On the final day of the NATO summit in Madrid, President Biden declared that the US and NATO will support Ukraine for ‘as long as it takes’ for Kyiv to win its war against Russia. He also said that his administration will be announcing a new $800 million weapons package for Ukraine in the coming days.
“We are going to stick with Ukraine and all of the Alliance is going to stick with Ukraine as long as it takes to, in fact, make sure that they are not defeated by… Russia,” Biden said at a press conference.
When asked how long Americans should expect to pay high gas prices that have spiked as a result of his sanctions on Russia, Biden also said for “as long as it takes” so Russia cannot “defeat Ukraine.”
As Russia is making more money from oil sales now than it was before the war, the US is looking at ways to hamper Moscow’s profits while not causing another spike in prices. One idea G7 leaders are exploring is placing a price cap on Russian oil, a plan doomed to fail as it would need the cooperation of Vladimir Putin as well as China and India, which have significantly stepped up their imports of Russian crude.
“I suggested a while ago that what we should consider doing is putting a cap on the amount of money that… the world would pay for Russian oil,” Biden told reporters. He said that he delegated a team to “sit down and work out that mechanism” for the price cap. “We think it can be done,” he said.
Swedish bank analysts are warning that the price cap could bring oil prices to over $200 per barrel. Russia could respond to the policy by cutting off Western countries that are still purchasing Russian oil, which would drive gas prices even higher in Europe.
Biden’s pledge for open-ended support for Ukraine to win its war came after CNN reported that White House officials privately doubt that Ukraine can win back all the territory Russia has captured since it invaded. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky maintains that it is his goal to take all of that territory back even as Russia continues to make gains in the eastern Donbas region.
The Ukrainians are outgunned by Russia and their war effort is entirely reliant on Western military support. Biden said the new $800 million weapons package that will be detailed this week will include an “advanced” Western air defense system, more artillery and ammunition, including ammunition for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, and counter-battery radars.
Biden will probably succeed in bringing down Russia’s oil revenues. But it won’t happen the way he evidently thinks it will happen. His efforts to manipulate the market have already triggered stagflation in the US and signs of panic in Europe. If the global economy collapses as it did in 2008, demand for global oil will likely collapse. Mission Accomplished… sort of.
Inflation in the U.S. was 7% before the invasion. Corporation raised prices, because they could.
Well it comes down to higher up the food chain you are, the more you can pass costs down and not take a loss yourself
The sanctions intentionally reduced the supply of energy exported by Russia. Energy is an inelastic commodity. Now it costs considerably more. That, and the cost of food, also directly affected by the sanctions, have driven the economy to the tipping point.
There are 2 ways to turn this around: increase the supply, or reduce demand. The price cap proposal is intended to further reduce the supply.
It’s true that if the market was competitive, competition would bring the prices down. But it’s not competitive, and both producers and refiners are no doubt enjoying all of this government sponsored market manipulation.
“We think it can be done,” said the man as he fell off his bicycle.
Training wheels have been installed. Now when he forgets that he has stopped, he won’t fall down.
Does he remember which lever is for brakes for the front and which is for the back wheels.
For some unknown reason he was riding a bike with toe clips on the pedals and had trouble getting his foot out when he stopped.
That’s one reason I don’t use toe clips. Although, even being much younger than him, I’ve gone ass over teakettle a couple of times when I stopped and my knee buckled or my foot slipped on loose gravel.
There are a lot of reasons to think the guy is frail or senile. This particular thing isn’t one of them.
You are far too generous Mr. Knapp…
I think toe clips for a man his age are almost a necessity.
Yes. What is Biden’s team doing, not protecting him. No one foresaw the risks for an infrequent older-guy cyclist in getting in & out of those toe clips? Platform pedals only please. Earlier with the big German Shepherd, too, I said “That dog is going to hurt Biden”.
I’m not a big fan of Biden (or any politician), but even way back in the 1980s PJ O’Rourke was already pointing out that everywhere a president goes, “there’s a camera crew waiting for him to say f*ck or get shot.” The only reason him falling off a bike is news is because he’s president.
In my opinion, presidents should probably stay off bicycles and other sketchy vehicles, both for their own safety and so they don’t look like idiots in public. George W. Bush got in a mountain bike wreck at his ranch, fell off a bike after colliding with a cop in Scotland, and fell off a Segway on camera, all while president. And Barack Obama looked like a special needs child toodling around on a bike.
Then again, maybe there’s something to be said for presidents looking stupid and going ass over teakettle in public. Might bring them down a notch on the “people think I’m wise and competent” scale.
Thomas, poor Gerald Ford was the champion. It seemed as though every nightly news broadcast showed him falling down, the White House steps, Air Force One, just everywhere.
It was his “thing”.
I’ve yet to see Vladimir Putin unseated by a horse 😉
You know how much us horse-loving ladies admire a man that rides!
That being said, I flipped my bike in an inconvenient pothole on our gravel road when I was in my 30’s and fractured a hip. I did ride the three miles back home in spite of it.
That hip is just fine; it’s the other one that needs to be replaced 😐
I for one appreciate comic relief. It is clear why he fell, and it is good that ge did not get hurt. Other than his pride.
But I worry about his inability to balance out his foreign/military policy. As a result, we are sliding dangerously into a void — place we have not seen before. Insane money creation out of thin air to finance Ukrainian disaster, is generating indirect taxation via inflation. Ironically, a country that was barely held befote by sticks and rubber bands before – is now hopelessly fructured. And should Russians just decide to leave — the country called Ukraine cannot any longer be kept together unless extreme force is used. A minority has already attempted to rule a majority, and it did not work. Now, no unity is possible.
While falling from a bike may be humorous, Zelenski exorting “Ukrainians” to resist invadiors — is hillarious. Who are the mythical “Ukrainians”. The ginnie is out of the bottle. Cannot shove it back. It is gravity. in both cases. Cannot be defied.
“In my opinion, presidents should probably stay off bicycles and other sketchy vehicles, both for their own safety and so they don’t look like idiots in public.”
And the unbelievable waste of money for security.
Er, Thomas, I think the fact that he used toe clips at all might be indicative 😉
😂
NATO just restarted the cold war and ironically the G7 summit was held at a former Nazi sanatorium. As a New Zealander i am astounded that our Prime Minister was at the NATO meeting and i will do everything in my power to ensure she goes before the Hague to answer for her many many crimes against the people of New Zealand and around the world.
Currently its a phony war against Russia in Ukraine, but it is going to be a global war and the trigger could be Lithuania. Little Lithuania is telling France, Germany and Poland that they want WW3 over their unlawful blockade of Kaleningrad.
NATO expands because of the war caused by NATO expansion. Pretty brilliant, isn’t it?
If she goes to The Hague it’s to see the sights, some Vermeers at maritshaus, etc 🙂 sorry but NATO warmongers aren’t held accountable.
Biden Says US Will Keep Sacrificing Ukrainians For ‘as Long as It Takes’
Tragically this is true.
A moving short video of a terrified Ukranian conscript (female ?)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=26&v=okYb26_EQLs&feature=emb_logo
The desire of other euro nations to turn Ukraine into Afghanistan is astonishing, because this is what Biden is saying here. Ukraine cannot win, no matter what toys they are given. Thus, “as long as it takes” is a prescription for endless guerrila war that will completely destroy Ukraine. Truly an evil concept.
There’s a way to end “endless guerilla war” against an invading force.
That way is for the invading force to withdraw.
Thomas, U must mean NATO and the USA! They must withdrawal and tell Ukraine to negotiate, which includes accepting Crimea as Russian soil.
We (Biden) had our chance late last year. Zelensky had espoused detente, but the NAZIs in Ukraine threatened to lynch him. We did not protect him, so, his tune changed to match the harmony by the Right Sector and the Azov Battalion. Then Biden’s mushy brain kicked in, the propaganda began, voila’, American taxpayers gouged again.
!!! Mushy brains crikey!
NATO and the USA should just stay out of it entirely.
But no, I meant that if the Russians don’t want Afghanistan Part II: This Time It’s Personal, they can withdraw any time. Otherwise, it’s on them.
Agfan part 2 also is a disaster for Ukraine. And the world, as it risks escalating this horrible conflict.
Yes, it’s also a disaster for Ukraine. And for Europe. And for the US. Wars are never good things overall, and they generally have few beneficiaries other than politicians and profiteers.
I don’t consider Putin’s decision to invade any more a crime than lots of things his opponents has done. But as Talleyrand pointed out, what’s worse than a crime is a blunder.
Or negotiate!
Yes, but this is not going to happen in this case. Russia has said and I believe them that loss is not an option here in their heartland proximity. The choices are peace with Russia or utter destruction of Ukraine.
It’s unlikely Southern and Eastern Ukraine can be governed again by Ukraine. Most of those civilians who didn’t flee lean Russian and their homes are being shelled by Ukraine now. More violence from Western led guerrilla warfare will only add to it. So what is the point except kill more?
The AFU ARE the invaders. The US puppet regime in Kiev claims
territories where they are not wanted. The resident population are the ones that should decide their government. NOT the puppet regime that seeks to oppress them. Not the EU that seeks to exploit them. And NOT Washington, DC which seeks to sacrifice them on the altar of globalism and hegemony.
How does someone get in on this racket and intercept some of that money? Certainly one of the most corrupt countries in the world has a few “games” going on. Wouldn’t be surprised if people pocketing turn around and start buying cheap real estate after the country is ruined. Ideal for them would be for destruction to continue but in end keep Putin from Western Ukraine. And gee that does seem to coincide with official strategy. And the EU membership will only help some of those investors.
It is probably going to cost the average US homeowner a minimum of $4000.00 to heat the home with home heating oil this coming winter. That is not good.
I recommend a wood stove or wood-burning fireplace insert like we have, Mardasee. Ours heats our entire home comfortably, and even though the price of wood has gone up, it’s still far less pricey than natural gas or propane.
Of course this only applies to areas where hardwoods are readily available. We primarily burn oak and maple and purchase it from a tree-cutting business.
My residence has two apartments. Woodstoves are not allowed.
Unfortunately it’s not accessible to everyone…
A war between The Netherlands and Belgium might remove much cheese and beer from international trade but will not cause widespread hunger elsewhere.
Grains have been a principal food staple of mankind for millennia. Hence this war between two major grain producing countries is sheer madness. The longer it lasts the greater the risk of a serious hunger outbreak.
For “as long as it takes” to bankrupt the United States.
THIS MAN MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO REMAIN IN POWER!
The United States has been bankrupt for quite some time.
But it treats that situation like a Trump construction project — borrow enough, they figure, and the lenders can’t afford to let you actually go under, so they’ll just keep loaning you more.
It can’t work in perpetuity. And it’s going to be ugly.
Thanks for that, Thomas. I’m not very financially savvy.
Scary times we live in. Sometimes I feel as though we’d all be better off getting nuked 😟
They will ensure that Russia takes more territory in Ukraine and build a buffer to protect Russia from these weapons Washington is sending.
I can see Russia securing everything East of the Dnieper River. As well as Odessa.
US/NATO has already lost in Ukraine, comprehensively beaten by Russia. US/NATO are a spent force and Russia is slowly but surely bleeding out US/NATO weapons, troops and resources in Donbass.
The president also said Americans will have to deal with high gas prices ‘for as long as the Biden Regime remains in office.
last year the US imported about 8.47 million barrels of oil per day including 672,000 barrels per day from Russia.
also last year, the US exported about 8.63 million barrels of oil per day.
this has been business as usual for decades.
so WTF is trump always going on about “energy independence” when uncle sam allows the oil to be exported away rather than turning it into fuel for americans.
For every billion dollars we send to Ukraine, we could send 10,000 Americans through 4 years of college. I’m not saying that we should necessarily spend $1-billion that way, but that is an opportunity cost of sending a billion dollars to Ukraine.
NATO/EU is a circus…….Turkey’s pre-condition to Finland entering the NATO bloc is falling apart. Finland and Sweden have not joined NATO yet, and there is a long process ahead,
Scholz at this very same NATO meet, got scared and quickly urged not to hinder the transit of Russian goods to Kaliningrad.
Germany steals Gazprom LNG Tankers which belonged to the Russian energy giants. Gazprom simply turns off the gas faucet and key gas retailers in Germany and the UK suddenly stare as the bottom of the tank becomes visible.
Sergei Kiriyenko visited the Kharkov region. The issuance of Russian passports has started and the formation of administration is in progress.
XakNet Team hacked the website of the Ukraine is Our Home TV channel. Now the anthem of Russia is played there. the Killnet group brought down the website of the US Federal Tax Payment System.
The Banderite Forces of Ukraine are in total panic: The battle for LYSICHANSK is over (mopping up), and the Russians are already advancing on SEVERSK! This is getting very embarrassing for US/NATO.
And yet the wheel in the sky keeps on turning.. While leaders come and go promising futures that they won’t ever live to see, crowds cheer on the madness, come next year all is forgotten.. The misery, pain and shattered lives stand as testament not to trust what politicians say in the US, whether its shown on the news or hidden is irrelevant.. Slowly but surely every single nation on earth will have enough of their blood being spilled just so 1 guy can give a speech and jet off to the beach.
When the US parasite latches on to a host country, it’s difficult removing it, unless you commit a revolution. Ukraine unfortunately doesn’t see this yet.
The neo-feudal Gang of 7 met and condemned freedom. They didn’t call it freedom though, they called it Russia. Freedom is denied in the name of Democracy in which one country controls the rest of the world and cruelly exploits it.
The US / UK / NATO numpties will go bankrupt before Putin will allow Russia to be defeated , all none NATO countries are lining up to buy Russian natural resources and as none NATO countries out number the Numpties in NATO tells you all you need to know.
Russia has turned off both Nord Stream pipelines from July 11 to 21 – allegedly for “maintenance” – in reality to give Europe a taste of what’s coming: NO gas.
The greatest threat to the American people and world at large are both repugnant political terrorists that own both parties. Americans must find a way to expel the cancer that no longer hides its true intentions. Covid was no accident, and it will only get worse from here…
The fix is easy, place a limit on their wealth, this will limit the damage they can do. Tax them 100% after that limit. If they break the rules execute them for treason (Capital Punishment).
By the way, if you want to get some good clear analysis of how things are going in Ukraine, Brian Berletic has a good Youtube channel.
Latest Brian Berletic…
Replacing Ukraine’s Dwindling Air Defenses & Kiev’s “Managed Retrogrades” in Donbass
Crack up when he reports the Pentagon is calling Ukrainian retreats “managed retrogrades”… He pours scorn on that, rightfully.
Also talks about the NASAM missiles.
Bonaparte’s Managed Retrograde?
Leave behind as much destruction as possible, deprive cities and towns of infrastructure, and then blame Russia. This is the tactics of the Nazi US/EU/NATO thugs.
The Banderite Forces of US/EU/NATO fired a “Tochka-U” at Lisichansk civilian infrastructure. These are war crimes.
I am witnessing the disintegration of Western society – the depravity is visible to the naked eye. HISTORY WILL JUDGE THE UNITED STATES AND ITS ALLIES
As long as there is a Ukrainian left alive willing to weaken Russia, they will get dollars and arms to do so from Uncle Sam. The actual quote there is “not defeated by” not “win against,” which is clearly impossible as Biden is perfectly aware (unless we turn over to Ukraine our entire inventory of military hardware, which they ask for but we will not do). The only positive step forward for the US these days is high gas prices, finally. And the gradual destruction of a toxic regime in Kyiv heading towards utter bankruptcy.
Does Joe Biden own any stock or assetts in the oil industry? One has to wonder, if his donors do. What does Joe Biden think will happen to the billion of dollars of weapons he’s shipping when they fall into enemy hands in an unwinnable war. F U Joe Biden.
Boris Traitor Johnson is now pillaging the health and education budgets across the UK to send to Ukraine Nazi’s. Billions are being pillaged, this just shows his allegiance to the people he represents.
Ukraine since 2014 has been a military dictatorship operating under marshal law. Opposition parties have been banned and their leaders thrown in jail. Political executions are normal.