International Relations

It's the same for Putin or Xi. Both dictators in flawed election systems. They are Presidents. That's it. There's no one else to negotiate with. That's the reality.

BTW, If you knock on door of the office of the President of Ukraine, you'll find Zelenskyy sitting behind the desk, in control of all the powers of the State.

And? What now? - @fluffy2560

Russia, China, and Ukraine all have unelected leaders.

Russia and Ukraine have corrupt ones, but the closest we get to Xi having offshore accounts is his brother in law, not him.

Quite why anyone would support the unlelected, corrupt Zelenski, but hate putin for being unelected and corrupt, is beyond me.

It's the same for Putin or Xi. Both dictators in flawed election systems. They are Presidents. That's it. There's no one else to negotiate with. That's the reality.BTW, If you knock on door of the office of the President of Ukraine, you'll find Zelenskyy sitting behind the desk, in control of all the powers of the State. And? What now? - @fluffy2560Russia, China, and Ukraine all have unelected leaders.Russia and Ukraine have corrupt ones, but the closest we get to Xi having offshore accounts is his brother in law, not him.Quite why anyone would support the unlelected, corrupt Zelenski, but hate putin for being unelected and corrupt, is beyond me. - @Fred

Simples. Beyond you because you have a trolling agenda and you aren't that smart.

If Xi had an offshore bank account you wouldn't know about anyway..  Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Anyway, he doesn't need to have an offshore account. He's not hiding from the authorities. He is the authority.

Putin is a mass murderer. He just killed 30+ at an aid centre in Ukraine. That is not the action of a humanitarian.

What else you got?

Simples. Beyond you because you have a trolling agenda and you aren't that smart.
If Xi hsd an offshore bank account you wouldn't know about anyway.. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Anywsy. he doesn't need to have an offshore account. He's not hiding from the authorities. He is the authority.

Putin is a mass murderer. He just killed 30+ at an aid centre in Ukraine. That is not the action of a humanitarian.

What else you got? - @fluffy2560

I found Xi's brother in law's accounts.

Same for Putin - He has offshore accounts that are well documented,  but you claim he doesn't need them.

Zelenski also has documented offshore accounts, but you appear to deny they exist.

Putin is a mass murder for bombing Ukrainian civilians, but Zelenski does the same to Russian Civilians. That must mean he's a killer as well.

The difference is I happily agree that Putin is a bit crap, but you refuse to accept that Zelenski (who does exactly the same stuff) is a bad guy.

You are still making the same error that many with your limitations do - You're assuming that my attacks on Zelenski mean I love Putin and want his babies, but your molasses thinking skills are epically wrong.

I found Xi's brother in law's accounts.Same for Putin - He has offshore accounts that are well documented, but you claim he doesn't need them.Zelenski also has documented offshore accounts, but you appear to deny they exist.Putin is a mass murder for bombing Ukrainian civilians, but Zelenski does the same to Russian Civilians. That must mean he's a killer as well.The difference is I happily agree that Putin is a bit crap, but you refuse to accept that Zelenski (who does exactly the same stuff) is a bad guy.You are still making the same error that many with your limitations do - You're assuming that my attacks on Zelenski mean I love Putin and want his babies, but your molasses thinking skills are epically wrong. - @Fred

Less of the nonsensical abuse.  Adds nothing.  The most basic lesson in negotiations is not to resort to personal insults. 

When there's another revolution in China, there will be a search for the guilty.  Right now, no, Xi's brother is untouchable.   That's the way it goes with patronage of Winnie the Pooh.

We're having investigations in HU around corruption in the former regime.  People are enthusiastic because they want revenge.   Eventually a clear out and reckoning will occur in China and Russia. 

"A bit crap" as a description of Putin is a rather large understatement.   

You usually defend both Xi and Putin, claim everything is a CIA plot etc. It's the Fred MO.   The very minimum interpretation is you're clearly an active apologist for their regimes.   Defending them is clearly unforgivable, even traitorous.    If you don't actively come out of the closet and say Putin is a total murdering scumbag, you're on his side. 

Zelenskyy is not bombing towns and villages out of existence. He doesn't brutalise and kill civilians with safari drones.   He didn't invade anyone. He's defending his country. 

I think I speak for others when they view you as jumping to bend over to let Putin and Co have their way with you.  Reminds me of Lord Haw Haw in WW2.

You usually defend both Xi and Putin, claim everything is a CIA plot etc. It's the Fred MO. The very minimum interpretation is you're clearly an active apologist for their regimes. Defending them is clearly unforgivable, even traitorous.  If you don't actively come out of the closet and say Putin is a total murdering scumbag, you're on his side. - @fluffy2560

Ah, the 'making stuff up' strategy.

I have not defended Russia, unless seeing the argument from both sides is as you describe.

I have not defended China, but I rather like their way of working with other countries instead of attacking them.

Putin and Zelenski are the same, and I support neither.

They are both corrupt, and both hide their stolen money in offshore accounts.

They both run regines that deliberately attack civilians, but Ukraine adds sinking oil tankers and destroying refineries, thus risking environmental disasters

Russia kept DERV prices down as its large production and supply to the west forced US oil companies to keep prices down. Ukraine is actively destroying the industry, thus forcing prices up even more than US sanctions alone are doing.

You will also note that Russian civilian casualties are never reported in western media. You don't deliberately bomb online shopping facilities and oil plants without hurting civilians. However, the reports are missing. Russia claims 37,000 hurt including 9,000 dead, but that's someone with a dog in the race and probably wildly wrong.

Still, a good number will have died in deliberate attacks on Russian civilian targets.

If you don't actively come out of the closet and say Zalenski is a total murdering scumbag, you're an appologist for his actions. 

Zelenskyy is not bombing towns and villages out of existence. He doesn't brutalise and kill civilians with safari drones.

No, he's using his own versions. These are just a few out of hundreds of drone bombs aimed at civilians, but the western press hardly reports on them. 

https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-hits-targ … a-78208850

Ukrainian drone strikes inside Russia killed eight people overnight in attacks that targeted military and civilian infrastructure. Russia said Moscow's forces downed 635 drones in the assault.

Two people were killed in the city of Engels on the Volga River when drones hit residential buildings. Another apartment complex in nearby Saratov City was also damaged.

Three people were reported killed and two injured in the Udmurtia region (1,300 kilometers from Ukraine), and another three killed and five injured in Belgorod according to local officials.

https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/c89n1l10yg1o

My appologies if the links and BBC video shows you as an appologist and/or denyer for Ukrainian forces murdering civilians.

When there's another revolution in China, there will be a search for the guilty. - @fluffy2560

Why would the people of China rise up against a government that is making their country the most powerful economic force in the world, and making a lot of people very rich in the process?

People in various EU countries are rising up because the EU is crap, or didn't you notice the mess in Paris and so on?

This is the issue.

Those with more limited abilities tend to assume the news is both accurate and everything.

That assumtion robs them of the ability to use critical thinking to see where the hole are in news stories.

An obvious example, at least to thinkers, is mentions of Ukrainian attacks on civilian targets, but hardly a mention of Russian civilian casualties.

Russian attacks are reported, and the numbers of dead and injured are pushed to the fore.

If Russian attacks kill civilians, there is a better than average chance Russian civilians are being killed by Ukrainian strikes, but it isn't reported a great deal, so the weaker mind simply ignores the possibility.

A weak mind turns into a dumb one when they claim that only one side kills civilans.

Another sign of a weak argument is the inability to see how corrupt your guy is. The unelected Ukrainian president has well documented offshore accounts to stash his stolen money in, but not a word about the thefts from apologists because it ruins his whiter than white image of the regime's ruler.

Also, stolen EU, UK, and US funds are well reported, but fanboyz try to ignore them as tin foil hat jobs, even when the thefts are reported by reliable western news outlets.

This is the issue.Those with more limited abilities tend to assume the news is both accurate and everything. That assumtion robs them of the ability to use critical thinking to see where the hole are in news stories. An obvious example, at least to thinkers, is mentions of Ukrainian attacks on civilian targets, but hardly a mention of Russian civilian casualties.Russian attacks are reported, and the numbers of dead and injured are pushed to the fore.If Russian attacks kill civilians, there is a better than average chance Russian civilians are being killed by Ukrainian strikes, but it isn't reported a great deal, so the weaker mind simply ignores the possibility.A weak mind turns into a dumb one when they claim that only one side kills civilans.Another sign of a weak argument is the inability to see how corrupt your guy is. The unelected Ukrainian president has well documented offshore accounts to stash his stolen money in, but not a word about the thefts from apologists because it ruins his whiter than white image of the regime's ruler.Also, stolen EU, UK, and US funds are well reported, but fanboyz try to ignore them as tin foil hat jobs, even when the thefts are reported by reliable western news outlets. - @Fred

We therefore agree to differ.   And I cannot be truly bothered by you being hard of thinking.  I intend to be busy on a job today.

The scale of brutality by Russia is reported every day.  They deliberately target civilian buildings as part of their shock and awe tactics.  It's the same MO they had in WW2. Brutality runs through Russians like a red stripe through Blackpool rock.

Ukrainian caused casualties are collateral damage which is totally on Putin.  No-one is crying over that. He shouldn't have invaded and the population should let him know that by waving pitchforks and burning down his many dachas.    Incidentally I wonder why Ukraine has not destroyed his palace near Sochi.  Seems an easy target.

Anyhoo, your self-serving qualification of Zelenskyy as illegitimate is a broken record. Just blah-blah.   No-one is reporting BS like offshore bank accounts.  Zelenskyy is a patriot and is not only fighting for his country, he's fighting for the West.

Like I said, apart from your made up BS and conspiracy theories,  what else you got to ADVANCE the discussion?  Say something useful, not repeat the same stuff.   What's your plan for a peace then?

.The scale of brutality by Russia is reported every day. They deliberately target civilian buildings as part of their shock and awe tactics. It's the same MO they had in WW2. Brutality runs through Russians like a red stripe through Blackpool rock.

No-one is reporting BS like offshore bank accounts. Zelenskyy is a patriot and is not only fighting for his country, he's fighting for the West.
- @fluffy2560

The Russan attacks against civilians are reported as you say, but Ukrainian attacks are not. They still happen, but they go against the narrative.

"Brutality runs through Russians like a red stripe through Blackpool rock" - Your racism is shocking.

Zelenski's corruption is well documented,  much as you like to dismiss it as tin foil hat stuff.

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2021/o … -zelenskiy

Revealed: ‘anti-oligarch’ Ukrainian president’s offshore connections

This article is more than 5 years old

Volodymyr Zelenskiy has railed against politicians hiding wealth offshore but failed to disclose links to BVI firm

The Russan attacks against civilians are reported as you say, but Ukrainian attacks are not. They still happen, but they go against the narrative. "Brutality runs through Russians like a red stripe through Blackpool rock" - Your racism is shocking. Zelenski's corruption is well documented, much as you like to dismiss it as tin foil hat stuff.https://www.theguardian.com/news/2021/o … -zelenskiyRevealed: ‘anti-oligarch’ Ukrainian president’s offshore connectionsThis article is more than 5 years oldVolodymyr Zelenskiy has railed against politicians hiding wealth offshore but failed to disclose links to BVI firm - @Fred

More nonsense.  Like diarrhea.  And not answering the question.

And what's YOUR plan for peace?  Don't be an self-opinionated armchair general.  What's YOUR solution scenario?

BTW, Russians are not a race.   Being Asian or African or Caucasian are categories of race.  Ethically and mentally, it's clear they are entirely a different species even if they are nominally "humanoids".   That's not racist at all. To make it easy for you, I always liken them to the Klingons. Now you can compare how they appear to be and how they are in popular literature/media/comic books. It's appropriate for your level of reading and comprehension.

.https://www.theguardian.com/news/2021/o … -zelenski
More nonsense. Like diarrhea. And not answering the question.

The Guardian story is rubbish?

.https://www.theguardian.com/news/2021/o … -zelenski
More nonsense. Like diarrhea. And not answering the question.

The Guardian story is rubbish? - @Fred

Didn't read it. Your usual word salad.

You don't answer the questions.

.https://www.theguardian.com/news/2021/o … -zelenskiMore nonsense. Like diarrhea. And not answering the question.The Guardian story is rubbish? - @FredDidn't read it. Your usual word salad. You don't answer the questions. - @fluffy2560

You didn't read it because it doesn't fit what you want to believe.  The AIJ put an entire team on this for a very long time, but you don't care about facts - they are just noise below your arrogance.

That makes you pretty useless.

. You didn't read it because it doesn't fit what you want to believe. That makes you pretty useless. - @Fred

None of that is true,  I'm just busy with work stuff and driving about here and there.     

What about my questions?

What's your solution to peace in Ukraine then Herr General der Sessel Freddo?

Write it down and I'll mark it.

International leaders react to Trump's historic rebuke

‌Reaction to the midterms is starting to come in from abroad.

‌Spanish Prime Minister ‌Pedro Sanchez said it was a sign the far-right wave ⁠on both sides of the Atlantic was "collapsing". Voters in ​the ‌US rejected ​policies that "only impoverish", as well ​as ⁠hate, sexism ⁠and climate change denialism, he said.

Meanwhile, South African President Cyril ‌Ramaphosa said the ​results ‌will "introduce a ​new ⁠era in world ⁠relations".

"The people ​of ​America have spoken," Ramaphosa said.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said the results were a "powerful political signal about a change of course among American voters".

"Voices are now emerging in American politics that are closer ​to us than the president and the administration have stood for," he said.

However, Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei says the result of the midterms won't change Washington's "hostility" against Iran and anyone who believes "partisan changes" will make a difference are "greatly mistaken".

He also warned that any renewed aggression by the US against Iran would result in a response of "an even greater magnitude".

Meanwhile, Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on X that the midterms showed US citizens were voting "NO TO WAR".

International leaders react to Trump's historic rebuke‌Reaction to the midterms is starting to come in from abroad.
‌Spanish Prime Minister ‌Pedro Sanchez said it was a sign the far-right wave ⁠on both sides of the Atlantic was "collapsing". Voters in ​the ‌US rejected ​policies that "only impoverish", as well ​as ⁠hate, sexism ⁠and climate change denialism, he said.

Meanwhile, South African President Cyril ‌Ramaphosa said the ​results ‌will "introduce a ​new ⁠era in world ⁠relations".

"The people ​of ​America have spoken," Ramaphosa said.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said the results were a "powerful political signal about a change of course among American voters".

"Voices are now emerging in American politics that are closer ​to us than the president and the administration have stood for," he said.

However, Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei says the result of the midterms won't change Washington's "hostility" against Iran and anyone who believes "partisan changes" will make a difference are "greatly mistaken".

He also warned that any renewed aggression by the US against Iran would result in a response of "an even greater magnitude".

Meanwhile, Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on X that the midterms showed US citizens were voting "NO TO WAR". - @SimCityAT

I think a lot of people are expecting the Iran war to be over but I think he'll stick to his guns, however handicapped he is by the loss of Congress.   

I've heard discussions on the radio that he might resign and let Vance take over.   Then he'll get the blame for the last 2 years of Trump's term.

We'll have to wait for more fall out.  Maybe another 48h and we'll see some policy changes emerge.   

HU (DW):

Hungary opens communist-era secret police files identifying informants

Hungary released thousands of communist-era secret police records to the public on Wednesday as part of the country's long-delayed effort to come to terms with its repressive past.

The archives, which are now part of a searchable online database, include the names of thousands of former informants who worked for the state security apparatus during four decades of one-party rule.

Although communism ended in Hungary in 1989, attempts to open the files had been repeatedly stalled. Some critics blamed the delay on successive governments' reluctance to implicate public figures.

The actual database can be found here: ABTI. 

p.s. I was just informed an auntie is in the database but I don't have details of what she was doing for them.

p.p.s I have now seen her data entry.  She even had a cover name. Like WTF?  She was on the "amnesty track".  So she must have done something wrong and was possibly being blackmailed.  We know she went to Belgium which I guess might have made her super suspicious.  I've been to Belgium many times but usually I didn't get out the car except to buy some chips at the  motorway chip shop.  Belgium chips with mayo are excellent.  Decadent imperialist Western corruption with ketchup.

@fluffy2560

What about my questions?

- @fluffy2560

Pointless.

I posted very strong evidence from experienced journalists,  but you called it a conspiracy,  then went on to ask a stupid question in an attempt to deflect.

What about my questions?

- @fluffy2560
Pointless.
I posted very strong evidence from experienced journalists, but you called it a conspiracy, then went on to ask a stupid question in an attempt to deflect. - @Fred

No, I wanted you to move it all on, beyond the conspiracies stuff, hence my question.

I suppose I could say I don't really care if you have thought it through.  But then I wondered if you could actually do it, even if it was ludicrous.

Seems like you cannot. I was hoping for some marvellous insight and an ability to look forward, not back.  I see a lack of imagination and not enough abilities to come up with solutions.  Thinking out the box etc.   And of course, seems like an inability to ask for help - know-all cum smarty pants syndrome.

@fluffy2560
- @SimCityAT

This was always the case.  Perhaps it should show Trump with his hands shackled  behind his back and members of Congress dangling the keys around his nose and toupee.

@fluffy2560

Well the Democrats will have fun from January onwards, the whole famly will be investigated over corruption.

@fluffy2560
Well the Democrats will have fun from January onwards, the whole famly will be investigated over corruption. - @SimCityAT

Oh yes, for sure.  They will be tied up in Congressional subpoenas for years.

Interesting parallel with here.  All the Orban/Fidesz supporters found themselves really floundering around with loss of power.   TV reporters with Orban bias all out of a job, TV channels shut down, heads of institutions gone, bodies as agents of Orban shut down, including his "university".   Funding was removed.

It'll be the same there.  Fox News to be stuffed up.  I wonder how this changes the media landscape - CNN is going to be taken by the Trump brown nosers The Ellisons.  Top people are jumping ship there before they come in and turn it into a Republican mouthpiece.  And that truly dangerous Elon Musk spent about $500M on manipulating the situation and for nothing.  His people still lost.  I really can see Musk being tied up in litigation and investigations for years.  Twitter will end up being regulated.  Texas has Democratic senators and a Democratic governor - first time in  40 years.

All these people bought into the nightmare and they will pay the price. I can see there could even be a purge of key posts as the size of the MAGA base reduces. Perhaps it was always the case with US politics.  In HU, the civil service was highly politicised.  Change in government, the troops changed.  Key posts replaced. 

Not the same as the UK.   Change of government, everyone carries on, just the politicians changed. 

Going to be worth getting a truckload of popcorn in by the time these new Democrats take up their seats. Trump is going to be quacking like the lame duck he is.

No, I wanted you to move it all on, beyond the conspiracies stuff, - @fluffy2560

The Guardian newspaper running a story based on many professional investigative journalists' work is, according to you, a conspiracy theory.

As a note, Putin was also on the list.

Sorry, you're a waste of time.

The problem is simple - Nobody is as blind as those that don't want to see.

It's sad.

No, I wanted you to move it all on, beyond the conspiracies stuff,  - @fluffy2560 The Guardian newspaper running a story based on many professional investigative journalists' work is, according to you, a conspiracy theory. As a note, Putin was also on the list.Sorry, you're a waste of time.The problem is simple - Nobody is as blind as those that don't want to see.It's sad. - @Fred

I am too busy this week to deal with you properly.   

I don't usually read your links because you're a known conspiracy theorist and troll who gets off on annoying people. 

If you want to put something here, write a quick summary to save everyone the effort - not TLDR.  We all generally ignore that waffle. Notice the way we do reports - we state country, attribution and cut and paste the first few lines.  Then one can judge if it's worth a look.

But to quickly wrap it up, your opinion of me makes no difference at all. 

Really, stop coming here to complain if you don't like it.  It's not compulsory to come here.   

If you want to participate properly and reasonably, then that's OK.

USA (MS NOW):

Corporates who sucked up to Trump told to "Lawyer Up"

As Democrats swept control of Congress on election night, Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, had a warning: “Lawyer up.”

Some of America’s biggest companies already have.

After two years spent courting President Donald Trump, they are bracing for Garcia, who is in line to chair the committee, and the other Democrats who will wield subpoena power come January. Some that expect to land near the top of the target lists have quietly opened back channels to the party, according to lawyers and congressional investigators familiar with the matter — a hedge against the reckoning Democrats have spent the year previewing.

Elon Musk already gave Congress the middle finger apparently.   Arrogance of the man seems to suggest he's going to be immune - even with a pre-emptive Presidential pardon.   Uh oh...don't think so Musky Boi.  That ain't gonna work.   

People want his wings clipped.  Not a popular guy after he embarrassed himself with DOGE.  That behaviour was not civilised.   For a rich man, he's such a tool.

I don't usually read your links because you're a known conspiracy theorist and troll who gets off on annoying people.
- @fluffy2560

Trump fans in the US vote for Trump regardless of what he does. The more extreme,  and very vocal, church groups push for a legally noted sex offender who says he grabs puss. I have to assume they are either blindingly stupid or something in his politics (likely abortion) makes them ignore the rest.

For them, and other supportive people and groups, they get something they want.

The rest, the fanboi lot, get nothing unless you count legitimising hate.

The left hate Trump, many for a large number of logical reasons, but the vast majority because they are too stupid to see anything beyond their personal politics.

They are as stupid as they are dangerous.

They will see the blue wave as an endorsement of their political agenda, not a country pissed off with an idiot.

However, they will see what they want to see and, when they finally dump Trump, we will see a swing from far right idiocy to far left idiocy ... then they will get kicked out.

The UK's Guardian newspaper is generally left wing, but it's also one of the better outlets in many cases. they, along with many others in ICIJ, cracked a number of stories about political corruption.

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2021/o … -zelenskiy

Revealed: ‘anti-oligarch’ Ukrainian president’s offshore connections

This article is more than 5 years old

Volodymyr Zelenskiy has railed against politicians hiding wealth offshore but failed to disclose links to BVI firm

The trick with political matters is an open mind. If you deny proven truth because it doesn't suit your political views, your views are due a self-inspection.

Putin was also shown as holding offshore accounts in the same investigations, so the pair are equally corrupt. 

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerosp … 026-07-01/

Ukraine announces framework for wartime arms exports

Ukraine gets billions in free weapons in order to fight the war with Russia, but Ukraine exports armements.

EU and UK citizens are fighting poverty.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3w38qvz195o

The number of people living in relative poverty in the UK rose by half a million in the year up to March 2025, new government figures have shown.

There are now 13.4 million living in relative poverty, including four million children. The number of pensioners living in relative poverty increased from 1.49 million to 1.69 million.

In other words, UK pensioners are living in poverty, but the UK government is sending money to an armements exporting country.

I suppose the UK government could use the money wasted on Ukraine to get the NHS working, but the British public come second to political idiocy.

NHS cuts

https://unison.org.uk/campaigns/nhs-cuts

To deal with ballooning budget deficits in NHS Trusts across England, the government introduced strict rules on trusts to break even, but without the funding increase needed to keep our health service afloat. 

Perhaps the UK government could hold a referendum to ask if they should fund Ukraine whilst leaving the people they are in power to serve in poverty.

Yawnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

Perhaps the UK government could hold a referendum to ask if they should fund Ukraine whilst leaving the people they are in power to serve in poverty. - @Fred

The UK and others cannot afford not to fund Ukraine.  Allies have no choice. Ukraine is fighting for all of us in Europe.   Otherwise, Putin and his scumbags would be physically on our doorstep or in our living rooms.  It's cheaper and more peaceful locally to outsource it to Ukraine as a proxy. A referendum is never going to happen.   Anyway, poverty is relative. 

I'm interested to see develops and if Trump's loss of power is going to change policies such as supply of weaponry (the Patriot missiles etc) to Ukraine and the tech broligarchs fare in the short term.  Trump is still there but the new Congress will only take power in January.  I would have thought they'd be working  in the interim on how to nobble Trump and take Musk on. 

As of this morning, I see the stockmarket is way down in the USA and the rest of the markets will be way down as the world turns.  AI is not the investment they thought it was.

The UK and others cannot afford not to fund Ukraine. Allies have no choice. Ukraine is fighting for all of us in Europe. Otherwise, Putin and his scumbags would be physically on our doorstep or in our living rooms. - @fluffy2560

Perhaps you can show how you worked this out.