Financial Times: "The US is to phase out security assistance programmes for European armies along Russia's border, as it pushes the continent to pay for more of its own defence.

Pentagon officials last week informed European diplomats that the US would no longer fund programmes that train and equip militaries in eastern European countries that would be on the frontline of any conflict with Russia, people familiar with the matter said."

"Pentagon officials are proposing the department prioritize protecting the homeland and Western Hemisphere, a striking reversal from the military's yearslong mandate to focus on the threat from China.

A draft of the newest National Defense Strategy, which landed on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's desk last week, places domestic and regional missions above countering adversaries such as Beijing and Moscow, according to three people briefed on early versions of the report."

Show of force in response to drone attack against Poland.

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) passing Oscarsborg Fortress and its torpedo batteries earlier today as she sails into Oslo. pic.twitter.com/0NqzRxXvCL

— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) September 12, 2025

"On the night that 19 Russian drones crossed into Poland, 400 (drones) plus 40 missiles crossed into Ukraine,"

There was no drone attack on Poland. If the Russians had intended to attack Poland, 400 drones and 40 missiles would be crossing into Poland.

Realitybites said:

---

"On the night that 19 Russian drones crossed into Poland, 400 (drones) plus 40 missiles crossed into Ukraine,"

There was no drone attack on Poland. If the Russians had intended to attack Poland, 400 drones and 40 missiles would be crossing into Poland.

---

misread.

This was no accident. Definitely a purposeful mission. Russia has launched thousands of drones with no border incidents. Russia also purposely sent them into Romania too, the last two days. In the first, one drone loitered over Romanian airspace for over 45 minutes Last night, Romanian AF shot one down in the second wave. So we are to believe that all of a sudden, Russia has all these "malfunctions" in two separate places at the same time? Not credible. These were provocations to test Nato response - tactically, strategically, diplomatically - and to try to drive a wedge in the EU/Nato coalition....to strengthen the resolve of the doves and the sympathetic to Russia. And, of course, repeated border incursions does complicate Nato planning for response to the real thing. Taiwan is dealing with the exact same stuff from China.....nearly constant violations of airspace.

Russia is trying to intimidate, bluster, bluff......it's what they do. And they often do it from weakness. Ukraine has hit approx. 40% of Russian refining capacity the last few weeks, There are lines at gas stations all over Russia. Trump has been pressuring India to quit buying Russian oil Saudis have quietly pushed OPEC production higher for each of the last few months (putting downward pressures on global pricing, and by extension on Russia's primary source of national income). And now, Trump tweeted yesterday (for Russian eyes to see) a statement that he was ready to enact secondary sanctions IF all Nato/EU countries would quit buying Russian oil. Even worse, despite very high inflation, Russia is cutting interest rates to counter declining GDP. No country can sustain a war time economy forever. It's an anerobic situation. They've hit their peak production and will struggle to maintain it going forward.

Nato starting to tighten the vise on Russa.
Finally.

Quote:

---

Ukraine has hit approx. 40% of Russian refining capacity the last few weeks, There are lines at gas stations all over Russia.

---

Good grief. You don't really believe these propaganda pieces in the Economist and the Moscow Times, do you?

Realitybites said:

---

Quote:

---

Ukraine has hit approx. 40% of Russian refining capacity the last few weeks, There are lines at gas stations all over Russia.

---

Good grief. You don't really believe these propaganda pieces in the Economist and the Moscow Times, do you?

---

Hint: Go to Google and type in "russian gas station shortages" and see how many hits you get. You will see quite a few links from across the spectrum of publications discussing widespread gasoline shortages in Russia. Here's one that might interest you in particular = Puting getting asked by Russian media at an event in Russia about gas shortages, and responding that there were indeed shortages but he was working thru them:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/international-relations/putin-admitted-russia-has-a-gas-shortage/ar-AA1LWWKg

Did you bother actually looking at Putin's original comments to the EEF about "gas" shortages and using coal to make up the difference? Do cars burn coal?

"One of Ukraine's staunchest supporters in Washington, congressman Michael McCaul, has announced that he will not seek re-election in 2026 after serving for more than 20 years in US Congress."

Good riddance.

Now maybe we can get rid of Lindsey Graham, John Cornyn, and James Langford as well.

Realitybites said:

---

Did you bother actually looking at Putin's original comments to the EEF about "gas" shortages and using coal to make up the difference? Do cars burn coal?

---

how many coal gasification plants could we expect one of the largest oil exporting countries to have?

So the solution is to burn more coal for electricity and divert oil that was used for electrical generation to refineries to make gas. Fine. Makes sense. Here's the problem: IT'S THE REFINERIES THAT ARE BEING BOMBED!

(think man, THINK!)

Realitybites said:

---

"One of Ukraine's staunchest supporters in Washington, congressman Michael McCaul, has announced that he will not seek re-election in 2026 after serving for more than 20 years in US Congress."

Good riddance.

Now maybe we can get rid of Lindsey Graham, John Cornyn, and James Langford as well.

---

Congressman Don Bacon of Nebraska is out as well

Trump now says Ukraine will take back all of its land and maybe take some from Russia too. pic.twitter.com/SuFaXBjyl5

— Richard Hanania (@RichardHanania) September 23, 2025

No one can say he's been in the tank for Ukraine.
No one say Trump the Peacemaker wants a war anywhere.
No one can say Trump wants a war with Russia.

Meanwhile, Russia has +20% interest rates, 8-hr gas lines for a liter or two of fuel per week (thanks to Uke hits on refineries), and Russian can't do the refinery conversions to prepare for winter energy needs because of said hits, etc…..

Trump is signaling gloves off - we no longer care whether or not Russia survives the war.


Not a good time to be Vlad Putin.
Trump went further than necessary to give him a graceful exit from the war. That door is now closing.

Redbrickbear said:

---

Trump now says Ukraine will take back all of its land and maybe take some from Russia too. pic.twitter.com/SuFaXBjyl5

— Richard Hanania (@RichardHanania) September 23, 2025

---

What a dingbat.

Sam Lowry said:

---

Redbrickbear said:

---

Trump now says Ukraine will take back all of its land and maybe take some from Russia too. pic.twitter.com/SuFaXBjyl5

— Richard Hanania (@RichardHanania) September 23, 2025

---

What a dingbat.

---

No

It just looks like he gave peace a chance and Putin has spit in his face and wants more conflict

If you turn the peace/dove candidate into a hawk then that is on you

whiterock said:

---

No one can say he's been in the tank for Ukraine.
No one say Trump the Peacemaker wants a war anywhere.
No one can say Trump wants a war with Russia.

Meanwhile, Russia has +20% interest rates, 8-hr gas lines for a liter or two of fuel per week (thanks to Uke hits on refineries), and Russian can't do the refinery conversions to prepare for winter energy needs because of said hits, etc…..

Trump is signaling gloves off - we no longer care whether or not Russia survives the war.


Not a good time to be Vlad Putin.
Trump went further than necessary to give him a graceful exit from the war. That door is now closing.

---

Trump cannot bluff Putin.

So he either ruins his presidency bringing on an unpopular war or learns to shut the hell up.

whiterock said:

---

Show of force in response to drone attack against Poland.

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) passing Oscarsborg Fortress and its torpedo batteries earlier today as she sails into Oslo. pic.twitter.com/0NqzRxXvCL

— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) September 12, 2025

---

Very nice picture.

Unfortunately with a launch of 200 drones against that carrier in the narrow confines of a fiord, and say goodbye to 10 billion dollars and 5000 lives.

We are still fighting WW2

Redbrickbear said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

Redbrickbear said:

---

Trump now says Ukraine will take back all of its land and maybe take some from Russia too. pic.twitter.com/SuFaXBjyl5

— Richard Hanania (@RichardHanania) September 23, 2025

---

What a dingbat.

---

No

It just looks like he gave peace a chance and Putin has spit in his face and wants more conflict

If you turn the peace/dove candidate into a hawk then that is on you

---

You're seeing a strategy where there is none. His position changes constantly. He's getting the same bad advice we've been hearing for years. He's flailing.

KaiBear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Show of force in response to drone attack against Poland.

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) passing Oscarsborg Fortress and its torpedo batteries earlier today as she sails into Oslo. pic.twitter.com/0NqzRxXvCL

— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) September 12, 2025

---

Very nice picture.

Unfortunately with a launch of 200 drones against that carrier in the narrow confines of a fiord, and say goodbye to 10 billion dollars and 5000 lives.

We are still fighting WW2

---

it is still a strong diplomatic gesture.
it is still an aircraft carrier with up to 75 4th & 5th fighters aboard, and a broad array of surveillance and other technology that would prove highly useful in a conflict in the Suwalki Gap.

No one else in the world can show up in a day or two with 75 F-35s with integral logistical support.

75 F-35s is the Israeli Airforce, and look what they did to Iran (who uses Russian A2AD systems).

That was a not to subtle message to Russia not to FAFO

KaiBear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

No one can say he's been in the tank for Ukraine.
No one say Trump the Peacemaker wants a war anywhere.
No one can say Trump wants a war with Russia.

Meanwhile, Russia has +20% interest rates, 8-hr gas lines for a liter or two of fuel per week (thanks to Uke hits on refineries), and Russian can't do the refinery conversions to prepare for winter energy needs because of said hits, etc…..

Trump is signaling gloves off - we no longer care whether or not Russia survives the war.


Not a good time to be Vlad Putin.
Trump went further than necessary to give him a graceful exit from the war. That door is now closing.

---

Trump cannot bluff Putin.

So he either ruins his presidency bringing on an unpopular war or learns to shut the hell up.

---

not bluffing him at all. Telling him the game is over. We are going to load Ukraine up and let them have at it. That drastically escalates costs for Moscow.

The drone attack on Poland & Romania were a huge sign of Russian weakness, that the Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure are having significant impact on the stability of the Russian regime. Those attacks have always been available. We purposely held back. Not any more. Russia now realizes this and is trying to bluff Nato into backing down with highly provocative gestures.

Russian economy is at peak mobilization. That is not sustainable indefinitely. And now, their most important industry is starting to get pummeled, at the worst time of the year. Things are going to get progressively harder for Russia from here on.

whiterock said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

No one can say he's been in the tank for Ukraine.
No one say Trump the Peacemaker wants a war anywhere.
No one can say Trump wants a war with Russia.

Meanwhile, Russia has +20% interest rates, 8-hr gas lines for a liter or two of fuel per week (thanks to Uke hits on refineries), and Russian can't do the refinery conversions to prepare for winter energy needs because of said hits, etc…..

Trump is signaling gloves off - we no longer care whether or not Russia survives the war.


Not a good time to be Vlad Putin.
Trump went further than necessary to give him a graceful exit from the war. That door is now closing.

---

Trump cannot bluff Putin.

So he either ruins his presidency bringing on an unpopular war or learns to shut the hell up.

---

not bluffing him at all. Telling him the game is over. We are going to load Ukraine up and let them have at it. That drastically escalates costs for Moscow.

The drone attack on Poland & Romania were a huge sign of Russian weakness, that the Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure are having significant impact on the stability of the Russian regime. Those attacks have always been available. We purposely held back. Not any more. Russia now realizes this and is trying to bluff Nato into backing down with highly provocative gestures.

Russian economy is at peak mobilization. That is not sustainable indefinitely. And now, their most important industry is starting to get pummeled, at the worst time of the year. Things are going to get progressively harder for Russia from here on.

---

The only way Ukraine survives is if the United States declares an economic war against Russia or a military war.

And the American people will not support either one.

KaiBear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

No one can say he's been in the tank for Ukraine.
No one say Trump the Peacemaker wants a war anywhere.
No one can say Trump wants a war with Russia.

Meanwhile, Russia has +20% interest rates, 8-hr gas lines for a liter or two of fuel per week (thanks to Uke hits on refineries), and Russian can't do the refinery conversions to prepare for winter energy needs because of said hits, etc…..

Trump is signaling gloves off - we no longer care whether or not Russia survives the war.


Not a good time to be Vlad Putin.
Trump went further than necessary to give him a graceful exit from the war. That door is now closing.

---

Trump cannot bluff Putin.

So he either ruins his presidency bringing on an unpopular war or learns to shut the hell up.

---

not bluffing him at all. Telling him the game is over. We are going to load Ukraine up and let them have at it. That drastically escalates costs for Moscow.

The drone attack on Poland & Romania were a huge sign of Russian weakness, that the Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure are having significant impact on the stability of the Russian regime. Those attacks have always been available. We purposely held back. Not any more. Russia now realizes this and is trying to bluff Nato into backing down with highly provocative gestures.

Russian economy is at peak mobilization. That is not sustainable indefinitely. And now, their most important industry is starting to get pummeled, at the worst time of the year. Things are going to get progressively harder for Russia from here on.

---

The only way Ukraine survives is if the United States declares an economic war against Russia or a military war.

And the American people will not support either one.

---

We declared economic war on everyone else and you've been cheering it on. Why not increase it against Russia, an actual sound utilization of our economic might? Their economy is teetering. A not so subtle push could crush Putin's dream for Ukraine and maybe force a peace.

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

No one can say he's been in the tank for Ukraine.
No one say Trump the Peacemaker wants a war anywhere.
No one can say Trump wants a war with Russia.

Meanwhile, Russia has +20% interest rates, 8-hr gas lines for a liter or two of fuel per week (thanks to Uke hits on refineries), and Russian can't do the refinery conversions to prepare for winter energy needs because of said hits, etc…..

Trump is signaling gloves off - we no longer care whether or not Russia survives the war.


Not a good time to be Vlad Putin.
Trump went further than necessary to give him a graceful exit from the war. That door is now closing.

---

Trump cannot bluff Putin.

So he either ruins his presidency bringing on an unpopular war or learns to shut the hell up.

---

not bluffing him at all. Telling him the game is over. We are going to load Ukraine up and let them have at it. That drastically escalates costs for Moscow.

The drone attack on Poland & Romania were a huge sign of Russian weakness, that the Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure are having significant impact on the stability of the Russian regime. Those attacks have always been available. We purposely held back. Not any more. Russia now realizes this and is trying to bluff Nato into backing down with highly provocative gestures.

Russian economy is at peak mobilization. That is not sustainable indefinitely. And now, their most important industry is starting to get pummeled, at the worst time of the year. Things are going to get progressively harder for Russia from here on.

---

The only way Ukraine survives is if the United States declares an economic war against Russia or a military war.

And the American people will not support either one.

---

We declared economic war on everyone else and you've been cheering it on. Why not increase it against Russia, an actual sound utilization of our economic might? Their economy is teetering. A not so subtle push could crush Putin's dream for Ukraine and maybe force a peace.

---

Because with Russia it could backfire into something dramatic. And the American people will not tolerate any national dramatics on befalf of Ukraine.

KaiBear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

No one can say he's been in the tank for Ukraine.
No one say Trump the Peacemaker wants a war anywhere.
No one can say Trump wants a war with Russia.

Meanwhile, Russia has +20% interest rates, 8-hr gas lines for a liter or two of fuel per week (thanks to Uke hits on refineries), and Russian can't do the refinery conversions to prepare for winter energy needs because of said hits, etc…..

Trump is signaling gloves off - we no longer care whether or not Russia survives the war.


Not a good time to be Vlad Putin.
Trump went further than necessary to give him a graceful exit from the war. That door is now closing.

---

Trump cannot bluff Putin.

So he either ruins his presidency bringing on an unpopular war or learns to shut the hell up.

---

not bluffing him at all. Telling him the game is over. We are going to load Ukraine up and let them have at it. That drastically escalates costs for Moscow.

The drone attack on Poland & Romania were a huge sign of Russian weakness, that the Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure are having significant impact on the stability of the Russian regime. Those attacks have always been available. We purposely held back. Not any more. Russia now realizes this and is trying to bluff Nato into backing down with highly provocative gestures.

Russian economy is at peak mobilization. That is not sustainable indefinitely. And now, their most important industry is starting to get pummeled, at the worst time of the year. Things are going to get progressively harder for Russia from here on.

---

The only way Ukraine survives is if the United States declares an economic war against Russia or a military war.

And the American people will not support either one.

---

I have my suspicions that Russia would fold like Iran if we hit them. Or at least sit back and not do much in response.

Tehran and Moscow seem similar in that way…talking tough, underperforming on the battlefield, having only natural resources to sell, suffering constant brain drain and out migration of their intellectual citizens.

But I certainly would never want to test out that theory and risk nuclear war.

But I have come to strongly suspect it…

Redbrickbear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

No one can say he's been in the tank for Ukraine.
No one say Trump the Peacemaker wants a war anywhere.
No one can say Trump wants a war with Russia.

Meanwhile, Russia has +20% interest rates, 8-hr gas lines for a liter or two of fuel per week (thanks to Uke hits on refineries), and Russian can't do the refinery conversions to prepare for winter energy needs because of said hits, etc…..

Trump is signaling gloves off - we no longer care whether or not Russia survives the war.


Not a good time to be Vlad Putin.
Trump went further than necessary to give him a graceful exit from the war. That door is now closing.

---

Trump cannot bluff Putin.

So he either ruins his presidency bringing on an unpopular war or learns to shut the hell up.

---

not bluffing him at all. Telling him the game is over. We are going to load Ukraine up and let them have at it. That drastically escalates costs for Moscow.

The drone attack on Poland & Romania were a huge sign of Russian weakness, that the Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure are having significant impact on the stability of the Russian regime. Those attacks have always been available. We purposely held back. Not any more. Russia now realizes this and is trying to bluff Nato into backing down with highly provocative gestures.

Russian economy is at peak mobilization. That is not sustainable indefinitely. And now, their most important industry is starting to get pummeled, at the worst time of the year. Things are going to get progressively harder for Russia from here on.

---

The only way Ukraine survives is if the United States declares an economic war against Russia or a military war.

And the American people will not support either one.

---

I have my suspicions that Russia would fold like Iran if we hit them. Or at least sit back and not do much in response.

Tehran and Moscow seem similar in that way…talking tough, underperforming on the battlefield, having only natural resources to sell, suffering constant brain drain and out migration of their intellectual citizens.

But I certainly would never want to test out that theory and risk nuclear war.

But I have come to strongly suspect it…

---

It's Ukraine that keeps pushing for a ceasefire. That tells you what you need to know. Israel got clobbered in the 12-Day War and was able to secure a ceasefire only because it had nukes and Iran didn't. As Iran is preparing to withdraw from the NPT, Bibi is calculating whether Trump will be stupid enough to go all in next time (likely answer is yes).

Sam Lowry said:

---

Redbrickbear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

No one can say he's been in the tank for Ukraine.
No one say Trump the Peacemaker wants a war anywhere.
No one can say Trump wants a war with Russia.

Meanwhile, Russia has +20% interest rates, 8-hr gas lines for a liter or two of fuel per week (thanks to Uke hits on refineries), and Russian can't do the refinery conversions to prepare for winter energy needs because of said hits, etc…..

Trump is signaling gloves off - we no longer care whether or not Russia survives the war.


Not a good time to be Vlad Putin.
Trump went further than necessary to give him a graceful exit from the war. That door is now closing.

---

Trump cannot bluff Putin.

So he either ruins his presidency bringing on an unpopular war or learns to shut the hell up.

---

not bluffing him at all. Telling him the game is over. We are going to load Ukraine up and let them have at it. That drastically escalates costs for Moscow.

The drone attack on Poland & Romania were a huge sign of Russian weakness, that the Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure are having significant impact on the stability of the Russian regime. Those attacks have always been available. We purposely held back. Not any more. Russia now realizes this and is trying to bluff Nato into backing down with highly provocative gestures.

Russian economy is at peak mobilization. That is not sustainable indefinitely. And now, their most important industry is starting to get pummeled, at the worst time of the year. Things are going to get progressively harder for Russia from here on.

---

The only way Ukraine survives is if the United States declares an economic war against Russia or a military war.

And the American people will not support either one.

---

I have my suspicions that Russia would fold like Iran if we hit them. Or at least sit back and not do much in response.

Tehran and Moscow seem similar in that way…talking tough, underperforming on the battlefield, having only natural resources to sell, suffering constant brain drain and out migration of their intellectual citizens.

But I certainly would never want to test out that theory and risk nuclear war.

But I have come to strongly suspect it…

---

It's Ukraine that keeps pushing for a ceasefire. That tells you what you need to know. Israel got clobbered in the 12-Day War and was able to secure a ceasefire only because it had nukes and Iran didn't. As Iran is preparing to withdraw from the NPT, Bibi is calculating whether Trump will be stupid enough to go all in next time (likely answer is yes).

---

LOL No.

JUST IN - Lavrov says NATO and the EU have declared war on Russia and are directly participating in it — TASS

— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) September 25, 2025

Doc Holliday said:

---

JUST IN - Lavrov says NATO and the EU have declared war on Russia and are directly participating in it — TASS

— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) September 25, 2025

---

Key your eyes on Poland.

If Putin wants a war with the West it will be the Poles who accommodate him first.

KaiBear said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

No one can say he's been in the tank for Ukraine.
No one say Trump the Peacemaker wants a war anywhere.
No one can say Trump wants a war with Russia.

Meanwhile, Russia has +20% interest rates, 8-hr gas lines for a liter or two of fuel per week (thanks to Uke hits on refineries), and Russian can't do the refinery conversions to prepare for winter energy needs because of said hits, etc…..

Trump is signaling gloves off - we no longer care whether or not Russia survives the war.


Not a good time to be Vlad Putin.
Trump went further than necessary to give him a graceful exit from the war. That door is now closing.

---

Trump cannot bluff Putin.

So he either ruins his presidency bringing on an unpopular war or learns to shut the hell up.

---

not bluffing him at all. Telling him the game is over. We are going to load Ukraine up and let them have at it. That drastically escalates costs for Moscow.

The drone attack on Poland & Romania were a huge sign of Russian weakness, that the Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure are having significant impact on the stability of the Russian regime. Those attacks have always been available. We purposely held back. Not any more. Russia now realizes this and is trying to bluff Nato into backing down with highly provocative gestures.

Russian economy is at peak mobilization. That is not sustainable indefinitely. And now, their most important industry is starting to get pummeled, at the worst time of the year. Things are going to get progressively harder for Russia from here on.

---

The only way Ukraine survives is if the United States declares an economic war against Russia or a military war.

And the American people will not support either one.

---

We declared economic war on everyone else and you've been cheering it on. Why not increase it against Russia, an actual sound utilization of our economic might? Their economy is teetering. A not so subtle push could crush Putin's dream for Ukraine and maybe force a peace.

---

Because with Russia it could backfire into something dramatic. And the American people will not tolerate any national dramatics on befalf of Ukraine.

---

This thing has gone well past Ukraine. It was Putin's intent from the get go. Keep an eye on the Moldovan elections on Sunday. Russia has been doing the same hybrid warfare they did in Ukraine.

And we have already threatened Russia oil customers like India with…checks notes…tariffs.

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

No one can say he's been in the tank for Ukraine.
No one say Trump the Peacemaker wants a war anywhere.
No one can say Trump wants a war with Russia.

Meanwhile, Russia has +20% interest rates, 8-hr gas lines for a liter or two of fuel per week (thanks to Uke hits on refineries), and Russian can't do the refinery conversions to prepare for winter energy needs because of said hits, etc…..

Trump is signaling gloves off - we no longer care whether or not Russia survives the war.


Not a good time to be Vlad Putin.
Trump went further than necessary to give him a graceful exit from the war. That door is now closing.

---

Trump cannot bluff Putin.

So he either ruins his presidency bringing on an unpopular war or learns to shut the hell up.

---

not bluffing him at all. Telling him the game is over. We are going to load Ukraine up and let them have at it. That drastically escalates costs for Moscow.

The drone attack on Poland & Romania were a huge sign of Russian weakness, that the Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure are having significant impact on the stability of the Russian regime. Those attacks have always been available. We purposely held back. Not any more. Russia now realizes this and is trying to bluff Nato into backing down with highly provocative gestures.

Russian economy is at peak mobilization. That is not sustainable indefinitely. And now, their most important industry is starting to get pummeled, at the worst time of the year. Things are going to get progressively harder for Russia from here on.

---

The only way Ukraine survives is if the United States declares an economic war against Russia or a military war.

And the American people will not support either one.

---

We declared economic war on everyone else and you've been cheering it on. Why not increase it against Russia, an actual sound utilization of our economic might? Their economy is teetering. A not so subtle push could crush Putin's dream for Ukraine and maybe force a peace.

---

Because with Russia it could backfire into something dramatic. And the American people will not tolerate any national dramatics on befalf of Ukraine.

---

This thing has gone well past Ukraine. It was Putin's intent from the get go. Keep an eye on the Moldovan elections on Sunday. Russia has been doing the same hybrid warfare they did in Ukraine.

And we have already threatened Russia oil customers like India with…checks notes…tariffs.

---

Looks as if Trump has come around to your analysis.

Although I still can't imagine the American people supporting any war on behalf of Ukraine or even Europe in general .

However if Putin continues his obvious air incursions…….events quickly escalate beyond what anybody wants.

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

No one can say he's been in the tank for Ukraine.
No one say Trump the Peacemaker wants a war anywhere.
No one can say Trump wants a war with Russia.

Meanwhile, Russia has +20% interest rates, 8-hr gas lines for a liter or two of fuel per week (thanks to Uke hits on refineries), and Russian can't do the refinery conversions to prepare for winter energy needs because of said hits, etc…..

Trump is signaling gloves off - we no longer care whether or not Russia survives the war.


Not a good time to be Vlad Putin.
Trump went further than necessary to give him a graceful exit from the war. That door is now closing.

---

Trump cannot bluff Putin.

So he either ruins his presidency bringing on an unpopular war or learns to shut the hell up.

---

not bluffing him at all. Telling him the game is over. We are going to load Ukraine up and let them have at it. That drastically escalates costs for Moscow.

The drone attack on Poland & Romania were a huge sign of Russian weakness, that the Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure are having significant impact on the stability of the Russian regime. Those attacks have always been available. We purposely held back. Not any more. Russia now realizes this and is trying to bluff Nato into backing down with highly provocative gestures.

Russian economy is at peak mobilization. That is not sustainable indefinitely. And now, their most important industry is starting to get pummeled, at the worst time of the year. Things are going to get progressively harder for Russia from here on.

---

The only way Ukraine survives is if the United States declares an economic war against Russia or a military war.

And the American people will not support either one.

---

We declared economic war on everyone else and you've been cheering it on. Why not increase it against Russia, an actual sound utilization of our economic might? Their economy is teetering. A not so subtle push could crush Putin's dream for Ukraine and maybe force a peace.

---

Because with Russia it could backfire into something dramatic. And the American people will not tolerate any national dramatics on befalf of Ukraine.

---

Keep an eye on the Moldovan elections on Sunday. The US has been doing the same hybrid warfare they did in Ukraine.

---

FIFY

whiterock said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

No one can say he's been in the tank for Ukraine.
No one say Trump the Peacemaker wants a war anywhere.
No one can say Trump wants a war with Russia.

Meanwhile, Russia has +20% interest rates, 8-hr gas lines for a liter or two of fuel per week (thanks to Uke hits on refineries), and Russian can't do the refinery conversions to prepare for winter energy needs because of said hits, etc…..

Trump is signaling gloves off - we no longer care whether or not Russia survives the war.


Not a good time to be Vlad Putin.
Trump went further than necessary to give him a graceful exit from the war. That door is now closing.

---

Trump cannot bluff Putin.

So he either ruins his presidency bringing on an unpopular war or learns to shut the hell up.

---

not bluffing him at all. Telling him the game is over. We are going to load Ukraine up and let them have at it. That drastically escalates costs for Moscow.

The drone attack on Poland & Romania were a huge sign of Russian weakness, that the Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure are having significant impact on the stability of the Russian regime. Those attacks have always been available. We purposely held back. Not any more. Russia now realizes this and is trying to bluff Nato into backing down with highly provocative gestures.

Russian economy is at peak mobilization. That is not sustainable indefinitely. And now, their most important industry is starting to get pummeled, at the worst time of the year. Things are going to get progressively harder for Russia from here on.

---

The amusement on this thread never ends.

Russia is six months from total collapse...and it always will be.

Sam Lowry said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

No one can say he's been in the tank for Ukraine.
No one say Trump the Peacemaker wants a war anywhere.
No one can say Trump wants a war with Russia.

Meanwhile, Russia has +20% interest rates, 8-hr gas lines for a liter or two of fuel per week (thanks to Uke hits on refineries), and Russian can't do the refinery conversions to prepare for winter energy needs because of said hits, etc…..

Trump is signaling gloves off - we no longer care whether or not Russia survives the war.


Not a good time to be Vlad Putin.
Trump went further than necessary to give him a graceful exit from the war. That door is now closing.

---

Trump cannot bluff Putin.

So he either ruins his presidency bringing on an unpopular war or learns to shut the hell up.

---

not bluffing him at all. Telling him the game is over. We are going to load Ukraine up and let them have at it. That drastically escalates costs for Moscow.

The drone attack on Poland & Romania were a huge sign of Russian weakness, that the Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure are having significant impact on the stability of the Russian regime. Those attacks have always been available. We purposely held back. Not any more. Russia now realizes this and is trying to bluff Nato into backing down with highly provocative gestures.

Russian economy is at peak mobilization. That is not sustainable indefinitely. And now, their most important industry is starting to get pummeled, at the worst time of the year. Things are going to get progressively harder for Russia from here on.

---

The only way Ukraine survives is if the United States declares an economic war against Russia or a military war.

And the American people will not support either one.

---

We declared economic war on everyone else and you've been cheering it on. Why not increase it against Russia, an actual sound utilization of our economic might? Their economy is teetering. A not so subtle push could crush Putin's dream for Ukraine and maybe force a peace.

---

Because with Russia it could backfire into something dramatic. And the American people will not tolerate any national dramatics on befalf of Ukraine.

---

Keep an eye on the Moldovan elections on Sunday. The US has been doing the same hybrid warfare they did in Ukraine.

---

I am an unapologetic Russian shill

---

FIFY

KaiBear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

No one can say he's been in the tank for Ukraine.
No one say Trump the Peacemaker wants a war anywhere.
No one can say Trump wants a war with Russia.

Meanwhile, Russia has +20% interest rates, 8-hr gas lines for a liter or two of fuel per week (thanks to Uke hits on refineries), and Russian can't do the refinery conversions to prepare for winter energy needs because of said hits, etc…..

Trump is signaling gloves off - we no longer care whether or not Russia survives the war.


Not a good time to be Vlad Putin.
Trump went further than necessary to give him a graceful exit from the war. That door is now closing.

---

Trump cannot bluff Putin.

So he either ruins his presidency bringing on an unpopular war or learns to shut the hell up.

---

not bluffing him at all. Telling him the game is over. We are going to load Ukraine up and let them have at it. That drastically escalates costs for Moscow.

The drone attack on Poland & Romania were a huge sign of Russian weakness, that the Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure are having significant impact on the stability of the Russian regime. Those attacks have always been available. We purposely held back. Not any more. Russia now realizes this and is trying to bluff Nato into backing down with highly provocative gestures.

Russian economy is at peak mobilization. That is not sustainable indefinitely. And now, their most important industry is starting to get pummeled, at the worst time of the year. Things are going to get progressively harder for Russia from here on.

---

The only way Ukraine survives is if the United States declares an economic war against Russia or a military war.

And the American people will not support either one.

---

You are correct about the military war, but not correct about the economic war. We are already at economic war with Russia, as is the rest of Nato. And Russia cannot win it unless we throw in the towel.

Sam Lowry said:

---

whiterock said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

No one can say he's been in the tank for Ukraine.
No one say Trump the Peacemaker wants a war anywhere.
No one can say Trump wants a war with Russia.

Meanwhile, Russia has +20% interest rates, 8-hr gas lines for a liter or two of fuel per week (thanks to Uke hits on refineries), and Russian can't do the refinery conversions to prepare for winter energy needs because of said hits, etc…..

Trump is signaling gloves off - we no longer care whether or not Russia survives the war.


Not a good time to be Vlad Putin.
Trump went further than necessary to give him a graceful exit from the war. That door is now closing.

---

Trump cannot bluff Putin.

So he either ruins his presidency bringing on an unpopular war or learns to shut the hell up.

---

not bluffing him at all. Telling him the game is over. We are going to load Ukraine up and let them have at it. That drastically escalates costs for Moscow.

The drone attack on Poland & Romania were a huge sign of Russian weakness, that the Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure are having significant impact on the stability of the Russian regime. Those attacks have always been available. We purposely held back. Not any more. Russia now realizes this and is trying to bluff Nato into backing down with highly provocative gestures.

Russian economy is at peak mobilization. That is not sustainable indefinitely. And now, their most important industry is starting to get pummeled, at the worst time of the year. Things are going to get progressively harder for Russia from here on.

---

The amusement on this thread never ends.

Russia is six months from total collapse...and it always will be.

---

They can go longer than that, if they choose to, but the outcome will be the same.
Russia cannot outlast Nato.