Yes, Colonel, Patience ...

 ... is lacking in the instant gratification culture. 

Yes, NATO has been exposed for what it is--a posse to beat up defenseless powers under false pretexts. Also, to project the totally false image of powerful defensive alliance. Defensive alliance it is not, neither is the EU as economic manifestation of NATO, neither is powerful. Once the EU is broken up de jure, NATO will follow. As I state non-stop, don't raise your hopes high in terms of Russian-American conversations (those are not even negotiations--just the agreement to continue conversations). It is merely a good step, and that superpowers are talking is a good sign. It is still one up over what it used to be. Russia, meanwhile, continues with SMO and those who ask if removing the anti-tank dragon teeth in Kharkov area by Russians are indications of Russians planning to go on the offensive there--for all I care this could be simply a feint to stress and stretch already badly depleted 404 reserves even more. Russia has many options, 404 and the West have none. 

Ania and Yours Truly.

Live in 30 minutes. I don't know why UTube doesn't allow pasting embedded video, but here is the link. 

These Ones Are Lucky.

They will be taken to the rear, and to their astonishment, since NATO and Kiev propaganda tells them they will be executed, they will be given hot tea, fed and will be given first medical aid before meeting FSB (Military Counter Intel) interrogator.  

Not everyone will be that lucky. Those forest barriers (лесополосы) in Kursk and elsewhere along the frontline are littered with corpses of VSU. Roads and fields are littered with charred remnants of NATO armor. Evidently Russians started removing anti-tank "dragon teeth" at Kharkov Operational Direction. The US now will be given REAL numbers and REAL Correlation of Forces and Means (COFM). Meanwhile: 

МОСКВА, 18 фев - РИА Новости. Глава немецкого оборонного концерна Rheinmetall Армин Паппергер заявил в интервью газете Financial Times, что в Европе и на Украине не осталось запасов оружия на складах.  "У европейцев и украинцев на складах ничего нет", - сообщил он.

Translation: MOSCOW, 18 Feb - RIA Novosti. The head of the German defense concern Rheinmetall, Armin Papperger, said in an interview with the Financial Times that there are no weapons stockpiles left in warehouses in Europe and Ukraine. "The Europeans and Ukrainians have nothing in their warehouses," he said.

In related news, I can bet you the farm that situation with the US weapons depots is barely better. COFM, my friends, COFM! So, Europe has to face its new reality.

In conclusion, a wonderful Russian Historian (Ph.D) Natalia Tanshina (she knows Europe through and through, speaks several languages) posted this simple text in her TG channel which explains everything what is happening.

I talk to Jacques. He tells me how he is currently picking lemons at his dacha (he jokes that it is expensive to send them to Russia), oranges that fall from the tree right next to his house in Ajaccio.

Then he tells how journalists reacted angrily to Vance’s speech, how ashamed they were, how indignant they were that America had “dumped” Western Europe and was talking about negotiations without the Europeans.

I speak:

- Jacques, but you have always advocated for peace, so you should be happy.

- Yes, peace, that’s the main thing, because so many soldiers are dying: 1000 Russians and 500-600 French per day.

- Jacques, are you aware that many civilians are dying? Are you aware that Ukrainians are entering Russian villages and shooting, torturing civilians, women, old people, girls?

- Are there any documents? They don't show us any of this. Where is this documented?

Of course, after something like that I immediately say goodbye. What kind of documents do they need? Let's remember how Germans were taken to concentration camps after World War II, they showed photos of people tortured in death camps, with captions: "You did it!" Do they want such "documents"? The average Jacques doesn’t need all this truth, it’s disgusting to him, it prevents him from picking oranges and lemons. He repeats it like a mantra: weapons for the sake of peace. And he sincerely considers himself a pacifist and prays for peace. And he doesn’t even admit the thought that responsibility for the deaths of people lies with the West.

Europe has no future. 

I Explain Why Some of My "Predictions" ...

... pan out. I always look at tangibles. Here I explain the sappy sentimental reaction of European clowns in Munich and why bar some still viable industries Europe is a military midget and will remain such, while big guys do the business. I do warn, however, that Saudi Arabia meeting is just the starting point and do not hope for much. Per air forces, meanwhile ...  

British Lament ...

 ... in The Hill. Poor-poor baby. 

Hegseth makes clear that Trump will sell out Ukraine

Yes, and? It is not the fact that reality on the ground says it all and it is Russian Army which dictates the outcome, it is the fact that some flea from the country which he helped to turn into the third world shithole even has a voice, especially his "background" considered. 

This is the main reason for UK being a third world shithole and it will not recover--this is the "background" of most British "rulers" today. The land of Shakespeare, Dickens, Newton and Magna Carta. Here it is. The fact that this creep is even given a tribune is everything you need to know about Western "elites". Will have to wait and see if the US dodged the bullet. 

Elon Posted Today ...

 ... the US welfare statistics. I have to admit, the United States reached unprecedented heights in life extension. 

Millions of people in the US meet their hundred and even two hundred years anniversaries in joyful mood, since some of them will continue to receive government benefits at the age of 300 years.  This is corruption on unprecedented scale. It is also denying benefits to actual people who need them. 

A Rather Relaxed Atmosphere ...

 ... at Aero India 2025. With American pilots hanging out with Russians near SU-57 and watching the routine.