Why would Zelenskyy even contemplate a deal with the US with the current fascist administration?

Because the only way to hold a capitalists attention is with money.

obviously he knows they are liars and cheats and won’t uphold any part of the agreement they don’t want to.

Minerals take time to dig up, during those decades attacks on Ukraine would cut into the profits of American oligarchs.

surely he wouldn’t tie up his national minerals for generations so they can get the old US stockpiles of weapons?

Considering the GOPs ties to Russia, there is some fear that the USA could switch sides entirely and help Russia.

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I understand the issue of shutting down starlink would currently severely impact Ukraine, but I can also see how starlink won’t be necessary in the near future as drones switch to AI and fibre, and a bunch of tech we don’t know about yet.

It’s only used in some large (manly naval) drones, as it is big and heavy. I think starlink is more important for communication between units and command.

so what’s the deal with the ‘deal’? surely it’s not being entertained seriously?

It’s trying to buy peace and sovereignty in a world the America only values money.

or is it all bluster for Trump to feel he’s achieving something whilst the real power brokers get EU assistance?

While the new german government might be more likely to send missiles, I don’t see any large changes in the near future. Unless countries can be convinced to give Ukraine unlimited acces to their own military’s modern equipment or commit their own soldiers.

Thanks, they always look so small in pictures where they fly.

Because the rocket equation is brutal.
A rocket is almost entirely fuel some structure and a minuscule amount of payload. If you want to save fuel for for relanding you need to take less payload or accept a lower orbit.

If we look at Falcon 9, the payload to geostationary transfer orbit^* goes from 8,300 kg when expended, to 5,500 kg when landing on a barge or 3,500 kg when landing on the launch site.

* meaning the payload needs an additional stage to enter geostationary orbit