On pace for 750k well before Christmas.
Possibly >775k by NYs
This might be a little tougher than Putin thought...
- Thread starter Nole Lou
- Start date
Possibly >775k by NYs
The Sec. General of NATO is urging for Europe to boost their support for Ukraine.
https://apnews.com/article/nato-rutte-ukraine-support-macron-32e67d6c6d6b4148feecc8359480a8a1
https://apnews.com/article/nato-rutte-ukraine-support-macron-32e67d6c6d6b4148feecc8359480a8a1
Ukrainian soldiers react to the possibility of a decline in US support
Nice commentary about from the commander of a drone unit that delivers supplies to front line units as small as 5 man teams on the front lines.
https://apnews.com/article/russia-u...line-weapons-b466c861d935c5b41631a6710ce9ea48
Nice commentary about from the commander of a drone unit that delivers supplies to front line units as small as 5 man teams on the front lines.
https://apnews.com/article/russia-u...line-weapons-b466c861d935c5b41631a6710ce9ea48
FWIW
"Transfer of North Korean M1989 Koksan self-propelled guns with a 170 mm gun #Krasnoyarsk , central Russia "
"Transfer of North Korean M1989 Koksan self-propelled guns with a 170 mm gun #Krasnoyarsk , central Russia "
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More on a bridge collapse from yesterday.
“If we do not fully succeed in ejecting Russia from Ukraine, we will have let Putin kind of get away with something,” Biden said. “If we do fully succeed in ejecting Russia from Ukraine, we face a very strong likelihood of nuclear use because Putin is not going to let himself be routed out of Ukraine without breaking the seal on tactical nuclear weapons. So, we’re stuck. Too much success is nukes, too little success is a kind of uncertain indefinite outcome.”
Biden would later say that “if Putin used a tactical nuclear weapon on the battlefield in Ukraine, the U.S. would not respond with nuclear weapons,” adding that he was not “going to have a nuclear response to battlefield use in Ukraine.” As Bob Woodward concluded, “nuclear weapons were the silent shadow present in all their deliberations.”
Biden would later say that “if Putin used a tactical nuclear weapon on the battlefield in Ukraine, the U.S. would not respond with nuclear weapons,” adding that he was not “going to have a nuclear response to battlefield use in Ukraine.” As Bob Woodward concluded, “nuclear weapons were the silent shadow present in all their deliberations.”
"PARIS — The executive arm of the European Union approved €300 million (US$317 million) in funding for five joint defense-procurement projects by member states, the first time the bloc uses its budget to finance common defense buying.
The European Commission will provide €60 million for each of the items on its shopping list, which include the Mistral short-range air defense system, IRIS-T SLM medium-range air defense system, armored vehicles and ammunition, it said in a statement on Thursday."
https://www.defensenews.com/global/...r-funding-for-joint-weapons-ammo-procurement/
The European Commission will provide €60 million for each of the items on its shopping list, which include the Mistral short-range air defense system, IRIS-T SLM medium-range air defense system, armored vehicles and ammunition, it said in a statement on Thursday."
https://www.defensenews.com/global/...r-funding-for-joint-weapons-ammo-procurement/
Europe gets it. Too bad America doesn't
One more anti-aircraft please!
"When deployed, the French-trained and -equipped brigade named after a Kyiv princess who became a queen of France could prove to be a formidable force on the battlefields. It will eventually be made up of 4,500 troops, formed of infantry battalions, plus engineers, artillery teams and other specialists, French authorities have previously said.
The more than 2,000 soldiers who have been training in France are being put through final paces before their return to Ukraine.
The majority of them were recently mobilized and previously had just a few weeks of basic training before their arrival in France in September, the French military says. The Ukrainian military is also training other troops for the brigade back in Ukraine, according to French authorities.
The French military dedicated around 1,500 of its own soldiers to the “Champagne” task force that has been teaching the Ukrainians how to fight effectively together and how to use and maintain their France-supplied weaponry.
The French military says the brigade's arsenal will include 18 AMX 10 light tanks, 18 truck-mounted Caesar artillery pieces, 128 armored troop carriers, anti-tank and anti-aircraft missile systems, plus other weaponry and equipment.
With observation drones buzzing overhead and amid clouds of smoke and bursts of gunfire and explosions, the Ukrainian soldiers conducted exercises this week at a French military training camp, showing how they have learned to defend and storm a complex of trenches like those on the battlefronts in Ukraine.
“They have improved a lot," said Col. Paul. The French military withheld his last name, citing security reasons.
“Now they are able to fight, they are able to maneuver," he said. "They are able to use the different specialists and to use the different equipment they will have on the battlefield.”
https://abcnews.go.com/Internationa...e-aims-strengthen-ukraines-defenses-115865712
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Even the French get it Donald Drumpf
Trump will do no such thing.I wonder if anyone here read to the end:
He'll follow whatever Russian talking points Putin gives him.
Potential near-term Russia-Ukraine negotiations to end the war continue to move toward reality in the wake of Donald Trump's election win.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Russian President Vladmir Putin are planning to hold their first phone call in almost two years on Friday.
Bloomberg was the first to report the development, citing several sources, and highlights the uncertainty felt in Europe concerning Ukraine policy over Trump's return to the White House. "Germany is Ukraine’s second-biggest supporter after the US and has pledged billions of euros in additional aid," it notes.
Scholz first announced Sunday his desire to speak to Putin "soon" about achieving peace in Ukraine, bringing the war to an end. "Yes, I decided to talk to the president of Russia at the right time. But I'm a responsible politician, I don’t do it alone," Scholz told a German broadcaster.
The timing of the German leader's words suggest Trump being in the White House provides the nudge to finally get serious about diplomacy and negotiations with Moscow:
Since then, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has insisted that Putin was "no longer even prepared" to speak with the chancellor, amid Berlin ramping up is military support for Ukraine and drastically expanding its defense budget, reversing a posture of historic neutrality.
France's Macron had been the only European leader to hold semi-regular contact with Putin throughout the opening months of the war, but he came under severe criticism from some corners of Europe for doing so.
But the drastic political change in Washington is clearly changing the mood in war-weary Europe as well. Now, even Ukraine is getting the memo - that there's about to be a different track.
"Ukrainian officials have said for months that they would not cede territory occupied by Russia in any peace settlement. Now, as Ukraine contemplates an accelerated timetable for negotiations pushed by President-elect Donald J. Trump, it is putting at least as much importance on obtaining security guarantees as on where an eventual cease-fire line might fall," NY Times wrote Thursday.
"The territorial question is extremely important, but it’s still the second question," one Ukrainian official told the Times. "The first question is security guarantees."
Trump's team has been talking about pressuring Kiev to halt aspirations to join NATO for twenty years. It would likely be on that basis that Ukraine will seek pledges from Western partners for protection in the event Moscow breaks any potential deal.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Russian President Vladmir Putin are planning to hold their first phone call in almost two years on Friday.
Bloomberg was the first to report the development, citing several sources, and highlights the uncertainty felt in Europe concerning Ukraine policy over Trump's return to the White House. "Germany is Ukraine’s second-biggest supporter after the US and has pledged billions of euros in additional aid," it notes.
Scholz first announced Sunday his desire to speak to Putin "soon" about achieving peace in Ukraine, bringing the war to an end. "Yes, I decided to talk to the president of Russia at the right time. But I'm a responsible politician, I don’t do it alone," Scholz told a German broadcaster.
The timing of the German leader's words suggest Trump being in the White House provides the nudge to finally get serious about diplomacy and negotiations with Moscow:
The last phone call between Putin and Scholz was all the way back in December 2022. Scholz made the call to urge that Russian troops leave Ukraine and return home, and there's been radio silence between the two throughout the war.
Since then, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has insisted that Putin was "no longer even prepared" to speak with the chancellor, amid Berlin ramping up is military support for Ukraine and drastically expanding its defense budget, reversing a posture of historic neutrality.
France's Macron had been the only European leader to hold semi-regular contact with Putin throughout the opening months of the war, but he came under severe criticism from some corners of Europe for doing so.
But the drastic political change in Washington is clearly changing the mood in war-weary Europe as well. Now, even Ukraine is getting the memo - that there's about to be a different track.
"Ukrainian officials have said for months that they would not cede territory occupied by Russia in any peace settlement. Now, as Ukraine contemplates an accelerated timetable for negotiations pushed by President-elect Donald J. Trump, it is putting at least as much importance on obtaining security guarantees as on where an eventual cease-fire line might fall," NY Times wrote Thursday.
"The territorial question is extremely important, but it’s still the second question," one Ukrainian official told the Times. "The first question is security guarantees."
Trump's team has been talking about pressuring Kiev to halt aspirations to join NATO for twenty years. It would likely be on that basis that Ukraine will seek pledges from Western partners for protection in the event Moscow breaks any potential deal.
Germany Doesn't Have Enough Paper For Early Elections? Paper Industry Contradicts Claims...
Via Remix News,In the latest sign that Germany is becoming a joke country, Federal Election Director Ruth Brand claimed the country does not have enough paper for early elections in a letter to Chancellor Olaf Scholz. She warned of “incalculable risks” if elections are held early.
She furthermore warned of a “great challenge in today’s world to actually procure paper and carry out printing ballots.”
Scholz himself is reportedly looking to delay elections as long as possible, and such an excuse may play right into his hands. He only wants a vote of confidence in January, two months after the dissolution of his government coalition, but now pressure is growing for new elections before Christmas, as the country’s economic situation continues to spiral.
Despite Brand’s claims about a paper shortage, the paper industry itself is actively contradicting her.
“We have paper. The German paper industry is very efficient,” said the managing director of the paper industry association, Alexander von Reibnitz to state-media outlet ZDF. Regarding whether the industry can provide enough paper, he said:
“The clear answer is yes. If ordered in time, we can supply the paper needed for an early federal election.”
In fact, even Poland has stepped in to help should Germany not be able to procure enough paper.
“If Germany needs printers and paper, we will definitely sell both to our neighbors,”said left-liberal MEP Dariusz Joński. “Polish companies will also profit from this, which will further increase the competitiveness of our economy.”
In another sign that claims of not enough paper may not hold water, Germany is the largest producer of paper in all the European Union. Almost 13 million cubic meters of paper were produced in 2020, while Poland is far behind with 3.5 million cubic meters.
For a national election, Germany will need several thousand tons of paper, according to estimates. There is therefore little doubt that federal elections represent a serious challenge. For example, in all of 2022, the administration of Germany used 3,800 tons of standard printer paper. For just one election, the country is expected to go through approximately the same amount of paper.
However, following news that the paper industry could indeed fulfill paper orders for a new election, Scholz agreed to a vote of no confidence before Christmas.
“I agree: if (SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf) Mützenich and (CDU opposition leader Friedrich) Merz come to an agreement, I will base my decision on that,” adding, “I am not clinging to my office.”
WTF does this have to do w/ Russia?
This is pointing out that if they want early elections, they need to order paper for ballots earlier.
as of August 31, US has contributed $85B. The next closest is Germany at $25B. You have to add in the next highest 11 European countries to equal the US. Should probably have said Europe "finally gets it"
I know the math. Don't lecture me. But we have the largest defense budget than the next 10 countries combined.
Cool if real.
"The moment when Ukrainian anti-aircraft guns stationed in Odessa prevented the attack of the Russian Geran 2 swarm"
"The moment when Ukrainian anti-aircraft guns stationed in Odessa prevented the attack of the Russian Geran 2 swarm"
What’s up with Ukrainians F-16’s?
Reporting is pretty scarce on the subject.
Did a search and didn’t find much that’s recent.
Reporting is pretty scarce on the subject.
Did a search and didn’t find much that’s recent.
Yes, and if shit hits the fan with China in the next few years it ain’t gonna be Europe doing the fighting.
U.S carries a lot more of the “world order” load than the Europeans and that’s just a fact.
From what I have read they are having problems teaching old dogs new tricks, and want to train young pilots who don’t have muscle memory for flying the old Soviet tech. I think that’s what did in moon dog. So they aren’t really flying into harm’s way because they can’t effectively react in the heat of things.
We have alliances in the Pacific as well. If you think Australia, Japan, South Korea aren't behind us, you are a fool. And India is just looking for a reason to F China up.
I'm not a warhawk, but frankly you kind of sound like a pussy. I don't want conflict. But if we let sovereign countries like Ukraine get taken over, the world is f'd
Ukraine de-nuked after Cold War, voluntarily. They are now about ready to have nuke capacity again.
Don't fret.
Canada says they'll reach the 2% GDP threshold agreed upon back in 2006 in.... 8 more years.
I guess they're not too worried about Trump not having the U.S. defend them.
