NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: World news over past week following the Munich Security Conference in Germany has been historic. Technology has enabled us to watch the birth of a new world order. Here below is a BBC summary on Russia-Ukraine, ending with a link to BBC Live Reporting today.
They're followed by some comments I've handpicked from thousands of comments posted at several video news reports yesterday and today. Majority are written by Brits, others from Europe, Scandi, Canada, US.
Two of the comments are in the title of this post. They sum up my views. Also, I've used red text to highlight three popular comments. My heart feels heavy, like a best friend (USA) has died and I'm grieving along with the pain of being betrayed by that friend who is now deemed untrustworthy.
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From BBC News Live Reporting on Russia-Ukraine war Tue 18 Feb 2025
Edited by Jacqueline Howard and Johanna Chisholm, with Tom Bateman reporting from Riyadh
Summary
Russia won't accept Nato troops in Ukraine as part of any peace deal, its Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says after talks with the US in Saudi Arabia
On Monday, UK PM Keir Starmer said he was "ready and willing" to put UK troops into Ukraine after a ceasefire - but Lavrov says any Nato troops in Ukraine would be "unacceptable"
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says today's talks with Russia are the "first step of a long and difficult journey" to ending the war in Ukraine
This is exactly the image Moscow wants: Russia at the "top table" of global diplomacy, writes our correspondent Sarah Rainsford
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Zelensky - speaking in Turkey - insists Ukraine will not cede territory: "The east is ours, Crimea is ours and all the other towns and villages that are important for us"
Zelensky looked annoyed - and it's clear why, writes Vitaliy Shevchenko
Read more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c62e2158mkpt
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Some comments posted online at several video reports on Russia-Ukraine
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I think what we need to do now that the U.S. is potentially hostile (never thought I'd say that) is politely ask them to leave our bases here in Europe, at least while they want to distance themselves from us and cosy up with Vladimir. We also need to continue to develop our own arms and stop buying American. Yes, I totally agree with Trump, we need to stand on our own feet. 54 Likes
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If the US wants to isolate, let's help them. Then negotiate peace and trade on our terms - Europe, the Commonwealth, the 140 nations of the free world
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US is Joining BRICS
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WE DO not need to do departmental cuts..we have around 300 billion in frozen Russian money..unfreeze some of that to increase Defense spending..it is inevitable that there will be peace keeping forces in the Ukraine..All NATO members need to contribute in some way...The British Army of the Rhine BAOR was around 50,000 men + equipment..Plus air support..Defence spending was around 5% of GDP.....
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Australia offered peacekeepers in 2014, why are Europeans so slow on the uptake?
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So why is Trump negotiating if there will be no enforcement of what he has negotiated? Doesn't seem to add up??
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Putin has the epstein files
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US is now on Russia's side, but can Putin count on Trump supporting Putin's effort in defeating Ukraine?
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Not smart to join Russias side, you will lose every single trading agreement now. All your stocks will fall, all your investments, your goods will increase in price.
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The real question is. Can trump count on European support when planes start flying into buildings again . Or when Putin decide to do 2 day special operation in Alaska.
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The US has been freeloading on European nations for almost 75 years, using European nations for military bases, for personnel, for military aircraft and even for nuclear weapons storage, all so they can advance their 'power' and strategic geopolitical interests re: Russia, Middle East and Asia. How 'bout all of that is over now too, and we see who thinks they are in a position to lecture who.
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Please European brains working in the US, come back to homeland, they never will survive their stupidity without our brains! But wait, even without them, UE can be the smartest part of the free world. American betrayal will never be forgiven in the decades to come.
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US dominance is bye bye, including bases in Europe to protect Israel.
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I don't see how America can think that Russia is a regional problem? They are the only nation that could wipeout the USA in a matter of minutes - not exactly a regional issue.
Also I don't think Trump would bat an eyelid if Taiwan was invaded tomorrow - they wouldn't have a chance against the Chinese in the pacific and even he must know that.
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Europe should form a new nato and leave usa, hungary and the rest of poopin 's shenanigans out.
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How do you patrol a border that is still moving?
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Trump’s isolationism could force Europe to build new ‘US-free’ Nato
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Europe shouldn't feel forced to build a "European NATO", it's the reasonable way forward, The EU needs to build a military force.
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There is $300 billion in Russian assets frozen in Europe and Britain. This could finance a defence industry. Ukraine are developing very effective weapons for themselves.
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Exactly, that $300B should be used to finance the European defence industry and protect Ukraine!
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no it should be given to Ukraine.
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Let's agree on that the money should be used now to kick out russia from Ukraine.
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If Europe can not expect any support from the US, than there is no alliance any more. Trump wasted his biggest trump card. What an idiot.
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Europe did not expect to be stabbed in the back by a friend. Grow up UK, how many insults do you need, before you accept your special relation is finished.
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where will trump turn next?
panama canal, greenland, canada as a 51st state,
lot to be worked out in the middle east
wants to open nuclear talks with iran
taiwanese watching in horror what’s going on with trump and ukraine will he come to taiwan defence
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Europe must stand alone without interference from the USA. There really should be a European NATO military. Instead of having a wide diverse military in each European country, each country could have a specific roll or rolls to fill within that military union. We should also do away with the American Dollar as the reserve currency and replace it with the Euro. America has many countries over a barrel when it comes to having the control of the reserve currency.
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Europe should have had more independent mindset like the French and developed its own military defense complex. Buying military armaments from US might have been cheaper since there's no need to spend on research and development but now the countries are bound by the whims of a madman. They are bound by the pressure of a Russian crony and will be limited on the types of action they can take. As an American, I never imagined I'd ever feel this way but I feel uneasy for the world as the orange troll has hijacked the world order.
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I've heard of an idea called 'CANZUK' in which the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand set up a new mutual partnership. Maybe this is the time to set it up as a new ally of the EU and NATO.
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Canada stands with the EU. Dictator Trump is destroying the world's relationships, he can't be trusted!
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A peace deal should allow Ukraine to create its own alliance, then slowly add all the former NATO states to this new alliance. So technically Ukraine never joined nato
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‘Global order is unravelling’ as US turns its back on Europe
“America is retreating, becoming more siloed. And we have aggressors that are joining forces together: Russia, China, Iran and so forth.”
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The UK is “ill-prepared” for increasing global instability, says former chair of the UK defence select committee Tobias Ellwood.
https://youtu.be/OIhIUajoOkc?si=P4EVMrOUYGqoHc3V
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The US should therefore be prepared to lose its diplomatic clout and allies as it withdraws. It can't have it both ways.
“We do not have to invade the United States, we will destroy you from within.” . Nikita Kruschev. Elon remembers that quote too!
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America is heading into some dark days
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Canadian here ... is it unravelling or is about time for countries with shared values to form closer ties ... Canada, Mexico and the EU. No great loss as the usa lives in an echo chamber. Their country worships $$$ and hate!
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I hope now you understand why Russia kept intervening in US elections.
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America first is very fast becoming America alone. USA = U Stand Alone
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The US is heading for a dark time with no allies, resistance building to its expansionist ideologies, and no trust with any of the world's nations. Internal unrest is also building at substantial rate.
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Europe shouldn’t feel bad about trump turning his back on her; he’s turned his back on American democracy, as well.
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The US is obviously in a mess Trump needs to work on his America 1st he's obviously not qualified in foreign affairs. Europe should and will take care of Ukraine and keep supporting Ukraine without asking for half of everything. We should forget about America they only want to help when it's in their benefit even though we ended up in Afghanistan and so did Ukraine to help America but don't expect help in return. Europe needs to rebuild it's own military and forget about America we don't need them.
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Trump hasn't read a single history book, and he has no desire to learn. Ignorance combined with arrogance is a deadly mix. 100 Likes
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As an American, I am ashamed. Europe has to start looking to it's own defense, and to help Ukraine. There are Americans you can rely on. Treacherously, it's just not our government. As ashamed as I am, I am very concerned that when the whirlwind comes for us, nobody will come to our aid. Can't say as I don't blame you when you're told "every man for himself".
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Ok. Next talks with Europe, Canada, South Korea, Japan, Britain, Australia and Ukraine on a future of US and Russia without US and Russia. 126 Likes
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Good idea, give Alaska back to Russia and California and Texas back to Mexico. I think the Chinese have a claim for Siberia as well.
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We the Dutch demand that New York State and city be given back to us, we should have a conference about it, the Netherlands and Zimbabwe can decide ... Only logical, if Russia and the USA can decide over the Ukraine..
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Yes and people should stop the crying. Europe is a great continent with extreme ressources. Let's build a great army. We have the money, the brains. Let's go. 🇪🇺🇨🇦🇬🇧🇩🇰🇬🇱🇫🇮🇸🇪🇮🇸🇳🇴
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The United EU is the third largest economy in the world. The combined military is larger than what the US has stationed in Europe. You are more powerful than you think!
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It's FOLLY to rely on the US. It's time to implement fast track Macron's plan. EU ARMY
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The EU is only 27 countries. Europe has 44 countries.
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Europe: do not wait for Trump to decide to withdraw from NATO. Be proactive. Publicly ask Trump: "Would you rather not be in NATO? Just tell us now. We want to start planning our own alliance. We will certainly have all the non-US former NATO countries, and we'll certainly invite Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Taiwan, and other reliable democracies." This declaration would put Trump on the spot with the American people, and make him declare his true loyalty. DO IT!
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I agree, Trump is forcing his people and the allies to be reactive to his moves. Face reality and Take a proactive move and solidify the alliance with the remaining democracies and ask Trump, staying or leaving. And let him know what is expected from the U.S. if he is staying.
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it will. remember trump's deal with the Taliban
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Its not smart for Trump to also hold up the ability of the U.S. by gutting it adhoc either.
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IMAGES Credit: Courtesy of unknown commentators on the Internet
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