10 Comments
User's avatar
Paul Boyd's avatar

If the gist of the article is that Europe needs to "step up" I 100% agree. Europe has for too long immersed itself, childlike, into the bosom of the US. Sure, we encouraged this. But, c'mon Europe, have some pride!

Has Zelensky made mistakes. Yes. Wars are full of them, including war itself.

His country was invaded by a dictator, Putin, who prides himself on killing civilians. So, sure, criticize Zelensky. But any sober assessment of the "mistakes" leaders have made in this war has got to weigh more heavily on the Putin side. From his initial, well-calculated, attack which would render unto ceaser in 3 days, to his new press on Trump to prolong the war and slowly hamstring Ukraine.

Yep, Biden risked two things which turned out to be wrong. First, that US "management" of the war would result in a Ukrainian victory. Second, that he could sustain US domestic support by clocking Ukrainian "victories". Management was hampered by an inability to understand the risks. Flooding Ukraine with HIMARS and ATACMS was the way to go. Invoking the Defense Production Act was his best domestic bet to support Ukraine in terms of materiel, and to boost domestic manufacturing in support of a "just cause".

Alas.

We should call out Putin's "calculation" that he could take Ukraine in no time at all. Such represents the quality of "calculation" autocrats are capable of. Existing in their own "disinformation bubbles" they are told what they want to hear, then consider themselves "clever" and powerful when they compose "plans" of great magnitude. Like little boys playing at life.

Consider now Trump's "calculation" relative to the war in Ukraine, and more recently with regard to his "tariffs". Whoa boy! Low quality outputs are the main product line of autocrats. Autocrats court catastrophe because they exist in fact-free zones. So it is with Putin. So it is with Trump.

The abiding "truth" in Europe is they need to mobilize their troops in support of Ukraine. According to General Cavoli's testimony this week before Senate Armed Services, Ukraine has largely "solved" their manpower issues. Adding European forces then produces at least two advantages.

Primarily, this would raise the tangible and intangible costs to Putin of his war in Ukraine. Secondarily, it would put Europe where it belongs in this war, with skin in the game. The US "shield" is basically gone. Pretending it's still there is foolish unless and until actions are taken to ensure that the US has Europe's back. Such actions will not be forthcoming from the Trump-Vance administration.

there is great truth to the notion that europe's "troop" potential is weak. Ukraine does not need their numbers, it needs their presence. If this can be achieved, everything will change. On the ground, and at the negotiating table. Trump-Putin will not render justice to Ukraine or to Europe.

Trump wants Europe to assume the prone position in terms of economic. Putin wants Europe to assume the same position in terms of its military capacity. Together they will agree on: prone.

Expand full comment
rickster's avatar

I'm not sure about some of your statements but I agree with much of it and certainly this:

"The truth is that they could get rid of their nuclear weapons, save a ton of money, and grow their conventional forces dramatically."

Expand full comment
Lesia Dubenko's avatar

Those are not my statements. It's his interview

Expand full comment
rickster's avatar

Yeah, I get that

Expand full comment
Boris T.'s avatar

how perverted one has to be calling for more men to die especially after cheering minsk refusal and derailed istanbul after the staged bucha, and especially from sitting on the couch abroad living on western taxpayers money?!

Expand full comment
Boris T.'s avatar

who cares about your western propaganda indoctrinated views and fabricated lies paid by the usaid, cia, and mi6?

Expand full comment
Lesia Dubenko's avatar

You obviously since you comment on every and each oF my posts 😁

Expand full comment
Boris T.'s avatar

here is something different - about your neo-ꑭꑭꑭ banderites https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgQVOWs2wYk

Expand full comment
Boris T.'s avatar

i just enjoy to share an alternative point of view with your loyal brainwashed followers...

Expand full comment