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The U.S. says the 'ball is now in Russia's court.' But what really happens if Putin agrees to a ceasefire? | CBC News
Ukraine agreeing to an interim ceasefire along the sprawling 1,200 kilometre frontline Tuesday was hailed as a major step toward peace, but Russia has yet to respond to the U.S. proposal and reaching an agreement will be a challenge, observers say. If Russia does accept, making the truce an...www.cbc.ca
Our nukes were conceived and paid by French taxpayers, not by the EU. These are strategic weapons and the quintessential symbol of a national independance.True, although France's nuclear forces remain outside the NATO Nuclear Plans Group so there's still a feeling of "partially in, partially out." Then there's the collaborative aircraft programs where France has been an original member, only to quit the program and build its own competing airframe. For good or ill, France still has a reputation of looking far more to its own interests than to collective collaboration. This includes France urging other NATO members to spend more on defense when France, itself, only barely clears the NATO 2% of GDP threshold. I think there's a need to replace words with actions (and money) to build trust and accelerate the growth of European-centric defense.
I truly would LOVE to see Europe stand up and be counted, with demonstrable, home-grown military capabilities...and I'd LOVE to see France being a strong partner in those endeavors. Unfortunately, I fear politics will get in the way and it'll be more of the same, with increasing risk that Europe essentially becomes irrelevant because it can't get its act together.
A typical stereotype would imply an abuse of Vodka. Sadly one crewmember was lost due to his behaviour.
On a different angle. It looks as if Russia is starting to upset China of all people. So much cargo and equipment has been stolen / confiscated by Russia that China is stopping all cargo going through Russia which is having a significant financial impact.
That is such a frankly stupid thing to do.
Right of Angary : an international right disposition that enables a belligerant nation to requisition transports of neutral countries (originally maritime and later extended to other transports) and use them for its own purpose provided a relevant compensation.On a different angle. It looks as if Russia is starting to upset China of all people. So much cargo and equipment has been stolen / confiscated by Russia that China is stopping all cargo going through Russia which is having a significant financial impact.
That is such a frankly stupid thing to do.
...or accept it and violate it shortly after somebody gets of their executive 747 and makes a speech about peace in our time.Russia will draw this out as long as possible before rejecting it on some spurious grounds.
Most of that is above my paygrade, but who in Europe commands respect such that his influence crosses borders and unifies a continent? Starmer is struggling to sell himself to the British polity, the Germans have to deal with 20% support for AfD (which is anti-intervention), and does Macron have enough sway to pull it off?
The West looks, to me, largely leaderless. Our European members, feel free to correct my American perceptions to my open ears.
The French operate 4 E-3A Sentries, the Swedes also operate AWACS, perhaps they could help?
Any idea of the origin airbase?Regarding this --
A French Air Force reconnaissance aircraft, escorted by two Dassault Rafale B fighter jets, conducted a surveillance mission over the Black Sea, approaching within 150 kilometers of the Crimean Peninsula.
The flight was tracked by Flightradar and other aviation monitoring platforms, indicating France's continued aerial presence in the region amid heightened tensions.
According to flight tracking data, the Boeing E-3F AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft carried out its mission over international waters while the two Rafale jets provided escort.
French AWACS monitors Black Sea near Crimea
A French Air Force reconnaissance aircraft, escorted by two Dassault Rafale B fighter jets, conducted a surveillance mission over the Black Sea, approaching within 150 kilometers of the Crimean Peninsula. The flight was tracked by Flightradar and other aviation monitoring platforms, indicating...defence-blog.com
Base aérienne 702 Avord - Escadron de Détection et de Contrôle Aéroportés 36 « Berry ».Any idea of the origin airbase?
A long way from Crimea. Plenty of air refuelling I guess.Base aérienne 702 Avord - Escadron de Ddétection et de Contrôle Aéroportés 36 « Berry ».
And this is there that NATO responds : the tankers were not necessarily French.A long way from Crimea. Plenty of air refuelling I guess.
Any idea of the origin airbase?
Huge error. The coffee was more important.The headline alone made me almost snort my morning coffee out my nose
U.S.-proposed ceasefire in Ukraine would 'give nothing' to Russia, says Kremlin aide | CBC News
A ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, proposed by the U.S., would "give nothing" to Russia while helping Kyiv by giving its weary and short-handed military a break, a Kremlin aide said Thursday.www.cbc.ca