the world is on your side if not at your side just yet... hopefully putin gets deposed and someone more like your leader gets installed

> hopefully putin gets deposed and someone more like your leader gets installed

Given the choice, I'd definitely rather have Zelensky than Putin, but preferably not either. The world doesn't need more celebrity politicians. (I recognise that the US is scarcely a model here; I can only plead that I didn't want any of our celebrity politicians, either.)

EDIT: To be quite clear, this is not meant in any way as anti-Zelenksy. As the child comments say, correctly, he seems to be the leader Ukraine needs right now.

The Ukrainians choosing whomever they want is the best outcome. There is still the possibility that they could choose someone terrible, but that is their prerogative.

The perfect president does not exist. I’d settle for one with whom you can have a discussion and who does not see the world through the prism of an imaginary past.

> The Ukrainians choosing whomever they want is the best outcome. There is still the possibility that they could choose someone terrible, but that is their prerogative.

Oh, agreed! I certainly wouldn't say that Ukrainians shouldn't be able to select their own leader—they should, and, despite superficial impressions, have done so well. It's just that I hope the world doesn't learn from this that electing comedians is the way to go.

> It's just that I hope the world doesn't learn from this that electing comedians is the way to go.

Yeah. Though this one does not seem to behave so badly in the end. No comparison with Trump or Reagan.

To be fair, whilst not a populist, I am fed up with career politicians and bland technocrats that are killing politics. We need doctors, lawyers, intellectuals, farmers, businessmen, factory workers, and much more (in no specific order) in our parliaments and amongst our elected people. A sweet spot between reckless clowns and psychopaths would be nice.

Agreed. As a teacher, I'd love to see more teachers in the political mix, too.

Indeed, those too. In my mind they were with the intellectuals.

In this case, it looks like Zelensky may be exactly what Ukraine needs right now. He might just be playing another part, but if so he's doing a really good job of it.

"The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride."

I'd generally agree with you, but this celebrity president seems to have some sense and relative competence

yeah I agree in part that we should probably not have celebrity presidents but he is definitely qualified for the job and has a law degree so it's not like he's just an actor. now on the other hand our celebrity leaders I can generally do without.

If Ukraine wins this they should pull a switcheroo and invade Russia, oust Putin and install Zelensky in the Kremlin. For the lulz.

Don't give up friend!

Things move slowly but they move!

Germans allow German weapons to be sent to you, Dutch will send. Poland is sending truckloads.

I've already been looking up Norwegian politicians this morning to ask them to somehow get rid of their old law to not export weapons to countries at war (I think it was meant to be against profiting from war, not to prevent helping, in which case maybe it would be OK if they sent it for free? Norway has some seriously good weapons tech so it could help.)

I got an offer the other day that I normally wouldn't take but will possibly take anyway to help oil&gas/defense.

Edit:

Russian athletes will be banned from competitions. Champions League finals will not be in St. Petersburg, World Cup Skiing final will not be in Russia etc.

Strength to you there!

Stay safe, and good luck to your friends.