Pete

Veteran (slow) long distance audax and touring cyclist, music-fan and amateur singer-songwriter, guitarist. Retired, used to work in finance.

[Andrew Neil @afneil]

Today’s monologue on The Times at One with Andrew Neil. @TimesRadio

It’s been a turbulent week — sometimes a struggle to keep up — so I thought it useful in my final monologue for this week to stand back and take stock of the epochal events that have taken place in such a short time. 

By far the most important has been the growing realisation that, under President Trump, we can no longer count on America as the keystone of the Atlantic Alliance — that when it comes to Europe’s security it will increasingly be on its own. 

‘I want to believe the US will stay by our side,’ President Macron told the French people in a prime-time broadcast last night ‘but we have to be ready if they don’t.’  

Hence today’s ‘five minutes to midnight’ EU summit in Brussels in which Europe will, at last, get serious about ramping up defence spending. Long overdue. 

The end of almost 80 years of a US-led NATO alliance would be bad enough. But there are worrying signs it’s even worse than that: that America has become not just an unreliable ally but might now actually be batting for the other side. 

That when it comes to a choice between Europe and Russia, President Trump will choose Russia. Unthinkable? Perhaps. 

Yet Trump has paused military aid to Ukraine while planning to end economic sanctions against Russia. 

Frozen vital intelligence data to Ukraine while talking about how much he and Putin have had to endure together. 

Sanctioned his top aides to hold secret talks with President Zelensky’s political opponents while parroting Kremlin-inspired talking points about the need for a general election in Ukraine. 

Asked nothing of Russia so far to ease the path to peace while demanding Zelensky sign a deal to hand over a chunk of Ukraine’s mineral rights before peace talks can even happen. 

It was always likely, as the crux of geopolitics moved to the Pacific in the 21st century, that America would retreat from Europe. The Europeans have been slow to recognise that and almost criminally culpable in their refusal, until now, to spend more on their own defence. 

But never in their darkest moments did any European leader ever contemplate even the possibility that America was more likely to side with Russia than Europe when push came to shove. 

That the President of the United States might be at one with the Kremlin in its efforts to rid Ukraine of Zelensky and replace him with somebody more pliable. 

Keir Starmer, for understandable reasons, still refers to America as our ‘reliable ally’. He is right to do so and to do all he can to get Trump back on board. 

But President Macron’s warning to prepare for failure on that front is probably the more realistic position to take. 

The post-war world as we have known it these past 80 years has come to an end in one short week. 

Europe is probably on its own. And the sooner they realise that in London, Paris, Berlin and Brussels the sooner we will start making the right decisions  — before it is too late.

[Pete @PeterMastenko]

THE BEACH BOYS live at the Englefield Estate, near Reading on Sun 20th July 2025!: https://t.co/fPaKXaQAPB

[Pete @PeterMastenko]

Do you remember when you joined X? I do! #MyXAnniversary

[Pete @PeterMastenko]

@AldredKeith And there's also the annoying pedestrians who walk along a designated bike path (ignoring the walking path next to it), but are wearing headphones, so can't hear a bell OR a shout..And normally they walk two abreast so you cannot pass anyhow.

[Pete @PeterMastenko]

@Peston It was brilliant TV! 👏

[Pete @PeterMastenko]

@millarmind @seppkuss Totally agree. Sepp would be a popular winner with the public but it won't happen if the others have no incentive to support him. The team have effectively said' Let the best man' win by Sunday, so we have the uneasy spectacle of three rivals, instead of a band of brothers.

[Pete @PeterMastenko]

@SportsOrla His face says it all..what a sad way to end his final season.

[Pete @PeterMastenko]

@AldredKeith So sad for Cav...

[Pete @PeterMastenko]

@WhisperingBob @BBCR1 I first saw Dr Feelgood supporting Ducks Deluxe at Surbiton Assembly Rooms, 31st August 1973 ( checked the date on Google). About 20 persons witnessed Wilko's already fully formed manic stage presence. He was the only one wearing a suit. RIP and rock on in Heaven.

[Amazon Soudal @rbBORAhansgrohe]

Remco Evenepoel🤝 INEOS Grenadiers

We're thrilled to announce that @EvenepoelRemco will join the team from 2023.

Welcome to the Grenadiers, Remco 👋

[Pete @PeterMastenko]

This Saturday I will be joining @euromove and thousands of others to march in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. Will you join the march and send a clear message that Putin's invasion of Ukraine must end? #UKwithUkraine https://t.co/IiFbZV7YUK

[Pope Francis – ARCHIVE @Pontifex266Arch]

Today we enter the time of #Lent. Our prayer and fasting will be a plea for #peace in #Ukraine, bearing in mind that peace in the world always begins with our personal conversion, following Christ.

[Ukraine / Україна @Ukraine]

.@Russia = barbaric

[KyivPost @KyivPost]

Ukraine is getting a lot of LOVE from around the world 🇺🇦 Please share and support! #standwithukraine #iloveukraine #ukraine

[Barack Obama @BarackObama]

Last night, Russia launched a brazen attack on the people of Ukraine, in violation of international law and basic principles of human decency. Here’s my statement on what it means, and what should happen next.

[Pete @PeterMastenko]

@laid_back_rich You guys must have expert knowledge of Cornwall by now!

[Pete @PeterMastenko]

@marcusjb Social distancing?

[Pete @PeterMastenko]

@Chris_Boardman I've managed to cycle at least 12 miles outdoors every day this year. A few rides required studded tyres for safety.

[Pete @PeterMastenko]

@biciorejon Looked fantastic on tv today.