To me, the automatic tranny was it's down fall, especially going cross country. I seen one go through a German farmers sugar beet field and the tracks were throwing them up in the air like it made for picking sugar beets.

Some one should have pointed out to the tank crew that the war was over.

That's what happens when you give a tank to British corporation estate squaddies.

There is also the infamous story of the squaddie who was banned from a pub, so took a tank to the pub in the early hours, poked the barrel though the window and fired a blank round.

It's not a made up story Art, it did happen in Germany and the ones that did it would have been part of the British Rhine Force at the time.

I seen the Ukrainian's are getting pretty bold taking a chunk of Russia. My military brain tells me that this is only a front to draw Russian troops from different areas. When they show up the Ukrainians will have moved and be hitting the Russians where they took the troops from. The Ukrainian's seem to deploying NATO tactics and aren't thinking like Russians think.

Ukraine has the advantage of superior thinking, the Russians however can throw men into the meat grinder without a thought, that's how Russia wins wars. 

Ukraine has the advantage of superior thinking, the Russians however can throw men into the meat grinder without a thought, that's how Russia wins wars. 

Yes Russian, Chinese and the Americans all fight the same and that's with over whelming numbers. So what if they lose great numbers of them, they will always come up find more. They are like army ants but less organized than the ants are.

We'll credit America with thinking superior to the Russians and the Chinese. 

We'll credit America with thinking superior to the Russians and the Chinese. 

I don't know Mark, it's a toss up if you ask me. ;-(

For Ukraine to win or end this War they must be given the equipment to do so. Give them long range drones and missiles to hit Russia's munition works and oil supplies far behind the front lines and the west must put stricter controls on their oil export to Mickey Mouse nations which funds pay for the war to continue.

We'll credit America with thinking superior to the Russians and the Chinese. 

I don't know Mark, it's a toss up if you ask me. ;-(

For Ukraine to win or end this War they must be given the equipment to do so. Give them long range drones and missiles to hit Russia's munition works and oil supplies far behind the front lines and the west must put stricter controls on their oil export to Mickey Mouse nations which funds pay for the war to continue.

Is Canada part of the equipment givers? Has Canada paid the 2% of their GDP dues for NATO membership. That's a rhetorical question Pete. 

You don't pay it Tommy like you and Trump think. You use it to build up your own defence which in the end with all 32 NATO countries also doing it makes for a stronger union which is less likely to be attacked with this show of unite and strength than if every country had to go it along.

So with Trump if he stops paying like he wants to it means he is going to be spending less money on America's defence or more likely he isn't going to spend any at all.

We'll credit America with thinking superior to the Russians and the Chinese. 

I don't know Mark, it's a toss up if you ask me. ;-(

For Ukraine to win or end this War they must be given the equipment to do so. Give them long range drones and missiles to hit Russia's munition works and oil supplies far behind the front lines and the west must put stricter controls on their oil export to Mickey Mouse nations which funds pay for the war to continue.

Is Canada part of the equipment givers? Has Canada paid the 2% of their GDP dues for NATO membership. That's a rhetorical question Pete. 

Yes you know that Tommy. We gave them our Leopard one's and two plus a lot of hummer type gun platforms made here plus artillery rds. and small arms ammo and IR equipment. Plus a whole gamut of first aid and medical equipment. We also have troops stationed in Poland teaching them how to use it. We have also let many of their wives and children stay here away from the fighting at our expense.

The Russians expect tyrannical leadership and will put up with a lot, a lot more than they are now. 

Ukraine is not invited to US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia

Ukraine has not received an invitation to the upcoming talks between the US and Russia, which are reportedly set to take place next week in Saudi Arabia, informs FOX journalist Nana Sajaia.

According to Sajaia, a high-ranking Ukrainian official stated that the Ukrainian side was "neither invited to nor informed about" the upcoming US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia.

On February 15, Politico reported that the team of US President Donald Trump would begin Russian-Ukrainian peace negotiations in Saudi Arabia.

Earlier today, Bloomberg wrote that senior US and Russian officials are set to meet in Saudi Arabia next week.

Furthermore, on February 13, President Trump himself claimed that representatives from the US, Ukraine, and Russia would supposedly meet in Saudi Arabia next week.

However, a source within the Ukrainian presidential team told RBC-Ukraine that Ukraine had no plans to conduct negotiations in Saudi Arabia next week.

It is also worth noting that yesterday, Saudi Arabia expressed its willingness to host a meeting between Trump and Putin.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also commented on the rumors about potential negotiations in Saudi Arabia regarding Ukraine. According to him, "this is not a serious discussion."

Who in the hell does Trump think he is by planning to sell out another free Democratic Nation to a known foreign communist adversary.

He has not only turned his back on the E U and the 32 member countries of NATO and left America defenceless to foreign attacks from Russia, China, North Korea, Iran and every terrorist group around the world who want his head on a platter Not only will the rest of the West not come to America's aid anymore but they won't share any of their top secret threats that are monitored world wide daily. America is full of 5th columnists right now and they are living and working out of their White House.

To those who don't know what a 5th columnist is, here's a hint.

A fifth column is a group of people who undermine a larger group or nation from within, usually in favor of an enemy group or another nation. The activities of a fifth column can be overt or clandestine. Forces gathered in secret can mobilize openly to assist an external attack. The term is also applied to organized actions by military personnel. Clandestine fifth column activities can involve acts of sabotage, disinformation, espionage or terrorism executed within defense lines by secret sympathizers with an external force.

The distinction between internal and external enemies to a people or government was a topic of discussion in antiquity, mentioned most notably in Plato's Republic.^[1]

Leaked Agreement: Trump Demands Half of Ukraine’s Wealth in Exchange for US Support

A confidential draft agreement reportedly presented to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy outlines a staggering economic proposal that would give the United States control over 50% of Ukraine’s resource revenues, The Telegraph reported on February 17.

Marked “Privileged & Confidential,” the February 7 document details a $500 billion compensation package, surpassing some of history’s largest reparations agreements.

The proposal suggests the creation of a joint investment fund between the U.S. and Ukraine to oversee mineral resources, energy infrastructure, ports, and export licenses — a move framed as protecting Ukraine from “hostile actors” in its post-war reconstruction.

Under the proposal, Washington would gain:

One source close to the negotiations described the proposal as a major threat to Ukraine’s economic independence: "This clause effectively means, ‘Pay us first, then feed your children.’"

While Zelenskyy had previously suggested offering the U.S. a stake in Ukraine’s mineral sector to encourage more military aid, sources say the scale of Washington’s demand was unexpected.

The deal reportedly sparked alarm in Kyiv, as officials debated whether accepting U.S. economic control was the only path to securing continued support.

Trump: "They May Be Russian Someday"

Speaking to Fox News, President Donald Trump confirmed that Ukraine had “essentially agreed” to a $500 billion resource deal, arguing that the U.S. had already contributed $300 billion to Ukraine’s defense.

"They have tremendously valuable land—rare earths, oil, gas, other things," Trump said.

He warned that without a deal, Ukraine risks further instability: "They may make a deal. They may not make a deal. They may be Russian someday, or they may not be Russian someday. But I want this money back."

Despite Trump's $300 billion claim, official congressional records indicate U.S. aid to Ukraine totals $175 billion, much of it structured as loans under the Lend-Lease Act or allocated to U.S. weapons manufacturers.

The scale of U.S. economic control outlined in the agreement has drawn comparisons to historical reparations, with some experts noting it exceeds the economic burden imposed on Germany after World War I.

Notably, Russia faces no such financial conditions in the proposal, leading analysts to question whether Ukraine is being forced into an unfair arrangement.

A Global Power Play

Ukraine holds some of the world’s largest reserves of lithium, titanium, and rare earth elements, crucial for batteries, electronics, and energy production.

With China dominating the rare earth market, Ukraine’s deposits have become a focal point for global supply chains. However, geopolitical instability, extraction challenges, and shifting energy markets could make the $500 billion compensation deal a difficult long-term commitment for Kyiv.

The deal’s aggressive terms appear in line with Trump’s well-documented negotiation tactics.

In The Art of the Deal, he writes: "I aim very high, and then I just keep pushing and pushing and pushing to get what I’m after."

Spoken like a money hungry mob gangster if you ask me. 

Would be considered extorsion in any court around the world, anyway you cut it.

Was all the money and other stuff we sent to Ukraine a gift or a loan?  I don't remember.  I do remember that England repaid a loan to us for WWII supplies, so it would stand to reason the money and aid we sent to Ukraine would have to be paid back.  It also might be cheaper for Ukraine to negotiate a minerals deal.  Interest rates are awfully high these days and we have bills to pay, too.

Ukraine is out there defending America freedom and democracy with their Son's Husband's and Father's lives and your worried about paying your cable bill?? They have paid you back with their bleed in interest a thousands of times over.

Out of 32 countries only one greedy nation is asking to be paid back, but will settle for half of their country in lieu of cash.

Know it or not you owe China billions of dollars and what would you say if they called in America's loans and said we will settle for half of America in lieu of the cash America owes us because we have bills to pay too.

Ukraine is willing to supply you with minerals but not give the rights to all the ground they come from or 50% of everything like Trump is asking for.

Again for Shula this was the headline encase she missed it.

Leaked Agreement: Trump Demands Half of Ukraine’s Wealth in Exchange for US Support

 You mean the money Biden sent to them? That money came out of your annual military budget and was passed by a bipartisan bill by your upper and lower house. Biden didn't really just pass Ukraine cash it was spent on American military equipment made in America which employed thousand of workers all over America. So in fact the money never really left America just the finished product did.

We are too honourable for our own good.

I know we owe China a lot of money.  That's why I said we have bills to pay, too.  I refuse to believe for a second that all of the Ukraine money stayed in the U.S., however.  I distinctly recall either Biden himself or his mouthpiece saying that at the beginning of the war, we were sending money to fund Ukraine's government employees.

Any money sent was passed by a bipartisan bill so as you know that means both Republicans and Demo's voted for it so you can't just blame Biden being the one sending money to Ukraine. If I remember correctly he also got passed a bipartisan bill funding not for just Ukraine money but also American government employee and small business owners to keep then open though your bad virus times when Americans had no faith in their own counties health system and instead of getting vaccinated for it to try and stop it, preferred not to get the shot and kept on spreading it killing off over a million of their own people.

As for not believing most of the money stayed in America if you check out the web yourself you will find out differently. Besides military aid they were also sending them medical supplies to not only treat their military but the thousands of civilians injured in the Russian missile attacks which wiped out complete towns and villages. I think some money was also earmarked to get the civilians moved to bordering countries. But again all NATO countries were also sending aid and money.                      

How much money does a 155 howitzer round cost?

The unit cost would be $13,656 for each regular XM1113 round and $14,484 for each XM1113 Extended Range round. That is a reduction from previous years for the regular XM1113, and this is the first year for which unit cost of the extended-range version is available.

So you can see why your money isn't going to far but also remember in this war they are firing over a 100 rds. a day just to keep the Russian Bear at Bay.

We're lucky the USA didn't have a President akin to Trump in 1940, otherwise he'd have surrendered to Germany on our behalf and agreed an economic pact with Hitler.  

We're lucky the USA didn't have a President akin to Trump in 1940, otherwise he'd have surrendered to Germany on our behalf and agreed an economic pact with Hitler.  

Very true Mark Churchill would have had him beheaded and his head displayed on London Bridge. But then there was the old booze running Kennedy acting as ambassador of Britain who packed up and run home telling the American President that Britain wouldn't survive much longer for less ever win the war.

At the beginning I stood with Ukraine, but at almost 15k per round I am with Trump now. BTW, how much does Canada pony up for the poor Ukrainians, Pete? It is easy to criticize those playing on the field when you are sitting in the stands in the cheap seats.

I thought that's where you bud's made you sit when you were at your Legion.

Read the last few posts Tommy and you will answer your own question. That's what your American companies charge for each round.

We also make 155 shells, send hummers medical supplies etc. but it's not us or Europe cutting off the aid to Ukraine, it's your Orange tyrant pig that you elected 3 times that is.

Radar guided, Pete? How much do yours cost & are you donating them to Ukraine at any significant amount?

Haven't a clue on cost Tommy or what  amount but somewhere on the web if it isn't covered under the national secrets act you could probably find it out if your interested.

Well Pete, there you go again missing the point. War is good for the economy & if our military/industrial complex was selling the kit to Ukraine it would be fine. But giving it away at a taxpayer expense is unacceptable to a businessman like Trump. That is why we supply the armament you give us your minerals deal was offered. Ass, gas, grass, nobody rides for free.

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