“For the first time since the invention of the steam engine, Europe is not participating in the transformation of the world”.

I think he dramatically understates Europe's lapse. I would go at least as far back as the invention of the compass (and if I gave it more thought I could probably go back a few centuries further).

"The Russians have plenty to send..."

Both gas and oil. BTW, is Russia still paying the Ukraine to transship it's gas to Europe? They have been paying, and Ukraine has been transshipping, since the SMO began, from what I have read. Strange 'war'.

I hope Orban has better security than Fico did. I am baffled that he remains allied to those that clearly mean him, and his country, existential harm. Hungary is contiguous with the Ukraine, and in the event the EU does manage to weasel their way into war against Russia, when the Ukraine has fallen Hungary will necessarily be next, because it is between the Ukraine and Russia's enemies. He seems a far smarter man than am I, and has far better intelligence than I do. I am sure he knows better than me, but I would be unable to suffer Von Der Leyen, Macron, or Merz in such circumstances, especially as they are philosophically allied to the UK Labour Party, that is blatantly tainted with extortion for the horrific crimes against children the Labour Party has committed, and certainly the Conservatives as well, along with the royal parasites, and not just lately, but going back as far in history as anyone might care to look. Throwing the Andrew formerly known as Prince under the bus shouldn't fool anyone, given King Charles practically lifelong bosom friendship with Jimmy Saville, Kweir Starmer's defense of Pakistani gang rape and prostitution of thousands of prepubescent British Roses, and Lord Mandelson's attempt to disappear off the face of the Earth after his treason and close association with Jeffrey Epstein has been revealed.

Orban is keeping bad company, and I think it will bite him in the ass.

Thanks!