this post was submitted on 01 Jan 2025
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Summary

A Russian presidential plane from the Kremlin's Rossiya Special Flight Squadron visited New York and Washington, D.C., in late December, sparking speculation amid tense U.S.-Russia relations.

Moscow claimed the flight carried rotating diplomats, but its timing raises questions about Trump’s potential dealings with Vladimir Putin.

Trump has promised to end the Ukraine war in a day, alarming NATO officials who fear a deal that could harm Kyiv and alter NATO’s eastern border dynamics.

The flight highlights ongoing diplomatic maneuvering ahead of Trump’s January 20 inauguration.

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (2 children)

Biden needs to transfer to Ukraine a nuke right now to provide some M.A.D. insurance. If he doesn't, I worry Trump will look the other way completely should Russia escalate with tactical ones or worse.

Edit: Guys, please educate yourselves on MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction) Theory. The point is deterrence through mutual destruction, which effectively worked during the Cold War.

EDIT: Russians down-voting? I can only assume given the curious lack of substantive counter-arguments.

Because Republicans with Trump gained full control of the US, effectively all geopolitical support is going to drop off for Ukraine over the next 4 years. It is imperative that Ukraine be given leverage ahead of this transition.

[–] [email protected] 62 points 6 days ago (3 children)

If nukes start flying we all lose.

[–] [email protected] 17 points 6 days ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 18 points 6 days ago (1 children)

MAD requires sane leadership and neither the US nor Russia are to be trusted with that.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (2 children)

Those nations already have nukes. 🤣

And you think Khrushchev was more sane than Putin? The guy who was putting nukes in Cuba?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Yes, Krushchev was more sane than Putin. When he misjudged the Cuban missile situation, he wound his neck back in and went elsewhere to stir up shit. He also dismantled the Stalinist cult of personality. He wasn't a great guy, but he was also not a psychopath like Stalin or Putin.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 days ago

Even Stalin had nukes and didn't use them.

Psychopaths can be pretty logical at times.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (1 children)

I don’t have an opinion on krushchev, but I do know that putin needs to be a strong man to keep power.

You’re proving my point though - they already have nukes. Why does Ukraine need nukes? If things are going nuclear it’s all over in a few minutes anyway as whoever strikes first (US or Russia) will be retaliated against immediately by the other, and then everything ends for everyone except for the few unlucky survivors. Why stoke the fire and make that outcome even more likely?

If MAD is working then Ukraine doesn’t need nukes it’s got nuclear allies. If MAD isn’t working then we’re all gonna be fucked in the near future, we all lose and nobody, not even the billionaires in their bunkers, wins.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (1 children)

You’re proving my point though - they already have nukes.

Wut? No it doesn't - it supports the theory that MAD is "working" since nobody has launched any nukes. Why hasn't Putin nuked Ukraine? I thought Putin was insane right?

Why does Ukraine need nukes?

Because I doubt NATO would be wiling to retaliate on their behalf. Trump sure as fuck won't and Europe would be far to weak to do so IMHO.

Frankly I believe the way Russia "wins" this whole thing is to simply show Ukrainians that siding with "the west" was a bad idea. Once Trump withdraws US support the war will go very badly. Public opinion will turn on "the west" for abandoning them and towards Russia.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Why hasn't Putin nuked Ukraine? I thought Putin was insane right?

There’s still time! Reminds me of the investing advice adage - current performance does not predict future results. My opinion is that they are all insane. But then again I naturally distrust people who seek authority. And re Putin’s insanity specifically, are you aware of his backstory of how he came into power in Russia? He’s shady as hell to his own people.

Why does Ukraine need nukes?

Because I doubt NATO would be wiling to retaliate on their behalf. Trump sure as fuck won't and Europe would be far to weak to do so IMHO.

That’s a fair point. But IMO that’s another move towards further conflict (which would ultimately pop off to nuclear war after either side got tired of attrition) rather than towards peace.

Also I don’t see how the west “abandoning” Ukraine would make them suddenly buddy buddy with Russia who’s currently killing them. That makes no sense.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 days ago

There’s still time! Reminds me of the investing advice adage - current performance does not predict future results. My opinion is that they are all insane. But then again I naturally distrust people who seek authority. And re Putin’s insanity specifically, are you aware of his backstory of how he came into power in Russia? He’s shady as hell to his own people.

Stalin also had nukes BTW.

Nuclear weapons are very political. In the US it's the only weapon whose use is authorized by the president alone. Putin may not care about a NATO response but he does care about keeping those under him in check. A nuclear response could be very bad for them which would also be bad for Putin. He still needs to keep the fat cats fat.

Also I don’t see how the west “abandoning” Ukraine would make them suddenly buddy buddy with Russia who’s currently killing them. That makes no sense.

Not buddy buddy per se - but you need to remember that some people in Ukraine are still sympathetic to Russia and think Ukraine should have sided with them. This would give them a lot of rhetorical ammo for some time.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 6 days ago (1 children)

We'll all burn together when we burn.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 days ago

Funny you say that, I’m burning one right now 🌳

[–] [email protected] 8 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (3 children)

Of course. That's why I advise we provide Ukraine with a nuke and warn Russia that if they try to utilize nukes against Ukraine, then Moscow will be targeted by Ukraine themselves.

Again: MAD Theory. Deterrence.

Edit: Russians down-voting? I can only assume given the curious lack of substantive counter-arguments.

[–] [email protected] 21 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (2 children)

UK has stated that if Russia uses nukes against Ukraine, there will be a symmetrical response.

Edit:
And a promise is basically all the defense Ukraine has, just like they were promised both non aggression from Russia, and protection from USA, when they gave up their nukes 20 years ago.

Promises are worth zilch, just like when Hitler promised Chamberlain peace. Some things never change, especially when dealing with crazy dictators.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 6 days ago (1 children)

One would hope, but those are mere promises. When the time comes, doing is far different than saying. If we're already committed that far and we already support Ukraine to those ends, then let's cut out the middle man and give Ukraine such missiles themselves where they may be utilized immediately without hesitation. And of course, that's a certainty Putin can be assured of.

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 days ago

Don't assume the UK leadership now is as spineless as Neville Chamberlain was (and the revisionists who claimed that what he did was a stroke of brilliance to buy time should read more history-- many contemporary commentators viewed it as the craven capitulation that it was). And they shouldn't forget that appeasement didn't prevent the Blitz.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (19 children)

I’m of Russian Jewish descent but my family has been in America since 1907.

You’re getting downvoted because most of the world thinks increasing nuclear risk is bad. Because it is!

If there were an easy way to end this conflict it would of happened by now. But I’m not interested in nuclear war and MAD only works when both sides are sane. Does anyone look sane right now on either side?!

Also if Russia uses nukes they’ll get a nato nuke response. What’s the point of putting nukes in Ukraine? We can end the whole world in like 30 minutes if we’re fucking dumb enough.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 6 days ago (1 children)

I’m just downvoting them because they’re bitching about downvoting.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Eh, sometimes I do that (bitch about downvotes). It’s not the imaginary internet points that matter, it’s the confusion about why I’m not being understood especially when whatever I’m commenting is in general agreement with the rest of the comments.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 6 days ago

That's a little bit different from the smug superiority being shown by the commenter in question here.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 days ago

MAD doesn't require sanity. Only rationality by each side about their own chances of survival.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Don’t mean to sound rude but the first part of your comment was kinda irrelevant

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 days ago

Relevant to “Russians downvoting” because it’s fucking ridiculous

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 6 days ago (5 children)

How do you think nukes work that one can just be provided to them? And how do you feel they will implement MAD with only a single nuke?

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (2 children)

There are plenty of nuclear weapons close to Ukraine that can very easily and quickly be launched if whatever necessary scenario I can't come up with that would require a nuclear weapon happens.

The UK currently has 120 of their 225 nuclear weapons deployed and France currently has 290 of their 280 deployed and Putin is well aware of that.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_states_with_nuclear_weapons

[–] [email protected] 4 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (3 children)

For the same exact reason that all those surrounding nations aren't committing their own forces to the defense of Ukraine is the exact same reason why providing Ukraine itself with a nuke as a deterrent to Russia's use is essential.

Yes, other nations surrounding Ukraine have nukes. However, the odds are much higher that should Russia use nukes on Ukraine that all the surrounding nations would furrow their eyebrows heavily and condemn the attacks but ultimately do nothing because they want to contain the damage to Ukraine. Chamberlains everywhere would simply reiterate, "This is a tragic day for the world, but we cannot risk a greater conflict." Meanwhile Tump, of course, would look the other way and seek to undermine any substantive NATO response at every turn.

To reemphasize my point that many seem to have missed: This is about giving the actual victim — Ukraine — agency to defend itself directly from a nuclear threat. I trust Zelenskyy to utilize it reactely, not proactively.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 6 days ago (12 children)

I trust Zelenskyy to utilize it reactely, not proactively.

He will not be in power in perpetuity.

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (1 children)

I agree, but many are like:
Oh no 😱, that would be crossing a Russian read line! 🤮
Man I hate this argument, Russia only respect one thing, and that is strength. And Putin is insane, he is gambling with extremely high stakes, and has upped the stakes consistently for years now.
All the pearl clutching people are doing, is only helping Russia.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 6 days ago

Exactly. I say fuck Putin's red line and give Ukraine nukes to deter Russia unilaterally.

If surrounding nations are unwilling to commit conventional ground forces or establish a No-Fly-Zone over Ukraine for risk of escalation, can we really count on them to respond effectively should tactical nukes or worse be used by Russia against Ukraine? I think not.

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