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Richard Carter · 10/20/2025 7:06:00 PM

new.PutneySW15.com Communtity Forum Topic posting

Trump the great negotiatir?

Trump has done well so far and credit for that, but this is only beginning: will the ceasefire even hold? And what now for the Gazans in their devastated homes?But this isn't about Gaza, it concerns the appalling way he's mishandled negotiations over Putin's vile invasion of Ukraine. The latest meeting of Trump and Zelenskyy, as reported in the Telegraph and the FT, was an absolute disaster. In an angry meeting, Trump demanded that Ukraine accept Putin’s peace terms or face destruction. He went on to shout and swear, to throw aside Ukrainian maps of the battlefield and pressured Zelenskyy to surrender the Donetsk region to Russia. He also echoed Putin’s talking points, despite their contradicting his own recent assessment that Moscow was a “paper tiger.” What isn't clear is how far he went in this: did he accept Putin's claim about the supposed root causes of the war, which included demanding Zelenskyy resign so he could install a puppet regime and reduce Ukraine's armed forces to next to nothing?But - and this is extraordinary - he went on to deny the reports overnight and called for a ceasefire along the current front line! What a way to conduct a foreign policy!

Richard Carter ● 25d69 Comments

"Additionally it was Trump who encouraged NATO leaders to increase defence spending.."Very true - although this may just translate to buying more US manufactured goods.It seems like only yesterday that some were heavy selling UK's so called US manufactured independent nuclear deterrent - which in reality is dependent upon the US.Can the UK even make its own steel? Never mind secure it's own borders!

Ed Robinson ● 16d

"Apparently, some staff don't like travelling on Air Force One because they can't sleep as the President doesn't sleep.."Perhaps Michael, you prefer a President that sleeps all the time??

Ed Robinson ● 16d

"Wow Ed, are you feeling OK?"Feeling fine thanks Ivonne, but I'm a bit worried about you when you say "we have very good quality journalism". Can you name an UK organisation that meets this good quality?Trump and minerals in Ukraine is in the news but so too is Boris and armes companies. Not to mention UK/EU LOANS to Ukraine."Hurray! We are importing oil from India! Are you being serious? India imports 85% of its crude oil from Russia!:Sarcasm obviously lost on some people that do not realise that the UK imports Oil from India. So glad that you were able to figure out where that Indian oil comes from:https://observer.co.uk/news/business/article/its-refined-in-india-but-putins-oil-is-still-gushing-into-the-uk

Ed Robinson ● 16d

Additionally it was Trump who encouraged NATO leaders to increase defence spending and stop buying Russian oil and has imposed sanctions on Russian oil companies. It is obvious that Ukraine relies far more heavily on Trump than European leaders who constantly bicker and are slow in their actions.The Europeans have called it a Coalition of the Willing not a War Cabinet.

Robert Wheeler ● 17d

Well, you say that the ceasefire in Gaza is the only thing Trump has achieved, but it is a pretty big thing and one that many contributors to the Forum, including yourself, have called for from the outset. There's no pleasing some people.On Ukraine, despite Trump's harsh treatment of Zelensky in the Oval Office, America has consistently sent arms to the Ukrainians, I don't think Trump sees Putin as a friend. He would like to see an end to the bloodshed in Ukraine and he hoped, perhaps naively, to act as an honest broker between the two sides. But he now realises that Putin has been playing him, hence his recent decision to impose further sanctions on Russia.

Steven Rose ● 17d

The problem, Steven, is your blinkered inability to see beyond the only thing that Trump has achieved - and that at only the start of an extremely long and complicated process - is the shaky ceasefire in Gaza. On everything else he has been a disaster, from his blind foolishness in denying climate change and boosting fossil fuel extraction and burning, his assault on foreign aid, the appointment of, to give only two examples, people like Robert Kennedy with his crazy obsession with alternative health and Lee Zeldin, appointed head of the Environmental Protection Agency with an appalling record in opposing environmental protection measures, his direct attacks on the constitution of the USA, and so on endlessly. There are so many other criticisms, but the worst is his failure to support Ukraine's fight against the Russian invasion. To invert your own phrase, inactions speak louder than words, and Trump’s inaction over Ukraine, solely it seems because he is terrified of upsetting his "friend" Putin, is utterly shameful.

Richard Carter ● 17d

Mr Rose'What is the problem?'That there are some people who like to cultivate an image of concern for the state of the world and certain groups of people in it.Yet this is outweighed by a rabid hatred of America and particularly its President and would thus put his achievements for their supposed causes into the whataboutary box.

John Hawkes ● 17d

Surely actions speak louder than words. I don’t care what Donald Trump is like as a prrson and I am not interested in his speeches, which are mostly for effect. I am only concerned about what he does as President. So far he has achieved a ceasefire in Gaza, which has undoubtedly saved lives, and he may be able to end the war in Ukraine, which will save more lives. What is the problem?

Steven Rose ● 18d

I thought it was clear that the "Trump has done well so far" comment referred only to his actions over the ceasefire. On everything else, and the list of awfulness is exceedingly long - too long to even start here - begins with his astounding ignorance over climate change, as illustrated by his rant at the UN General Assembly, cited in my first post.I hope this explanation helps you to become less bemused.

Richard Carter ● 18d

I am rather bemused by your last comment, Richard, given that you actually started this thread with the words, 'Trump has done well so far and credit for that'.

Steven Rose ● 19d

Mr Wheeler'Your perspective is slightly odd Richard as I don’t see anyone crowing about Trump just stating the current obvious facts. Tell me do you think the rulers of Russia, China, Iran etc are blemish free however if they all came the table to attempt to negotiate peace surely that would be a good thing wouldn’t it? Or does peace not suit the anti Trump narrative.'Mr Carter suffers from TDS and appears to support any country except America.What they have done to upset him I don't know.Perhaps he just wishes the Middle East settlement to fail so that Hamas Palestinians can carry on threatening those epitome of evil the Israeli Jews.I wonder if his trawling of YouTube has thrown up the violent clashes 'that have erupted between Hamas and rival groups in several areas across Gaza, including an incident that culminated in an apparent public execution, as worries grow about the security situation following Israel’s withdrawal from parts of the territory.Reports of violence have been shared widely on social media channels, with one particularly gruesome video that was shared by Hamas-affiliated channels showing a group of masked fighters, some of whom are wearing green Hamas headbands, killing eight blindfolded people in a square in Gaza City while large crowds are watching, a possible sign of the brutality Hamas is using to reassert itself as the security force' - CNN.

John Hawkes ● 19d

Mr Carter' wait to see if the ceasefire holds and whether TACO Trump follows up the sanctions. Then you can crow about that, but it doesn't negate all the other things he does.'Didn't know you wrote "Monty Python's Life of Brian" 🥱😁'Reg: All right, but apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, the fresh-water system, and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?P(utney)F(ront) of J(Judea) Member: Brought peace?Reg: Oh, peace? SHUT UP!'

John Hawkes ● 19d

Your perspective is slightly odd Richard as I don’t see anyone crowing about Trump just stating the current obvious facts. Tell me do you think the rulers of Russia, China, Iran etc are blemish free however if they all came the table to attempt to negotiate peace surely that would be a good thing wouldn’t it? Or does peace not suit the anti Trump narrative.When we can vote for any of these leaders comment is valid but the one prime minister we can vote for is more often than not not in the country and appears set on destroying it with his next budget.

Robert Wheeler ● 19d

I wait to see if the ceasefire holds and whether TACO Trump follows up the sanctions. Then you can crow about that, but it doesn't negate all the other things he does.

Richard Carter ● 19d

Yet this individual, for all his faults (a propensity to make exaggerated and sometimes false assertions) has managed to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza. And by imposing further sanctions on Russia, putting pressure on China and India not to buy Russisn oil, he may even bring Putin to the negotiating table. How do you explain that?

Steven Rose ● 19d

Mr Rose'Normally I would ignore idiotic insults but I will not tolerate being accused of condoning Jacob Epstein's crimes. I have told you twice that I have NEVER posted about Jacob Epstein, let alone questioned why the files should be released or suggested that he was a 'humorous' individual. I challenge you to substantiate your nasty accusation. It goes without saying that I think Epstein was a vicious individual. Of course the files should be released'.No one with the minimum of perception or intelligence who reads your posts would ever doubt what you have written.Mr Boyce however has shown a propensity to post often foul mouthed personal insult which to my mind have shown an intellectual incapacity to argue as a rational adult and not as a loud mouthed bully boy.By what he posts is he known.

John Hawkes ● 19d

Anyone imagining that Trump is all there should watch this recording of his rambling, incoherent stream of unconsciousness "speech" to the recent UN General Assembly. It's full of false claims and ludicrous assertions; if you heard someone delivering rubbish like this at the local pub, you'd be calling in the men in white coats. And this man is in charge of the most powerful nation on earth!https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=G7Y8_0zAzXc

Richard Carter ● 19d

Thanks, Sue. The awful man's name was, of coursel, Jeffrey Epstein.

Steven Rose ● 19d

Thanks, Sue. The awful man's name was, of course, Jeffrey Epstein.

Steven Rose ● 19d

@StevenI have never seen you post anything about Jacob Epstein, other than in response to Boyce. Is the idiot getting the two Epsteins mixed up?

Sue Hammond ● 20d

Normally I would ignore idiotic insults but I will not tolerate being accused of condoning Jacob Epstein's crimes. I have told you twice that I have NEVER posted about Jacob Epstein, let alone questioned why the files should be released or suggested that he was a 'humorous' individual. I challenge you to substantiate your nasty accusation. It goes without saying that I think Epstein was a vicious individual. Of course the files should be released.

Steven Rose ● 20d

Of course you’ve posted about Epstein, Steve. Do you not remember wondering why people are calling for the release of the files in their entirety? For some obscure reason you think this equates to people finding Trump guilty. I find it weird the way you never consider the victims, you always stand by the perpetrator. What are you so scared of?

Gerry Boyce ● 20d

@Mr Hawkes💯agree with your last two posts.

Sue Hammond ● 21d

Mr Boyce'Whatever Steve, you are not only pompous and smug but a complete amoral individual. I’m glad you find Epstein so humorous. I think you’re a twat.'There you go again showing your rudeness and ignorance.Does your intellectual capacity not stretch beyond personal insult and language of the gutter in order for you to engage in rational debate ?

John Hawkes ● 21d

Mr Ixer'Mr Hawkes. Your inferences are tiresome.'And yours to my mind are sanctimonious, self-referential and boastful.So we both know where we stand.

John Hawkes ● 21d

For the last time, I have never posted any comment on Epstein (whom I regard as a vicious individual). I shall now end my contribution to this thread.

Steven Rose ● 21d

Whatever Steve, you are not only pompous and smug but a complete amoral individual. I’m glad you find Epstein so humorous. I think you’re a twat.

Gerry Boyce ● 22d

For those of you who are keen on Trump, I invite you to read this article on the BBC from their correspondent in Russia.Above all, please read the last two paragraphs.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cnve5532v7yo

Ivonne Holliday ● 22d

Rather than congratulating yourself for 'calling out people who spout appalling opinions', why not take a moment to consider whether your own views are well founded? In the course of a period of self-examination you might take the opportunity to apologise to Robert for your rudeness, especially when your criticism of his post was completely wrong. And by the way, I have never made any comment about Jacob Epstein on the Forum.

Steven Rose ● 22d

No problem holding two contradictory thoughts at all. No problem calling a spade, a spade either. Nor have I any difficulty calling out people who spout appealing opinions: such as you.For years you have been going on defending Netanyahu’s atrocious actions in Gaza, and ‘explaining’ why his behaviour was the only possible course of action; absolute psycho-babble.You also scratch your head as to why the Epstein files should be released in their entirety and figure that anyone asking for that is prejudging Trump; more nonsense.As regards Ukraine, who knows what the hell Trump thinks, he’s all over the place; no strategy, no idea, no clue. Anyone who thinks the World is safer with Trump is delusional; I just hope that China doesn’t get fed up of his nonsense and start throwing their weight about.

Gerry Boyce ● 22d

Reference re Ecudorian's release ...https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn97vl7vy7xo

Michael Ixer ● 22d

Mr Hawkes. Your inferences are tiresome. Not a case of TDS (a nonsensical term) but a genuine question. Why, if two of the rescued drug traffickers were rescued by the US, weren't they taken to the US and prosecuted with the evidence the US claims to have - and given that they were in a mini sub that would probably be enough in itself. If taken into US custody they might have given over further information, whereas I understand one of the persons returned to Ecuador has now been released - they can now continue their criminal career.Interesting you seem to share the President's love of circumventing the judicial system; perhaps Mr Farage does too - persons his reason for disliking the ECHR so much? Actually, I think Trump has reduced all immigration - and apparently tourism; many are avoiding travelling to the US at present unless they have to ... still, I guess fewer transatlantic flight could be good for reducing global warming :-)

Michael Ixer ● 22d

Mr Rose'Gerry, you lack what Keats called 'negative capability'Please don't be hard on Mr Boyce and strain his mental faculties with reasoned argument.He has his political opinions firmly fixed and nothing will change them.

John Hawkes ● 22d

Mr IxerMore TDS ?!The world wide trafficking of drugs is perhaps as bad for us all as the trafficking of illegal immigrants.Trump seems to have reduced the number of illegal border crossers by imaginative and rigorous actions and so perhaps taking the same attitude towards drug smuggling which could also destabilise US society is no bad thing.The world is a very unstable and frightening place at the moment and so perhaps some 'firm hand' practical diplomacy is no bad thing.And doubtless the Venezuelan drug smugglers will not be much missed.The days of Starmeresque hand wringing as performed regarding the Middle East war are perhaps over.

John Hawkes ● 22d

Hello Robert,Zelensky is going to try any proposals to ensure peace in his country. Trump has humiliated Zelensky twice (that I am aware of): In February and at the last meeting they had on 17 October 2025. Trump had indicated he was willing to provide Ukraine with Tomhawks. Surprise, surprise, after a telephone call with Putin just before 17 October 2025, weather vane Trump changed his mind.... I wonder why?Of course Rute would say the only person to achieve peace in the Middle East is Trump. What Gaza and Ukraine wars have in common is that Trump is a good friend of Netanyahu and Putin.... What is very important to point out, leaving his personality aside, is that he managed to get a cease fire. That certainly is not peace.I think the distinctions above are very important. Thank you.

Ivonne Holliday ● 22d

In my opinion, Gerry, you lack what Keats called 'negative capability', which can be defined as the ability to hold two conflicting ideas in your head at the same time. It appears that for you everything is black or white, Thus Israel is in the wrong, no argument, Trump is a bad guy, no argument. Any conflicting evidence or mitigating factor is dismissed as 'guff' and any individual who presents such ideas is either a fool or a knave in your view. So Robert is a 'gullible moron' and I am a 'psycho killer' and so on. Unfortunately you are not the only person who behaves in this way. James O'Brien of LBC is the prime example.In this case you were not just rude to Robert - your criticism of his post was actually wrong. In point of fact Trump has now reversed his position on Ukraine, insisting that Putin should accept a ceasefire along the lines where the Russian and Ukrainian armies currently stand, a policy move applauded by Zelensky. Trump has announced further oil sanctions on Russia (confirmed by the US Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent) in order to get Putin to agree to a ceasefire. As regards Gaza, Robert was merely quoting the Secretary General of NATO who believes that the world is now a safer place because of the ceasefire achieved by Trump. Given that many commentators feared that the war in Gaza might ignite a wider conflict in the Middle East, this view is probably correct. Clearly the ceasefire is the only the beginning but at least the killing has stopped.

Steven Rose ● 22d

I couldn’t care less whether you like Trump or not, I do care that that you claim the world is a safer place because of Trump; which is complete nonsense.

Gerry Boyce ● 22d

@G.BoyceI never claimed Trump had brought peace to the Middle East, I was quoting yesterday’s Guardian where the head of NATO stated this, likewise their comment on Ukraine.You must learn to read the posts fully before your dislike of Trump raises to the fore.

Robert Wheeler ● 22d

Here you go again, Steve, with your endless questions. Anyway, I’ve no idea what you might consider is wrong with me; perhaps the fact that I don’t try to justify the unjustifiable slaughter of innocent children and adults in Gaza, or possibly the fact that I support full disclosure of the Epstein files as demanded from the victims. As far as Robert’s idiotic claim that Trump has brought peace to the Middle East is concerned, I think it’s pretty obvious that we are very far from peace. A fragile ceasefire, at best, which is very welcome and I fully support. But spare the Trump victory celebrations, they are premature and inappropriate. As far as Ukraine is concerned, and Trump’s bullying of Zelensky I think that speaks for itself. Anyone who thinks that Putin should retain all his I’ll gotten gains in Ukraine with no pushback or punishment because it helps massage Trumps ego, doesn’t get any respect from me, because they don’t deserve it.

Gerry Boyce ● 22d

Another example of President Trump's contradictions: it's that it's great he wants to stop the slaughter in Ukraine and Gaza, and has got the remaining live hostages released (a major success that Netanyahu has failed to achieve in two years) but at the same time is killing alleged Venezuelan drug smugglers in boats. This is something that even some Republicans seem to consider illegal extra judicial killings:https://www.huffpost.com/entry/rand-paul-slams-trump-admin-military-strikes-drug-boats_n_68f903efe4b0d0ec549c6e9aSome of these may be very bad people, as Trump would likely describe them, but what's puzzling is that two survivors have been returned to their home countries rather than being taken to the US to stand trial using evidence that the US has to justify the attacks.Ecuador releases survivor of US strike on 'drug sub' in Caribbean - BBC News:https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn97vl7vy7xo.amp
Perhaps someone has a logical explanation to justify the killing of people on tge high season without visible evidence?

Michael Ixer ● 22d

Mr Boyce'Wow, Robert, apologies, but you are an awful gullible moron.The only way to deal with Trump is to blow smoke up his ass, which is exactly what is going on here.For God sake, are you the only who doesn’t see that? You are taking this guff at face value?'This post not only makes little sense both in content and syntax but is also written in aggressive and insulting terms.If you think you have anything to contribute to debate on this Forum please show respect and politeness.

John Hawkes ● 22d

What is the matter with you, Gerry? Do you find it impossible to register disagreement without recourse to insults? And what part of Robert's post do you actually dispute?

Steven Rose ● 23d

Wow, Robert, apologies, but you are an awful gullible moron. The only way to deal with Trump is to blow smoke up his ass, which is exactly what is going on here.For God sake, are you the only who doesn’t see that? You are taking this guff at face value?

Gerry Boyce ● 23d

Update Ivonne apparently Zelenskyy calls Trump’s proposal to freeze war at current frontlines “a good proposal” and the head of NATO has said that the only person to achieve peace in the Middle East is Trump according to the Guardian.Who cares what his personality is like as long as he gets the job done and the world becomes a safer place.

Robert Wheeler ● 23d

At the risk of incurring Richard's ire, accused of hijacking the thread to talk about Gaza, I would point out that the ceasefire was broken by a rogue group of Islamists who killed two Israeli soldiers, after which the Israelis retaliated. But whoever was responsible, I don't think it is fair to blame Trump for the temporary breakdown in the ceasefire. Civilians are no longer being killed. Surely everyone should be pleased about that. And it is largely Trump's doing. Credit where credit's due.

Steven Rose ● 23d

Hello Steven,I am butting in, something I will not apologise for in this instance.I had not heard about Paul Krugman before. I read his article and am not too sure he is that biased. I agree he does not appreciate Trump much, but that is a common denominator of many.It is probably true that Trump has abused the justice system? Probably!!!!Has Trump been successful in achieving a ceasefire in Gaza? Really? I thought Israel bombed parts of Gaza after the ceasefire.... Wow!Has he achieved a ceasefire in the Ukranian war? Hmmmmmm As for TDS, I would say many - if not most people - suffer of composure syndrome. The sort that comes with common sense...Both sides may be as bad as each other, but there is one that certainly takes the ticket!

Ivonne Holliday ● 23d

I dare say that many of the things which Paul Krugman says about Trump are true but his account is very biased. He only mentions Trump's character flaws, never his virtues. For example, even his detractors admit that Trump has a genuine dislike of bloodshed, which is why he is trying to put an end to the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. Krugman never gives Trump credit for anything he he gets right. For example, most people have welcomed the ceasefire in Gaza. And Krugman provides no context to Trump's actions. It is probably true that Trump has abused the justice system to confound his political opponents but the the previous administration used lawfare to prevent him running for the presidency. The two sides are as bad as each other. To sum up, Krugman seems to suffer from TDS.

Steven Rose ● 23d

Mr CarterI wrote earlier -'Probably not treatable on the NHS though many NHS medical staff seem themselves to suffer from Israelophobia which must be concerning for any Jewish patients.'And today from MailOnline -"NHS junior doctor who 'praised armed Palestinian fighters as heroes and called for Jihad on the streets of London' is arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred".'Dr Rahmeh Aladwan, an NHS trauma and orthopaedics doctor who openly called for Jihad on the streets of London and praised armed Palestinian fighters as 'heroes' has been arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred and malicious communication'.I have also read on BBC News that -"Why medical students are choosing Bulgaria over UK"'A growing number of young people are choosing to study in Eastern Europe due to a strict cap on medical school places in the UK'.It is for this reason we have to employ foreign Islamist and antisemitic doctors like Aladwan.If this situation is not addressed quickly think how fearful British Jews will become if they need NHS treatment and cannot be sure of the staff's religious and political beliefs.

John Hawkes ● 23d

It's easy to correct the heading, as I've done it here (and I should have done it before), but not retrospectively, or the text of your posts.And people on this forum are not alone in expressing concern about Trump's state of mind: see, for example, Paul Krugman's substack post on that very subject:https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/donald-trump-has-lost-touch-with

Richard Carter ● 24d

Amazon Web Sevices - Amazons Cloud Computing facility Domain Name System - what translates you text web address, eg https//bbc.co.uk into a numerical address and finds it somewhere in the world on the Internet :-)

Michael Ixer ● 24d

Spot on, Mike, all relevant points of concern and/ or consideration.Couple of queries; what’s AWS & DNS?Cheers.

Gerry Boyce ● 24d

PS, Sue; have you found a way of correcting posts on this Forum?

Michael Ixer ● 24d

Sue, why do you think he flips back to supporting Russia, the obvious agressor, everything after talking to Putin? I can't see his logic, although I can understand he doesn't want to plough US money into a war. I can see his reluctance to supply Tomahawks because of his concerns over escalation but the reports today of him shouting and swearing at Zelensky, throwing maps on the floor, etc don't seem rational to me. I bet if Starmer did that you'd be criticising him.It's good he wants to save lives but if it rewards Russian aggression will it be a lasting peace?Still, the White House is getting a nice new Ballroom, seemingly at the expense of wealthy business people (I wonder if AWS have donated, perhaps their money would be better spent on staff training in DNS configuring :-) )

Michael Ixer ● 24d

Wow TDS is running rampant in this thread! Let’s all forget Trump’s efforts trying to broker peace and get obsessed with his sleep patterns! 😂 Btw why hasn’t anybody corrected the spelling in the title of this thread? When I learnt to spell it was negotiator …

Sue Hammond ● 24d

Yeah, Mr Hawkes, I used the term hearsay as, although Huff Post is usually reliable, the White House source was anonymous (I guess for obvious reasons) but I see Vance is on record commenting about Trump being awake at all times, and Trump's messages do seem to appear at all times of the night!

Michael Ixer ● 24d

Mr CarterYou seem to have moved on from displaying your continual Israelophobia to now having Trump in your sights.I believe the malady is called TDS.Probably not treatable on the NHS though many NHS medical staff seem themselves to suffer from Israelophobia which must be concerning for any Jewish patients.I assume you have cancelled your trip to Birmingham to join the protestors, Muslims no doubt, trying to stop fans of Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv from attending a Europa League match against Aston Villa ?Apparently Aston Villa said Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group (SAG) - which issues safety certificates for every match at the ground - had "formally written to the club and UEFA to advise no away fans will be permitted to attend" the fixture at Villa Park on 6 November.I wonder why ?A horrifying example of state control of freedom influenced by religion and the growing detrimental influence of Islam on British society.Days after the ban was announced, Maccabi Tel Aviv said it was not going to sell tickets to the match to their fans, even if the decision is overturned, fearing of course that they would be attacked by Muslimist antisemites.I doubt you have any interest in anything as plebian as football but who knows what's next ?West Ham not allowing Millwall fans to attend the London Arena under the pretext of concern for their safety ?!

John Hawkes ● 24d

Mr Ixer'he lack of sleep is given as a reason for what seems to be irrational behaviour to many. But I guess that's jusre hearsay ...'So you propagate it !

John Hawkes ● 24d

Ed, just trying to make sense of some of Trump's erratic behaviour, changing decisions and his sometimes rambling talks and anger outbursts. Apparently, some staff don't like travelling on Air Force One because they can't sleep as the President doesn't sleep and, there's a suggestion that he never sleeps more than a few hours, as evidenced by some of his overnight messages on Truth Social. The lack of sleep is given as a reason for what seems to be irrational behaviour to many. But I guess that's jusre hearsay ...

Michael Ixer ● 24d

Good morning Ed,"Sorry Ivonne are you suggesting that there is censorship and that UK citizens are not receiving good quality journalism?Or are you admitting that Trump may be making decisions based on information you do not have?Or possibly both?"Wow Ed, are you feeling OK? No, I do not believe there is censorship in the UK and we have very good quality journalism. That does not mean that classified information is available immediately. What do you think the 30-year rule for declassifying documents is about?As for Trump, he is the most unpredictable weather vane. What is very well known is that a lot of his policies are influenced by telephone conversation with Putin.As you say, the 20-year Afghan war finished a few years ago, not very well may I add, but it is finished. There is nothing we can say today to change what happened in those 20 years.Gaza and Ukraine wars are horrific. And we know which sides are Trump's favourites - regardless of what any other countries believe. Trump at least managed to secure very big and favourable contracts for the exploitation of minerals in Ukraine. He also has a view of converting Gaza into the Riviera of the Mediterranean... This is certainly not classified information!Hurray! We are importing oil from India! Are you being serious? India imports 85% of its crude oil from Russia!

Ivonne Holliday ● 24d

Michael, this sounds like, dare I say it, like a conspiracy theory!Are conspiracy theories only permitted on the so-called left??

Ed Robinson ● 25d

What is difficult to understand is that, given Putin attacked Ukraine, why does Trump seem give any credence to Putin's case for Ukrainian territory? His bias towards Putin seems to fuel the claims Putin has some hold over Trump from Trump's earlier visits to Russia.

Trump seems to be oblivious the fact that the Ukrainian constitution means it's not in Zelensky's power to give away Ukrainian territory. Is that because Trump doesn’t understand legal process in the same way he has tried to override the US constitution?

If Trump can negotiate a ceasefire that will lead to a long term peace after readjusted borders, fine; but will Putin accept such a deal when his ideals are still a Russian "empire" based on old Soviet territories? And that includes the Baltic states, Moldova, Georgia, etc who like western democratic values and civilisation ...

Will Trump support democratic values for those living in territories that might be succeeded to Russia?

Michael Ixer ● 25d

Sorry Richard was this not you?"Trump has done well so far and credit for that, but this is only beginning: will the ceasefire even hold? And what now for the Gazans in their devastated homes?"Why would you ask the question? Someone may think that you are the usual suspect that tries to sneak a point of view in and then moans when people reply.

Ed Robinson ● 25d

".. because we do not have the necessary information that is available to PMs and President.."Sorry Ivonne are you suggesting that there is censorship and that UK citizens are not receiving good quality journalism?Or are you admitting that Trump may be making decisions based on information you do not have?Or possibly both?The Afghanistan war which the UK participated in went on for twenty years. That was against the Taliban who the UK were funding only a few years before. Some names of those who the UK were funding are still secret today.Strangely no one seemed to have a peace plan during that 20 year war either and the West were quite happy to see the people that it had claimed were fighting for starving as it withheld funds when it left.As a side note and according to US whistleblowers the flow of heroin ballooned during that war with it ending once the Taliban took control. Much of those drugs ended up on the streets of London.Oddly it seem the Chinese won the Afghan war without firing a shot or supplying arms.The Chinese also brokered a peace deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran.Trade deficits and high levels of national debt - it's fairly simple to see why the US wants peace and it has little to do with Russia and more to do with their main competitor.Unfortunately Ukraine & Palestinian peace deals are extremely unlikely to be as good as past deals that were on the table.Ukraine could become present day Gazza, which our government and even our MP by being in the government helped to bring about.There is often no good or bad sides to war just various degrees of evil with the less empowered paying the highest price.Added to the fact that there seems no national benefit of the UK being involved in both - in fact quite the opposite as we have now swapped Russian gas for US gas. Thank god for that India oil that we import!

Ed Robinson ● 25d

"'But this isn't about Gaza'Why mention it then and even ask a question about Gaza??"It's invidious to have to point this out, but the answer is it's because it's not about Gaza, to forestall the usual suspects inevitably hijacking the thread to drone repetitively about Gaza.

Richard Carter ● 25d

Apologies for butting in, Ed.I do not think any of us have a peace plan for either conflict, just because we do not have the necessary information that is available to PMs and Presidents.One person I know said he could finish the war in Gaza in one day from taking over the presidency. That did not happen.I am also talking about the same man who humiliated Zelensky in February. The same man who said he was disappointed with Putin but somehow, always manages to find the way to lean in Putin's favour. Perhaps telephone conversations have something to do with this.I am talking about the man who considers NATO a falacy and that the US was contributing too much towards it... He may be right, but all contributions are based on % of GDP which the US did not meet either.So, which side does Trump favour? Let me think.I do not think I can write my thoughts on this down.

Ivonne Holliday ● 25d

"But this isn't about Gaza"Why mention it then and even ask a question about Gaza??What is your peace plan for both conflicts Richard?

Ed Robinson ● 25d

Hello Richard,Thank you for the posts.It is really horrible what I am about to say, but I do believe most strongly that Trump is more influenced by Putin than anybody else.Also, Trump is desperate to get the Noble Peace Prize

Ivonne Holliday ● 25d

This us the first part of the FT report"Donald Trump urged Volodymyr Zelenskyy to accept Russia's terms for ending its war in a volatile White House meet-ing on Friday, warning that Vladimir Putin had said he would "destroy" Ukraine if it did not agree.The meeting between the US and Ukrainian presidents descended many times into a "shouting match", with Trump "cursing all the time", people familiar with the matter said.They added that the US president tossed aside maps of the frontline in Ukraine, insisted Zelenskyy surrender the entire Donbas region to Putin, and repeatedly echoed talking points the Russian leader had made in their call a day carlier. Though Ukraine ultimately managed to swing Trump back to endorsing a freeze of the current front lines, the acrimonious meeting appeared to reflect the capricious nature of Trump's position on the war.The meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy came amid a fresh push by the US president to end Russia's war following the recent ceasefire secured between Israel and Hamas."

Richard Carter ● 25d