It was significant that so many of Europe’s leaders made it their top priority to drop whatever was previously on their schedules and butt in to this meeting. What I haven’t yet heard is, what did they demand? What did they offer? Did any of them contribute something worthwhile to the negotiations? Were they just there for political posturing, or did any of them show true leadership by stepping up in a difficult situation? I ask because the future of Europe, and of NATO, depends upon having some people at the helm who are not just useless puppets. Peter, were you able to discern anything about this?
Ukraine is the most militarised country in Europe, if not in the World. Their armed forces are more capable than any European army, and will remain such for years after the Peace deal (assuming it happens). So much about "demilitarisation" and "denazification" of UA.
There is no end to this war that does not leave NATO on Russia's border.
That's been the absurdity of this entire war. The very thing Putin is presumably most adamant about not allowing is the one thing that has always been certain to be part of the outcome ever since Finland and Sweden came off the sidelines to join NATO.
Putin gets four bombed out oblasts, complete with NATO troops watching him across the Dniepro. And that is Putin's "best case" scenario.
It was significant that so many of Europe’s leaders made it their top priority to drop whatever was previously on their schedules and butt in to this meeting. What I haven’t yet heard is, what did they demand? What did they offer? Did any of them contribute something worthwhile to the negotiations? Were they just there for political posturing, or did any of them show true leadership by stepping up in a difficult situation? I ask because the future of Europe, and of NATO, depends upon having some people at the helm who are not just useless puppets. Peter, were you able to discern anything about this?
The prevailing corporate media narrative is that they were there to ensure Trump didn't bully Zelenskyy.
The reality is probably that showing up was a necessity for keeping a seat at the table.
The real question: what sort of security guarantees does Zelenskyy need? The European leaders showing up lets them take part in answering
And Zelenskyy wore a suit too. Excellent analysis of the situation.
Ukraine is the most militarised country in Europe, if not in the World. Their armed forces are more capable than any European army, and will remain such for years after the Peace deal (assuming it happens). So much about "demilitarisation" and "denazification" of UA.
The military capacities of both Ukraine and Russia are well described by the ongoing stalemate along the front line in eastern Ukraine.
Neither Russia nor Ukraine have the military capacity to break the stalemate. That is definitionally how a stalemate emerges on the battlefield.
https://open.substack.com/pub/tonyjabbott/p/the-world-is-even-more-dangerous?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=m0512
I'm going to have to disagree with you on this one Peter. NATO has been and will likely continue to be Russia's red line.
There is no end to this war that does not leave NATO on Russia's border.
That's been the absurdity of this entire war. The very thing Putin is presumably most adamant about not allowing is the one thing that has always been certain to be part of the outcome ever since Finland and Sweden came off the sidelines to join NATO.
Putin gets four bombed out oblasts, complete with NATO troops watching him across the Dniepro. And that is Putin's "best case" scenario.