Dear readers, I am much slower these days as I once wrote a blog here every 2 weeks. I started this piece you are reading now weeks ago, but events, life and a holiday have got in the way, and it never got finished. I am now interested in writing about the origins of Trump and am engrossed in a book that is about precisely that. Plus don’t forget there is a mini-me Trump-like movement in the UK, which I shall also look at when I come to write about this critically important subject.
But I had this draft of more thoughts…. So on looking at it, here is a much shorter version than I originally intended, which I amended and added to, a few days ago, of some further thoughts on Ukraine.
The war in Ukraine. Yes, that one, which is now not featuring hugely in the media, social or otherwise. Well, apologies for the hyperbole and the over-egging of my writing in my last blog published on 18th August. I was asking what might happen on the meeting on the 18th. And that heading – A Momentous Day. Momentous it was not.
But then again there’s a lot we can take away from it.
Remember the photo of Trump sitting at his Resolute desk in the Oval office and the 7 Western leaders sitting like school kids in front of the headmaster? Amongst other people who have commented on Trump’s higher chair and the desk acting as a barrier from the 7 leaders who sat meekly in a semicircle on lower chairs, Alistair Campbell (who in the past had organised many meetings between Tony Blair and other prime ministers and presidents) said he was shocked at the seating arrangements. You never, he said, allow that kind of look of one man sitting above the rest – everyone had to look equal, at an equal height, on similar chairs.
So seeing that seating arrangement you realise that although, Keir Starmer (UK, Prime Minister), Macron (President of France), Mertz (German Chancellor), Stubb (President of Finland), von der Leyen (President of the EU), Rutte (Nato Sec General) Meloni (Italy, Prime Minster) had rushed over the Atlantic to make sure there wasn’t another debacle of Trump dissing Zelensky, what exactly did they contribute? I mean all these very senior people had dropped everything to come to this meeting – they had to think the meeting was important.
There was some damage control, Zelensky was not harangued, instead there was a lot of sycophant jollity, and comments about Zelensky’s suit which, I was glad to see, was still militaristic and black. Zelensky was not pushed into giving up any territory, which is his major fear – and Europe’s. Because giving into an aggressor that has invaded an independent nation to secure land, is a signal to any authoritarian leader that if Putin can do it, so can I. And btw, have you looked at a map recently, Putin doesn’t need more land, Russia is huge. What he wants of course, is the wealth that Ukraine can create from its minerals and indeed farmland. And he wants Ukraine to come back in to Russian territory – just because he just wants it, end of.
So what exactly did we (as in us Europeans) get out of it, what did Zelensky get out of it? It being the August 18th meeting. Because, meanwhile, every day since that meeting between Trump and Putin, and the meeting of Trump and Zelensky plus the 7 aforementioned leaders, Russia has upped its attacks on Ukraine and there are civilian areas bombed and many deaths every single night.
I would say that meeting on the 18th August was a non-event and Europe got precisely nothing. I really got carried away and thought Zelensky might be bullied into ceding Ukraine’s territory. He was not. And within days Trump’s attention (which is short-term to say the least) had veered away. Furthermore, it was up to Putin and Zelensky to battle this out at some kind of meeting, Trump said.
Look. Putin will never meet Zelensky. He won’t. Ever. So stalemate. And this war in Ukraine is going to be a long, long war.
However, we live in exceedingly dangerous times. Trump is a true Russian asset as he says something that is a near rebuke about, and to Putin, and then U-turns on these threats within days and does nothing to follow through any of his words.
Meanwhile, there have been multiple incursions of Russian fighter jets into Nato’s air space. Specifically Europe’s air space. Estonia was the latest incursion. There have been various reports that Nato should respond by shooting down these Russian jets.
I’m finishing by saying never forget that Putin does not want a ceasefire in Ukraine or any kind of stalemate armistice (as happened in Korea) he wants Ukraine – all of it. And now he is testing out Europe’s resolve and strength. Would Trump come to the aid of Europe if things escalated? Possibly? Probably? Maybe? That uncertainty is not a particularly helpful stance for us Europeans, not while Putin dances over borders without, it seems, much thought of any consequences.
Testing times, people, testing times. For Europe, and for the States.
Penny Kocher, 22 September 2025
Oh, Penny. I am just exhausted from the news on every front. tRump is deranged and all of his sycophantic secretaries hide it and do whatever the hell they want. I fear we are on the edge of a complete government breakdown…if we haven’t already reached it and gone over. Everyone screams for the 2nd Amendment rights, but, apparently 1st Amendment rights only apply to Republicans. I am appalled, each and every day, by the things he gets away with, and yet, I am also frightened. Mike has a relative high in the government who knows of my feelings for him, and I worry we (meaning me) might be on some kind of list. I’m not usually a conspiracy theorist, but there are so many things happening in this country that I can’t help but wonder. I hate living in this feeling of suspicion all the time. My kids think I’m an extremist even. I think Zelensky is an amazing leader even though I’m sure he has his faults as most do. But, he IS leading his country, while tRump is trashing his.
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
The 1st Amendment is a beautiful set of principles and stands for how all nations should conduct themselves. The 2nd was passed many moons ago when things like militias were necessary. It is sad that it continues to be so relevant to so many Americans. I am probably in a bubble as the only history of theStates I’ve read is by Howard Zinn, which btw, I thought a great read. So you can see where I stand. But the majority of the UK (left and right) think Trump’s behaviour is deranged, although, there are people in the UK who are not disagreeing with some of his policies re: immigration. And they are a force to be watched with some dismay. But it is absolutely astounding that still people follow Trump. And those around him? Well, Marco Rubio for one has sold his soul. His face often reveals that.
Oh geez, Marsha, obviously I’ve seen bits of his 1-hr speech to the UN. Now apparently the last time Trump spoke to the UN he was laughed at. Not so now. What has changed? It must be the people behind him who are the drivers of these policies and Project 25 which is an unbelievably dangerous document. And now Trump is in control as the figurehead of this revolutionary movement. And I don’t use that word ‘revolutionary’ lightly.
The thing is, though, the polls show a decline in support. I think watch the decent intelligent Americans who are against him. I follow Jon Stewart on The Daily Show, which to a Brit is bit shouty – but always on point. But his Weekly Show is amazing. He always has intelligent people with him discussing the situation in the States. I love listening to these normal and very bright Americans. It lifts me up. I also recently watched a really great Facebook video of a man taking Bernie Sanders into the heart of Republican voter land – and winning hearts and minds. People were saying to him, but you are not as you’ve been described in the media. That was great too.
I listen to a lot of good podcasts of really good analytical thinkers. It really helps.
So sad that an opponent to Trump is now considered extreme and/or disloyal. Critical thinking and debate is the sign of a civilised nation. Note I said critical thinking rather than criticism. Carry on as before but surround yourself with the intelligence of normal people. It really, really helps.
Very best to you, Marsha
I think I saw the video you’re speaking about with Bernie Sanders. I wish Bernie was about 15-20 years younger because he could be such a powerful leader and unite this country. He speaks common sense, but very few in the congress (yes, I deliberately made that lower case) don’t want to listen to him. They just think he’s another extremist. Oh, Project 2025 is terrifying! We are so far down the road on that one. I never, in a million years, thought I’d be living in a US that looks like this one. And, I’m one of the “lucky” ones…white middle class woman (which is the one thing not on my side).
Penny I do not know where to start to describe my feelings about what has happened to my country. I could never imagine that such a cruel and ignorant tyrant would be able to take over the US. When he was first elected and I expressed my fears I was assured that we had our Constitution and that the other two branches of the government would reign in his excesses. I had hoped that trump would rise to the occasion and realize what a great responsibility was now in his hands. How foolish of me! somehow we got through the first administration, maybe even because of covid which perhaps distracted him from whatever authoritarian plans he had. I remember watching Biden’s inauguration in 2021following the failed attempt to overturn the election, trump going off in his own helicopter, not even attending the handover of the government. the nightmare was over, or so I thought. And yet he emerges 4 years later, with more power. He is now able chose his lackies, those who give their allegiance to this would be dictator. There has been some resistance, to be sure, but not enough. the supreme court, once the bastion of protecting the constitution has ruled in his favor so many times, even when lower courts have tried to stop him. It is truly hard for me to understand how how any American can still support him. Is it because so many in fact racists. It is hard to imagine this is true In just a few months this evil man has destroyed or tried to destroy science, cancer research, education, our alliences, protections for the environment. after watching his disgraceful address to the UN yesterday it is soo hard to be an American. Love, Darby
That address to the UN was just barking mad. I think with regard to the first Trump administration he absolutely wasn’t prepared and there was little to fear as he had people around him in his administration who reined him in. He was crass and something to laugh at. Gee, we all thought, what a ….. fill in what ever you thought. Indeed I believe the first time he addressed the UN he was indeed laughed at. But not this time because this administration is different because of the people behind him especially those who wrote and contributed to Project 25, which is a terrifying document. This time, yes, he means to do far more and he has no restraints. But his attention span is exceedingly short and it’s the people on the sidelines and those who meet behind closed doors thinking up how to bring about really what is almost revolutionary. It’s these people who are dominating the agenda now. And when I use that ‘r’ word I don’t use it lightly.
The thing is, though, I understand the polls show support for Trump is going down. Yes, there are people who will aways believe in him and support him, but more and more people can see what’s happening and they don’t like it. My advice and please, ignore as gosh I’m just a Brit, what do I know! But surround yourself with the many who disagree with him, who actively dislike what he is doing. For example, I cannot stress how good Jon Stewart is. His Daily Show is a bit shouty (and silly) but when he’s on, he’s always on point. But his Weekly Show when he talks to intelligent, good people is beyond excellent. He always speaks to very bright people and there is a good and very serious discussion for about an hour. And of course, there have to be others including Jimmy Kimmel, who I have never watched until he was sacked and then I watched what he was apparently sacked for and thought, err, it’s nothing! Glad to hear he’s back!
There are many people who think like you – protect yourself by finding them. And listening to Jon Stewart. Btw, I found a short video on, I think YouTube, when Bernie Sanders was taken deep into Trumpland and amazingly over just a couple of days, won hearts and minds. That was lovely to watch. There is light out there. Here’s the link – do watch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RP8Oxe6OxJc
An interesting post Penny , always enjoy reading your take on the state of world politics. Particularly after last week’s UN speech by Trump which was so scary as that rambling deranged man is just so powerful I do fear for the world in which my children and grand children will experience. You are 100% correct it does seem so obvious that Putin is prepared to continue the Ukraine war indefinitely as it suits his end game , regardless of the lives lost.