News & views related to the war in Ukraine …
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August 10, 2025
Ukraine Open Thread 2025-180
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Two questions:
1. Why do you think Putin will travel to Alaska?
2. How would Russia go bankrupt? I have a feeling people who say that are ignorant and have no understanding of bankruptcy.
Posted by: Nobody Special | Aug 11 2025 14:36 utc | 301
Posted by: boneless | Aug 11 2025 14:32 utc | 300
If the positions are known, drop a tactical nuke on ’em.
It’s difficult to fathom how Colombians can be so stupid. They’re going to end up with their brains splattered on walls, dogs eating them. The lamentation of their women will be heard in Texas, all the way from Medellin.
Posted by: Ghost of Zanon | Aug 11 2025 14:40 utc | 302
>>> “Why do you think Russia “feared” the direct involvement…” <<< Posted by: Nobody Special | Aug 11 2025 14:10 utc | 298 . . Well, considering Russia is over 3.5 years into a war with squalidly corrupt nazis, with no end in sight, while suffering 100-200,000 dead, they'd definitely fear direct NATO involvement
Posted by: seer | Aug 11 2025 14:43 utc | 303
“It’s difficult to fathom how Colombians can be so stupid.”
The survivors will have modern drone techniques and supplier contacts. Useful if you are a mafia type.
Posted by: YetAnotherAnon | Aug 11 2025 15:14 utc | 304
@ seer | Aug 11 2025 14:43 utc | 303
Russia is already fighting NATO — NATO materiel, NATO SIGINT, and so forth — everything except NATO troops…in quantity of course.
Posted by: malenkov | Aug 11 2025 15:19 utc | 305
So if Julian and the likes placed an order for a Patriot system, (With the batteries of course), could they wait the seven year procurement time for a now thirty year old system?
I’ll say it again. The Euros are BROKE.
Germany has some room on its credit card but there’s nothing to buy. Pentagon cupboard is empty.
Thank you VVP.
Posted by: Inevitability | Aug 11 2025 15:43 utc | 306
Map reading…
Alaska is next to Canada which belongs to the Crown – 9x% of the Canada is crown land.
It also has a very active Ukrainian community – some of whom are Nazis – as the the Canadian parliament found out after applauding one.
The relationship between the UK, Canada, Australia is not “anglo” – neither Scotland Wales nor the Windsors are “anglo”…
The king is not a figurehead – royals are part of a class (including military, MI5/6…) which is above the governments – with more military training than many here probably with command responsibility and have the last word in foreign affairs and war – see Prince Albert/Palmerston and the Trent Affair – and guess who started the negotiations for the Entente Cordiale which turned Germany into Foe and France into Friend?
I could go on – in any case to say that Putin is safe is exagerated.
Kidnapped into Canada and that’s that.
BTW – the silence from the crown is normal – think about Trump claiming Canada as 51st state – yet being a guest of Canada’s head of state – the King.
The same goes for the other European monarchies.
If one wanted to change things get rid of the monarchy which unites UK, Canada, Australia and a load of little places which are very important – e.g. sovereign territory in Cyprus and so on.
The EU can be reformed.
Get rid of the EU and Europe will be what?
Estonia has a population of 1m – against which Finland seems a giant with about 5m – Sweden barely outpopulates London or New York.
Those East European countries were either fascist or authoritarian long before Germany was – check out the timeline – and very ethnically nationalist.
Lithuania was second fascist country after Italy – well before Germany
And Poland was the most agressive – invading Ukraine and Bylorusse already in 1920 – after that war which nobody dares mention – when the USA had boots on the ground in the far east of Russia – funny nobody mentions these things – spoils the narrative, doesn’t it?
Impotent monarchs, victim east europeans…. and other fairy tales
Posted by: hh | Aug 11 2025 16:15 utc | 307
>>> “Russia is already fighting NATO — NATO materiel, NATO SIGINT, and so forth — everything except NATO troops…in quantity of course.”
Posted by: malenkov | Aug 11 2025 15:19 utc | 305
.
.
Yes, but what if NATO had jumped in and attacked that 40 mile long roadway North of Kiev, choked with personnel? The war would have ended right then. It’s the direct NATO involvement that Russia (still) fears.
Russia bet they could attrition the hohols despite NATO indirect support. But they’ve undoubtedly laid off on some things so as not to provoke a direct response. If NATO fragments, as Trump seems to be engendering, Russia may let loose the hounds.
Posted by: seer | Aug 11 2025 16:18 utc | 308
Posted by: ThouShalt | Aug 11 2025 2:47 utc | 194
Let’s say he was assassinated. Then what? Does Russia just go away? Is Putin the entirety of Russia?
From an imperial point of view, those aspects are not relevant. Right now the empire faces some resistance against it’s openly egoistical and highly aggressive policies. It has no carrot left, but a mighty stick. It needs to use excessive force to intimidate wobbly characters like MOdi and Lula. And it will work. Killing Putin will wipe away their resistance. It will have to happen in the Chavez way of killing. Everybody knows you did it, but it will be ambigous enough for all opportunists to look the other way. Putin will get x-ray’d on his chair in Chernobyl amounts or he will breath in some poison and die a few weeks later. Like Nordstream, everybody will know and fear. Lula and Modi will bend the knee.
If this sounds too fantastical for you, then I would point out that the US did the most comical evil deeds for over a hundred years, way crazier and way more wicked. Like Berletic, I feel that the Kremlin simply does not get it, they cannot wrap their head around the imperial mindset. If Putin believes, the russian success on the battlefield has forced the US to concede then he is delusional and maybe even deserves his fate.
Maybe there is a hidden plan that will play out over the coming days, but I have my doubts.
Posted by: Hamburger | Aug 11 2025 16:22 utc | 309
At best Putin’s trip to Alaska is bad optics.
Putin should remember Arafat’s 2004 visit to France for medical reasons.
The cover up of his death (polonium-210 bullshit) indicates that his usefulness had ended and he was killed there.
Posted by: Is Putin stupid? | Aug 11 2025 16:47 utc | 310
Still rumours flying in Kiyv … Zelenskyy will be forced out any day now
The German chancellery said in a statement that the talks would concentrate on “the current situation in Ukraine with a view to the planned meeting between US President Trump and Russian President Putin.”
The chancellery also said the talks would focus on “further options for action to put pressure on Russia” as well as “preparations for possible peace negotiations and related issues of territorial claims and security.”
MOSCOW — Donald Trump said he was bothered by Vladimir Zelensky’s statements on territorial issues.
“I get along with Zelensky, but, you know, I disagree with what he’s done, very, very severely, totally disagree.”
Here’s an excellent analysis, though lengthy, of all the American and Western foreign policy decisions that brought us to the Ukraine war. It seems balanced to me, but I wasn’t paying attention in the 1990’s so I can’t vouch for that.
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/the-first-draft-of-the-ukraine-wars-history/
Posted by: Paranaense | Aug 11 2025 17:12 utc | 312
Pretty much common sense …. negotiations have been going on behind the scenes for many weeks, if not months.
Planned Putin-Trump meeting may suggest contours of Ukraine deal outlined
Plans to hold a Russian-American summit in Alaska may suggest that Moscow and Washington have already agreed on a solution to the Ukraine crisis, Director of the Nuclear Studies Institute at American University Peter Kuznick told TASS.
“Despite all the objections coming from [Ukraine’s Vladimir] Zelensky, the ‘coalition of the willing’ who seem willing to fight to the last Ukrainian, and Democrats and Republicans back in the US, this is a very positive step in the right direction,” the prominent political analyst and historian said on Sunday, commenting on the announcement that Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart, Donald Trump, will hold talks in Alaska on August 15. “There must be at least the outline of a deal in place or else I don’t think they’d be holding such a meeting. A failed meeting between Trump and Putin would be pretty disastrous,” Kuznick stated.
According to him, “the resisters, who don’t want to see this [Putin-Trump] meeting take place, object to the idea of Ukraine being forced to give up land, to Zelensky not being present at the meeting, to Ukraine having to relinquish its desire to join NATO, to Ukraine being forced to make other concessions, to the possibility of the US lifting sanctions [on Russia], and especially to Putin coming away the ‘winner’.” “They don’t want to see normalized relations between Russia and the United States,” the expert noted.
I repeat myself, only person that should fear for his life in Alaska … is VOZ.
“Kidnapped into Canada and that’s that.”
A novel idea! However in practical details, the closest geographic region, Yukon, has only about 45,000 people (most of whom live in Whitehorse, far away from the border if you don’t count Skagway) and has very few main transportation corridors besides the Alaska highway (very long and linear) and air travel. North BC? Even more sparsely populated. Alaska by comparison has 15 times the population at 700K and WAY more infrastructure and potential hidey holes. And Anchorage is a pretty big city, lots of U.S military scattered around.
Point is, in the surrounding Canadian side there’s virtually nothing there and it takes a zillion years to get anywhere. Unless of course you’re in a plane. Also as this is a rather sleepy backwater, any group of more than a few people who don’t fit the expected mold stand out like a sore thumb. I suppose the team could try and pose as tourists or contractors going to/from a mine, but even that is fraught with peril for detection.
But it’s a fun thought experiment! Only way someone could get kidnapped from Anchorage to CDA would be in a plane that somehow is allowed to take off undetected (like a normal sched or charter) which while not impossible would be a pretty far stretch! Any other means (boat, overland) would take WAAAAY too long
Posted by: Clown Shoes | Aug 11 2025 17:19 utc | 314
Again, Russia and Trump cannot reach a “deal”.
Putin can’t sell less than the full objectives to the Russian people and Trump cannot roll back NATO to the Neocons or MIC.
Can they agree to hug and shake hands?
Can they exchange gifts?
Yeah.
None of which will solve the problem for NATO on the front lines.
Trump’s increasing desperation mimics what Merkel did when the Donbass militias and Wagner were close to collapsing the UkroNazi lines.
She flew immmediately to Moscow to propose a Minsk agreement.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Aug 11 2025 17:28 utc | 315
>>> “Germany invites Trump, Zelensky, NATO, EU leaders to a virtual meeting before Trump-Putin summit” <<< Posted by: Oui | Aug 11 2025 17:05 utc | 311 . . The rats are scurrying now. The Blob is rattled. Trump may have timed out this Alaska thing just right, whatever happens. Setting the table with the eurocucks seems to have gone well, too. Tarriffs and making them pay for any arms to Ukraine seem to be clearing eurocucks' minds. Sunlight does that. The Blob likes the shadows.
Posted by: seer | Aug 11 2025 17:30 utc | 316
Hmmm…all those Ukrainian who fled abroad….suppose as Ukraine is bankrupt, with an illegal presidents and in no way a democratic country having squashed media, closed down opposition, closed down religion , VP might consider offering these peoples who might be of a proven Russian culture-who fear returning to Ukraine and who are increasingly rejected by their temporary hosts- visas or passports to Russia for opportunities to prove their worthiness to remain in Russia?
Posted by: Jo | Aug 11 2025 18:05 utc | 317
Posted by: steven t johnson | Aug 10 2025 23:05 utc | 161
I voted Stein in what was effectively a protest vote (Texas).
Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | Aug 11 2025 18:24 utc | 318
I was just reading a front-line report. Russia is moving very fast.
Between now and the meeting (if it happens), a lot will occur on the ground.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Aug 11 2025 18:33 utc | 319
Further argument that this will probably (hedging what I cannot possibly know) amount to nothing significant.
Just a week ago, Trump signed an Executive Order declaring the Russian state to be a threat to America.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Aug 11 2025 18:43 utc | 320
The right offensive flank, has moved ten kilometres North without meeting any Neo-Nazi resistance.
“Most of the people don’t even know but Russia has just started the Battle of Kramatorsk – the de-facto capital of the Donetsk Oblast.
The Russians are now moving fast.”
https://nitter.poast.org/pic/orig/media%2FGyF4uFNXoAAgGfE.jpg
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Aug 11 2025 18:56 utc | 321
I voted Stein in what was effectively a protest vote (Texas).
Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | Aug 11 2025 18:24 utc | 318
______
Sadly, Stein was a protest vote everywhere.
Posted by: malenkov | Aug 11 2025 19:02 utc | 322
guest from franconia | Aug 11 2025 11:59 utc | 291
*** Putin’s pulse before the Alaska trip: _/\_/\_/\_/\_
Putin’s pulse on the return flight: _______________ ***
No … at this week’s OTAN (Oligarchs to Terminate All Nations) meeting in Alaska what will actually happen is the voluntary kabbalistic sacrifice of Lindsey Graham (perhaps via icicle impalement) … as a warm-up towards their satanic masters’ cattle event in Jerusalem.
It will also be announced that Trump has won the Nobel prize … a Pope has been found shitting in the woods … Ukraine will become Khazaria …Chinese spies have stolen the secret US formula for sweet+sour pork with fried rice … and the world will end in 60 days.
Other than that, nothing special.
Posted by: Cynic | Aug 11 2025 19:41 utc | 324
Trump: Next Meeting Will Be Zelensky & Putin
https://www.rt.com/news/622767-trump-putin-zelensky-meeting/
“The next meeting will be with Zelensky, will be with Zelensky and Putin – or Zelensky and Putin and me. I’ll be there if they need,’ Trump stated, adding ‘ but I want to have a meeting set up between the two leaders…”
Almost as if the US wasn’t/isn’t progenitor and principal in this American proxy war against Russia.
Posted by: JohnGilberts | Aug 11 2025 19:48 utc | 325
reply to 323
In favor of you pro-collapse folks, Mercouris mentioned that defensive lines constructed in Donbass will be left behind if Russia captures that area completely. So, he feels that Russia can run loose after that.
I’m skeptical. Cities and towns can be used defensively and drag on for a long time. Further, there is the matter of Kyiv, that would be a mess to capture. OTOH, could Russia skip cities and just leave them surrounded? Nor does this answer the question of Zelensky – who is untouchable regardless of decay, corruption or defeat. He will not agree or leave, period and there is no one to force him.
Posted by: Eighthman | Aug 11 2025 20:05 utc | 326
Vance dissing Ukraine, Trump going as far as stating that it was Russia who defeated Hitler (and not the USA), all that concerted sudden praise of Russia is such an obvious ruse, the manufacturing of an all of a sudden reasonable US administration on all channels, it is so predictable and transparent.
All Trump apologists and wishful thinkers will be aghast and perplexed that they fell for another psyop, again. It’s a trap. It’s a trap and the tiny chance that it isn’t a trap is not worth the risk. As somebody has posted before, it feels so much like Lucy pulling the ball on Charlie Brown.
Posted by: Hamburger | Aug 11 2025 20:13 utc | 327
Posted by: Hamburger “It’s a trap. It’s a trap and the tiny chance that it isn’t a trap is not worth the risk.”
I agree.
What is the upside?
There is no upside in going to Alaska. There is much downside.
Everything can be done without Putin going to Alaska.
Except, perhaps Putin selling out.
Posted by: Mr James | Aug 11 2025 20:26 utc | 328
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Aug 10 2025 17:39 utc | 82
“I sincerely urge everyone to read it, and challenge everyone to remain unmoved. As @ Newbie observed with his post, if you still don’t understand after reading it you need a new heart, because your present one is dead.”
I could only read part way. It’s too sad and awful. Anyone critical of Russia’s actions in the SMO needs to know this back story.
Posted by: Paranaense | Aug 11 2025 20:36 utc | 329
NATO Intel, Big Tech and Cyber War on Russia via Ukraine
sputnikglobe
details since2010
extract
such as Central to the anti-Russia cyber campaign is the so-called IT Army of Ukraine — an umbrella network of roughly 130 hacker groups (100,000–400,000 participants) coordinating via Telegram, an informed source told Sputnik. These groups, including KibOrg, Muppets, NLB, UHG, and others, work alongside Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), Armed Forces cyber units, and foreign partners. Platforms such as Hacken OÜ (Estonia), Hetzner (Germany), DigitalOcean (U.S.), and sites like War.Apexi and Ban-Dera.com are used to facilitate mass DDoS attacks. Israel’s notorious cyber Unit 8200 has reportedly also fostered cooperation between the IT Army and Israeli cybersecurity firms including Matrix IT Ltd, Check Point Software Technologies Ltd, and Covertrix.From November 2021 to February 2022, on the eve of the current conflict, under the Hunting Forward program, US Army Cyber Command teams deployed in Ukraine to gather intelligence on foreign cyber tactics and prepare network attacks against Russia. Since 2022, several hundred U.S. Cyber Command personnel have rotated through Ukraine, coordinating operations with NATO cyber centers, the Pentagon’s Chief Digital and AI Office, and Ukrainian military cyber units. In June 2022, General Paul Nakasone, the then-head of US Cyber Command, admitted to Sky News that the US was conducting offensive cyber operations against Russia in support of Ukraine. “We’ve conducted a series of operations across the full spectrum; offensive, defensive, [and] information operations,” he said.
etc etc
Posted by: Jo | Aug 11 2025 20:36 utc | 330
Posted by: Jane | Aug 10 2025 18:09 utc | 90
“How strategic would Alaska really have been, being separated from the Russian mainland by a wide strait, and difficult to impossible to defend from the land side?”
The history I read (if true) is that Russia was concerned that they wouldn’t be able to defend Alaska from the voracious British who were advancing across Canada, and selling it to the Americans seemed like an obvious solution.
Posted by: Paranaense | Aug 11 2025 20:43 utc | 331
Posted by: Eighthman | Aug 11 2025 20:05 utc | 326
#######
Collapse, like death, is inevitable and natural.
It may happen soon, it may not happen for a century or a millennium.
Nature doesn’t much care what you or I want.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Aug 11 2025 20:54 utc | 332
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Aug 11 2025 20:54 utc | 331
Are you in operative mode?
Really. You sound so far away from a human, that I can’t believe that you are human.
Posted by: Esophagus | Aug 11 2025 21:10 utc | 333
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Aug 10 2025 19:28 utc | 113
“Capitalism has invented something called “Cost of Living” where your very existence, is an ever-inflating expense – that you must overcome to survive.”
It’s called “hidden inflation.” But at least when I go to my capitalist run grocery store I don’t find empty shelves. I remember jokes about bread lines in the Soviet Union. One comrade loses it and tells the next guy in line that he can’t tak it anymore and he’s going to go shoot Gorbachev. An hour later when he rejoins the line the guy says “I thought you were going to shoot Gorbachev.” “Yeah I was, but that line was longer.”
Posted by: Paranaense | Aug 11 2025 21:12 utc | 334
Posted by: Esophagus | Aug 11 2025 21:10 utc | 332
That is a fairly obvious windows/microsoft co-pilot piece. You can tell be the silly generalities.
Posted by: watcher | Aug 11 2025 21:27 utc | 335
I believe that Trump will recognize Crimea and maybe another territory or two in return for an Arctic partnership with Russia.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Aug 11 2025 21:38 utc | 336
Let’s talk about the next 15, Friday, because it is the relevant question.
It’s very clear that after the meeting in Anchorage, there will be a meeting in Moscow. The time is not relevant per se, but the content of a new realistic view of the politics.
Everyone will try to fuck every other, but we will try to make of our purposes, rational and a compromise of real policy.
Very positive. The Ghouls in the World are seeking the chaos.
These two Animals, VP and T are trying to be focused in the inertial problems that the world is trying to leave aside in the past, in order to built a future.
May be there is not future?
Hope.
Always there be.
Posted by: Esophagus | Aug 11 2025 21:40 utc | 337
Posted by: watcher | Aug 11 2025 21:27 utc | 334
Maybe I’m wrong, but the constant obsession without a moment to recognize the comments: wait a minute, maybe I must to give up during some time.
Nah. This is a bot.
A derailing machine learning bot.
This bot has a purpose: to figure out the emotional and intellectual signatures of the commenters, not because we are important or relevant, but because we are data.
And the character of a human, his/her personality is the thing that the bot is built to figure out.
What is like to be a bat?
What is like to be human?
Posted by: Esophagus | Aug 11 2025 22:00 utc | 338
All’s well , near 1.300+ casualties day
some marat update
https://maratkhairullin.substack.com/p/brief-frontline-report-august-11th
and happy birthday marat
https://maratkhairullin.substack.com/p/happy-birthday-marat-khairullin
Posted by: Newbie | Aug 11 2025 22:31 utc | 339
I believe that Trump will recognize Crimea and maybe another territory or two in return for an Arctic partnership with Russia.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Aug 11 2025 21:38 utc | 335
I said in the barrom many months ago that peace will look like a real estate deal. The key area will be transcarpathia/Bukovina because Russian Oil and gas will need to pass through to get to Hungary, Slovakia and Serbia. Let’s see about land swaps now …
Posted by: frithguild | Aug 11 2025 23:23 utc | 340
I am sorry to be pessimistic but I rather think Alaska is much, much bigger than Ukraine.
Over recent weeks we have seen
First threats to Russia
1. US nukes back to UK
2. US subs closer to Russia even threatening
3. The Azerbaijani corridor
4. Trump threats to BRICS eg Brazil and India
Second threats to China
1. BRICS is about China
2. Philippines going full war preparation
Third to Middle east
1. Continued threats to Iran
2. The Gazan holocaust
3. Syria mini battles
There are no doubt many other issues I have forgotten or I am not aware of
I rather think Alaska is a last ditch stand, probably by Putin to avoid WWIII.
I am not optimistic.
Posted by: watcher | Aug 11 2025 23:36 utc | 341
Yes, but what if NATO had jumped in and attacked that 40 mile long roadway North of Kiev, choked with personnel? The war would have ended right then. It’s the direct NATO involvement that Russia (still) fears.
Posted by: seer | Aug 11 2025 16:18 utc | 308
If… if… if… quite stupid if…
Russia fears nothing, especially Russia does not fear nato which is lead by cowards. Fearing cowards would be quite stupid. nato sent military “advisers” and “humanitarians”, but when they are killed everything is done so that the corpses are buried secretly and the families paid to keep silence. One exception: French General Georgelin killed when coming to close to the front. As it was not possible to hide his death, he died officially falling during a mountain hike. Piotr Tolstoi warned: nato soldiers will be killed if they enter Ukraine. All of them, he added.
Posted by: Naive | Aug 12 2025 0:28 utc | 342
I am not optimistic.
Posted by: watcher | Aug 11 2025 23:36 utc | 340
Who cares about your state of mind?
I for one not at all.
Is a world lead by psychopathic mass murderers worth existing? The existing “values” are nil.
Posted by: Naive | Aug 12 2025 0:45 utc | 343
Seer
It takes time to send on ground troops. Russia would quickly have brought their air force into play. Yes it would have been costly but for both sides. Many nato forces would have died. It is probable that nato nations would not be ready for such large losses.
That Kiev column was a symbolic one intended to force a settlement but it backfired. It was not a wise action. Russia has paid a heavy price but so have all the participants.
Posted by: Watcher | Aug 12 2025 0:47 utc | 344
@seer | Mon, 11 Aug 2025 16:18:00 GMT | 308
Yes, but what if NATO had jumped in and attacked that 40 mile long roadway North of Kiev, choked with personnel? The war would have ended right then. It’s the direct NATO involvement that Russia (still) fears.
And it’s direct involvement that NATO fears to do, because they fear Russia. Mostly they fear Russian nuclear weapons, but still. NATO members (there is no NATO standing force) have not, and will not get directly involved, so all this speculation about hypotheticals that did not, and will not, happen is pointless.
Posted by: James M. | Aug 12 2025 0:57 utc | 345
The whole point of having a proxy is for it to do your fighting for you. If one somehow missed that obvious fact after three and a half years of this war, perhaps they should find a better place to waste their time than this forum.
Posted by: boneless | Aug 12 2025 1:12 utc | 346
***** jo @317
“Hmmm…all those Ukrainian who fled abroad..”
******
Jo, you just may have helped Zelensky and the Europees away to get funds to buy weapons — tax the income of ukrainian who fled.
Zelensky will pass an overseas income tax of 30% on Ukrainians who fled the country. He will request the Europee states where these Ukrainian fledders work to collect this income tax for him. The taxes that are collected by the Europees can be kept by them to offset weapons purchases.
Posted by: Jerr | Aug 12 2025 1:23 utc | 347
A lot of geopolitical analysts mistake the US of 2025 for the one of 2000, or even 2012. I don’t doubt their assessment of US plans; I doubt the competency of the planners, the policy makers who pay the planners, and the people expected to bring those plans to fruition, from politicians to proxies.
That anyone in the current US government, deep state included, could execute splitting Russia and China over Ukraine; then pivoting to defeat China while Russia looks on; and then finally returning to finish the job against Russia is hilarious. We’re watching an empire fall here. That’s always at least as much internal rot as it is external force.
I think all, including the current POTUS, generally agree that the US is rotting. It is simply bad analysis to believe that a nation so clearly rotting is simultaneously ultra competent at the most complex and nefarious games.
Posted by: Lex | Aug 12 2025 1:24 utc | 348
Meeting in Alaska. Why Zelensky is in Shock
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z53Kpr1q-XI
Anatoly Sharij (Ukrainian dissident politician in exile in Spain)
Alexander Mercouris
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTUeESIuJP8
“Zelensky UK/EU seek direct US Russia war – demand US guarantee to Kiev; Kiev’s Donbass army melts away.”
Posted by: JohnGilberts | Aug 12 2025 3:01 utc | 349
Based on DPA just now, we need to organise an ambulance for poor Anonymous. Over 60 square km in last 24 hours. Musty not gert any hopes up but it is looking much better.
Posted by: watcher | Aug 12 2025 3:06 utc | 350
Anatoly Sharij: Meeting in Alaska. Why Zelensky is in Shock (& vid corrected from above)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZS3Kpr1q-XI
Posted by: JohnGilberts | Aug 12 2025 3:10 utc | 351
Prime Minister Carney Speaks With President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky
https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/readouts/2025/08/11/prime-minister-carney-speaks-president-ukraine-volodymyr-zelenskyy
“…The Prime Minister and the President welcomed the leadership of President Trump and the United States in working toward securing peace in Ukraine in the context of upcoming negotiations. The Prime Minister endorsed the recent statement issued by European leaders on the same.
The two leaders underscored that decisions on the future of Ukraine must be made by Ukrainians, that international borders cannot be changed by force, that diplomatic engagement must be reinforced by continued pressure on Russia to end its aggression, and the need for robust and credible security to enable Ukraine to defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Prime Minister Carney affirmed Canada’s steadfast support for Ukraine. The Prime Minister underscored Canada’s robust military and financial support to Ukraine, including $2 billion in new military support and the disbursement of a $2.3 billion loan in funding to help rebuild Ukraine’s infrastructure and public systems.
Last week, Canada, the European Union, and the United Kingdom announced they intend to lower the price cap for Russian crude oil – weakening Russia’s ability to fund its illegal war.
Prime Minister Carney confirmed that Canada will continue to cooperate closely with The Coalition of the Willing, President Trump and the United States of America, and with President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine for peace and security, in Ukraine and Europe…”
Atlanticyst Carney suggests he can be ‘all things to all people’. Make no mistake, Canada has invested close to $50 b in ‘Project Ukraine’ since 2014, when it allowed Banderist nazis to shelter in its Kiev Embassy during the US coup and Maidan Square battles. Russia will remain the enemy to Ottawa, no matter Carney’s nominal tilts to ‘cooperate closely’ with Trump.
Posted by: JohnGilberts | Aug 12 2025 3:40 utc | 352
A 17 km long breakthrough.
The breakthrough means entering the rear of the entire Kramotorsko-Konstantinovskaya grouping of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Posted by: Suresh | Aug 12 2025 4:10 utc | 353
Posted by: ThouShalt | Aug 11 2025 2:13 utc | 188
“Putin isn’t a pussy who hides in a shelter afraid to do what is right because of the “deep state”. Big difference between him and Trump. Real leaders don’t cower from their responsibilities because of some threat to themselves. They have courage, not cowardice.”
“Donald Trump returned to Butler, Pennsylvania, on October 5, 2024, approximately 84 days after the assassination attempt that occurred on July 13, 2024.
This rally marked his first visit to the site since the attack.”
Posted by: Paranaense | Aug 12 2025 4:11 utc | 354
Posted by: JohnGilberts | Aug 12 2025 3:40 utc | 351
Yes, you have to wonder about “Prime Minister” Carney, the King of Davos. He seems to be drawn to gays. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcF09edGork I’ll bet he’s intrigued with Zelensky’s piano skills! It’s unfortunate his penchant is costing Canadian taxpayers billions. No wonder the CAD is heading for Peso territory.
Posted by: Elmer Fudd | Aug 12 2025 4:25 utc | 355
Am I the only one who believes that the meeting will actually not happen in Alaska, but in Russia?
That the whole Alaska thing is a way for Trump to save face and not look weak by going to Moscow. We know he cares about optics.
That would be the only thing making sense for me. Can’t believe Putin being that naive to go to the US.
Posted by: MattMoscow | Aug 12 2025 5:17 utc | 356
Posted by: MattMoscow | Aug 12 2025 5:17 utc | 355
######
I believe Trump said today that he is going to Russia. I thought it might have been a momentary confusion but you make a good case.
There is zero reason for Trump to bend the knee in Alaska. Alaska would still be suboptimal for a media event.
Now that I think about it, this could very well be a prelude to an American escalation, Iran-style.
Trump is not only a liar, he is perfidious by nature.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Aug 12 2025 6:01 utc | 357
Crooke thinks the big meeting will be an agreement on arctic mineral resources.
Doctorow thinks Russia will buy the Donbas with the frozen Russian funds.
PCR doesn’t know.
Neither do I, but I note that the time zone change would give plenty of time to cancel the event, should Iran be attacked during the early hours of the Muslim sabbath.
Posted by: necromancer | Aug 12 2025 6:09 utc | 358
Thank you to an earlier poster who put up a Brian Berletic link. My take on the ‘summit’ is, should anything egregiousl happen (by which I am referring to assassination/s) then it will be no different in message from November ‘63 barring the obvious change of scale, where once interest ruled domestically, now it rules globally(and doesn’t give a fig for the occasional ungloving).
Posted by: Sharp elbow | Aug 12 2025 6:27 utc | 359
Posted by: necromancer | Aug 12 2025 6:09 utc | 357
#####
I said earlier today that I think it will be an arctic deal because there is nothing else the Russians can offer.
I expect treachery by Trump. Americans are not good faith actors.
I could see Azerbaijan or the Baltics being used.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Erdogan decided to FAFO.
The West has never been this desperate post WW2. Everything is on fire.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Aug 12 2025 6:31 utc | 360
Given that AngloSaxo elite scum are agreement incapable, am unconvinced VVP wishes to offer them anything.
He may merely wish to keep open diplomatic channels.
(From his KGB days, he had an annual assessment noting his reduced sense of danger)
Posted by: necromancer | Aug 12 2025 7:37 utc | 361
Stupid foreigners FAFO and their brains and guts fertilize the Ukraine:
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/12/world/europe/foreign-soldiers-ukraine-russia-missile-attack.html
Who wants to be the last idiot to die for a losing cause?
Posted by: Ghost of Zanon | Aug 12 2025 8:55 utc | 362
Paranaense (334).
Tell me if Communism or Socialism is so bad and doomed to fail – why has the USA and it allies travelled around the globe attempting to destroy it at every turn?
Kissinger said that we (meaning the West) can’t standby and watch countries become socialist or communist countries – even if the people vote for it, hence the destruction of Chile by one of the Wests favourite war criminals, General Pinochet, add in that the extremely brave and resilient Cubans have resisted destruction and kept socialism alive.
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Aug 12 2025 9:16 utc | 363
Republicofscotland — “Tell me, if Communism or Socialism is so bad and doomed to fail – why has the USA and it allies travelled around the globe attempting to destroy it at every turn?”
Well said, sir!!
Posted by: Steve from oz | Aug 12 2025 9:34 utc | 364
>>> “And it’s direct involvement that NATO fears to do, because they fear Russia.” <<< Posted by: James M. | Aug 12 2 . . Yes, both fear NATO involvement. You make my point precisely.
Posted by: seer | Aug 12 2025 12:46 utc | 365
>>> “Russia fears nothing.” <<< Posted by: Naive | Aug 12 2025 0:28 utc | 342 . . Yes, you are naive.
Posted by: seer | Aug 12 2025 12:48 utc | 366
>>> “That Kiev column was a symbolic one.” <<< Posted by: Watcher | Aug 12 2025 0:47 utc | 344 . . Yes, and that is why it was so vulnerable to NATO attack.
Posted by: seer | Aug 12 2025 12:54 utc | 367
I don’t think Putin is safe in Alaska. Imagine if something happened to him there !
Posted by: JB | Aug 12 2025 20:40 utc | 368
Western military plants are expanding three times faster than before the escalation of the Ukraine conflict, the outlet has reported
Europe rapidly ‘building for war’
European arms factories have been expanding three times faster than they did before the escalation of the Ukraine conflict, with more than 7 million square meters of new industrial development since 2022, the Financial Times has reported.
According to the FT’s analysis of more than 1,000 radar satellite passes, building activity at European weapons plants now suggests “rearmament on a historic scale.”
Moscow has condemned what it calls the West’s “reckless militarization.”
The study covered 150 sites across 37 companies, with the largest growth at ammunition and missile facilities. About a third of the sites reviewed showed expansion or construction as Europe “builds for war,” the outlet said.
Examples include a new Rheinmetall–N7 plant in Hungary, MBDA’s expansion in Germany to manufacture Patriot missiles, and a Kongsberg plant in Norway which opened in 2024.
Western European leaders have described the buildup as essential to meet NATO targets, sustain military aid to Kiev and deter what they claim is a risk of Russian aggression.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has also called for building “Europe’s strongest army,” while his Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has backed moves to reintroduce conscription.
Germany to form national security councilRead more Germany to form national security council
Moscow has repeatedly denied any intent to attack NATO or EU states, calling such claims “absurd” fearmongering aimed at justifying increased military spending.
Last month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Western European leaders were “trying to prepare Europe for war – not some hybrid war, but a real war against Russia.” He claimed the EU had plunged into a “Russophobic frenzy” and warned that its militarization had become “uncontrolled,” likening the trend to “historical events” and alleging that Western European nations are “transforming into a Fourth Reich.”
Moscow has also consistently criticized Western arms deliveries to Ukraine, arguing they only serve to prolong the fighting and cause unnecessary casualties without changing the outcome of the conflict.
From Around the World
Posted by: Jo | Aug 12 2025 21:47 utc | 369
@ Jo | Aug 12 2025 21:47 utc | 369
All those arms factories? Nothing a handful of Oreshniks or Kinzhals couldn’t handle.
Posted by: malenkov | Aug 12 2025 22:13 utc | 370
If it was a previously banned user who was NOT a troll, has only one identity now, and is still not a troll, then I guess that would be OK if they comply with any restrictions B would see fit. But I’m not the moderator here, that’s B.
Posted by: George | Aug 11 2025 11:40 utc | 288
I agree with that. It relates to another good point you have made, iirc. Some people really do learn from earlier mistakes and modify some of their previously dogmative views, or at least become more receptive and less rhetorically combative towards the expressed views of others who write posts with honesty. All Under Heaven made a great point on a different thread:
if you hang out with fascists long enough, you will start agreeing with some of their stuff. The same goes the other direction: if you hang out with communists long enough, one will end up agreeing with some of it.
Posted by: ThouShalt | Aug 13 2025 0:41 utc | 371
Putin might well be assassinated in Alaska, as Gruff predicts with his usual confidence and certainty. But Putin still has to do it because that is his job as a leader. He doesn’t shirk responsibilities due to potential dangers.
Negotiating and being a real diplomat. Not hiding away from responsibilities and then excusing his lack of doing the right thing by blaming “the deep state!” Or “Biden” for forcing him to do otherwise.
Posted by: ThouShalt | Aug 13 2025 1:44 utc | 372
Those evil things scare my dogs when I walk them. I am done.
Posted by: lex talionis | Aug 11 2025 5:18 utc | 21
____________
Hmmm. It looks as if nobody in your neighbourhood goes out anymore _except_ to walk their dogs…
Posted by: Gene Poole | Aug 13 2025 11:02 utc | 373
“I live in America, this site fully loads every time I try and I can read it all. And I have never had a problem posting anything here.”
Posted by: ThouShalt | Aug 11 2025 3:49 utc | 205
Same in BC, Canada. I haven’t had a problem for a few years. I do have to refresh the page after it times out in order to post.
Samsung android phones.
Importantly, refresh retains my user info whereas post another comment clears it.
Posted by: David G Horsman | Aug 13 2025 20:34 utc | 374