International Relations

Zelenskyy won the elections that were held. He IS the recognised President of Ukraine. That's just a fact. Same as Putin is in charge of Russia despite fake elections there. It's a fact. Get over it.
- @fluffy2560
So, your argument is that the Ukrainian election was faked, but you still support Zelensky.
I love how democracy works. - @Fred
Come on, don't be daft. What is this? Kindergarten?
Mouth shut, ears open!

Whatever you view on who is legitimate, Putin IS the President of Russia.

Just like Zelenskyy IS President of Ukraine.

Those are just facts of life and it does not really do anything to complain about any elections. - @fluffy2560
You claim to adore democracy, but you support an unelected leader that runs a de facto dictatorship.
I don't support either Russia or Ukraine, but you don't appear to understand the concept of disinterest.
You assume, in the same way lower brightness bulbs dimly light a room, that my saying money to Ukraine is a scam that I support Russia. - @Fred

Go away you sad bitter old man, go and find a dark room to hide in, or seek help because you need it.

Zelenskyy won the elections that were held. He IS the recognised President of Ukraine. That's just a fact. Same as Putin is in charge of Russia despite fake elections there. It's a fact. Get over it. - @fluffy2560 So, your argument is that the Ukrainian election was faked, but you still support Zelensky.I love how democracy works. - @FredCome on, don't be daft. What is this? Kindergarten? Mouth shut, ears open!Whatever you view on who is legitimate, Putin IS the President of Russia. Just like Zelenskyy IS President of Ukraine.Those are just facts of life and it does not really do anything to complain about any elections. - @fluffy2560 You claim to adore democracy, but you support an unelected leader that runs a de facto dictatorship. I don't support either Russia or Ukraine, but you don't appear to understand the concept of disinterest.You assume, in the same way lower brightness bulbs dimly light a room, that my saying money to Ukraine is a scam that I support Russia. - @FredGo away you sad bitter old man, go and find a dark room to hide in, or seek help because you need it. - @SimCityAT

When logical arguments fail, simply resort to insults. Posts such as the quoted one show intelligence.

Liberland (DW video report):

Liberland: where fantasy meets reality

A small piece of land with big ambitions: "Liberland" seeks to become a homeland for people who feel restricted by traditional government structures.

----

Intriguing developments between Croatia and Serbia. 

And not the only place on the Danube which claims to be an independent state (see also Verdis).

https://en.antaranews.com/news/439139/i … gwp-target

In a moved designed to mitigate the massive prices increases caused by US oil wars and general geopolitical problems caused by the same aggressive state, Indonesia is planning to produce 10% of its electricity needs from Chinese solar technology,  but produced in Indonesia,  and serviced by Indonesian technicians.

The factories will create jobs and wealth, and our vocational high schools will train students in the skills they need to install and run the equipment.

The Indonesian electric bikes initiative works with this to convert the motorcycle riding population to cheap, clean, silent transport. As with the solar, Chinese tech built in Indonesia.

Personally,  I would extend the program to add as much home solar as possible,  even 12V micro-systems to run lighting, charge devices,  and systems for charging electric motorbikes.

As it happens,  I bought a new EV just yesterday at a cost of only 660 quid. That won't replace my car, but it's means the 4 wheeler will get even less use.  I expect my 16 quid/month fuel bill to drop to around 8 notes.

I should explain,  we don't get ripped off by extremely high fuel taxes here, and prices are kept lower because we are a neutral country, thus we buy cheaper Russian oil.

Indonesia  has a few lessons for the EU and UK about how to look after their own population rather than engaging in old fashioned colonial rubbish.

https://youtu.be/mzvxxhTB7gQ?si=ZFKvptcQGEoJDaYj

Asia has millions of bikes and trikes like the ones in the video. Indonesian retailers are everywhere,  and they all sell extremely cheap, clean, silent city transport.

The UK, US, and EU don't seem to like such things, but they are part of the system that will insulate us from US wars, and boost our economy as local rules mean manufacturers set up local plants.

Simple bikes start at about 80 quid with a full charge that will get you 40km for about 5p. They go up to much more expensive specialist machines, but charging remains very cheap.

Road tax is not required for the bikes, but motorbike class machines pay GBP 1.77 / year (Yes, less than 2 quid).

I have no idea why Western countries reject the very technology that would make life far easier for millions of their citizens,  but they do.

Oh, I just remembered,  it's because China is evil. Look at what they're done here by making local transport close to free to run and stopping point of use pollution whilst they're at it.

The Chinese solar systems will make the bikes almost pollution free, even where the power is generated.

The nasty dogs!

@Fred

Bully for you!!

My dad hasn't paid for electricity in decades. and has money made from left over that was sold back to the grid as his house is powered by solar panels.

In about 5 years my house will be fully  powered by solar. My outside lights and somer house are already powered by solar.

AS for cars in Austria I've noticed more and more people are buying them, youn can tell form a mile away because their plates are green.

All our postal workers use Eletric transportation. Our local buses are 70% Electric.

Austria’s rail network is 100% powered by renewable energy through the national carrier, the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB).

Fully electric independently powered

ÖBB Railjet (RJ & RJX): The flagship high-speed electric train reaching up to 230 km/h, linking major Austrian cities with Germany, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Switzerland, and Italy. Newer generations and double-deck (DoSto) models continue to expand across core axes like the Western and Koralm lines.

ÖBB Nightjet (NJ): Electric-hauled overnight sleeper and couchette trains connecting Austria to numerous European capitals and hubs.

Intercity-Express (ICE) & Eurocity (EC): Modern high-speed electric multiple units (such as ICE T units co-operated with Deutsche Bahn) serving international and domestic routes.

@Fred
Bully for you!!
My dad hasn't paid for electricity in decades. and has money made from left over that was sold back to the grid as his house is powered by solar panels.
All our postal workers use Eletric transportation. Our local buses are 70% Electric.
- @SimCityAT

Yes, • Graz (CRRC Supercapacitor Buses) and Salzburg (Yutong Electric Buses) are two Chinese companies that are big in that market. It's nice to see you praising their use.

It's also nice to know that your postal workers are using Chinese automotive brand SAIC to deliver your junk mail.

ÖBB Railjet (RJ & RJX): The flagship high-speed electric train reaching up to 230 km/h

They aren't Chinese tech, as you can tell because they are so slow.

Our Chinese designed high speed rail runs ar 350kph.

ÖBB Railjet (RJ & RJX): The flagship high-speed electric train reaching up to 230 km/hThey aren't Chinese tech, as you can tell because they are so slow. Our Chinese designed high speed rail runs ar 350kph. - @Fred

What is this post actually about?  Chinese trains are supposedly great. And so what? Who cares about Chinese trains when we live here in Europe?  This is the Hungarian forum for International Relations.  Austria counts as it's our neighbour.  Serbia might be interesting as there's high speed rail due between Belgrade and Budapest. I think this is an EU requirement but the way it's been done is  another Orban dodgy deal with the Chinese. It will never recover its costs.

So, ÖBB Railjet (RJ & RJX) trains operate here all the time.  They are nice.  The new equivalent Hungarian trains are nice too and very modern.  The old ones, not so nice but it takes time to modernise and there's history to protect here - lots of Roman ruins, ancient woodland etc.  Modernised track projects, straightening of roads, motorways and highways etc have to look after the environment. 

Incidentally I'd like my village to have a metro or tram station.  But since we're on the other side of the Buda hills (from Budapest) which are about 500m high (above sea level), I am not expecting that to happen any time soon.   It would need tunnels and digging deep - no valleys to speak of and a lot of nature protected areas to cross.    We're unlikely to see slash and burn from farmers and palm oil conglomerates screwing up the environment.   That is reserved for Asian battery factories further East built after Orban got his palm greased.

What is this post actually about? Chinese trains are supposedly great. And so what? Who cares about Chinese trains when we live here in Europe? This is the Hungarian forum for International Relations. Austria counts as it's our neighbour. - @fluffy2560

Simon was flexing about your great trains.

The EU should care as bringing in Chinese companies would improve your quite fast trains by turning them into true high speed rail.

ÖBB Railjet (RJ & RJX): The flagship high-speed electric train reaching up to 230 km/hThey aren't Chinese tech, as you can tell because they are so slow. Our Chinese designed high speed rail runs ar 350kph. - @Fred
What is this post actually about? Chinese trains are supposedly great. And so what? Who cares about Chinese trains when we live here in Europe? This is the Hungarian forum for International Relations. Austria counts as it's our neighbour. Serbia might be interesting as there's high speed rail due between Belgrade and Budapest. I think this is an EU requirement but the way it's been done is another Orban dodgy deal with the Chinese. It will never recover its costs.
So, ÖBB Railjet (RJ & RJX) trains operate here all the time. They are nice. The new equivalent Hungarian trains are nice too and very modern. The old ones, not so nice but it takes time to modernise and there's history to protect here - lots of Roman ruins, ancient woodland etc. Modernised track projects, straightening of roads, motorways and highways etc have to look after the environment.

Incidentally I'd like my village to have a metro or tram station. But since we're on the other side of the Buda hills (from Budapest) which are about 500m high (above sea level), I am not expecting that to happen any time soon. It would need tunnels and digging deep - no valleys to speak of and a lot of nature protected areas to cross.  We're unlikely to see slash and burn from farmers and palm oil conglomerates screwing up the environment. That is reserved for Asian battery factories further East built after Orban got his palm greased. - @fluffy2560

The Serbia train will go to and from Vienna as well, it just needs to be all approved in Hungary. This train is a direct one, although  can do it now, but in broken stages.

Orban got his palm greased. - @fluffy2560

It's nice to see you don't like leaders who rip off their countries. Here's another for you to berate. I assume you will be calling for the corrupt dog to leave office and face trial.

https://www.occrp.org/en/project/the-pa … ner-circle

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rode to power on pledges to clean up the Eastern European country, but the Pandora Papers reveal he and his close circle were the beneficiaries of a network of offshore companies, including some that owned expensive London property.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his partners in comedy production owned a network of offshore companies related to their business based in the British Virgin Islands, Cyprus, and Belize.

Zelensky’s current chief aide, Serhiy Shefir, as well as the head of the country’s Security Service, were part of the offshore network.

Offshore companies were used by Shefir and another business partner to buy pricey London real estate.

Around the time of his 2019 election, Zelensky handed his shares in a key offshore company over to Shefir, but the two appear to have made an arrangement for Zelensky’s family to continue receiving money from the offshore.

The Serbia train will go to and from Vienna as well, it just needs to be all approved in Hungary. This train is a direct one, although can do it now, but in broken stages. - @SimCityAT

Built by China Railway International and China Communications Construction Company (CCCC)

USA (Congress):

Ranking Member Raskin Demands Jared Kushner Recuse from U.S. Envoy Role in Russia and Iran Conflicts Amid Explosive Reports of Secret Middle Eastern Slush Funds and Phone Hacking by Russian Intelligence Service

After Stonewalling Congressional Inquiries, Trump’s Son-in-Law Must Disclose Foreign Bank Accounts and Foreign Payments

Washington, D.C. (October 30, 2026)—Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, demanded that Jared Kushner immediately recuse himself from Middle East and Ukraine negotiations following explosive reports that President Trump’s son-in-law accessed secret foreign government slush funds while serving in the first Trump White House. Expanding his investigation into Kushner’s foreign entanglements, Ranking Member Raskin demanded financial records to determine whether Kushner accepted foreign payments while wielding American diplomatic power and whether foreign intelligence services obtained blackmail material compromising his ability to represent the U.S. government.

The Serbia train will go to and from Vienna as well, it just needs to be all approved in Hungary. This train is a direct one, although can do it now, but in broken stages. - @SimCityAT Built by China Railway International and China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) - @Fred

And?  Local context is everything.

This is known dodgy business as it involves Mészáros.  He led the consortium.  Current rumours are his Duna Group might be broken up because it won so many government contracts.  They are inefficient, overpriced and slow and highly suspicious. It's difficult as it's thought there are 60K employees.

Mészáros is Orban's childhood bestie.  Same village, fellow football fan and a nobody former plumber.  "Mészáros acknowledged the significance of his relationship with Orbán, saying in 2017 that "[his] fortune is thanks to three factors: God, luck, and Viktor Orbán." If that's not a confession, what is it?

It's the same kind of deal at the nuclear power station at Paks.  That's a state secret. No-one actually knows what was agreed with the Russians.  PM^2 has not yet provided us with some transparency.  A lot of other international nuclear bidders were not happy with the bidding procedure.

What is this post actually about? Chinese trains are supposedly great. And so what? Who cares about Chinese trains when we live here in Europe? This is the Hungarian forum for International Relations. Austria counts as it's our neighbour.  - @fluffy2560 Simon was flexing about your great trains.The EU should care as bringing in Chinese companies would improve your quite fast trains by turning them into true high speed rail. - @Fred

Trains are better in Austria.  Here, the old junk is gradually being replaced.  The trainsets here are the same across many European countries, including Austria.  Austria was never communist.  It was years of stupidity here, controlled by the Russians.  They are a brutal primitive people.  I always liken them to the Klingon Empire.  It takes ages to overcome so many years of non-investment, oppression and deep corruption.

The difference between here and China is that this country is not (now) a dictatorship.  People will not be evicted from their homes and nature will not be destroyed because the dictator feels like it.

The Serbia train will go to and from Vienna as well, it just needs to be all approved in Hungary. This train is a direct one, although can do it now, but in broken stages. - @SimCityAT
Built by China Railway International and China Communications Construction Company (CCCC)
- @Fred

Who cares? I don't see what your point isß

Just go away Fred and troll elsewhere- surely you can find someone else to bore?

But as you get so excited by the Chinese the Westbahn trains are built by the Chinese as well.

Westbahn uses four Chinese-built double-decker electric multiple unit (EMU) trains known as the CRRC Class 4100 "Panda" (ZEMU02), manufactured by CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive in Hunan, China.

Just go away Fred and troll elsewhere- surely you can find someone else to bore?
. - @SimCityAT

No comments about the unelected, corrupt leader of Ukraine?

Your previous posts showed great disdain for corrupt politicians,  but there's not so much as a peep about the one you support.

As a quick reminder,  Zelensky is the one with massive,  hidden offshore accounts.

Should he go?

The EU, UK, and US are giving Ukraine million in 'aid', and lots of that is going to corrupt Ukrainians who are stuffing it into their personal offshore accounts.

https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2026/09/07/8052251/

Ukraine lost around US$1.2 billion in 2024 alone due to fraud, waste and mismanagement in defence procurement. Meanwhile, the country continued to award contracts to unreliable suppliers.

Source: The New York Times, citing classified findings from government audits for 2024 and 2025

People are stugging to pay their gas bills and can't afford to fill up their cars, but governments are giving billions to corrupt Ukraine.

Ukraine is making your petrol more expensive, and destroying the envirement while it's at it.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/ … ussian-oil

Ukraine has resumed its attacks on Russian oil refineries in defiance of pressure from Donald Trump ahead of the US midterm elections, as a ceasefire in the occupied town of Oleshky ended on Sunday night.

Russian state media said on Sunday Ukrainian long-range drones had set fire to the Kstovo refinery in Nizhny Novgorod oblast overnight, soon after a major strike against another big refinery in Samara oblast, owned by the Russian state energy giant Rosneft.

Deliberate attacks on civilians are war crimes. What sort of fool does it take to support Ukraine?