(02-03-2025, 10:21 AM)Lilith7 Wrote: I sometimes think that it might not be a bad move for most countries to be as self sufficient as possible, at least as far as we can.

(02-03-2025, 11:49 PM)C_T_Russell Wrote: It was truly horrible to watch how it all went down in the oval office.
Zelensky was thrown under the bus, but I think no one can be surprised as we all know Trumps policy on the Ukraine war.
I didnt know how far Trump was going to go with Ukraine, but it was always a concern for me.

However, there are some theories on why Trump is taking this approach, but we need to see how it is going to play out.
For a start, Putin hates the US and he and his supporters view the US as an enemy.
Any deal the US makes with Putin to end this war makes Putin look weak, perhaps trump is aware of this?
If the US lead Putin along and fool him into thinking he has all the cards, then this may mark the beginning of his downfall.
Who knows if Trump and Zelensky are mates behind closed doors and the whole thing was a setup for the cameras? Zelensky is an actor after all.
Im hoping something like this is the case, but its looking so far that Putin does not really want to even make any deal with Trump.

The US has contributed the most aid to Ukraine, and its clear Trump wants Europe to step up, which we are now seeing this take place.
The US also contributes 2 thirds of the money that NATO gets and it appears that they are considering pulling out of NATO entirely, I dont know if this is a good thing, but the concerns about their share of funding NATO are justified.
I doubt WW3 is likely, but this war is on Europes backyard, well away from the US which right now is having to deal with its own problems.

DOGE is also going to be looking into where the missing money went that was sent to Ukraine, Zelensky appears to be very much in the clear, but I saw a tweet on Elon musks feed where it suggests that the money was laundered and made its way back to democrats, also blackrock.

(02-03-2025, 10:21 AM)Lilith7 Wrote: I sometimes think that it might not be a bad move for most countries to be as self sufficient as possible, at least as far as we can.

Then you need to vote for NZ first

(03-03-2025, 10:31 AM)Lilith7 Wrote:

(02-03-2025, 11:49 PM)C_T_Russell Wrote: Then you need to vote for NZ first

NOT a chance in hell...

(05-03-2025, 07:54 PM)C_T_Russell Wrote:

(03-03-2025, 10:31 AM)Lilith7 Wrote: NOT a chance in hell...

You say you would like to see us being more self sufficient, then there is not really any party in govt other than NZF that has this policy.

(06-03-2025, 06:20 PM)Outsider Wrote:

(05-03-2025, 07:54 PM)C_T_Russell Wrote: You say you would like to see us being more self sufficient, then there is not really any party in govt other than NZF that has this policy.

I voted for Winston last time, but no more - not after what he did today! And Luxon just going along with it, as he does. Helen Clarke is right - this has reminded me of the lead up to WW2 - with Trump appeasing Putin, as Chamberlain did to Hitler. I grew up with everyone saying "This must never happen again" and creating the United Nations. So guess what - it IS happening again and the United  Nations is powerless to stop it. WW3 will be much worse than WW2 - please stand up against evil. for the sake of our children and grandchildren. Who can stop this this ignorance before we all suffer?