It's the way things are, oh that makes it ok then. So much for the so called 'helping our friends' - we've just done the same damn thing we would of accused Putin of. It's total bollocks mate. We make the rules and get millions killed in the process of making them, for our so called freedoms, I can't believe you of all people are defending this ****.
I don't disagree, and I did say it would be lovely if the world ran on a code of ethics and morals rather than selfish financial decisions masquerading as moral ones, but that is the way of things and has been for hundreds of years. No one is changing it, certainly not with the advent of advanced technology such as AI which will only increase the problems you've highlighted (and which I also agree with - I think most western countries are slowly becoming less free as time passes). You know my background, I've worked with and still work for multiple NGOs and think tanks and believe me when I say it, those people can and do influence positive change at government level. They genuinely help people. But compared to the entire political system, those changes will always seem tiny and insignificant. My main point is that I'm actually quite relieved that we've finally got a world politician (Trump) who doesn't pretend to be a saint like the rest of them. He approaches everything like a real estate deal - what's in it for me? If he sees a bargain in America's interests, he acts and is upfront about why he is acting. I'd rather that than someone like Macron giving a pompous speech about supporting Ukraine 'with all our hearts', meanwhile French imports of Russian gas doubled at the end of 2024, but they buy it via a German subsidiary so Macron can tell his people that they are actually buying gas 'from Germany'. Snake.
Makes perfect sence. USA have sent $50b of arms over to aid Ukrain so are looking for some repay. lokk at it as a backstop/safeguard for Ukrain, if the US own the mineral rights do you think they will let Russia just roll in and take them? Quick question i don't know the answer to, are Ukrain actually using/mining the minerals themselves or are they just sitting unused?
I disagreed with this war from the off mate, because I know what all these ****s are like, and it's pretty much proved me right. It's ok to send young men to their deaths for freedoms....and splitting the spoils of war between Washington and Moscow. It's ****ing crass mate. If Ukraine had not gone to war, their land would have been reclaimed by Putin for only a fraction of the death toll, and Putin would have kept all the spoils for himself, without the need for mass migration and rebuilding costs, but now he'll have to split the spoils with Trump, so everything is hunky dory - and what do the UK get from all this, the grand satisfaction of paying for a peacekeeping force to keep these lunatics apart...fandabidozi.
Most are currently being mined and exported, with one major exception: Lithium. Ukraine sits on one of the largest deposits in Europe and none of it is currently tapped. Major investment is needed to unlock this resource. As you probably know, lithium is the most important mineral in the production of heavy-duty batteries, such as those used in electric cars. Now, I wonder who Trump is close to who might find a huge deposit of lithium enticing? please log in to view this image
I saw this map the other day, which is why I said for those that never realised, why Washington and Moscow are splitting the spoils of war, due to what they both will take geographically.
Trump will be straight on his phone to Putin, it's ok bro, Zelenskyy is coming over Friday to seal the deal. Drop a few more drones in celebration.
I do have a certain respect for the fact that our government puts its money where its mouth is and essentially ended trade with Russia entirely in response to the invasion. We no longer buy any gas from them and last I checked, total imports were down to £500 million pa which is an absolutely miniscule amount, especially considering that as recently as 2021, we were buying £8.3 billion of Russian goods and services every year. That's bloody impressive, especially compared to what many other NATO members are doing.
Cheers CK I'm suprised the Litium has been left untouched and can understand Trumps interest in it. China did'nt lead the EV evolution without reason.
We didn't end trade, it was just going in via other countries. As for the gas, if it affects Europe it has a knock on affect to UK prices, due to the increased competition.
Of course this deal was signed totally coincidentally on the same day that Tesla announced a huge slump in European sales due to Chinese competition, partly due to the fact that they only have one giga-factory on the outskirts of Berlin which...wait for it...must up its quota of battery production in order to boost productivity and sales. Sleep well everyone.
The reason Tesla has slumped is because Musk is being a dickhead, who the **** would buy one off that ****.
I've read the government papers on tariffs, trade and sanctions in the wake of the invasion and it seems we very much did end trade. You can choose not to believe it, that's your prerogative.
Possibly, but the onus would be on you to prove that what was actually done was completely different to what was said.
You can't on the one hand criticise France for buying Gas from Germany who get it from Russia and then ignore that we do the same. Likewise it's the same for all of the oil in the world. Russia stills sells loads of it to china and india, and particularly in india they blend it and then send it all over the world. Europe in general have done well from decoupling from Russia
