We are where we are - Trump always wanted normalisation with Russia and to end, or severe cuts, to US support for Ukraine's security. There had been no sign that European diplomacy was changing those goals before the meeting with Zelensky. Europe is not suddenly on its own - it already was. - ThreadSky

johnspringford.bsky.social • 24 days ago

We are where we are - Trump always wanted normalisation with Russia and to end, or severe cuts, to US support for Ukraine's security. There had been no sign that European diplomacy was changing those goals before the meeting with Zelensky. Europe is not suddenly on its own - it already was.

Comments

claireaj.bsky.social•24 days ago

This article fully explains the conditions behind the abuse of Zelensky yesterday by Trump's team -

https://leftfootforward.org/2025/02/the-boys-are-back-in-town-reflections-on-the-psychology-of-trumpworld/

suzybrew.bsky.social•24 days ago

This is all about Trump. Let no one detract from that. The buck of history stops with him.

jandehn.bsky.social•24 days ago

BLOG: This debacle - an attempt at bullying on a national scale - confirms that Russia and the other fascist state - the United States - seek to carve up Ukraine. All democracies must reject this outrage. The US is not Europe’s ally, it is its enemy. Act now! https://www.jandehn.com/post/molotov-ribbentrop-pact-2-0

laseine.bsky.social•24 days ago

I would call it a little more than "normalisation" though

johnspringford.bsky.social•24 days ago

This doesn't mean that trying to keep US ties from being irrevocably severed isn't worth it - especially because US resources still need to be bought. But it does mean that Europe must step up, just as it did before yesterday.

williamneal.bsky.social•24 days ago

Yes, and appearances matter. Some more ambiguity in American position might have been useful to buy Europe some more time to sort itself out.

euantaylor.bsky.social•24 days ago

100%

tonyprinciotti.bsky.social•24 days ago

Right on both counts. Trump's values are so cartoonishly corrupt that normal people - i.e. those capable of empathy - have difficulty accepting it to be the case. This dynamic ends up giving him more credit than his actions merit, expanding the Overton window until it includes all sorts of sludge.

jamesbottomley.bsky.social•24 days ago

The thing is, without US arms, Ukraine is in deep trouble even if the whole of Europe enthusiastically does everything it can. It just doesn't have the arms production and even if it ramped up now, it won't for some years. That just leaves others like Turkey or S. Korea or Japan, all nervy of Trump.

officer-blackavar.bsky.social•24 days ago

People keep saying that but Europe has dozens of defence firms. BAE, Saab, Safran, Airbus, Leonardo, Rheinmettal, Dassault,ThyssenKrupp, Steyr, H&K, Thales, Naval Group, MBDA etc. We just need to stop talking and start spending.

jamesbottomley.bsky.social•24 days ago

That's all true, the issue is complex though, they don't currently produce at the scale needed, they make systems that aren't always interoperable or appropriate, they are tied to US software and roles, etc.

boodie123.bsky.social•24 days ago

I think that the USA nemesis are the Brics, and, to some lesser extent, the EU. Pleasing Putin might be a way to weaken the bond with China. Chinese CP leaders are competent, contrary to the soviets of yesterday's and, together with India and Russian minerals and gas, could economically win the game

morgenrothedgar.bsky.social•24 days ago

The war could have been prevented by Biden.
It could have been stopped by Biden. Scholz in particular, by hiding behind Biden, stopped Europe from grasping the situation.

kearseymorton.bsky.social•24 days ago

it was very clear during his campaign that he would abandon Ukraine, it was clear when he met Putin at Helsinki in 2018 that he was subservient to the Russian leader, nothing of all this is a surprise but to see it happen live on tv is still a huge shock

likeopomp.bsky.social•24 days ago

If the US tries to ease on sanctions on Russia, it is the end of NATO and no USAF presence in Europe means its force projection in Africa and ME is hamstrung. It would also likely mean Singapore, Japan, the Philippines and Taiwan call Beijing and say "Okay, you won - what are the new rules?"

bittersweet73.bsky.social•24 days ago

And the staged press conference was covered live by TASS...I wonder how an uncredited press agency managed that

robpountney.bsky.social•24 days ago

It does back up the view that this was planned in advance...

kalicj.bsky.social•24 days ago

If US withdraws from NATO which is the implications, there are consequences. There is nothing in the charter to say we must bow or where special clothes to see the president. Ghadi wore his cloth and bare head shoeless. Respect comes from the dignity and that is Zelensky.

kalicj.bsky.social•24 days ago

Power may come from bullying but then what? Assuming France and Britain will abandon Ukraine is wrong. Germany under leaders. Don't think Europe is as weak as all that. We urged permission to use weapons against Russia. It could have been over.

speitsch.bsky.social•24 days ago

Europe is only on its own because American voters chose this

As if this needed saying that another Trump term would mean Ukraine would be abandoned - he announced it on the campaign trail

Our problem is that campaign journalism is vibes journalism

Journalists don’t editorialize. They should.

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