Subject: Trump confirms the obvious
The "arty" deal was presented to Ukraine as a fait accompli, just like he did to the recognized government in Afghanistan.

Trump’s signals to Zelensky and Europe: Accept this plan or you’re on your own

US President Donald Trump said Friday that Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky would “have to like” the US plan, suggesting he is in no mood to negotiate, and saying he has until Thursday to accept.

If Kyiv were to lose US support, the consequences would be grave for its weapons supplies and access to intelligence, compounding existing crises: a lack of soldiers, a financial crunch and a deepening lack of confidence among Ukrainians in a presidency tainted by scandal.

Above all, rejecting the proposal would herald an existential separation from the US, with massive strategic implications for Ukraine and its European backers.


https://currently.att.yahoo.co...

Reality check. Trump cut off funding for Ukraine months ago. Now, the US is simply profiteering off the war. Of the 31 M1 tanks provided by the US two years ago, it is estimated only 4 are still serviceable. Additional M1s are coming from Australia. F-16s have come from European powers.

With the Europeans paying the bills, more equipment is being bought from EU suppliers.

France to deliver eight SAMP/T air defense systems to Ukraine

https://defence-blog.com/franc...

Ukraine plans to buy up to 100 Rafale warplanes and air defense systems from France

https://apnews.com/article/fra...

Ukraine gets in line for Swedish Gripen-E fighter jets

https://www.defensenews.com/gl...

The article also moans and groans about loss of US intelligence. Turns out, the US is not the only source of intelligence in the world.

from the net sifter:

Yes, the UK, France, and Germany have significant satellite intelligence assets, separate from the US, including optical imaging, electronic intelligence, and communication satellites. France has a constellation of communication and electronic intelligence satellites (CERES), France is a leader in optical imaging with satellites like Helios and CSO, and Germany operates radar imaging systems. The UK has a constellation of communication satellites and is investing in its space surveillance capabilities

No war profits for US manufactures (and no kickbacks to Trump) means Trump takes the Nevil Chamberlain route of appeasing Putin, thinking that will win a Nobel. The "JCs" at the US manufacturers might pause for a moment, and consider that Lord Trump is showing that they are unreliable suppliers, due to his mood at the moment.

Steve