It is said that revenge is best served cold. While my perspective on the Western politicians in this drama is more negative and more pessimistic than Shankar’s seems to be, I agree that in view of the recent developments, the more optimal timing for a big sanctions package is now going to be after Putin fails to show up, because that way, the sanctions package adds emphasis to Zelenskyy’s brilliant recent move.
Back in the days when millionaires and billionaires paid their taxes, America could afford the defense. And in doing so, assured that the US maintained technological and logistical superiority. Now that we are seeing the cancerous effects of Trump and Project 2025 on the federal government, the Department of Defense is little better off than the Department of Education - if only by degrees.
During the Cold War I think the case could be made that the USSR was a much more formidable adversary and having the US anchoring NATO made sense. But modern Russia is a corrupt kleptocracy whose military completely shit the bed in Ukraine and exposed themselves as a paper tiger. Europe can handle them.
"And yes, let’s be clear: there are two factions inside the White House right now. One wants Putin to win. The other is trying to hold the line and prevent it."
To be more clear, Trump is in the former group. The latter are in lesser positions and are
arguably fully cowed.
It is true that RU is deeply unpopular in the U.S., despite having majority support within MAGA. That translates to 25% support at best. Leadership is even more wary of RU. The Senate is offering some fight in support of Ukraine.
Great that Starmer and Macron are reading from the same page, but...
it would have been better if it were Macron and Merz, it would give the European citizens and the view to the world that the European Union is relevant in calling the shots.
It's understandable that Merz just entered the playground, the EU urgently needs a far better understanding of the future of the Union than what came from the caretaker Merkel, unlike Macron she never had a pan-European mindset.
See, our current administration knows exactly what they are doing! Madness, yes, but with a clear goal in mind. Never expected less. And you shouldn’t have too.
Well yes. Putin could show up to meet Zelenskyy, make some kind of agreement with him to the effect that a law will be made in Ukraine that says that people in Ukraine are allowed to speak Russian whenever they choose to do so (to my best knowledge, a law to that effect would not change anything), so that Putin would have an excuse allowing him to declare “a great victory” and that “the problem of nazis in Ukraine has been solved”, withdraw the Russian soldiers from Ukraine’s territory, and end all attacks.
What are more plausible moves that Putin might make?
I don't think he will show up but may try to call his bluff by sending someone else plus his usual night salvo of murderous missiles and drones to civilians in Ukraine. He doesn't want peace except by surrender so, after that, it would be up to the coalition to do what they promised.
I also see this as the most likely move, but I wouldn’t describe it as a “try to call his bluff” move. It’d be a rather weak move in my eyes, even if it may be the best move he has in the current situation, if only plausible moves are considered (i.e. excluding the kind of war-ending move that I described above, which I’m sure would be objectively the best not only for Ukraine but also for Russia).
I’m calling this likely move “a weak move” because in response, Zelenskyy can simply say “Putin doesn’t want peace and doesn’t even want a real ceasefire, as evidenced by his sending a lower-level person who lacks any significant authority” and go home, mission accomplished.
Then it’s up to the Western leaders to make good on their threat. If they do so—great. If they fail to do so, they weaken themselves, but Zelenskyy and Ukraine still look better vis-a-vis Russia than they did a week ago.
It is said that revenge is best served cold. While my perspective on the Western politicians in this drama is more negative and more pessimistic than Shankar’s seems to be, I agree that in view of the recent developments, the more optimal timing for a big sanctions package is now going to be after Putin fails to show up, because that way, the sanctions package adds emphasis to Zelenskyy’s brilliant recent move.
To the extent Trump is forcing Europe to pay for their own defense instead of relying on the US taxpayer, I support him. I do not support Putin.
Back in the days when millionaires and billionaires paid their taxes, America could afford the defense. And in doing so, assured that the US maintained technological and logistical superiority. Now that we are seeing the cancerous effects of Trump and Project 2025 on the federal government, the Department of Defense is little better off than the Department of Education - if only by degrees.
During the Cold War I think the case could be made that the USSR was a much more formidable adversary and having the US anchoring NATO made sense. But modern Russia is a corrupt kleptocracy whose military completely shit the bed in Ukraine and exposed themselves as a paper tiger. Europe can handle them.
I don't trust Starmer! 🤬
I trust Powell.
Very good need, Shankar!
Your reporting fills an important void in American journalism!
We very much need a strong European defense against authoritarianism! With a few exceptions, American media offer only vapid, corporate propaganda!
Thanks so much for covering the ongoing struggles to defend Democracy!
Thank you for helping Ukraine. I’m sorry & embarrassed that my country fell down on the job. Please stay strong.🇺🇦🙏
Europe must step up and free itself from US domination, now Trump has made the US an unreliable ally.
"And yes, let’s be clear: there are two factions inside the White House right now. One wants Putin to win. The other is trying to hold the line and prevent it."
To be more clear, Trump is in the former group. The latter are in lesser positions and are
arguably fully cowed.
It is true that RU is deeply unpopular in the U.S., despite having majority support within MAGA. That translates to 25% support at best. Leadership is even more wary of RU. The Senate is offering some fight in support of Ukraine.
quite like a doubles game in tennis
yepppppppppppppppppp
Brexit is still the poison in the UK’s bloodstream.
Great that Starmer and Macron are reading from the same page, but...
it would have been better if it were Macron and Merz, it would give the European citizens and the view to the world that the European Union is relevant in calling the shots.
It's understandable that Merz just entered the playground, the EU urgently needs a far better understanding of the future of the Union than what came from the caretaker Merkel, unlike Macron she never had a pan-European mindset.
See, our current administration knows exactly what they are doing! Madness, yes, but with a clear goal in mind. Never expected less. And you shouldn’t have too.
Thank you Shankar. More than a start hopefully this is moving in the correct direction.
Hopefully, Germany and Poland leaders are close behind Starmer and Macron. Putin has the next move if he so chooses.
so far they do have tight group. Starmer, Macron, Merz and Tusk.
“Putin has the next move if he so chooses.”
Well yes. Putin could show up to meet Zelenskyy, make some kind of agreement with him to the effect that a law will be made in Ukraine that says that people in Ukraine are allowed to speak Russian whenever they choose to do so (to my best knowledge, a law to that effect would not change anything), so that Putin would have an excuse allowing him to declare “a great victory” and that “the problem of nazis in Ukraine has been solved”, withdraw the Russian soldiers from Ukraine’s territory, and end all attacks.
What are more plausible moves that Putin might make?
he is unlikely to show up because that split screen with zelensky, he knows how that will land.
I don't think he will show up but may try to call his bluff by sending someone else plus his usual night salvo of murderous missiles and drones to civilians in Ukraine. He doesn't want peace except by surrender so, after that, it would be up to the coalition to do what they promised.
I also see this as the most likely move, but I wouldn’t describe it as a “try to call his bluff” move. It’d be a rather weak move in my eyes, even if it may be the best move he has in the current situation, if only plausible moves are considered (i.e. excluding the kind of war-ending move that I described above, which I’m sure would be objectively the best not only for Ukraine but also for Russia).
I’m calling this likely move “a weak move” because in response, Zelenskyy can simply say “Putin doesn’t want peace and doesn’t even want a real ceasefire, as evidenced by his sending a lower-level person who lacks any significant authority” and go home, mission accomplished.
Then it’s up to the Western leaders to make good on their threat. If they do so—great. If they fail to do so, they weaken themselves, but Zelenskyy and Ukraine still look better vis-a-vis Russia than they did a week ago.
As a Canadian, no fan of Sir Kier. Not at all. Macron should never show his back, ever, to Sir Kier.
presume you are being sarcastic