Sorry don't understand why you were " turning it over in my mind, weighing the implications, dreading the moment I’d have to write about it." surely it's good news for Ukraine?????
The U.S. went from “we don’t have missiles to give Ukraine” just a week ago to “we’re going to sell three Patriot batteries.”
That’s not just a shift — it’s a profound directional change.
I’ve often said Trump operates along a line between Ukraine and Russia. From the start, he’s played both sides, hovering near that midpoint. But until now, he’s always leaned toward Moscow — sometimes just slightly, sometimes deep into their camp.
This is the first time he’s crossed the line in the other direction. For the first time, he’s moved toward Ukraine.
And that forces me to reconsider a lot of my assessments. It forces Putin to change startegy.
The US does not move at this speed. The dread part comes from Trump's history. I wanted to wait a bit to look at the angles if he would change before I finish writing the story.
If not providing patriot systems from within US borders but instead pulling from already positioned forward-deployed units in NATO countries as a workaround,
would then this not leave Europe vulnerable to attack from Russia, and/or others (read: U.S.) by depleting allied NATO systems in the meantime until “the war is over”?
Could this also be an arrangement about cost sharing between US and Europe ? Especially if the USA is sending from the stockpile it owns either in the US or abroad ?
Get those A-10's over to Ramstein stat., and teach AFU pilots how to fly and fight with them. Those nose mounted Pepsi Can DU ammo guns shoot 3900 rounds/minute (don't you'll melt the barrels!). They will make the RUS armor corps $#!t their pants
Ummm...has it occurred to anyone that at least a part of these sudden shifts is the kind of chaotic and seemingly senseless whirlwind decision-making that Trump favors, largely because he appears incapable of anything else? Sometimes it seems as if the just spins his made for TV Wheel of Fortune Especial Decision Model and then goes with whichever slot the wheel stops on.
Before the US committed to WW2, we had Lend/Lease with weapons for the UK. Because the US ( public) wanted to stay isolationist, it wouldn’t either look good or be popular to just give weapons directly to Churchill. Maybe it’s just because of the cluster-f that the US is in politically these days
So damn convoluted. I guess democracy requires a little behind the scenes pulling of strings. The delays just seem so cruel. People sleeping in the metro or the boot of their car night after night is dreadful. And here is Putin going after civilian targets. Will he ever pay a price? I guess he just might if the economy continues to tank.
And fears are real in Finland and the Baltics. I just hope Trump doesn’t pull another fast one. Too many two week intervals.
Sorry don't understand why you were " turning it over in my mind, weighing the implications, dreading the moment I’d have to write about it." surely it's good news for Ukraine?????
The U.S. went from “we don’t have missiles to give Ukraine” just a week ago to “we’re going to sell three Patriot batteries.”
That’s not just a shift — it’s a profound directional change.
I’ve often said Trump operates along a line between Ukraine and Russia. From the start, he’s played both sides, hovering near that midpoint. But until now, he’s always leaned toward Moscow — sometimes just slightly, sometimes deep into their camp.
This is the first time he’s crossed the line in the other direction. For the first time, he’s moved toward Ukraine.
And that forces me to reconsider a lot of my assessments. It forces Putin to change startegy.
Shankar-who knows maybe he will change his mind tomorrow…good news for now and hope it stays so the Patriots can get there.
The US does not move at this speed. The dread part comes from Trump's history. I wanted to wait a bit to look at the angles if he would change before I finish writing the story.
But still good news for Ukraine - just hope it actually happens. Look forward to reading your analyses of all this thanks so much
quick Q:
If not providing patriot systems from within US borders but instead pulling from already positioned forward-deployed units in NATO countries as a workaround,
would then this not leave Europe vulnerable to attack from Russia, and/or others (read: U.S.) by depleting allied NATO systems in the meantime until “the war is over”?
Putin’s goal is to destroy the West. That’s NATO.
good question
What do you make of Landsbergis' take on this?
https://substack.com/inbox/post/168136298
I had answered: https://shankarnarayan.substack.com/p/the-pro-putin-gang-in-dc-just-got
Thank you.
Could this also be an arrangement about cost sharing between US and Europe ? Especially if the USA is sending from the stockpile it owns either in the US or abroad ?
Diplomacy takes many non-linear routes. Thanks Shankar for tracking this.
Not for a minute, not for a second… I do not trust Donald Trump and I never have. He does not speak truth he does not follow through. Sticky wicket.
Get those A-10's over to Ramstein stat., and teach AFU pilots how to fly and fight with them. Those nose mounted Pepsi Can DU ammo guns shoot 3900 rounds/minute (don't you'll melt the barrels!). They will make the RUS armor corps $#!t their pants
Ummm...has it occurred to anyone that at least a part of these sudden shifts is the kind of chaotic and seemingly senseless whirlwind decision-making that Trump favors, largely because he appears incapable of anything else? Sometimes it seems as if the just spins his made for TV Wheel of Fortune Especial Decision Model and then goes with whichever slot the wheel stops on.
“or leave them with Ukraine as part of a long-term security architecture”
Well, there’s a good chance of them remaining in Ukraine, as burned and twisted remnants.
Why does anyone think they need so many new ones if not the fact that most of the existing have been destroyed by Iskanders.
Before the US committed to WW2, we had Lend/Lease with weapons for the UK. Because the US ( public) wanted to stay isolationist, it wouldn’t either look good or be popular to just give weapons directly to Churchill. Maybe it’s just because of the cluster-f that the US is in politically these days
So damn convoluted. I guess democracy requires a little behind the scenes pulling of strings. The delays just seem so cruel. People sleeping in the metro or the boot of their car night after night is dreadful. And here is Putin going after civilian targets. Will he ever pay a price? I guess he just might if the economy continues to tank.
And fears are real in Finland and the Baltics. I just hope Trump doesn’t pull another fast one. Too many two week intervals.