Too bad Orban is getting money in spite of his terrible behavior -- internally with his own people and within the EU. So great to see the rest of Europe stand up against the bully.
Scholz has really stepped up to the plate. What was it? The Hamas invasion? The attacks on NATO member Romania? The realization that solar and wind was not going to provide energy security? In any case, it is certainly appropriate that the richest countries in Europe realize that they need to help Ukraine stem the most recent invasion of Europe.
I am bawling!!!!! I am so happpppy!!!!!! Beyond what I thought was going to happen - Western Europe has STEPPED UP!!!! Thanks for letting us know so soon - I've been so 'depressed' and feeling so helplessly down but ------ No more!!!! Thanks thanks thanks Diane!!!!! Tears of JOY! I can't imagine what the people of UKR are feeling right now - WOWOWOWOW
This is so important to counter the "official Chinese story" that the Ukranian struggle is just a US financed war against Putin. Perhaps a slightly different tactic will be taken in the East.
Excellent as always, but what about Orban now blocking 50 billion of EU aid to Ukraine? Is this just blackmail until he receives more money for Hungary from the EU?
The outcome is good but the way it had to get there "shucks". Orban is as close to being a one-man ruler as one can get without having to produce bloodied heads to prove it. But, even there, he has toughened on "dissent" recently. The EU has been putting up with a great many deviations from EU standards and requirements and holding out financial incentives to have Orban fix one thing or another which Orban should be doing to stay a member in good standing with the EU.
Promising $20 billion in payments to a fundamentally corrupt government and treating him as if no one knows of the close business relationship and loans he and his party have been getting from Putin to ensure that Putin can refer to him as "our man in NATO and the EU" does not speak well of EU's members. They are pussy cats and subsidizing extortion.
The members should toughen up and face down a sleazebag like Orban by telling him that he's not getting a penny from the EU until he drops his links to Putin, conforms to EU standards, and stops obstructing proceedings. The organizers of both the EU and NATO made a huge mistake in requiring unanimity.....any law student in his first year in law school will tell you that this is an open invitation to bribery and extortion. A 75% vote would have been more than adequate. Most commercial enterprises have rules requiring only a majority vote by Directors and may go as high as 75% when a company is faced with a termination or corporate acquisition decision.
The "ascension" process may take years and Orban will have numerous opportunities to frustrate and sabotage proceedings throughout that whole period. He would have gotten his money, pried EU off his back in his efforts to further corrupt his country, and return to do Putin's work.
Someone in the EU and NATO should take the lead in seeking a modification of the by-laws to eliminate such tinpot dictator wannabes from shaking down the other members.
That Macron is a loose cannon but can sometimes hit the mark and a lavish dinner at the Elysee Palace is not like being invited to a bun fight in London or god forbid Washington. And that Orban is a fleshy man with compromised arteries. Good score, Emmanuel and good stroke, Olaf Scholz. The prostitutes are dancing in the streets of Kyiv; although it is freezing the Ukrainians are jubilant.
Too bad Orban is getting money in spite of his terrible behavior -- internally with his own people and within the EU. So great to see the rest of Europe stand up against the bully.
Scholz has really stepped up to the plate. What was it? The Hamas invasion? The attacks on NATO member Romania? The realization that solar and wind was not going to provide energy security? In any case, it is certainly appropriate that the richest countries in Europe realize that they need to help Ukraine stem the most recent invasion of Europe.
I am bawling!!!!! I am so happpppy!!!!!! Beyond what I thought was going to happen - Western Europe has STEPPED UP!!!! Thanks for letting us know so soon - I've been so 'depressed' and feeling so helplessly down but ------ No more!!!! Thanks thanks thanks Diane!!!!! Tears of JOY! I can't imagine what the people of UKR are feeling right now - WOWOWOWOW
Now the offensive defence must be played out against the tyrants. Take over the Venezuelan off shore
Oil Assets. Teach them to threaten Guayan oil assets , urged on by Russians.
John Pacey
Such a smart move, getting the boor to leave the room. Now for NATO to pull off the same.
Lets hope this gets Ukraine closer to NATO membership.
good!
This was a very important step for Europe to solidify
the EU for Ukraine and against Russia.
Due to the dysfunction of the
Republican portion of the
Congress and portions in our
Senate as well, due to pressure from Donald Trump
and his backers, no aid for
Ukraine is moving. The border is a carrot the Republicans hold out, but
would never agree to any
compromise on their H.R.2
Thank you, Diane for the good news from EU and
how they stood up to a
bully.
This is so important to counter the "official Chinese story" that the Ukranian struggle is just a US financed war against Putin. Perhaps a slightly different tactic will be taken in the East.
Excellent as always, but what about Orban now blocking 50 billion of EU aid to Ukraine? Is this just blackmail until he receives more money for Hungary from the EU?
Agree 1000%
The outcome is good but the way it had to get there "shucks". Orban is as close to being a one-man ruler as one can get without having to produce bloodied heads to prove it. But, even there, he has toughened on "dissent" recently. The EU has been putting up with a great many deviations from EU standards and requirements and holding out financial incentives to have Orban fix one thing or another which Orban should be doing to stay a member in good standing with the EU.
Promising $20 billion in payments to a fundamentally corrupt government and treating him as if no one knows of the close business relationship and loans he and his party have been getting from Putin to ensure that Putin can refer to him as "our man in NATO and the EU" does not speak well of EU's members. They are pussy cats and subsidizing extortion.
The members should toughen up and face down a sleazebag like Orban by telling him that he's not getting a penny from the EU until he drops his links to Putin, conforms to EU standards, and stops obstructing proceedings. The organizers of both the EU and NATO made a huge mistake in requiring unanimity.....any law student in his first year in law school will tell you that this is an open invitation to bribery and extortion. A 75% vote would have been more than adequate. Most commercial enterprises have rules requiring only a majority vote by Directors and may go as high as 75% when a company is faced with a termination or corporate acquisition decision.
The "ascension" process may take years and Orban will have numerous opportunities to frustrate and sabotage proceedings throughout that whole period. He would have gotten his money, pried EU off his back in his efforts to further corrupt his country, and return to do Putin's work.
Someone in the EU and NATO should take the lead in seeking a modification of the by-laws to eliminate such tinpot dictator wannabes from shaking down the other members.
That Macron is a loose cannon but can sometimes hit the mark and a lavish dinner at the Elysee Palace is not like being invited to a bun fight in London or god forbid Washington. And that Orban is a fleshy man with compromised arteries. Good score, Emmanuel and good stroke, Olaf Scholz. The prostitutes are dancing in the streets of Kyiv; although it is freezing the Ukrainians are jubilant.