not the US’s problem,
– UA is Europe’s problem,
– if UA is to be supported by the US, someone will have to pay for it,
– has been handed the mess and it needs to be cleaned up,
– doesn’t care what others think,
– has no patience for nonsense,
– has no inhibitions about saying whatever he wants, so he does,
– rough language doesn’t work, speak even rougher to get results, and
– absolutely nothing works, cut off both the allowance (money) and Saturday candy (weapons support/military aid) for the brats (European countries and the kindergarten teachers leading them as well as UA).
I believe Trump’s goal in the Ukraine issue is just one. From the US perspective, get rid of the problem. – Period. – It’s Europe’s problem. – Period.
If the fools leading European countries continue to stand and cry like five-year-olds and beg daddy for candy (weapons, protection, leadership, all on the US’s dime), they will get a spanking until they stop. – Period.
Therefore, my assessment is that there is no limit to what Trump can say and do for Europe to take over the UA problem. Trump really has no problem with UA, fundamentally, and believes the country should be free and independent. It’s just not the US’s problem because it’s not (according to the US/Trump) a question of the world order. He has also inherited the problem, which is fundamentally Europe’s fault.
Trump’s US is happy to sell weapons (unlike Biden) or be a partner in other ways. But not for free. Not because a little comedian (Z) comes to the US and demands things (which greatly annoys Trump) without reciprocity. Apparently, Z didn’t even want to negotiate about natural resources (or whatever it was), which from Trump’s perspective seems arrogant or completely incomprehensible.
Now I’m not sure what else to add. I hope my view is understandable.
I think you have a understandable view, it’s probably quite a few who see it the way you do, but I don’t think it aligns with reality. Questions:
1. If Trump doesn’t care about Ukraine, then consequently he doesn’t care about Russia either since the fates of those countries are intertwined. Why then does he get so involved? He could have just said that from now on Europe pays for all weapons, please go ahead and buy. Use frozen assets if you want. In addition to this, he could have devoted all his energy to American domestic politics.
2. If he cares about the USA, why does he antagonize US allies, such as the EU and Canada? It’s unlikely to lead to increased investments in the USA, or increased trade.
3. If he doesn’t care about Ukraine, neither for nor against, why not let Zelensky participate in peace negotiations?
Regarding Vance’s speech:
1. Why didn’t he mention Russia at all, the ones with a hundred times worse freedom of speech? Whose only growing demographic is Muslim? The ones who have used migration as a weapon against Europe?
2. Why is the Trump administration itself so particular about calling the Mexican Gulf the Gulf of America that they revoke press credentials for media that don’t use the new name? (And similar examples regarding the left’s vocabulary sustainability, etc.)
3. Why did he upset his allied countries in a meeting that the Russians were listening to with bated breath? Shouldn’t criticism be taken in private and act united outwardly, like the management team in any company?
I understand that a discussion like this can never reach a conclusion, because the polarization is so great. But is there a limit Trump can cross, where you can make a statement that if he crosses it you were wrong about Trump? For example, if he serves a third term? Or actually forces Canada into the USA against their will? Or wrests Greenland from Denmark’s hands?
Personally, I can make the statement that I will retract my skepticism towards Trump if in the end he fully supports Ukraine (EU/frozen Russian money pays) and allows them to join NATO without hassle after the Russian debacle.
@DJ I obviously have no authoritative answers, I’m just trying to convey that I believe that Trump/the US is greatly misunderstood, even intentionally (there are quite a few straw men).
1. As N Eklund writes below, just “ghosting” Europe and Ukraine doesn’t make the problem disappear. There’s also domestic politics, which would become hopeless in that case, I think. Trump doesn’t want to deal with the Ukraine war, not at home either. – Part two of your question, that’s what I actually perceive Trump is doing right now and that’s what the countries in Europe don’t want to acknowledge. It’s tough to reallocate “candy” to the citizens and spend the money on military and cannons. Grow up and take responsibility, kind of. In the media, however, it’s described very strangely, because it wasn’t “rightly intended” (unwanted) and implies that responsibility must be taken by all of us.
2. Watch the Victor Davis Hanson Show. There are campaign promises and urgent problems that need to be addressed. I can’t explain anything in detail, I know very little about US domestic politics. But here are some example questions to contemplate: Why are there high tariffs on American cars in Europe, but not on European cars in the US? Why have there been a lot of drugs smuggled from Canada to the US? Could Canada’s liberal view on drugs and lack of border control have something to do with it?
3. Why would he want that? Just problematic, from his perspective. Trump wants to achieve results, not make Ukraine happy… Note! Trump needs motives to dump the Ukraine issue, even domestically.
@DJ Next round of questions:
1. Honestly don’t understand the question. It wasn’t Russia that held a security policy conference.
2. No idea, haven’t looked into that matter.
3. Which management group? Don’t connect the analogy. But to achieve goals, provocations are obviously Trump’s method. Trump practices woodworking with an axe and chainsaw, to use another analogy. The boat shall be rocked (EU/NATO/Europe), so something happens, anything so that the US gets out of the Ukraine war problems and stops holding the bag for Europe’s defense (beyond the quota part in NATO).
Closing statement. I don’t understand in what way I could be “wrong” about Trump. I try, with plausible explanations, to make the behavior understandable and point out the motives I perceive Trump to have. It has nothing to do with any of my positive or negative opinions about him or what I think the US should do. – I didn’t like Biden (the administration). I don’t like Trump (the administration), but I consider it better than Biden, both for Sweden, Europe, and Ukraine, especially in the long run. Rip off the band-aid now and stop wishful thinking. (By all means, read Johan Wennström’s latest column in Fokus.)
It’s obvious that Trump takes “US first” very seriously. That he wants to get rid of the Ukraine war problem. That he doesn’t care much about anything else. That he negotiates by storming into a situation (use a different analogy than rhinoceros if it doesn’t fit) and bellowing provocative statements (with limited truthfulness) to provoke. That he is too impatient to have any group work/management meetings if others don’t understand who’s in charge. That he/the US doesn’t like the current security situation in the northern Arctic.
The US democratic system Trump won’t be able to change, so there won’t be any more presidential terms. It’s much more complex than the Swedish one.
I think you’re making the same mistake as everyone else. – What does it matter what the US supports in Europe? What is it that makes European countries have to involve the US in “internal” matters? So that we don’t have to pay for our security ourselves? (More fun with child benefits than robot defense, freely after Göran Eriksson’s unusually clever column in SvD yesterday.)
Watch the Victor Davis Hanson Show!
The mistake you could make about Trump is that he is not just “America first” at all, which, if you understand him and prioritize cutting child benefits domestically, isn’t that dangerous.
I do think we should pay for our own security, and that’s an expense that should come first, then you can see what’s left for other things. But I also think Trump/Vance is a clown show and I don’t see how it can lead to good cooperation between two allied continents.
I don’t agree with the notion that Europe is freeloading off the USA. They have chosen to be the world’s police themselves because it has been advantageous for them. For example, they have been able to print as many dollars as they want as a result of their dominance. To a greater extent than we understand, I believe American superiority consists of borrowed feathers, and as I mentioned in a previous post, propaganda plays a significant role in this area.
Furthermore, Europe already contributes more economically to Ukraine than the USA, and with increased domestic arms production, that’s exactly the capital they need. In terms of effectiveness, it’s mainly Himars, Stinger, Patriot that have been an American success. Otherwise, European NLAW, Storm Shadow / Scalp, Caesar, Leopard, etc.
It’s fun to discuss, but as I said, it’s difficult due to polarization and different sources. I understand that 0.2% of fentanyl in the USA comes from Canada – your information flow says that is “a lot” (implicitly suggesting that Trump is right to threaten a trade war). Moreover, more fentanyl and methamphetamine flow in the opposite direction from the USA to Canada*. Trade goes both ways. So, can’t Trump be waging a war against himself?
*https://globalinitiative.net/analysis/negative-side-effects-how-fentanyl-has-poisoned-relations-between-the-us-and-canada/
It is not possible to logically reason oneself out of this with Swedish glasses. It’s not about agreeing or what you or I think. Put on American glasses, Trump glasses, and look at the world.
Please read Malin Ekman:
https://stockholmreport.substack.com/p/weve-got-our-own-problems
By all means, also read Peter Den Större below.
It is not possible to logically reason oneself out of this with Swedish glasses. It’s not about agreeing or what you or I think. Put on American glasses, Trump glasses, and look at the world.
Please read Malin Ekman:
https://stockholmreport.substack.com/p/weve-got-our-own-problems
And by all means, also read Peter Den Större below.
I read Malin Ekman. She may be right, but if that’s the case, then Trump is playing a very high-stakes game. Because if the peace negotiations are only between the USA and Russia, and Russia, like every time before, doesn’t abide by the agreement, then the USA will be dragged in just the same.
Wouldn’t it have been smarter for the USA to then force the EU to negotiate with Russia? (Or 100% tariffs, for example.)
And is the USA prepared to withdraw after a on-paper peace with the biggest liar of the century, they might as well just withdraw anyway without an agreement?
I read Malin Ekman. She may be right, but if that’s the case, Trump is playing a very high-stakes game. Because if the peace negotiations are only between the USA and Russia, and if Russia, like every time before, does not keep the agreement, the USA will be dragged in just the same.
Wouldn’t it have been smarter for the USA to then force the EU to negotiate with Russia? (Or 100% tariffs, for example.)
And is the USA prepared to withdraw after a on-paper peace with the biggest liar of the century, they might as well just withdraw anyway without an agreement?
The mistake you could make about Trump is that he is not just “America first” at all, which, if you understand him and prioritize cutting child benefits domestically, isn’t so dangerous.
I do think we should pay for our own security, and that’s an expense that should come first, then we can see what’s left for other things. But I also think Trump/Vance is a clown show and I don’t see how it can lead to good cooperation between two allied continents.
I don’t agree with the idea that Europe is freeloading off the USA. They have chosen to be the world’s police themselves because it has been advantageous for them. For example, they have been able to print as many dollars as they want as a result of their dominance. To a greater extent than we realize, I believe American superiority consists of borrowed feathers, and as I mentioned in a previous post, propaganda plays a significant role in this regard.
Furthermore, Europe already contributes more than the USA economically to Ukraine, and with increased domestic arms production, that’s precisely the capital they need. In terms of effectiveness, it’s mainly Himars, Stinger, Patriot that have been an American hit. Otherwise, European NLAW, Storm Shadow / Scalp, Caesar, Leopard, etc.
It’s fun to discuss, but as I said, it’s difficult due to polarization and different sources. I understand that 0.2% of fentanyl in the USA comes from Canada – your information flow says that is “a lot” (implicitly suggesting that Trump is right to threaten a trade war). Additionally, more fentanyl and methamphetamine flow in the other direction from the USA to Canada*. There is trade in both directions. So, can’t Trump be waging war against himself?
*https://globalinitiative.net/analysis/negative-side-effects-how-fentanyl-has-poisoned-relations-between-the-us-and-canada/
@DJ I obviously have no authoritative answers, I’m just trying to convey that I believe that Trump/the US is greatly misunderstood, even intentionally (there are quite a few straw men).
1. As N Eklund writes below, just “ghosting” Europe and Ukraine doesn’t make the problem disappear. There is also domestic politics, which would become hopeless in that case, I believe. Trump doesn’t want to deal with the Ukraine war, not at home either. – Part two of your question, that’s actually what I perceive Trump is doing right now and that’s what the countries in Europe don’t want to acknowledge. It’s tough to reallocate “candy” to the citizens and spend the money on military and cannons. Grow up and take responsibility, kind of. In the media, however, it’s described very strangely, because it wasn’t “right thinking” (unwanted) and implies that responsibility must be taken by all of us.
2. Watch the Victor Davis Hanson Show. There are campaign promises and urgent problems that need to be addressed. I can’t explain anything in detail, I know very little about US domestic politics. But some example questions to contemplate: Why are there high tariffs on American cars in Europe, but not on European cars in the US? Why have there been a lot of drugs smuggled from Canada to the US? Could Canada’s liberal view on drugs and lack of border control have something to do with it?
3. Why would he want that? Just problematic, from his perspective. Trump wants to achieve results, not make UA happy… Note! Trump needs motives to ditch the Ukraine issue, even domestically.
@DJ Next round of questions:
1. Honestly don’t understand the question. It wasn’t Russia that held a security policy conference.
2. No idea, haven’t looked into that matter.
3. Which management team? Don’t make the connection. But to achieve goals, provocations are clearly Trump’s method. Trump practices woodworking with an axe and chainsaw, to use another analogy. The boat shall be rocked (EU/NATO/Europe), so that something happens, anything so that the US gets out of the problems of the Ukraine war and holding the bag for Europe’s defense (beyond the NATO quota part).
Closing statement. I don’t understand in what way I could be “wrong” about Trump. I try, with plausible explanations, to make the behavior understandable and point out the motivations I perceive Trump has. It has nothing to do with any positive or negative opinion about him or what I think the US should do. – I didn’t like Biden (the administration). I don’t like Trump (the administration), but I consider it better than Biden, both for Sweden, Europe, and Ukraine, especially in the long run. Rip off the band-aid now and stop wishful thinking. (Definitely read Johan Wennström’s latest column in Fokus.)
It’s obvious that Trump takes “US first” very seriously. That he wants to get rid of the problem of the Ukraine war. That he doesn’t care much about anything else. That he negotiates by storming into a situation (use a different analogy than a rhinoceros if it doesn’t fit) and bellowing provocative statements (with limited truthfulness) to provoke. That he is too impatient to have any group work/management meetings if others don’t understand who’s in charge. That he/the US doesn’t like the current security situation in the northern Arctic.
The US democratic system Trump won’t be able to change, so there won’t be any more presidential terms. It’s much more complex than the Swedish one.
I think you make the same mistake as everyone else. – What significance does it have what the US supports in Europe? What is it that makes the countries in Europe have to involve the US in “internal” matters? So that we don’t have to pay for our security ourselves? (More fun with child benefits than robot defense, freely after Göran Eriksson’s unusually gifted column in SvD yesterday.)
Watch the Victor Davis Hanson Show!
I think you have a understandable view, probably quite a few see it the way you do, but I don’t think it aligns with reality. Questions:
1. If Trump doesn’t care about Ukraine, then consequently he doesn’t care about Russia either since the fates of those countries are intertwined. Why does he then get so involved? He could have just said that from now on Europe pays for all weapons, here you go, go ahead and buy. Use frozen assets if you want. In addition to this, he could have devoted all his energy to American domestic politics.
2. If he cares about the USA, why does he antagonize US allies, such as the EU and Canada? It’s not likely to lead to increased investments in the USA, or increased trade.
3. If he doesn’t care about Ukraine, neither for nor against, why not let Zelensky participate in peace negotiations?
Regarding Vance’s speech:
1. Why didn’t he mention Russia with a single word, the ones with a hundred times worse freedom of speech? Whose only growing demographic is Muslim? The ones who have used migration as a weapon against Europe?
2. Why is the Trump administration itself so particular about calling the Mexican Gulf the Gulf of America that they revoke press credentials for media that don’t use the new name? (And similar examples regarding the left’s vocabulary sustainability, etc.)
3. Why did he anger his allied countries in a meeting that the Russians are listening to with bated breath? Don’t you take criticism in private and act united outwardly, like the management team of any company?
I understand that a discussion like this can never reach a conclusion, because the polarization is so great. But is there a limit Trump can cross, at which point you can make a statement that if he crosses it, you were wrong about Trump? For example, if he serves a third term? Or actually forces Canada into the USA against their will? Or wrests Greenland from Denmark’s hands?
Personally, I can make the statement that I will retract my skepticism towards Trump if in the end he fully supports Ukraine (EU/frozen Russian money pays) and allows them to join NATO without hassle after the Russian debacle.
And your post can be further developed, and in the video for VDH, he does just that.
One thing that VDH says is that Trump is a bit squeezed. On one hand, he doesn’t want to send things that the USA finances (election promise), and on the other hand, he doesn’t want it to become something like Afghanistan, where they just withdrew.
So once again, it’s up to Europe what will become of this.
And your post can be further developed, and in the video for VDH, he does just that.
One thing that VDH says is that Trump is a bit squeezed. On one hand, he doesn’t want to send things that the USA finances (election promise), and on the other hand, he doesn’t want it to become something like Afghanistan, where they just left.
So once again, it’s up to Europe what will become of this.
Good that you didn’t disappear, analyst, now that I got a bit sour on Trump
Yes – one must post the source because there is an enormous amount of disinformation from EVERYONE.
I am only interested when it comes to UA with Trump and often say that our governments have misbehaved, which they have and still do.
You are absolutely right – this is not just now and not just Trump even though he has increased the pace a bit.
I have criticized Biden a bit to MXT’s constant joy.
The problem is that we believe in the USA’s own propaganda that they are a world conscience when they are like this – predatory capitalists and colonizers.
Yes – Europe must take its damn responsibility.
The result of Trump is probably quite good even if he may not have intended it.
UA breaks with the USA and no more red cards
Europe finally rises and takes responsibility
Trump says this week or in two when UA’s offensive takes off that this is perfect, then I will be the first to admit that he has at least tricked me up in the stands
We have two mentally unstable neighbors, one in the west and one in the east. The one in the west screams and is disturbing, the one in the east tries to burn down our house. Let’s, for the moment, ignore the one who is screaming and instead take care of the arsonist. That’s where our energy is needed.
Clear-sighted and relevant point of view. Listen to Bal.
Clear-sighted and relevant viewpoint. Listen to Bal.
We have two mentally unstable neighbors, one in the west and one in the east. The one in the west screams and is disturbing, the one in the east is trying to burn down our house. Let’s, for the moment, ignore the one who is screaming and instead take care of the arsonist. That’s where our energy is needed.
Good that you didn’t disappear, analyst, now that I got a bit sour on Trump
Yes – one must post the source because there is an enormous amount of disinformation from EVERYONE.
I am only interested when it comes to UA with Trump and often say that our governments have misbehaved, which they have and do.
You are absolutely right – this is not just now and not just Trump even though he has increased the pace a bit.
I have criticized Biden a bit to MXT’s constant joy.
The problem is that we believe in the US’s own propaganda that they are a world conscience when they are like this – predatory capitalists and colonizers.
Yes – Europe must take its damn responsibility.
The result of Trump is probably quite good even if he may not have intended it.
UA breaks with the US and no more red cards
Europe finally rises and takes responsibility
If Trump says this week or in two when UA’s offensive takes off that this is perfect, then I will be the first to admit that he has at least fooled me up in the stands
Hrmm… I think the comment field is starting to get Trump Tourettes, as “maggan” expressed the matter the other day (about the comment field, which I haven’t had the energy to deal with for a long time). – Johan No.1 has been holding back for a while, but is starting to let go.
The other day, Johan No.1 asked for Peter The Great’s (who commented directly) and my perspective (which stood out a bit), but I thought I had been clear and didn’t really know what to add at that moment. – I also couldn’t find a function to see what I had written before and don’t have time to read everything, after being away for a few days at a course with the theme “hunting protection”… But maybe someone feels compelled to point out if I contradict myself now.
I don’t know which day I should write, so I’ll do it here, today. – I realize it’s a repetition, but I also feel that I’ve been misunderstood and therefore it’s necessary.
Basic rule number one. Ukraine – Russia is not an existential issue for the US, but it is for us in Europe. – My follow-up question, does it show in politics, state budgets, etc.? (Another follow-up question to discuss at the next seminar exercise: If not, then who should take the hit for it?)
Basic rule number two, writing in capital letters because I actually want to shout it out: IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO READ/HEAR ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE SOURCE WHEN IT COMES TO TRUMP, VANCE, and others. – Compare the discussion about JD Vance’s Munich speech, which didn’t contain anything at all of what “everyone” claimed (the media). Nothing. It took a serious confirmation bias to misunderstand what he wanted to say. Many wanted to misunderstand, but that was another matter.
Basic rule number three: It’s impossible to interpret Trump literally. – It hasn’t worked before, so why would it work now? Annoying, for sure, but which international statesman can be interpreted literally? – The height of stupidity is to do the same thing again and expect a different result. Stop interpreting Trump literally. It only leads astray, and we know that. (Now it’s capital letters again because I want to shout it out.) WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT THE WHOLE POINT IS THAT THE WORLD SHOULD NOT KNOW WHERE THE LINE IS FOR TRUMP’S US. – Hasn’t anyone negotiated with tricky people from other cultures before? (Yes, Johan No.1, that’s a little jab at you.)
Since Vance hit the sore points head-on in his Munich speech, it wasn’t fun. – In short, 1) Europe’s inability to take responsibility for its own security, economically and practically, 2) Europe’s inability to uphold liberal democracy and freedom of speech when it becomes uncomfortable, 3) Europe’s inability to understand that unrestrained immigration from countries with completely different values will change the whole society. (My perception is that the questions are closely related and can be summarized with the word security policy. It’s wishful thinking to come to a different conclusion, which is why I consider the speech to have been excellently delivered.) – The speech is 20 minutes long and is available on Youtube. Listen to it, he doesn’t say anything strange at all.
Clearly, both Trump and Vance get angry when Europe’s leaders, and the media, attack them. My perception is that they see it as shooting the messenger, the one who has the guts to stop daydreaming and point out the obvious. The emperor is naked…
Swedish media is completely off track and has been for a long time. The snippets on X, Bluesky, and others encourage distortion, or rather a biased angle, etc. – It’s impossible to interpret, etc. when dealing with Trump, because he charges into things with the finesse of a wild rhinoceros and then bellows out whatever he thinks will have the desired effect. If it doesn’t work, he shouts louder or says even more outrageous things. – Nice guy? No, but it doesn’t matter, and all the talk about his views on women, personal conduct, etc., is pure whataboutism. (Google…)
A commentator on this site wrote the other day: The ammunition for the Patriot systems is running out, and Ukraine is asking to manufacture them under license. Who thinks Trump will give away that bargaining chip? – No attack on the person, just pointing out the general misconception in the Trump issue. I also think our otherwise world-leading No.1 makes the same mistake. – Why should they get it?
Another comment, N Eklund yesterday, mentioned the following podcast on Youtube: Victor Davis Hanson Show https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d5T70IJ2x7o
Anyone who finds Trump incomprehensible MUST watch the episode. – It’s also worth reading carefully what the commentator Peter The Great writes. The person is obviously more knowledgeable than most of us, possibly a professional in the field, and I see things there, both in what is written and how it’s written.
Also, check out Max Villman’s Youtube podcast from nine days ago on the theme “USA abandoning Ukraine to Russia”.
OK. To the point. My perception is that Trump
– cares about the US (US first),
– doesn’t want others’ problems in his lap,
– doesn’t want the US to pay for others’ problems,
– has neither for nor against UA,
– UA is not his problem and not the US’s problem,
– UA is Europe’s problem,
– if UA is to be hit by the US, someone will have to pay for it,
– has been handed the “crap” and it needs to go,
– doesn’t care what others think,
– has no patience for crap,
– has no inhibitions to say whatever he wants, so he does,
– rough language doesn’t work, speak even rougher to get results, and
– absolutely nothing works, cut off both the allowance (money) and Saturday candy (weapons support/military aid) for the brats (European countries and the kindergarten teachers leading them as well as UA).
I believe Trump’s goal in the Ukraine issue is just one. From the US perspective, get rid of the problem. – Period. – It’s Europe’s problem. – Period.
If the fools leading European countries continue to stand and cry like five-year-olds and beg daddy for candy (weapons, protection, leadership, all on the US wallet), they will get a spanking until they stop. – Period.
Therefore, my assessment is that there is no limit to what Trump can say and do for Europe to take over the UA problem. Trump doesn’t really have a problem with UA, and he believes the country should be free and independent. It’s just not the US’s problem because it’s not (according to the US/Trump) a question of the world order. He has also inherited the problem, which fundamentally is Europe’s fault.
Trump’s US is happy to sell weapons (unlike Biden) or be a partner in other ways. But not for free. Not because a little comedian (Z) comes to the US and demands things (which greatly annoys Trump) without reciprocation. Apparently, Z didn’t even want to negotiate about natural resources (or whatever it was), which from Trump’s perspective seems arrogant or completely incomprehensible.
Now I’m not sure what else to add. I hope my view is understandable.
He didn’t adjust. A piece was missing, the third paragraph from the bottom. Add:
So Trump can very well negotiate a half-bad or completely bad peace deal, as long as the problem disappears now. “Now” as in immediately, right away, directly. Still, from his perspective, it’s good because then the problem will be gone for several years and European countries will have to hurry to build up military capacity for round two in the Ukraine war. – Trump can then devote his term to the number one foreign policy issue, China.
Can he do that anyway? No one has asked Trump to go to Saudi Arabia and have a bunch of secret meetings with Putin in Switzerland, have they?
If you are right, then I rather believe that Trump is trying to save Russia precisely for the reason that he is preparing for the China problem and wants Russia on his side there, or at least not completely engulfed by China.
RU and China become an unnecessarily strong axis. Raw materials + an enormous production capacity
I want to remember that, for example, China’s shipbuilding capacity is over 200 times higher compared to the USA, and there is a vast ocean between the USA and where they are most afraid that the next major war will take place.
Edit: I hadn’t actually read your entire comment, which is why mine may look strange….
Bias to action, as it’s called in business-speak
RU and China become an unnecessarily strong axis. Raw materials + an enormous production capacity
I want to remember that, for example, China’s shipbuilding capacity is over 200 times higher compared to the USA, and there is a vast ocean between the USA and where they are most afraid that the next big war will take place.
Edit: I had not realized I had not read your entire comment, that’s why mine may look strange….
Can’t he do that anyway? No one has asked Trump to go to Saudi Arabia and have a bunch of secret meetings with Putin in Switzerland, have they?
If you’re right, I think it’s more likely that Trump is trying to save Russia precisely because he’s preparing for the China problem and wants Russia on his side there, or at least not completely engulfed by China.
He did not adjust. A piece was missing, the third paragraph from the bottom. Add:
Thus, Trump could very well negotiate a half-bad or completely bad peace deal, as long as the problem disappears now. “Now” as in immediately, right away, directly. Still, from his perspective, it’s good, because then the problem will be gone for several years and European countries will have to hurry to build up military capacity for round two in the Ukraine war. – Trump can then devote his term to the number one foreign policy issue, China.
Slava Ukraini
(Translation: Glory to Ukraine
)
Death to the Russian bastards
Death to the Russian bastards
Heroiam Slava!
Hang them high!
Let Taurus fly now!
Let Taurus fly now!
Slava Ukraini
(Note: This phrase is left unchanged as it is already in English characters and does not require translation.)
The USA does not have a brilliant track record when it comes to implementing “its own democracy”, see Afghanistan, Iraq, and others.
Could it be that the USA is terrified that Russia will collapse into a new version of Daesh and other terrorist groups that can spread their crap around the world? I’m not referring specifically to Trump or Biden, but to the USA as a country that has intervened in many matters.
The USA does not have a brilliant track record when it comes to implementing “its own democracy”, see Afghanistan, Iraq, and others.
Could it be that the USA is terrified that Russia will collapse into a new version of Daesh and other terrorist groups that can spread their crap around the world? I’m not referring specifically to Trump or Biden, but to the USA as a country that has intervened in many things.
Sweden new package!
https://www.svd.se/a/63MEGL/regeringen-stodet-till-ukraina-starker-var-sakerhet
And
https://www.svt.se/nyheter/utrikes/direktrapport-forsamrat-sakerhetslage?inlagg=3a9dd37aec57ceaee96062915100c2ce
Sweden new package!
https://www.svd.se/a/63MEGL/regeringen-stodet-till-ukraina-starker-var-sakerhet
And
https://www.svt.se/nyheter/utrikes/direktrapport-forsamrat-sakerhetslage?inlagg=3a9dd37aec57ceaee96062915100c2ce
Trump and negotiation strategy
To us, it looks like Trump is throwing all the cards out before the negotiations have even begun, but Trump is thinking a little differently.
Trump says that Ukraine will not be allowed to join NATO, Zelensky is a dictator, they cannot regain all the land, and whatever else it was. This makes Ukraine, Zelensky, and Europe look weak.
The result of this is that Russia has come to the negotiating table, and Russian propaganda has suggested that the USA and Russia should become allies. This makes Russia look strong.
The trick I think Trump is playing is to leave an opening for Russia to end the war and also withdraw (though not completely) while it can be a “win” for Putin.
In the negotiations, Trump can say, “your economy will crash in a year,” “I will impose these sanctions,” “I will lower the world market price of oil,” etc., but it’s not something he wants to say publicly because it won’t make Putin look strong, and if Putin doesn’t look strong, he won’t make any concessions.
Will it work? I’m doubtful…
Trump and negotiation strategy
To us, it looks like Trump is throwing all the cards out before the negotiations have even begun, but Trump is thinking a bit differently.
Trump says that Ukraine will not be allowed to join NATO, Zelensky is a dictator, they cannot regain all the land, and whatever else it was. This makes Ukraine, Zelensky, and Europe look weak.
As a result, RU has come to the negotiating table, and Russian propaganda has suggested that the USA and RU should become allies. This makes RU look strong.
The trick I think Trump is playing is to leave an opening for RU to end the war and also to withdraw (albeit not entirely) while it can be a “win” for Putin.
In the negotiations, Trump can say, “your economy will crash in a year,” “I will impose these sanctions,” “I will lower the world market price of oil,” etc., but it is not something he wants to say publicly because it will not make Putin look strong, and if Putin does not look strong, he will not make any concessions.
Will it work? I am doubtful…
Therefore, to find any truth in the coffee grounds, it probably requires summoning the right image oneself. Let’s try with…
* US parents do not want to send their sons to die in European mud for a third time.
* Trump knows that these sons will be needed elsewhere. He is heavily stressed about this and furious that Europe is not pulling its weight.
* When Vance then slaps our lethargic leaders, the reaction is not for them to lace up their boots but to sit down and start sobbing.
* My biggest fear is that in our sluggish self-importance, we actually sever the Atlantic axis, entirely on our own.
* How much does Trump have to threaten before politics and media have finished their demand-labeled and fair trade-labeled coffee and glimpsed something in the grounds?
Expressen editorial July 23, 2024
“For example, one might think that it is more important to ensure that the residents of Karlskoga ‘recover after work’ between 6 and 7 pm on weekdays – than to secure Europe’s, and Sweden’s, need for ammunition.
That’s how the environmental officer at the County Administrative Board in Örebro explained their decision in DN recently. Saab Bofors Test Center (yes, that’s what it’s called – with American spelling) had applied to extend the shooting tests by one hour in the evenings, as well as an additional 20 weekdays per year and 10 holidays.”
The article states that the waiting time for shooting ammunition is one year.
The County Administrative Board is the government’s extended arm in the country. Therefore, it is a direct gauge of the government’s crisis insight.
https://www.expressen.se/ledare/lat-bofors-panga-pa-aven-efter-klockan-18/
One wonders if they work for Russia at the County Administrative Board.
One wonders if they work for Russia at the County Administrative Board.
All least the County Administrative Board should have designated another location for the purpose in that case. According to Reinfeldt, who has flown extensively over Sweden, after all, everything is just forest.
At the very least, the County Administrative Board should have designated another location for the purpose. According to Reinfeldt, who has flown extensively over Sweden, everything is just forest anyway.
Expressen editorial July 23, 2024
“For example, one might think that it is more important to ensure that the residents of Karlskoga ‘recover after work’ between 6 and 7 pm on weekdays – than to secure Europe’s, and Sweden’s, need for ammunition.
That’s how the environmental officer at the County Administrative Board in Örebro explained their decision in DN recently. Saab Bofors Test Center (yes, that’s what it’s called – with American spelling) had applied to extend the shooting tests by an hour in the evenings, as well as an additional 20 weekdays per year and 10 holidays.”
The article mentions that the waiting time for shooting ammunition is one year.
The County Administrative Board is the government’s extended arm in the country. Therefore, it is a direct gauge of the government’s crisis awareness.
https://www.expressen.se/ledare/lat-bofors-panga-pa-aven-efter-klockan-18/
I bow and thank you for a very concentrated presentation. Unfortunately, I lack the ability to chisel out a relevant problem statement so precisely.
(letargiska = uninterested in or unable to focus even on simple tasks or the right tasks)
I bow and thank you for a very concentrated presentation. Unfortunately, I lack the ability to chisel out a relevant problem statement so precisely.
(letargiska = uninterested in or unable to focus even on simple tasks or the right tasks)
The thing Vance was talking about was freedom of speech in Europe. If the above points were so important, Trump & Vance wouldn’t give a damn if some European countries go woke, right? They could keep it short: We withdraw free support, but you can buy military equipment if you want.
The thing Vance was talking about was freedom of speech in Europe. If the above points were so important, Trump & Vance wouldn’t give a damn if some European countries go woke, right? They could keep it short: We’ll withdraw free support, but you can buy military equipment if you want.
Yes. Wait for the result, then judge.
Therefore, to find any truth in the coffee grounds, it probably requires summoning the right image oneself. Let’s try with…
* US parents do not want to send their sons to die in European mud a third time.
* Trump knows that these sons will be needed elsewhere. He is deeply stressed about this and furious that Europe is not pulling its weight.
* When Vance then slaps our lethargic leaders, the reaction is not that they lace up their boots but that they sit down and start crying.
* My biggest fear is that in our sluggish self-absorption, we actually sever the Atlantic axis, entirely on our own.
* How much does Trump have to threaten before politics and media have finished their demand-labeled and fair trade-labeled coffee and glimpsed something in the grounds?
Tada….
The Social Democratic Party (SPD) with Olaf Scholz at the helm, achieves its worst election result in history.
The compass needle trembles, slowly seeking the correct course.