re: Latest Updates: Russia-Ukraine Conflict.

this raises the total tariff to 50%

Loading Twitter/X Embed...
If tweet fails to load, click here.

quote:

---

Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania all have multiple NATO bases. Lithuania hosts the main air base for NATO aircraft patrolling the Baltic. All of these bases have seen a major enhancement in force as well since Crimea was taken. It's not like the Baltic nations are sitting ducks. There are multiple battle groups and a continued naval presence there. The naval presence isn't that large but there isn't really a threat from the Russian navy in the Baltic Sea..

---

Yes... but up until Trump made his turn on Putin, most feared he was going to pull US troops and equipment from those bases (and the rest of Europe) as it was reported he was considering for whatever reason, ... and, well, trust in him is not high with those leaders

quote:

---

Yes... but up until Trump made his turn on Putin, most feared he was going to pull US troops and equipment from those bases (and the rest of Europe) as it was reported he was considering for whatever reason, ... and, well, trust in him is not high with those leaders

---

It was all about getting Europeans to pay their way and not be freeloaders.

European nations have been freeloading for decades, and not just lack of military expenditures. Tuey have "emissions" regulations on manufacturing equipment which does ZERO except keep US goods out of their market. This is mostly to protect German and French manufacturers and banking. I do not remember the exact regulations but almost a decade ago a client contact with Teknor Apex, based in Pawtucket, RI, who is now retired explained this to me. He couldn't use usual vendors at plants they purchased in Europe. These items emit NOTHING, yet EU climate change regs prevail. Even for making toothbrushes, as in putting the bristles into the handle.

Trump hails progress in Russia talks, White House says secondary sanctions still planned

WASHINGTON, Aug 6 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday said his special envoy Steve Witkoff had made "great progress" in his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as Washington continued its preparations to impose secondary sanctions on Friday.
Trump, in a post on Truth Social, said he had briefed some European allies about Witkoff's meeting with Putin, which was focused on ending the 3-1/2-year war that began with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

"Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come," Trump added, without providing further details.
A White House official said earlier that the meeting had gone well, and Moscow was eager to continue engaging with the United States.
The official said secondary sanctions that Trump has threatened against countries doing business with Russia were still expected to be implemented on Friday. No details were provided.

Reuters

Good info

Sick of the 1/2 measures. This idiotic war has to end so we can focus all our resources on China which means pumping out dozens more ships and new missile and drone tech. All this war is doing is emptying our reserve stock of weapons and armored vehicles. Meanwhile Europe wants to complain that Ukraine needs more but they always just look at the U.S. to give it. I’m sick of being the world’s arsenal when all we seem to get for our contributions is hate so frick it. I truly believe i’m a war with China NATO and Europe would stay out leaving us to basically fight alone if Japan, South Korea and Australia stayed out as well. Its time for Europe to quit talking and actually do something for a change.

Apparently Russia is now committed to a ceasefire so I guess we will see how that turns out.

Trump to make decision on Russia sanctions within next 24-36 hours, Rubio says

August 7, 2025 12:36 am

U.S. President Donald Trump will decide whether to impose secondary sanctions on Russia’s trading partners within the next 24 to 36 hours, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Aug. 6.

Following U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier in the day, the White House now has a "better understanding" of the conditions under which Russia would end its war, Rubio said.

Trump has threatened to impose secondary sanctions on Russia's trading partners if Moscow does not agree to a ceasefire by Aug. 8. The measure could impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries that purchase Russian oil.

It is unclear if a meeting between Trump and Putin will occur, Rubio said, amid reports that Trump and Putin are ready to meet.

Whether the two leaders meet depends on progress made to reach a ceasefire in Russia's war against Ukraine, Rubio told reporters.

Trump and Putin could speak over the phone within the next couple of days, but no call is scheduled between the two, he said.

The U.S. leader plans to meet Putin as early as next week and intends to hold a trilateral meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky and Putin shortly after, the New York Times (NYT) reported on Aug. 6.

The Kyiv Independent

It's gotten to be more than the post WWII agreement and design. The EU didn't just tariff but all together banned some US goods with regulations only made by Euro companies, mostly Germany.

We'll see. My money is on Putin welching