10 Comments
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Richard Bedingfield's avatar

I completely agree with you, as a Brit, and any documents signed by Trump could be dismissed as he only makes agreements like a property developer which are transactional. When a transaction is abused or fails, the agreement is null and void. The defences must be effective and most not made in the USA.

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Baxter Wilson's avatar

I agree Shankar-this is exactly what’s needed…Europe needs to continue to step up and organize. I see it happening in fits and starts but nothing really concrete. I fully believe in Ukraine and its independence. I also think Z is doing a good job but needs help.

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Karenza's avatar

I’m pretty sure that Ukraine and Zelenskyy are only too well aware of Putin’s thought processes. They’ve been observing at very close hand throughout his career and any shreds of naïveté they might have cherished after 2014 are well and truly gone now. They yearn for peace but not capitulation. Putin’s position is dire and the closer he gets to the edge of tge precipice the more manipulative and predictable he becomes. Europe is slowly waking up to the danger and the US under Trump trembles on the brink of betrayal. Ukrainians have amply demonstrated their capacity to withstand immense pressure with resilience and courage but what about the rest of us?

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Stephen ONeill's avatar

There is no alternative but to defeat Putin and Russia. It must be done now and Europe must face up to that fact. As long as Putin is in power...and perhaps any successor...the danger of a further conflict involving the Baltics, at the least, will be a constant threat. Ukraine is the spearpoint and the more weapons and funding Europe can contribute to them the greater chance the defeat will come this year. There is an end in sight if Europe will seize the moment.

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Andrew's avatar
2dEdited

Dear Shankar … another visionary article, of many, which should, in truth, be landing directly onto Volodymyr Zelenskyy‘s table each morning.

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Bev Ferguson's avatar

A dose of reality today from Shankar. We all know how Trump and Putin lie and disregard agreements; their word is no bond. The Baltics have too long been out of the spotlight, and this is good that you push for speed in shoring up their defense.

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Bruce Maslack's avatar

Why sign anything at this point if you haven’t a good-faith partner in Mr. Putin? Defeat Putin’s Russia instead.

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Alexandra Barcus's avatar

We have known this was the setup for a long time. It has always been Putin’s endgame. Trump just complicates everything. And I’m afraid the would-be Pope has lost his mind in a clinical sense. Either he has gone off the deep end or his Cabinet is filling him with lies.

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Sundar Srinivasan's avatar

I hope this tariff war started by Trump stops so Europe doesn’t face a recession and be financially stable to sustain its objective of being self reliant militarily.

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Delia Wozniak's avatar

You know it’s true!

We know it’s true!

Let’s make sure all of Europe is preparing to defend its Eastern front!

The Russian Bear is hungry!

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