The Portuguese island of Madeira's central to a Russian sanctions-busting & money laundering operation.

SIC Noticias names Russian oligarch Ruslan Rostovtsev as the figure behind a mysterious company in Funchal, it alleges launders millions of Euros + exports coal from occupied Donbas.

The problem with buying US arms is that they come with strings attached. In a crisis spare parts/maintenance can be withheld or limits placed on their use - giving Trump power over you.
Its not about buying the *best* - sometimes *good enough* may be more useful in a crisis.

16/
So don't give in.
What was wrong with trump's demand on 11 March for an immediate ceasefire and then discussions?
258 days later, Putin hasn't shifted, so we feel we have to. Why?
Trump promised to be ruthless if Putin didn't agree to a ceasefire. Look what happened since.

5/
Speaking remotely to the Crimea Parliamentary Platform Summit in Sweden, Ukraine's President urged politicians "do not stay silent, do not be passive observers of history – be participants."

While some celebrate changes to the DimWit plan, Zelenskyy points out the real dangers.

7/
But Europe! What are you doing?
Surely all your Intelligence agencies have spelled it out to you about the century old Moscow tradition of maximalist demands. Indeed they usually demand more than everything, just so if they need to give ground, they can go back to the maximum

This was funny