See what a huge draw on resources this war is on every country? Give up and cede the Russian held territory and Crimea and call it a day. No one’s wants a nuclear conflict over Ukraine and Russia knows this.
It sounds simple doesn't it? But that would encourage other authoritarian countries to act the same way as Russia. Just grab some lands and wait till the victim and its allies become too tired of the war psychologically and economically. And let's suppose Crimea and 4 oblasts are given to Russia. First of all, they could always desire to get more Ukrainian lands, and they really do. Or they could just use their 1 million men to do the same trick with Azerbaijan next (just using it as example based on latest Russian-Azerbaijani relationship developments) immediately or after spending some time to lick the wounds.
So your brilliant idea is to reward nuclear blackmail and war crimes with territorial gifts? Bravo, Neville Chamberlain would've been proud. Maybe next time a dictator threatens the world, we’ll just hand him the keys and say ‘please don’t press the red button.’ Pathetic mindset — cowardice dressed up as pragmatism.
Ukraine simply isn't a US strategic priority, never has been. Now that the gambit to weaken Russia has so obviously failed, USA is keen to dump the issue in Europe's feckless lap, as soon as possible.
Ukraine eagerly participated in it's own demise by glomming on to empty US and UK promises, and would do well to capitulate before Russia drops the bridges over the Dniepr and Odessa is lost, as well.
Thanks Don. While all the rage is with Trump and for good reasons, why France is unable to build enough (even not enough but just some) Aster missiles? If Ukraine had finished their stocks February or March, we have 3-4 months of just nothing
The Aster multinational production is a typically troubled system, not suitable for wartime requirements. The whole pipeline is so dysfunctional, with the body of the missile traveling at least two times outside Italy in order to receive parts from the various partners of the project. And the lead time for a new production run is claimed to be nearly two years from the sign of the contract.
Yes, it's really that bad, geared up for meeting exact specifications in artisanal quantities and share of the pie by multiple nations participating in a convoluted system. In a rational system, you would concentrate all parts in a single production line and assemble everything under one roof. But that would mean the pie wouldn't be shared "fairly"
A couple of reports in Haaretz on US aid to Israel (subscription so just some quotes) -
"According to U.S. Missile Defense Agency budget data, only 12 THAAD interceptors were produced in 2025, yet in just 12 days of fighting, the United States fired eight times that number. Production is expected to rise only slightly in 2026, with just 32 interceptors scheduled, meaning it will take time to replenish depleted stockpiles. At $13 million per unit, the United States has launched an estimated $1.25 billion worth of interceptors in the war with Iran."
It was noted that interception rates fell off as the conflict went on with the analysis being that Israel running low/husbanding its remaining anti-missile reserves (over 100 launched) and/or that Iran was using its newer missiles. Cost of the interceptors estimated at $1.5 billion of which the THAADs were $1.25 billion. Success rate overall for interceptions placed at 86%.
Yesterday it reported that 5 Israeli military bases had been hit with the IDF claiming that in spite of damage all remained operational.
Then today - "The United States is building infrastructure to accommodate the Israel Air Force's new refueling aircraft and helicopters, as well as a new headquarters for the Israeli army's Shayetet 13 naval commando unit, and numerous other projects costing billions of shekels, according to official documents from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers published online. All these projects are funded by U.S. military aid to Israel."
Currently $250 million expected to reach $1 billion over time.
Meanwhile as noted in the THAAD production forecast the US lags on ramping up production of military ordnance for its own use, let alone export.
See what a huge draw on resources this war is on every country? Give up and cede the Russian held territory and Crimea and call it a day. No one’s wants a nuclear conflict over Ukraine and Russia knows this.
It sounds simple doesn't it? But that would encourage other authoritarian countries to act the same way as Russia. Just grab some lands and wait till the victim and its allies become too tired of the war psychologically and economically. And let's suppose Crimea and 4 oblasts are given to Russia. First of all, they could always desire to get more Ukrainian lands, and they really do. Or they could just use their 1 million men to do the same trick with Azerbaijan next (just using it as example based on latest Russian-Azerbaijani relationship developments) immediately or after spending some time to lick the wounds.
So your brilliant idea is to reward nuclear blackmail and war crimes with territorial gifts? Bravo, Neville Chamberlain would've been proud. Maybe next time a dictator threatens the world, we’ll just hand him the keys and say ‘please don’t press the red button.’ Pathetic mindset — cowardice dressed up as pragmatism.
If you're not Ukrainian you have no say on what to do with their territory. Try giving your country to Russia first and see if that will satisfy them.
Or ruzzia could... just go home
Ukraine simply isn't a US strategic priority, never has been. Now that the gambit to weaken Russia has so obviously failed, USA is keen to dump the issue in Europe's feckless lap, as soon as possible.
Ukraine eagerly participated in it's own demise by glomming on to empty US and UK promises, and would do well to capitulate before Russia drops the bridges over the Dniepr and Odessa is lost, as well.
Each day it sounds more and more that Ukraine is meant to only buy time for Western armed forces to build up
Посол Израиля на Украине Бродский уточнил, куда и с какой целью Израиль отправил своих «Петриотов». Ну, совсем не на Украину!
https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/posol-brodskiy-peredachu-ukrayini-patriot-1751891503.html
CTYD!
Thanks Don. While all the rage is with Trump and for good reasons, why France is unable to build enough (even not enough but just some) Aster missiles? If Ukraine had finished their stocks February or March, we have 3-4 months of just nothing
The Aster multinational production is a typically troubled system, not suitable for wartime requirements. The whole pipeline is so dysfunctional, with the body of the missile traveling at least two times outside Italy in order to receive parts from the various partners of the project. And the lead time for a new production run is claimed to be nearly two years from the sign of the contract.
Yes, it's really that bad, geared up for meeting exact specifications in artisanal quantities and share of the pie by multiple nations participating in a convoluted system. In a rational system, you would concentrate all parts in a single production line and assemble everything under one roof. But that would mean the pie wouldn't be shared "fairly"
A couple of reports in Haaretz on US aid to Israel (subscription so just some quotes) -
"According to U.S. Missile Defense Agency budget data, only 12 THAAD interceptors were produced in 2025, yet in just 12 days of fighting, the United States fired eight times that number. Production is expected to rise only slightly in 2026, with just 32 interceptors scheduled, meaning it will take time to replenish depleted stockpiles. At $13 million per unit, the United States has launched an estimated $1.25 billion worth of interceptors in the war with Iran."
It was noted that interception rates fell off as the conflict went on with the analysis being that Israel running low/husbanding its remaining anti-missile reserves (over 100 launched) and/or that Iran was using its newer missiles. Cost of the interceptors estimated at $1.5 billion of which the THAADs were $1.25 billion. Success rate overall for interceptions placed at 86%.
Yesterday it reported that 5 Israeli military bases had been hit with the IDF claiming that in spite of damage all remained operational.
Then today - "The United States is building infrastructure to accommodate the Israel Air Force's new refueling aircraft and helicopters, as well as a new headquarters for the Israeli army's Shayetet 13 naval commando unit, and numerous other projects costing billions of shekels, according to official documents from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers published online. All these projects are funded by U.S. military aid to Israel."
Currently $250 million expected to reach $1 billion over time.
Meanwhile as noted in the THAAD production forecast the US lags on ramping up production of military ordnance for its own use, let alone export.
No problem for Us. It will probably be a part of the 3,5/5 percent budget....
Thanks Don, but after the last paragraph I'm confused, because I thought Agent Krasnov was working for Russia, not China!