Like most people today, I possess a mobile/cell telephone that is capable of accessing the internet. I also, like many, possess a “PC” (personal computer) that is capable of accessing the internet.
One of the activities many people undertake – but I do not – is to play games on the above mentioned devices.
One of these games, “Diplomacy” is featured in the image which heads up today’s blog-post. The suppliers of the game are Moby Games (https://www.mobygames.com/game/36400/diplomacy/).
I’ve chosen the title “Diplomatic Games” for IMHO, it accurately describes what will go on when President Zelenskyy meets President Trump at Mar-a-Lago this weekend.
The Indy (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/zelensky-trump-meeting-florida-ukraine-peace-deal-b2890883.html) gives what IMHO, is an overly optimistic assessment of the meeting.
President Zelenskyy is doing what he has to – placate where possible President Trump – the current reigning “Dishonest Broker” of World Politics – in going along with this waste of time and effort for a so-called peace plan which has no chance of succeeding because President Putin will not accept it’s terms.
President Zelenskyy is doing what he has to because the USA supplies the military intelligence data that makes Ukraine’s long range strikes on Russia’s oil and gas infrastructure effective and vitally ensures the present effectiveness of Ukraine’s air defences.
European NATO nations are doing what they can, but they lack a number of capabilities that only the USA can supply. These capabilities cannot be acquired quickly.
Hopefully, it will not be too long before Ukraine has the necessary capability to enable the heavy long range Flamingo cruise missile to effectively target Russia’s oil and gas infrastructure avoiding Russia’s AA defences.
Ukraine is continuing to build these heavy long range cruise missiles in large numbers but have eschewed using them until they have had their guidance systems upgraded.
Here is a “horrible historical” FACT: Wars of attrition are generally won when one of the belligerents is unable to continue. This inability to continue hostilities is generally because of economic and/or logistical collapse and NOT military defeat on the battlefield.
It is therefore essential that the intended European efforts aimed at enhancing their measures against Russia’s “shadow fleet” of tankers take rapid and significant effect early in the New Year and that the guidance system upgrade of the Pelican cruise missile takes place ASAP.
This war will end in Ukraine’s favour IF and/or WHEN Russia becomes economically and financially exhausted. Hopefully this takes place in 2026 and if not, 2027.