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It's long past time for Europe to go it alone. The US has been demonstrating for years their inability, or lack of desire, to take a hard and decisive stance when it comes to Russia and their dictatorial ways. Since WWII there has been theatrical jockeying on both sides designed to keep the world on edge and to drive military expansion everywhere, with the US and Russia/Soviets providing the hardware. The ultimate grift at the expense of everyone. This isn't global chess, it's more like "Go Fish" with every country watching to see which card will be drawn next.
It's time for someone to put the cards away. There are powers in the world that are capable. But those powers are afraid to rock the boat for fear of hurting someone's feelings. Who is going to take the hard line and set things straight? Obviously not the US, as they like their card game. Not the UK, as their PM is hoping to be dealt in at some point. The EU? Maybe, but there are many moving parts, differing opinions, and "let someone else do it" mindsets to wrangle together. Because, let's face it, ending the war in Ukraine is only the beginning. Whatever is established to end the war will need to be positioned to maintain whatever peace looks like coming out the other side. And will that look any different than what we have now, only with a different deck of cards? Time will tell...
Brilliantly said—and painfully true. This hasn’t been global chess for a long time. It’s a rigged card table, and everyone knows who stacked the deck. The U.S. has mastered the optics of leadership without the burden of resolve. Europe can’t afford that anymore.
Ending the war is the beginning of responsibility, not the end of it. And yes—peacekeeping won’t come from playing nice. It’ll come from finally flipping the table.
An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile—hoping it will eat him last-- Winston Churchill.
If you are thinking Putin will eat Europe an be satisfied with it?????? well he is training the next generation saying that Russia is a civilization without borders.
No discussion here, I am subscribing to your articles to learn something from you and the answers submitted. Don’t have time for that. You should be happy to have such a avid reader.
Actually, can’t help myself - what do you mean by next generation? Every normal human being Russian is gone ( Dubai, Malta, Turkey, UK etc.), poor people in Russia are barely surviving and don’t have kids. Birth rate is lowest it has ever been. And young or older people are dying either from being drafted into the army machine, vodka or just pure hunger.
So what/ where is the next generation you’re talking about.
Understood. Just to be clear on my side: I’m not here to be consumed or studied like a product. I respect that you’re reading, but I’m not for sale—on any level.
Around 145 million people live in Russia. The current school and university curriculum encourages Russians to see themselves not just as a nation, but as a distinct civilization—one that transcends conventional borders.
It's not binary. Europe needs to proceed as if the US had disappeared but keep the path open for a return to national sanity. The relationship will be different, but the current US political rulers are suicidal. This will not last.
It’s not about cutting ties, we can look at it as building independence. Europe needs to act as if Washington won’t show up—because right now, it won’t. But the door to a future realignment shouldn’t be shut. As you said: this version of U.S. politics is not sustainable. But waiting it out is no strategy.
So the USA will not take sanctions to the next level and yet this slaughter cannot be allowed to continue. Trump has demonstrated his priority is to keep Putin afloat and anything that the coalition decides to impose will be communicated to him by Trump. This is an existential fight to save Ukraine and if we don't, we will find ourselves in a much wider existential fight. The best weapon we have is against the Russian economy so we do need to go ahead promptly. The USA failed to honour it's treaty obligation to defend Ukraine in 2014 onwards so Trump is doing the same. Europe needs this more than the USA so, go for it.
this is existential, and the time for waiting is over. The most powerful, non-escalatory weapon available right now is the Russian economy—and it’s already teetering. But every delay gives Putin oxygen. Europe has the tools, the leverage, and the moral clarity. It just needs the will to move. The U.S. has shown—repeatedly—that it won’t.
trump wants a buisness deal with putin, ukraine stands in its way, europe needs to get their collective thumbs out of their arses, they need to forget about trump, they need to stay united togeather
I’ve been for Europe going on its own for months! Trump is constitutionally, unable to form real alliances. It’s always about the king and his MAGA kingdom.
I agree with your analysis, except for one important thing - Caving Don won't kill military support if he decides to step back from mediation. Because the terms for support have changed fundamentally.
Since the 'mining' deal, Ukraine is no longer just given military equipment, but buying it, and one of the off ramps for Caving Don when he decides to withdraw from the war, or simply loses interest, is by boasting he has sold another x billion in military hardware to Ukraine. The fact that Ukraine won't be paying until after the mining starts is totally irrelevant.
Caving Don will cry victory at each delivery: "See, we're making money now! Biden gave it away! But we are making big, beautiful money!"
To turn this argument upside down - if Caving Don stops military support, Zelensky can threaten to blow up the mining deal. There's no downside to that. If Caving Don isn't delivering, why would Zelensky keep his end of the deal?
If Caving Don stops delivering, the mining deal becomes null and void. That's not only painful in a political sense. It's especially painful for someone who poses as a magnificent deal maker above all else...
Agree with this: Don won't kill military support if he decides to step back from mediation. Because the terms for support have changed fundamentally. He still needs to be managed.
A very astute observation. This is completely believable and in line with the transactional reality/TV mind of DJT. Always point to the win. And his MAGA throng keeps believing “Caving Don” is winning.
I have said many times, since Trump took over, that it was necerssary for Ukraine to position themselves closer to Europe and distance themselves from the US. Ukraine does not have to accept any "deal" that Trump and Putin concoct. They are getting stronger while Russia is getting weaker. If European leaders can finally grow a real spine and put action into their words then the odds of a Ukrainian victory will increase. They should "Play" Trump as well or better than Putin does to maximize any aid forthcoming from the US if they can. ""Rus" delenda est."
Ukraine owes nothing to Trump’s backroom deals. If anything, they’ve learned how to hold the line better than half the West. Europe’s task now is to match that resolve with real force—money, weapons, sanctions, air defense. And yes—if Trump’s still holding cards, play him just like Putin does.
The sad truth is that the USA has repeatedly waited on the sidelines when the world - especially Europe - is threatened with war. By contrast, Trump's promise to end the war in 24 hours was exceptional, not just for its brash idiocy, but for its suggestion that the US would get involved before it was truly threatened. Taking the sideline is what America does best.
Europe should go forward without America. Simultaneously, it should leave the door open for America's re-entry, but with a specific set of conditions by which it is allowed back in: Full support of sanctions; full intelligence sharing; full 'un-locking' of weapons systems, jets, etc; no place at the negotiating table when Europe, Ukraine and Russia sit down to clarify Russia's surrender; and full, unqualified support of whatever that surrender looks like. In short, "You're welcome back in the room, Uncle Sam, but sit over there in the corner and shut up."
“That was my reflexive reaction the moment I saw Donald Trump’s self-congratulatory social media post following his two-and-a-half-hour call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to Trump, the meeting—during which Putin flatly rejected his ceasefire proposal—“went very well.”
I won’t say I told you so, but there was little chance Trump would ever turn against Putin, since Putin is the only reason Trump is President, and considered a billionaire. The Russian’s have financed every Trump property since the 90’s, when US banks refused to EVER lend Trump money again.
And as far as whether Europe should go it alone? We learned that lesson the last time Trump was in office. Trump is extremely unpredictable, as he is reckless and impulsive; all of which makes him dangerous to Europe, the US, all of North America (with his empty threats), and the existing world order in general.
My only question is, what happened to only he alone can FIX it????? The Art of the Deal is actually, the Art of the deranged and absurd!
And anyone who could ever believe that Trump is a qualified statesman, businessman or even sane, truly needs to get their head examined, because something is seriously wrong with you.
Personally, when it comes to MAGA, I’m thinking RFK Jr. isn’t the only one suffering from brain worms. Although, forget brain worms, these people’s heads have been infested by termites! IMHO…:)
Spend the frozen Russian assets, every dime, use Russia’s own money against it. The sad fact for Russia is that it will be the best spent money for Russians, stopping Russia is good for the entire world and that includes Russians because a loss here will end this war and stop the next one.
For what it’s worth—Biden did push hard to unlock those assets. It was Europe that blinked, worried about precedent and financial stability. But honestly—what’s the point of preserving financial norms if your future burns down around them? Maybe it’s time to rethink the risk calculus. Use the money. End the war. Prevent the next one.
If you’re jumping into the comments (and thank you if you are!), don’t forget to tap the ❤️ at the top of the story. It will take the story to more humans.
It's long past time for Europe to go it alone. The US has been demonstrating for years their inability, or lack of desire, to take a hard and decisive stance when it comes to Russia and their dictatorial ways. Since WWII there has been theatrical jockeying on both sides designed to keep the world on edge and to drive military expansion everywhere, with the US and Russia/Soviets providing the hardware. The ultimate grift at the expense of everyone. This isn't global chess, it's more like "Go Fish" with every country watching to see which card will be drawn next.
It's time for someone to put the cards away. There are powers in the world that are capable. But those powers are afraid to rock the boat for fear of hurting someone's feelings. Who is going to take the hard line and set things straight? Obviously not the US, as they like their card game. Not the UK, as their PM is hoping to be dealt in at some point. The EU? Maybe, but there are many moving parts, differing opinions, and "let someone else do it" mindsets to wrangle together. Because, let's face it, ending the war in Ukraine is only the beginning. Whatever is established to end the war will need to be positioned to maintain whatever peace looks like coming out the other side. And will that look any different than what we have now, only with a different deck of cards? Time will tell...
Brilliantly said—and painfully true. This hasn’t been global chess for a long time. It’s a rigged card table, and everyone knows who stacked the deck. The U.S. has mastered the optics of leadership without the burden of resolve. Europe can’t afford that anymore.
Ending the war is the beginning of responsibility, not the end of it. And yes—peacekeeping won’t come from playing nice. It’ll come from finally flipping the table.
Kanuk, why would America go to the war? We have enough pain and suffering in our own country!
An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile—hoping it will eat him last-- Winston Churchill.
If you are thinking Putin will eat Europe an be satisfied with it?????? well he is training the next generation saying that Russia is a civilization without borders.
No discussion here, I am subscribing to your articles to learn something from you and the answers submitted. Don’t have time for that. You should be happy to have such a avid reader.
Actually, can’t help myself - what do you mean by next generation? Every normal human being Russian is gone ( Dubai, Malta, Turkey, UK etc.), poor people in Russia are barely surviving and don’t have kids. Birth rate is lowest it has ever been. And young or older people are dying either from being drafted into the army machine, vodka or just pure hunger.
So what/ where is the next generation you’re talking about.
The end, getting ready for a night shift work.
Understood. Just to be clear on my side: I’m not here to be consumed or studied like a product. I respect that you’re reading, but I’m not for sale—on any level.
Around 145 million people live in Russia. The current school and university curriculum encourages Russians to see themselves not just as a nation, but as a distinct civilization—one that transcends conventional borders.
https://meduza.io/en/feature/2023/08/19/the-russian-world-cannot-be-contained-by-state-borders?utm_source=chatgpt.com
“To expect the MAGA movement to understand the value of democracy is like expecting a dictator to understand the value of truth. It won’t happen.”
It’s time for Europe to move without the US. The Trump regime and the Republican Party are thoroughly corrupt.
I have never seen corruption at this level, ever in the United States. They have taken it to a whole new level.
It’s all up to Europe now, and the sooner the better. Trump may have a “civil” war of his own to face soon …
With John Roberts in the Chamberlain role.
Hahaha. Very true. Never thought of it that way. You opened my view. Thanks.
MAY is the key. Maybe from previous administration or Oprah, you think 🤔?
It's not binary. Europe needs to proceed as if the US had disappeared but keep the path open for a return to national sanity. The relationship will be different, but the current US political rulers are suicidal. This will not last.
It’s not about cutting ties, we can look at it as building independence. Europe needs to act as if Washington won’t show up—because right now, it won’t. But the door to a future realignment shouldn’t be shut. As you said: this version of U.S. politics is not sustainable. But waiting it out is no strategy.
We're in violent agreement.
It is ok. We can discuss. Is there any other way to refine???
Read my reply again. 🙂
haha. my bad.
So the USA will not take sanctions to the next level and yet this slaughter cannot be allowed to continue. Trump has demonstrated his priority is to keep Putin afloat and anything that the coalition decides to impose will be communicated to him by Trump. This is an existential fight to save Ukraine and if we don't, we will find ourselves in a much wider existential fight. The best weapon we have is against the Russian economy so we do need to go ahead promptly. The USA failed to honour it's treaty obligation to defend Ukraine in 2014 onwards so Trump is doing the same. Europe needs this more than the USA so, go for it.
this is existential, and the time for waiting is over. The most powerful, non-escalatory weapon available right now is the Russian economy—and it’s already teetering. But every delay gives Putin oxygen. Europe has the tools, the leverage, and the moral clarity. It just needs the will to move. The U.S. has shown—repeatedly—that it won’t.
trump wants a buisness deal with putin, ukraine stands in its way, europe needs to get their collective thumbs out of their arses, they need to forget about trump, they need to stay united togeather
I love the smell of Chump failure in the morning. It smells like Chump.
I’ve been for Europe going on its own for months! Trump is constitutionally, unable to form real alliances. It’s always about the king and his MAGA kingdom.
Yes, yes, and yes. Let the world know the US is an unfaithful partner for at least the next 3-1/2 years.
I agree with your analysis, except for one important thing - Caving Don won't kill military support if he decides to step back from mediation. Because the terms for support have changed fundamentally.
Since the 'mining' deal, Ukraine is no longer just given military equipment, but buying it, and one of the off ramps for Caving Don when he decides to withdraw from the war, or simply loses interest, is by boasting he has sold another x billion in military hardware to Ukraine. The fact that Ukraine won't be paying until after the mining starts is totally irrelevant.
Caving Don will cry victory at each delivery: "See, we're making money now! Biden gave it away! But we are making big, beautiful money!"
To turn this argument upside down - if Caving Don stops military support, Zelensky can threaten to blow up the mining deal. There's no downside to that. If Caving Don isn't delivering, why would Zelensky keep his end of the deal?
If Caving Don stops delivering, the mining deal becomes null and void. That's not only painful in a political sense. It's especially painful for someone who poses as a magnificent deal maker above all else...
Agree with this: Don won't kill military support if he decides to step back from mediation. Because the terms for support have changed fundamentally. He still needs to be managed.
A very astute observation. This is completely believable and in line with the transactional reality/TV mind of DJT. Always point to the win. And his MAGA throng keeps believing “Caving Don” is winning.
yesssssssssssssssssssssssss
I have said many times, since Trump took over, that it was necerssary for Ukraine to position themselves closer to Europe and distance themselves from the US. Ukraine does not have to accept any "deal" that Trump and Putin concoct. They are getting stronger while Russia is getting weaker. If European leaders can finally grow a real spine and put action into their words then the odds of a Ukrainian victory will increase. They should "Play" Trump as well or better than Putin does to maximize any aid forthcoming from the US if they can. ""Rus" delenda est."
Agree.
Ukraine owes nothing to Trump’s backroom deals. If anything, they’ve learned how to hold the line better than half the West. Europe’s task now is to match that resolve with real force—money, weapons, sanctions, air defense. And yes—if Trump’s still holding cards, play him just like Putin does.
Rus delenda est. No footnotes needed.
It is time to leave the US behind on this war. tRump just lies,delays and lies again. He will never help Ukraine. Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦💙💛
Europe just announced that is has moved forward. That means US is left behind. https://www.theconcis.com/p/342-russian-tankers-blacklisted-heres
The sad truth is that the USA has repeatedly waited on the sidelines when the world - especially Europe - is threatened with war. By contrast, Trump's promise to end the war in 24 hours was exceptional, not just for its brash idiocy, but for its suggestion that the US would get involved before it was truly threatened. Taking the sideline is what America does best.
Europe should go forward without America. Simultaneously, it should leave the door open for America's re-entry, but with a specific set of conditions by which it is allowed back in: Full support of sanctions; full intelligence sharing; full 'un-locking' of weapons systems, jets, etc; no place at the negotiating table when Europe, Ukraine and Russia sit down to clarify Russia's surrender; and full, unqualified support of whatever that surrender looks like. In short, "You're welcome back in the room, Uncle Sam, but sit over there in the corner and shut up."
“That was my reflexive reaction the moment I saw Donald Trump’s self-congratulatory social media post following his two-and-a-half-hour call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to Trump, the meeting—during which Putin flatly rejected his ceasefire proposal—“went very well.”
I won’t say I told you so, but there was little chance Trump would ever turn against Putin, since Putin is the only reason Trump is President, and considered a billionaire. The Russian’s have financed every Trump property since the 90’s, when US banks refused to EVER lend Trump money again.
And as far as whether Europe should go it alone? We learned that lesson the last time Trump was in office. Trump is extremely unpredictable, as he is reckless and impulsive; all of which makes him dangerous to Europe, the US, all of North America (with his empty threats), and the existing world order in general.
My only question is, what happened to only he alone can FIX it????? The Art of the Deal is actually, the Art of the deranged and absurd!
And anyone who could ever believe that Trump is a qualified statesman, businessman or even sane, truly needs to get their head examined, because something is seriously wrong with you.
Personally, when it comes to MAGA, I’m thinking RFK Jr. isn’t the only one suffering from brain worms. Although, forget brain worms, these people’s heads have been infested by termites! IMHO…:)
Spend the frozen Russian assets, every dime, use Russia’s own money against it. The sad fact for Russia is that it will be the best spent money for Russians, stopping Russia is good for the entire world and that includes Russians because a loss here will end this war and stop the next one.
For what it’s worth—Biden did push hard to unlock those assets. It was Europe that blinked, worried about precedent and financial stability. But honestly—what’s the point of preserving financial norms if your future burns down around them? Maybe it’s time to rethink the risk calculus. Use the money. End the war. Prevent the next one.
Exactly!!!