« Plans » for European troops in Ukraine « once a ceasefire is achieved » are not going to impress Putîn in any way. Especially with a pliable interlocutor like Trump seemingly delegated to make deals for the West.
This would only amount to more of « too little to late » or « helpful but not decisive ». Like M1 & Leopard tanks; Storm Shadow missiles and now Taurus.
Indeed any plans of commitment of future European troops in the event of ceasefire - no matter how bold or large on paper now - will be either just prolong the stalemate conflict as they are unacceptable to Putin. Or, they will be « negotiated » down to irrelevance by Putin to enable a ceasefire that will ultimately only result in a pause that serve Putin to regroup, refresh, rearm an ultimately resume the invasion. And, then placing a powerless contingent of European troops (the only thing that might be accepted by Putin in a negotiation) in harm’s way.
The only path to a real peace is for Europe to deploy troops to Ukraine now. This would be a much overdue proper reaction to an unprovoked invasion of a sovereign country. GHW Bush readily deployed troops (with European help and involvement)to Kuwait in great number to defend the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty enshrined in the UN Charter and international law.
For Europe to not do the same, for an allied, fellow, geographically contiguous and proximate country can only encourage Putin to persist in his atavistic, imperial, authoritarian plans to re-divide Europe into « spheres of influence » at best or de facto imperial possessions at worst.
These atavistic aims are now shared by the current US Administration. (That in turn aims to control, or possess, Greenland…Panama…Canada. ) And probably aims as well - through economic pressures - to reduce Europe, to a status quo ante. European but no Union. But only worse, for Europe and the world in this vision. A vision of a weak Europe as a series of principalities beholden to one or the other « super-power ». To be pitted one against the other and traded as economic colonies.
Yes. Europe must go it alone without the USA. But not by acquiescing to some « peacekeeping force » to ensure the rape of Ukraine’s resources by both Putin and Trump sometime in a future to be decided by “negotiations” not directly involving Europe or Ukraine. But by acting forcefully and decisively NOW!
Deploying European (and UK and who is willing to help) troops now in decisive numbers to Ukraine. (Which given the state of Russian military in Ukraine so well documented in this post is probably not that many.) The stated limited aim of this action would be to help Ukraine repel the invader out of the recognized sovereign territory of Ukraine.
"Germany, France and Britain should unveil real, credible plans to send troops and air forces to Ukraine, showing they could be there immediately after a ceasefire"
It is hard to think of any impact of this effort, let alone a positive one. Putin will never accept their presence. Perhaps it is a useful exercise to prepare a fighting force, by why pretend it has another purpose?
Unfortunately this writer’s personal Russophobic stance is too far removed from neutral to be worthy of reading. Like others of his ilk, he takes the standpoint of someone who is ‘inside Putin’s head’, who understands his every thought and move. No doubt also basing his position on the infallible war statistics emanating from that reliable and unbiased source, Ukraine. If you want to reaffirm the stories your grandparents told you about ‘evil Russia’, the James Bond movie script of ‘the Russians’ undermining world stability…and waves of soldiers running headlong into cannon fire, then of course, read on. For sure, all your stereotypical hopes, fears and platitudes will be affirmed.
Really? Does this commenter think that to note that Russia seized Crimea by force in 2014 and sent forces into Donbas, and then in 2022 invaded the whole country, is “Russophobic”. Or that by comparison with Putin’s publicly stated goals, the invasion has failed? We don’t need to claim we understand Putin’s every thought and move. He writes them down in articles claiming Ukrainians don’t have a right to exist except as Russians, and makes his statements publicly. It is actually those, like you, who want to be Putin-sympathisers or Putin-understanders who are implicitly claiming to be inside the head of this man who has his opponents murdered.
What a wonderful roadmap to take us straight into a nuclear Armageddon. Bill, please stop writing madness. We need ceasefire and peace talks. I am no fan of Trump, but admittedly he is the only chance of bringing this folly to an end other than mutual assured destruction
It is not me who is writing madness. Trump has no chance of bringing this war to an end, if he continues the way he is. The conditions Putin has put forward even for entering peace talks, let alone concluding them, show that he is not serious about ending the war. The only chance of achieving peace is to show Putin that he has no chance of achieving his goals.
Spot on Bill. The only language Putin understands is force therefore the west should speak to him as such. Will trump stand up or roll over like the rest of ‘the wets’ we’ve had as leaders in recent years? History awaits.
« Plans » for European troops in Ukraine « once a ceasefire is achieved » are not going to impress Putîn in any way. Especially with a pliable interlocutor like Trump seemingly delegated to make deals for the West.
This would only amount to more of « too little to late » or « helpful but not decisive ». Like M1 & Leopard tanks; Storm Shadow missiles and now Taurus.
Indeed any plans of commitment of future European troops in the event of ceasefire - no matter how bold or large on paper now - will be either just prolong the stalemate conflict as they are unacceptable to Putin. Or, they will be « negotiated » down to irrelevance by Putin to enable a ceasefire that will ultimately only result in a pause that serve Putin to regroup, refresh, rearm an ultimately resume the invasion. And, then placing a powerless contingent of European troops (the only thing that might be accepted by Putin in a negotiation) in harm’s way.
The only path to a real peace is for Europe to deploy troops to Ukraine now. This would be a much overdue proper reaction to an unprovoked invasion of a sovereign country. GHW Bush readily deployed troops (with European help and involvement)to Kuwait in great number to defend the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty enshrined in the UN Charter and international law.
For Europe to not do the same, for an allied, fellow, geographically contiguous and proximate country can only encourage Putin to persist in his atavistic, imperial, authoritarian plans to re-divide Europe into « spheres of influence » at best or de facto imperial possessions at worst.
These atavistic aims are now shared by the current US Administration. (That in turn aims to control, or possess, Greenland…Panama…Canada. ) And probably aims as well - through economic pressures - to reduce Europe, to a status quo ante. European but no Union. But only worse, for Europe and the world in this vision. A vision of a weak Europe as a series of principalities beholden to one or the other « super-power ». To be pitted one against the other and traded as economic colonies.
Yes. Europe must go it alone without the USA. But not by acquiescing to some « peacekeeping force » to ensure the rape of Ukraine’s resources by both Putin and Trump sometime in a future to be decided by “negotiations” not directly involving Europe or Ukraine. But by acting forcefully and decisively NOW!
Deploying European (and UK and who is willing to help) troops now in decisive numbers to Ukraine. (Which given the state of Russian military in Ukraine so well documented in this post is probably not that many.) The stated limited aim of this action would be to help Ukraine repel the invader out of the recognized sovereign territory of Ukraine.
"Germany, France and Britain should unveil real, credible plans to send troops and air forces to Ukraine, showing they could be there immediately after a ceasefire"
It is hard to think of any impact of this effort, let alone a positive one. Putin will never accept their presence. Perhaps it is a useful exercise to prepare a fighting force, by why pretend it has another purpose?
Unfortunately this writer’s personal Russophobic stance is too far removed from neutral to be worthy of reading. Like others of his ilk, he takes the standpoint of someone who is ‘inside Putin’s head’, who understands his every thought and move. No doubt also basing his position on the infallible war statistics emanating from that reliable and unbiased source, Ukraine. If you want to reaffirm the stories your grandparents told you about ‘evil Russia’, the James Bond movie script of ‘the Russians’ undermining world stability…and waves of soldiers running headlong into cannon fire, then of course, read on. For sure, all your stereotypical hopes, fears and platitudes will be affirmed.
Really? Does this commenter think that to note that Russia seized Crimea by force in 2014 and sent forces into Donbas, and then in 2022 invaded the whole country, is “Russophobic”. Or that by comparison with Putin’s publicly stated goals, the invasion has failed? We don’t need to claim we understand Putin’s every thought and move. He writes them down in articles claiming Ukrainians don’t have a right to exist except as Russians, and makes his statements publicly. It is actually those, like you, who want to be Putin-sympathisers or Putin-understanders who are implicitly claiming to be inside the head of this man who has his opponents murdered.
What a wonderful roadmap to take us straight into a nuclear Armageddon. Bill, please stop writing madness. We need ceasefire and peace talks. I am no fan of Trump, but admittedly he is the only chance of bringing this folly to an end other than mutual assured destruction
It is not me who is writing madness. Trump has no chance of bringing this war to an end, if he continues the way he is. The conditions Putin has put forward even for entering peace talks, let alone concluding them, show that he is not serious about ending the war. The only chance of achieving peace is to show Putin that he has no chance of achieving his goals.
Luigi, with respect you are mistaken. Putin like Netanyahu needs this war like it or not. To end this war, Putin needs to be dealt a lesson.
Deep and realistic analysis... Well said as always...thanks
Spot on Bill. The only language Putin understands is force therefore the west should speak to him as such. Will trump stand up or roll over like the rest of ‘the wets’ we’ve had as leaders in recent years? History awaits.