Russia attacks Ukraine

[Ulrich]

which, by looking at the current events, this is probably true

Maybe, but not because of him... (president or not)!
Russia is building tanks, for being able to attack Nato countries within 5 to 8 years (or so), they won't care what Trump says.

[dsanchez]

Hope this won't escalate...

[dsanchez]

They don't pretend anymore

[dsanchez]

Worth watching, interview with Lavrov:

[dsanchez]

Former Swiss envoy to Turkey, who participated in the early Ukraine talks, reveals that a ceasefire was essentially in hand, but the US/UK blocked it. It was a "deeply immoral" decision, he laments because thousands more died as a result for no reason.

WOW!

Former Swiss envoy to Turkey, who participated in the early Ukraine talks, reveals that a ceasefire was essentially in hand, but the US/UK blocked it. It was a "deeply immoral" decision, he laments because thousands more died as a result for no reason. pic.twitter.com/FI3TSP0ig5

— Trita Parsi (@tparsi) December 19, 2024

[Ulrich]

... thousands more died as a result for no reason.

That depends. Those who died before the proposed ceasefire died for a reason then? 
I don't think so. The poor guys who are forced to attack another country, are the ones who die without reason...

[dsanchez]

... thousands more died as a result for no reason.

That depends. Those who died before the proposed ceasefire died for a reason then? 
I don't think so. The poor guys who are forced to attack another country, are the ones who die without reason...

Sure, but the fact the war continued for so long when it could have been stopped much earlier had as result many more dying, deaths that could have been avoided. Unfortunately, it seems the US (which as we all know by now, has the final word on how long Ukraine should continue fighting) does not have any problem lowering conscription age (to 18 years old) to send more Ukrainians to the frontline, to an almost certain death:

A senior Biden administration official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the private consultations, said Wednesday that the outgoing Democratic administration wants Ukraine to lower the mobilization age to 18 from the current age of 25 to expand the pool of fighting-age men available to help a badly outnumbered Ukraine in its nearly three-year-old war with Russia

https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-war-biden-draft-08e3bad195585b7c3d9662819cc5618f

Blinken himself said this

But for example, getting younger people into the fight, we think, many of us think, is necessary. Right now, 18- to 25-year olds are not in the fight

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/blinken-says-ukraine-needs-get-younger-people-fighting-russia-2024-12-04/

[Ulrich]

As I already pointed out in post #110, negotiations with Putin will probably be fruitless, as he decided to attack Ukraine, despite signing a treaty that he will respect their borders! How long do you think he would keep to a "ceasefire" agreement? Maybe over Christmas (if that means anything to him)...?
IF the Ukraine gives up their territories, what next? Do you think he'll just keep quiet or will he attack another country?

[Ulrich]

We needn't worry, do we? The guy who promised to end this war within a few days, is president soon...
Then he can prove whether he's a "man of his word" or maybe just a "narcisstic a***", who am I to know?

[dsanchez]

We needn't worry, do we? The guy who promised to end this war within a few days, is president soon...
Then he can prove whether he's a "man of his word" or maybe just a "narcisstic a***", who am I to know?

the neutrality of Ukraine (i.e. Ukraine not joining NATO) will be the key topic. Trump's advisors propose a 20-years freeze on Ukraine's NATO bid, but Russia won't accept that. Mearsheimer has explained (see below) why this is a big issue several times, including in his famous Chicago conference way before the invasion started.

let's hope a deal is reached very soon.

[Ulrich]

the neutrality of Ukraine (i.e. Ukraine not joining NATO) will be the key topic. Trump's advisors propose a 20-years freeze on Ukraine's NATO bid, but Russia won't accept that.

Any reasons why?
Oh sorry, I forgot that Putin had signed a treaty to respect their borders and then attacked them anyway...

P.S.: So Tronald Dump won't bring peace? That is disappointing, but no surprise...

[dsanchez]

Any reasons why?

Mearsheimer explains it pretty well:

P.S.: So Tronald Dump won't bring peace? That is disappointing, but no surprise...

This is yet to be seen. One thing is certain: with the current US administration peace negotiations are off the table.

[Ulrich]

Mearsheimer explains it pretty well:

Yeah thanks, but I already understood years ago why Putin thinks Nato is a threat...

What I don't understand is why some people still think he can be trusted when signing a truce or peace treaty. 

This guy won't bring peace, he opens up new conflicts even before he's inaugurated...
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gzn48jwz2o

President-elect Donald Trump is showing no sign of letting up in his desire for the US to acquire Greenland and the Panama Canal, calling both critical to American national security.

Asked if he would rule out using military or economic force in order to take over the autonomous Danish territory or the Canal, he responded: "No, I can't assure you on either of those two.

[MeltingMan]

After seeing new pictures from the front yesterday, I was forced to ask myself (rhetorically) whether the war as a whole is not a crime and not just the war crimes that are being committed here and there by both sides. One would like to shout to those involved: "Stop this nonsense! We are in the 21st century."   I have remained silent for a long time because I do not want to adopt the pro-Russian view. It has to do with my life. So if I can give any advice at all: stop this violence. Stop it at last if you want to be real people. 

[Ulrich]

The guy who promised to end this war within a few days, is president soon...

He already changed from "within days" to "about 6 months".
A "bigmouth" is what he has (and is)...