NPR

Uncle fester wrote: ↑Thu Mar 13, 2025 8:05 pm "we'll ceasefire if Ukraine surrender" seems to be the message.

"BTW we're keeping all the land we stole...."

Russians asking for it all at the 'negotiation' table!? ... never!

Let's say this goes to a stalemate for years with the front as border. Is it not harder for Russia to hold on? Are they going to keep troops there forever at great cost and probably steady desertions / reluctance to rotate in? Will they try and move settlers in? Or will Donbas people snap up free space?

Niegs wrote: ↑Thu Mar 13, 2025 10:04 pm Russians asking for it all at the 'negotiation' table!? ... never!

Let's say this goes to a stalemate for years with the front as border. Is it not harder for Russia to hold on? Are they going to keep troops there forever at great cost and probably steady desertions / reluctance to rotate in? Will they try and move settlers in? Or will Donbas people snap up free space?

Donbas people are the cannon fodder.
So much for protecting russian speakers.

Sweden is transferring another 18 Archers to Ukraine, plus 5 counter-battery radars.

The Portuguese government has pulled out of joining the F-35 programme due to US political unreliability and will procure a European alternative instead.

Uncle fester wrote: ↑Thu Mar 13, 2025 8:05 pm "we'll ceasefire if Ukraine surrender" seems to be the message.

Ukraine could have and should have complied with the Minsk agreements. Instead they wanted to join NATO. And started killing etc Russian speakers who wanted to return and once again be a part of Russia. As they were until recently. Or the USSR.

Uncle fester wrote: ↑Thu Mar 13, 2025 10:18 pm

Niegs wrote: ↑Thu Mar 13, 2025 10:04 pm Russians asking for it all at the 'negotiation' table!? ... never!

Let's say this goes to a stalemate for years with the front as border. Is it not harder for Russia to hold on? Are they going to keep troops there forever at great cost and probably steady desertions / reluctance to rotate in? Will they try and move settlers in? Or will Donbas people snap up free space?

Donbas people are the cannon fodder.
So much for protecting russian speakers.

Russia initially didn't want the Donbas. Even when they wanted out. Hence the Minsk agreements. But now it's too late. The option is to allow a people to rejoin Russia as they wish. Or more killing, Europe destroyed and maybe WW3

It's obvious what the best solution is for all concerned except for the likes of BlackRock. But too many media lies though that amazingly some still believe

Hellraiser wrote: ↑Thu Mar 13, 2025 11:38 pm The Portuguese government has pulled out of joining the F-35 programme due to US political unreliability and will procure a European alternative instead.

Excellent :)

Russian media channels speculate that Putin will announce tonight that Russia will not agree to a 30-day ceasefire. They add that Putin will meet Trump’s envoy, Witkoff, this evening after talks with Lukashenko.

US Treasury Secretary Bessant said that the US administration will not hesitate to impose the toughest sanctions against Russia if necessary to succeed in negotiations.

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