The Guessing Game Over Trump's Real Aims In Ukraine
The guessing game about President Donald Trump's real position on peace in Ukraine continues.
Some commentators, including yours truly, think that Trump has blown it by becoming too committed to Ukraine. Others believe that Trump is deceiving the public while working on peace in the backroom.
The last two blog post were part of the guessing game:
- Does Trump Really Have A Plan For Ukraine?
- Ukraine - Minerals Deal Agreement, Lavrov Rejects Peacekeepers, War Destined To Become Trump's Vietnam
To recap the first piece:
Neither approach one might think Trump is taking - to use a Ukraine resource deal to keep the U.S. in Ukraine and the war going, or to use the Ukraine resource deal to finally break with Ukraine - is consistent with a realistic assessment of the facts on the ground. At least not if the aim of the game is to make peace.
...
The conclusion for me is that there is no Trump plan at all to make peace in Ukraine.
and the second:
By pressing for the agreement, instead of taking the Russian offer for access to minerals, Trump has committed himself to continue the war in Ukraine.
...
It will lead to the failure of his peace initiative.The war Ukraine is now destined to become Trump's Vietnam.
Yves Smith at Naked Capitalism is supportive of my last take. Citing a recent talk between Judge Napolitano and Col. Douglas MacGregor she writes:
This segment confirms what yours truly had warned about, yet quite a few members of the commentariat seem unwilling to accept: that the Ukraine minerals deal, if consummated, will commit the US to involvement in and therefore support of Ukraine.Put it another way, there’s no value to this arrangement, and high embarrassment to Trump, if peace negotiations fail (perhaps more accurately, fail even to get started).
During that segment Napolitano presented a quote from Trump:
Trump: President Zelensky’s coming to sign the deal, and it’s a great thing. It’s a great deal for Ukraine too because get us over there, we’re going to be working over there, we’ll be on the land, and that way, it’s sort of automatic security, because nobody is going to be messing around with our people while when we’re there. And so we’ll be there in that way. But Europe will be watching it very closely. I know that UK has said and France has said that they want to put, they volunteered to put so-called peacekeepers on the ground. And I think that’s a good thing.
Napolitano as well as Macgregor dislike Trump's position:
Napolitano: You know, we both respect him and applaud his willingness to talk with the Russians. But statements like that betray either gross ignorance or very very bad intel. Your thoughts, Colonel..Macgregor: No, I think that’s a polite way to put it. To be frank, President Trump needs to get out of this notion of putting anybody in Ukraine who’s not Ukrainian. And stay away from it. I heard this and I was genuinely disappointed, because there’s been a gross misinterpretation. ...
Others, however, reject the pessimistic interpretation.
Gilbert Doctorow comments on the Trump press conference with the British Premier Starmer:
Even some of the most astute and worldly-wise commentators on Trump in alternative media underappreciate him and persist in seeing him as a buffoon whose inconsistencies and contradictions in his public statements from one day to another are convincing proof that he cannot see an initiative through to successful conclusion. This is precisely what I saw and heard earlier today when listening to the ‘Judging Freedom’ interview with Colonel Larry Wilkerson, whom I otherwise greatly respect for his observations on U.S. relations with Israel or on the battlefield situation in the Russia-Ukraine war.
...
No, this fellow Trump is a master at deception. Today’s press conference with Keith Starmer was proof positive that the vague, nonspecific notion of America back-stopping the European peace keepers in Ukraine is, strictly speaking, a tactic to shut up the Europeans while Washington puts together a mutually acceptable end-game solution with Moscow that it imposes on Ukraine and Europe at the appropriate moment.
Wilkerson's remarks (@4min) as referred to by Doctorow:
Napolitano: Does [Trump] not understand Vladimir Putin's mentality?Wilkerson: Apparently not. These are very unwise remarks as a matter of fact because he's compromising his own ability to to negotiate a decent deal. It's just nonsense and it's increasing nonsense if he keeps talking that way. That's my problem with Donald Trump: he solves a problem at least preliminarily and then he moves on and screws the problem he solved himself with his mouth. I don't know how you do diplomacy that way.
Prof. John Mearsheimer does not believe that (@14min):
I think when you look at the administration and you look at what is going on in the foreign policy realm you have to distinguish between what is happening behind closed doors, the actual decision-making process, and what is happening out in public.Let us start with regard to what is happening behind closed doors:
Donald Trump and everybody at the top of his administration knows full well what the Russian demands are and the fact that Trump has said and others have said that a deal can be worked out means that we know what those demands are and we're going to meet those demands period end of story. And this includes this crazy idea of peacekeepers and security guarantees and so forth and so on. Putin has made it unequivocally clear that that is unacceptable and Trump has de facto accepted that now. That's the private discourse that takes place behind closed doors.
Then there's the public debate and the public debate is sort of a wild and crazy one in large part because Trump is free to say whatever he wants and because he likes to pontificate on a daily basis and he doesn't pay much attention to facts and he's not very careful with his language. We end up in all these debates about what he really means and is he contradicting himself and so forth and so on.
I've got to the point where I just don't pay that much attention to what he says in public. The question is what are they saying in private and I believe in private they know what has to be said. They have already said it at least once to the Russians and now the details have to be worked out.
I hope that Doctorow and Mearsheimer are more correct than Yves Smith, myself, Macgregor and Wilkerson. That the public play we see and hear is just a facade for a serious policy behind it.
I fear however, like Wilkerson does, that too much public talk, even if not meant seriously, has its own way to become reality.
But on a positive side we can see that Trump is getting the (European) ducks into a row.
President Macron of France as well as Prime Minister Starmer of Britain have failed to get U.S. backing for European forces in Ukraine. The warmongering and incompetent European Unions High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas came to Washington to be immediately dismissed. Her meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio was scuppered over 'scheduling issues'. (Rumor has it that Kallas had screamed 'appeasement' at Secretary of Defense Hegseth during the recent Munich Security Conference.)
President Putin's prediction that the Europeans will eventually be "at Trump’s feet wagging their tails" has become true:
"Trump, given his personality, his firmness, will establish order fairly quickly. And all of them, quickly, you will see, stand at the master’s feet, wagging their tails tenderly," he said in an interview with VGTRK journalist Pavel Zarubin.
They fall into line with whatever plans Trump might have.
The most difficult remaining barrier to peace in Ukraine is its president Zelenski. He has the most to lose from peace talks over Ukraine. Later today Trump will make him sign the rather worthless 'mineral deal'. But is that enough to put and keep him in line?
And what are the next steps is Trump willing to take? Russia will not allow for a ceasefire along the current lines but wants the big strategic package - an indivisible security structure in Europe - all in one go.
Is Trump really willing and capable enough to deliver on that?
Posted by b on February 28, 2025 at 16:43 UTC | Permalink
next page »Now that Zelensky has seen his globalist euro-allies effectively neutered, he has no choice but to accept whatever indignity trump may wish to inflict upon him.
He will fly into London Sunday where Sir Kieth and Napoleonette will rub cream into the sore bits.
Posted by: ChatNPC | Feb 28 2025 16:57 utc | 2
Yves is apparently a great believer in the Climate hoax, and censors opposing views...His opinions on anything are suspect...Trump is not going down the drain with Ukraine...
No. Yves is not a he, does not claim climate change is a "hoax" and does not censor reasonable opposing views. And yes, Trump may not go down that drain, he may just continue circling.
And you've shown us how suspect your "views" are with one short outburst. Clap. Clap.
Posted by: dkallem | Feb 28 2025 16:58 utc | 3
The biggest flaw in Yves argument is that, unless something changes dramatically, there is zero commitment on the US side to any security guarantee.
Some, including Yves argue that some vague statements made by Trump, such as "they won't dare mess with our people" imply some sort of implicit guarantee. However:
1. This sounds like he's talking "support" in terms of civilians who may potentially be on the ground to oversee development of resource extraction, mainly business types, not military people.
2. It might be years before things stabilize to the point where any business feels safe with the risk of being there. A tripwire source of suits not uniforms may take quite some time, time that neither Ukraine nor Europe have.
The inference that the mere presence of some suits would amount to a commitment is a stretch. Sure, if hypothetically Russia bombs a bunch of US businessmen in Ukraine it could lead to some sort of military response ... but this is hardly a commitment.
And the biggest issue is that a future US President could easily walk away from this, because it is not legally binding until or unless it becomes a treaty. Mercouris talked about this yesterday and thinks that the whole thing is an odd duck with no legal or contractual terms that truly bind the parties.
Posted by: Ghost of Zanon | Feb 28 2025 16:58 utc | 4
Trump says a lot of things. Other people say that Trump said a lot of things he never said. It's incredibly hard to distinguish the two at this point because there's so much chaff. When you dig into it, you find Trump saying things that seem very contradictory. So, to dig deeper, you have to look at results, and there are few to be seen, so far.
Yet, to dismiss Trump as a fool or a buffoon is itself foolish. You'd have to believe his luck is the equivalent of winning the lottery 5 or 6 times in a row.
Posted by: The Owl | Feb 28 2025 16:59 utc | 5
The rule with Trump is that whatever he says or is said about him, wait a minimum of 72 hours before commenting or becoming concerned. It usually changes or he is proven right (no matter how outrageous the statement) in that time. Trump is a marketing guy. He drives the narrative. His friends, foes, and the media are always responding to what he has said, not the other way around.
Americans have a saying. “If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit.” Trump is closer to being brilliant than he is generally credited with being, but he baffles people with bullshit daily.
With Trump, you just have to wait and see what happens.
Posted by: CullenBaker | Feb 28 2025 17:00 utc | 6
Trump is trying to make his hand stronger and this deal is a hedge. Trump wants an armistice with fewer commitments as possible in the deal and this is his way of saying to putin I can still walk away because I can convince my anti intervention base let me stay the course if u refuse to play ball.
Posted by: A.z | Feb 28 2025 17:04 utc | 7
The inference that the mere presence of some suits would amount to a commitment is a stretch. Sure, if hypothetically Russia bombs a bunch of US businessmen in Ukraine it could lead to some sort of military response ... but this is hardly a commitment.
Posted by: Ghost of Zanon | Feb 28 2025 16:58 utc | 4
If I were a US businessman or mining engineer I would be more worried about getting bombed by Ukrainians hoping to blame it on Russians.
Still, it might boost hiring of 'tethered goats' for a while.
Posted by: ChatNPC | Feb 28 2025 17:05 utc | 8
Ukraine lost 20% of its territory but the West lost 100% of its credibility. In the meanwhile, the memorandum of understanding is currently underway but at the end of the day is the legislature from both countries that will decide the outcome, and these two do not see eye to eye at the moment.
Posted by: pepe | Feb 28 2025 17:07 utc | 9
I think Trump at this time is in a good position to push Europe back as far as Russia wants it to go. That means taking some countries out of NATO I believe - that part may be negotiable if the US removes those missiles that are too close. Russia (and Europe and the US) will get the security architecture that Russia wants. That's the only deal that matters. God knows what all the minerals chatter is about - sending out flares perhaps, to survive in the heat of battle.
As to Trump, he's being even more bewildering than he was in his first term, but he's older too, and one wonders how is mind is holding up. I suspect he has a ton of things on his mind that are pretty exciting - the commentators I am mostly around are global geopolitical focus, and Trump looks like a shit show in those domains. But what's happening domestically - which is what the populace cares about - is fantastic, and incredibly well planned by a lot of intelligent people.
So there are two worlds happening and a lot of the great geopolitical analysts are missing the domestic part - but it's very important: essentially restoring a broken rule of law, destroying the woke disease, taming the bureaucracy and trimming the budget, etc. Trump is a man of many parts this time around.
Personally, I do what Mearsheimer does - I discount all the surface noise, spend no time on Trump, and watch the ground for anything real happening there. The battlefield, the correlation of forces, and the fundamental realities of countries will determine all the outcomes. It's a watching game, not a listening one
Posted by: Grieved | Feb 28 2025 17:09 utc | 10
It’s all just thought control - you are thinking about whatever he wants you to be thinking about. And you are also amplifying the signal…
Posted by: Rae | Feb 28 2025 17:17 utc | 11
What about the Ukrainian oligarchs?
They would be putting pressure on Zel
not to lose any of their precious assets (mineral, manufacturing, farming, gas rights).
If the oligarchs' assets become partly American owned
those assets are in safer hands than if they become
solely taken over and owned by Russians.
Is Trump getting the oligarchs off Zel's back
by protecting their assets?
Posted by: librul | Feb 28 2025 17:19 utc | 12
In a room with private talks between zelensky and trump, which one is the fool ?
I think it might be a trick question.
Posted by: Mark2 | Feb 28 2025 17:20 utc | 13
I like to look at situations like this from another perspective.
Does any of Trump's actions change the fact that Russia is winning on the ground?
Do any of Trump's actions hurt the Russian economy?
Is there anything Trump can convince the Russians to do that will decouple them from China and the BRICS?
If there aren't positive answers for America to these questions, I believe it is safe for me to disregard the entire process.
Trump creates a lot of smoke and noise but little of it amounts to much after a year or two.
I remember how the Abraham Accords were going to bring a permanent peace and prosperity to the Middle East.
How did that work out?
I remember how Trump killed Soleimani in cold blood.
Today the resistance that Soleimani set up is stronger than ever.
There is activity, and then there is productive activity. They are not always the same thing.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Feb 28 2025 17:21 utc | 14
Words are attributed to Putin saying he'd prefer Catatonic Joe Biden over the loudmouthed new yorker because he'd be more predictable. That appears to be an accurate assessment. Russia would be foolish to let their guard down.
FYI..Colonel Wilkerson was on "Dialogue Works" yesterday describing concern from colleagues that right now there is a coup going on in the US and it's being run by the South African and the guy who linked that satanic AI Gaza video on "truth social". He pointed to the purge happening now. Also he referenced how many on the MAGA team shared certain views held by official WH "spiritual advisor" Paula White.
I was taken aback when I heard him say these things.
Posted by: chunga | Feb 28 2025 17:21 utc | 15
John Helmer opines that Trump does not fully understand Ukraine, Russia, details of the mineral agreement or anything else. His latest interview with Nima.
Trump vs Starmer: The EU has lost its mind...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCGtyGgi7Ig
Posted by: John Gilberts | Feb 28 2025 17:22 utc | 16
“Taking into account the facts on the ground”.
A statement made not just by President Putin, but also various Russian government officials. For some reason it seems to get overlooked or forgotten by many analysts and forecasters.
So, regarding this proposed US/Ukrainian mineral deal, in what way is it “Taking into account the facts on the ground”? Remember, these “facts on the ground” change on a daily basis as Russia continues to chisel its way westwards.
Maybe Trump believed his own early rhetoric about achieving a quick solution, only for him and his team to discover that the “facts on the ground” preclude this, hence the current appearance of floundering and flailing. Nothing has yet strengthened the extremely weak hand bequeathed by the Biden administration.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Feb 28 2025 17:23 utc | 17
Trump tried to argue that there was no rationale for the US to be investing in Ukraine.
Now they have presented him with a rationale.
Empty as it is.
I feel like there is only one constituent that could wield such influence on him.
When Putin made the point that there are much greater opportunities in Russia, I sensed that the situation had devolved into horse trading.
Posted by: jared | Feb 28 2025 17:23 utc | 18
Brian Berletic (New Atlas) has a convincingly different point of view: https://rumble.com/v6p11s3-the-us-eu-division-of-labor-to-continue-confronting-russia-and-china.html?e9s=src_v1_ucp
Posted by: Elmer Fudd | Feb 28 2025 17:26 utc | 19
I agree with b there are some worrying signs. I hope the optimists are right, but I am not too confident.
I just listened to Nimas talk with John Helmer, and I found it really interesting how he analyzed the meetings with Trump, and how he sees Trump. It does support the worries that b is raising.
John Helmer: Trump vs. Starmer: The EU Has LOST ITS MIND!
One aspect that was new to me is how Helmer describes Starmer as betraying its dominion Canada on the tariff issue...
Posted by: Norwegian | Feb 28 2025 17:28 utc | 20
I tend to agree with Trump's take that, if the US establishes enterprises in say Central Eastern Ukraine in partnership with Ukraine, it is unlikely that Russia will attack them.
Recall what happened when the US militarily occupied the oilfields in Eastern Syria. Absolutely nothing. Ditto for Israeli planes launching missiles from Lebanese air space.
If a US owned minerals processing "facility", which may or may not also contain bioresearch facilities or other hasty stuff, was protected by one of Eric Prince's companies would Russia dare to attack it?
It is still the early rounds and both sides are feeling each other out. But clearly the US intends to keep at least one foot in the Ukrainian door.
Posted by: Fool Me Twice | Feb 28 2025 17:28 utc | 21
@dkallem | Feb 28 2025 16:58 utc | 3
You are "quoting" something that does not occur in b's post nor in a comment. I find that rude.
Posted by: Norwegian | Feb 28 2025 17:31 utc | 22
Trump can play the depeche mode card as few
Never again
Is what you swore
The time before
Posted by: Newbie | Feb 28 2025 17:31 utc | 23
News flash...
Raised voices hered at white house !
I kid you not.
Pop corn ?
Posted by: Mark2 | Feb 28 2025 17:32 utc | 24
More annoying because the so called "agreement" is pretty much a sham - as assessed by Mercouris.
So he is giving-up on the plan in exchange for nothing.
Will be interesting because his supporters are largely prepared to be disappointed and will readily bolt - leaving him without a base.
Posted by: jared | Feb 28 2025 17:33 utc | 25
Posted by: Newbie | Feb 28 2025 17:31 utc | 23
“Everything counts
In large amounts”...
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Feb 28 2025 17:33 utc | 26
It's over. They supposedly just signed the minerals deal. RIP SMO.
Posted by: bored | Feb 28 2025 17:35 utc | 27
@LoveDonbass | Feb 28 2025 17:21 utc | 14
I remember how Trump killed Soleimani in cold blood.I believe that was Bolton, Pompeo et al. that established a fait accompli that Trump had to pretend he was behind.
But yes, it looked and was very, very bad.
Posted by: Norwegian | Feb 28 2025 17:37 utc | 28
Never in history has it been more of a 'follow the money' & 'watch what they do' time. No point in watching the chaos.
Posted by: ZimInSeattle | Feb 28 2025 17:39 utc | 29
Apologies if this has been asked before, but what do you all think about the WSJ article, 'Captured North Koreans Describe Fighting for Russia in a War They Didn’t Understand'? It's behind a paywall, so I haven’t been able to read the full piece.
Posted by: Calgary Guy | Feb 28 2025 17:39 utc | 30
"...I find that rude."Norwegian | Feb 28 2025 17:31 utc | 22
It was posted, then apparently and somewhat rudely was removed, making your scolding as relevant as my original comment. *sigh*
Posted by: dkallem | Feb 28 2025 17:40 utc | 31
@John Gilberts | Feb 28 2025 17:22 utc | 16
Ah, yes. Didn't see your post before posting my link @20 . I thought his views were insightful.
Posted by: Norwegian | Feb 28 2025 17:40 utc | 32
Wow
I love Vance and trump
They just ripped zelenskts head of.
Fucking brilliant
Go
Its overboys
Posted by: Mark2 | Feb 28 2025 17:43 utc | 33
@dkallem | Feb 28 2025 17:40 utc | 31
I see, sorry about that.
Posted by: Norwegian | Feb 28 2025 17:43 utc | 34
Posted by: bored | Feb 28 2025 17:35 utc | 27
Bit hasty there, the BBC is currently broadcasting what can only be described as a heated dispute between Trump and Vance on one side and Zelensky on the other. Trump is really chewing Zelly a new one...
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Feb 28 2025 17:44 utc | 35
I think I read somewhere that Zelensky could be arrested in the USA, on the way home, etc., and that would solve a lot of problems. Or, perhaps, in the air on the way to the Euro-poodles?
In any case, that would be a "win win" as the Chinese say.
Posted by: NH | Feb 28 2025 17:45 utc | 37
A shouting match apparently erupted … I cannot imagine the deal gets signed.
Not sure the after meeting joint presser goes forward.
Posted by: Ghost of Zanon | Feb 28 2025 17:45 utc | 38
Trump is so mercurial, who knows what the hell is going to happen next?
Posted by: Waldorf | Feb 28 2025 17:47 utc | 39
I like Scott Ritter's take that Russia has to control the land it wants and then a deal can be made. The US is not in a position to give away land that is not legally theirs. Over the past couple of days he's outlined his position in podcasts on YouTube. With Trump actions always speak louder than words. The noise never stops.
Posted by: SO | Feb 28 2025 17:48 utc | 40
Thats nucular (metaphoricaly)
Cant wait to know the UK fall out from this.
Trump Vance hit zel with ...reality.
❤ epic
Eat shit uk
Posted by: Mark2 | Feb 28 2025 17:49 utc | 41
Since Kellog's utility expired in Munich, the 'mineral deal' is the latest sticker on the laser pointer being used to keep the kittens distracted whilst more serious business gets done round the back.
Remember the Kim Jong-Un saga and how that went?
Lots of kayfabe then suddenly a result (only for the deep state to stuff it up at the end and make things even worse).
Study WWE and learn.
Posted by: ChatNPC | Feb 28 2025 17:50 utc | 42
Heated argument just popped during the talks, and Mr. Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy put Mr. James David Vance on his place. It shows that US of A lacks diplomacy.
Posted by: pepe | Feb 28 2025 17:51 utc | 43
Posted by: Mark2 | Feb 28 2025 17:49 utc | 41
I expect Starmer and Macron are watching through their fingers.
Posted by: ChatNPC | Feb 28 2025 17:52 utc | 44
Posted by: Grieved | Feb 28 2025 17:09 utc | 10
Wonderful to see you Grieved
and I concur
I read recently Trump says one thing and while everyone reacts to that thing... he says something else. He is keeping people off their feet. I don't pay too much attention to his whacky inconsistencies and watch his actions.
Posted by: ld | Feb 28 2025 17:55 utc | 45
The videos of Trump and Vance taking down Zelensky are now appearing online. What a shitshow. The looks on the faces of some reporters are priceless.
Posted by: Fool Me Twice | Feb 28 2025 17:56 utc | 46
Trump is an unusual individual and very much outside "leadership" norms in his approach, particularly with the transactional diplomacy / transactional negotiating. While public statements are often inconsistent and contradictory, and at times outrageous, consistency is discernible in deeds if not words.
One example would be Gaza ceasefire: it was a stated administration priority, the Israelis were firmly told they must participate, and the negotiations continue. Obviously there are procedural flaws, inconsistencies, and biases at play, but given the previous administration expended much energy preventing a ceasefire, the ongoing talks are an improvement in the overall situation.
Posted by: jayc | Feb 28 2025 17:56 utc | 47
The hill.com just took down their live video link to the after-meeting joint presser … I think there won’t be a deal signing!
Was the Green Goblin set up? Having the press inside the meeting room strikes me as very unusual. Neither Macron nor Starmer were treated that way, and it would be extremely unhelpful to any type of real negotiating.
Posted by: Ghost of Zanon | Feb 28 2025 17:57 utc | 49
Posted by: Calgary Guy | Feb 28 2025 17:39 utc | 30
##########
Here you go.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Feb 28 2025 18:00 utc | 50
the NK "soldiers" interview is so dumb (funny WSJ waited a week to repackage that crap) it almost reads like an Idiocracy script, not worth taking seriously for a single second, written by the usual south korea "intelligence" service spouting idiotic fables for more decades than I lived (& I'm 50+)
https://www.chosun.com/english/north-korea-en/2025/02/19/2TUJ44HQBVGJNJFEA6XD2A4IPU/
Posted by: roflmao | Feb 28 2025 18:01 utc | 51
Zelenski total car-crash in the Oval Office short while ago ..
... train-wreck ...
Posted by: Don Firineach | Feb 28 2025 18:03 utc | 54
The world better watch the fuck out when JD Vance is president. The hillbilly is just beneath the surface. He was a hair away from going all Andy Jackson on Zelensky and beating his midget ass right there in the oval office.
Posted by: CullenBaker | Feb 28 2025 18:04 utc | 55
Looking at the Graun live stream.
Elensky self-immolating like a Bhuddist monk.
Trump and JD not at all impressed.
Game over.
Posted by: ChatNPC | Feb 28 2025 18:04 utc | 56
Posted by: CullenBaker | Feb 28 2025 18:04 utc | 55
##########
Vance is Peter Thiel's pet.
At the rate Trump is going, there may not be much of an America for JD to be President of.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Feb 28 2025 18:05 utc | 57
Hahahaha
https://twitter.com/i/status/1895528201713283105
Posted by: Apollyon | Feb 28 2025 18:06 utc | 58
There are some incredible videos of Zelensky's visit on ZH.
At least it's all much funnier than it was before.
After laughter comes tears, as the song says.
Posted by: lex talionis | Feb 28 2025 18:07 utc | 59
So you waited till it was removed before commenting on it, thats helpful. @dkallem 31
Posted by: weeC | Feb 28 2025 18:08 utc | 61
Phew! I need a cup of covfefe after listening to that...
I can hear the faint sound of polite golf applause echoing from the Kremlin...
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Feb 28 2025 18:09 utc | 63
German media are panicking!
.
The broadcast from the fireplace room with Trumph / Sylenski and JD Vance was just broadcast live on TV
And the world here in Germany was able to see live how Sylenski was literally destroyed in front of the press and cameras.
The Euro elites had not expected that the invitation to conclude the mineral deal would be used mercilessly and planned in this way...to destroy Sylenski in front of the world and Putin!
Everyone in Europe will now be on their heads, Macron's visit had given these warmongers in Europe hope...given that Trumph continued to supply weapons!
But precisely because they hoped, the reality will probably be very painful today...
Ergo:
A message to Europe (EU)
"You want war with Russia...then wage it, but alone"
Conclusion of all commentators in Germany on all channels..
"This has never happened before" Sylenski was sometimes close to tears!!
Posted by: berthold | Feb 28 2025 18:10 utc | 65
Well I guess the UK and France could dispatch 'peacekeepers' to the Whitehouse...
Posted by: ChatNPC | Feb 28 2025 18:11 utc | 66
In support of
"
Personally, I do what Mearsheimer does - I discount all the surface noise, spend no time on Trump, and watch the ground for anything real happening there. The battlefield, the correlation of forces, and the fundamental realities of countries will determine all the outcomes. It's a watching game, not a listening one
Posted by: Grieved | Feb 28 2025 17:09 utc | 10
"
Good to read your contribution. Yes, Trump's Hollywood delivery of the soap opera we are living plays to the barking zombies....those 150 million that voted in support of genocide candidates.
The shit show continues until it doesn't....
Posted by: psychohistorian | Feb 28 2025 18:14 utc | 67
Posted by: berthold | Feb 28 2025 18:10 utc | 66
>>>>
The Russian Federation does not want a war with Europe.
Posted by: pepe | Feb 28 2025 18:15 utc | 68
Zu
Posted by: berthold | Feb 28 2025 18:10 utc | 66
.
The question remains exciting...
Will this mineral deal still happen...which in the end would at least NOT have brought the USA the mineral resources it was hoping for, which the media is suggesting would come from this deal.
From unattractive to mining not worth it, no infrastructure, to only possible if Odessa is still available, otherwise transport costs are too high...
Or will Sylenski now withdraw...
And will Trump accept Putin's offer for rare earths and resources?
Posted by: berthold | Feb 28 2025 18:16 utc | 69
Alex Kramer said the US minerals "deal" was not serious, it was more a Trump styled middle finger at the UK. The previous deal the UK signed with Ukraine in its 99 year peace plan involved giving the minerals to the UK so they could be used as assets in financial bubbles. Trump is making this difficult.
Posted by: Matthew | Feb 28 2025 18:18 utc | 70
If Trump wants a nuclear Armageddon he should underestimate the existential threat for Russia to have NATO countries with their armed forces in the Ukraine … after 11 years a small corridor of East Ukraine as buffer zone will not do.
Zelenskyy can never deliver on more rare earth elements than making a deal with Putin in combination with China president Xi Jinping.
Trump is focused on his greatest adversary … the European Union. Working with Keir Starmer the Labour Socialist ⁉️
It seem to me Donald wanted to double-cross the EU proposal ..,a quicky not well thought thru.
Posted by: Fool Me Twice | Feb 28 2025 17:28 utc | 21
Yes but the situation in Syria and in ME is quite different.
In ME US have military presence in Syria and Israel as a powerful ally but in Ukraine thay have nothing, expecially if they discard Europe.
What are they going to do if some business facility is atteccked?
Posted by: Mario | Feb 28 2025 18:20 utc | 72
The European states should Help Ukraine to get a good peace settlement with Russia and then kick the Amis out of Europe and create a New Security System with Moscow. And of course, they will build up Ukraine again. Better to Spend billions this way than buying useless Ami crap weapons.
Posted by: Apollyon | Feb 28 2025 18:21 utc | 73
Posted by: berthold | Feb 28 2025 18:10 utc | 66
>>>>
The Russian Federation does not want a war with Europe.
Posted by: pepe | Feb 28 2025 18:15 utc | 69
I didn't say that either!
What Putin wants plays hardly any role at the moment for the warmongers in Germany, at least not in France and England either.
Putin didn't want a lot of things and was forced to act.
Here in Germany, not a minute of airtime goes by in the news without Russia being portrayed as aggressive in some way.
That's why
they're panicking about the press conference in DC!
Posted by: berthold | Feb 28 2025 18:21 utc | 74
ChatNPC @ 67
😂😂😂 thats brilliant. Thanks.
Zel boy should throw his dolly out the pram, surender to Russia right their in the room in front the cameras.
And say to england .... you wanna fight Putin, go ahead but do it on england soil not ukraine soil, lets see you take a million english dead.
Posted by: Mark2 | Feb 28 2025 18:22 utc | 75
A lot of analysis, projections & assessments, but zero in the on-the-ground changes.
Arms and manpower continue, and the fight over booty that none of these nations have available to them atm is about all they’ve got left to do. More daydreaming and delusions.
Trump couldn’t stop the war if he even wanted to, which he doesn’t actually care one way or the other.
He did his job, strangle & extort the EU & UK, shake them down. Get some privatizations & contracts from Russia if possible. That’s his job and goals.
He has no say over “ending the war”…
That’s another department. One Trump is isn’t a part of.
Posted by: Trubind1 | Feb 28 2025 18:24 utc | 76
Presser cancelled. Zelensky leaving empty handed.
Trump told Zelensky that he can come back “when he’s ready for peace.”
Posted by: Ghost of Zanon | Feb 28 2025 18:25 utc | 77
german media has reached a new low. i didnt think they can get any deeper, but i guess they managed to grab one of those russian shovels, and then they started digging once the pressconference started.
Posted by: Justpassinby | Feb 28 2025 18:27 utc | 78
@Mark2
"Zel boy should throw his dolly out the pram, surender to Russia right their in the room in front the cameras."
This would be the best for the Ukrainian people.
Posted by: Apollyon | Feb 28 2025 18:27 utc | 79
Breaking news
Zelensky was thrown out of the White House and asked to leave!
That's what the TV station reported!
Posted by: berthold | Feb 28 2025 18:27 utc | 80
Is the backstop Trump is providing to Ukraine a retention of the rump of Ukraine as a country instead of being divided up by adjacent countries?
That is all I can speculate of substance from the deal.
Posted by: psychohistorian | Feb 28 2025 18:27 utc | 81
Posted by: berthold | Feb 28 2025 18:21 utc | 75
>>>>
Best not to follow the TV news.
No memorandum of understanding is highly likely.
The British empire rules.
Europe will turn to the east along the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China.
Vielen Dank!!
Posted by: pepe | Feb 28 2025 18:28 utc | 82
I think you're going to have to always make compromises. You can't do any deals without compromises. So certainly he's going to have to make some compromises, but hopefully they won't be as big as some people think you're going to have to make. That's all we can do. I'm here as a as an arbitrator, as a mediator, to a certain extent, between two parties that have been very hostile
A Statement from President Donald J. Trump
“We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today. Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure. It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”
Posted by: Newbie | Feb 28 2025 18:29 utc | 83
BBC Radio 5Live is now quoting Reuters as saying that Zelensky has now left the private meeting early, with the White House reportedly saying “He can come back when he is ready for peace.”
Haven’t been able to find a link yet at Reuters.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Feb 28 2025 18:29 utc | 84
I imagine -
Trump in roll of Orange Solomon:
Vladimir, take the four regions they are yours - you won them fair and square.
Volodomyr, you will give the four regions to the nice man and you will call-off your military.
Putin says:
But what about the NAZI's and what about the church and what about the way they are treating the people of Russian descent.
Solomon says:
Look Vlad: You cannot stop them from being jerks. It's thier country, if they are going to behave badly in their country and with their citizens, that is their business - nothing we can do about it.
Vladimir says: I will conquer all of Ukraine. I will destroy them.
Solomon says: Vlad, you can't do it - it's too big and they are too stupid to give up. And we will have to supply them with weapons - will will ask for assets in return but we will give them weapons, lots of beautiful new weapons - the good stuff, this time.
Volodomyr says: Well, what about NATO? I need security.
Solomon: Forget about NATO. You are not going to get NATO. If Europe is stupid enough to send troops, that is their business but NATO is not going to protect them - we are not going to save their asses.
Volodomyr: But how will I have security?
Solomon: Forget about security - you dont need security. Nobody want your sh*t country. Vlad, do you want his sh*t country?
Vladimir: Nyet.
OK, it's done boys.
Posted by: jared | Feb 28 2025 18:29 utc | 85
"We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today. Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure. It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”
Trump on Truth social
Posted by: Apollyon | Feb 28 2025 18:31 utc | 86
Looks like meeting over a few hours early ....
.... bums-rush. Come back when you are ready for 'peace'.
# NO Press Conference.
Posted by: Don Firineach | Feb 28 2025 18:31 utc | 87
What’s the deal about it, revealed!
The United States has donated 114 billion euros ($118bn) to Ukraine during the country’s denazification and demilitarization process. Prior to 2022, and just before the Russian Federation’s Special Military Operation (SMO) began; there were 20,000 registered mineral deposits in Ukraine, with 8,700 of them mineable, encompassing 117 of the 120 most globally used metals and minerals. The country has some of the world’s top recoverable coal, gas, iron, manganese, nickel, ore, titanium, and uranium reserves.
But there is a catch…..
Most of these minerals span Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovohrad, Poltava and Kharkiv. Russia, which controls approximately 20% of Ukraine, including large parts of Luhansk, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia, is sitting on about 40% of Ukraine’s metal resources (as of 2023). Furthermore, a significant portion of Ukraine rare earth elements are located in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The Shevchenko Field of Lithium Ores, one of Ukraine’s biggest lithium deposits, is located in a rural settlement in Donetsk.
In money terms, before 2022 Ukraine’s mineral reserves worth amounted to $25.678 trillion. In 2023, that number dropped to $14.770 trillion (after 40% went to Russia). Then in 2024 it was $13.456 trillion. Right now is roughly $11.129 trillion. Further expansion of the Russian army will bring that figure close to $10.145 trillion. However Ukraine losses during the war and cost of reconstruction requires injection of $5.435 trillion [to go into the fund], leaving the remaining $4.710 trillion for Ukrainian’s new NATO. The US of A will get nothing but a future war with the Russian Federation which is extremely dangerous. The British Empire is winning.
Posted by: pepe | Feb 28 2025 18:32 utc | 88
Ukraine Weekly Update, 28th Feb 2025: May be useful to some: https://robcampbell.substack.com/p/ukraine-weekly-update-40a
Posted by: The Busker | Feb 28 2025 18:35 utc | 89
U$$A already has a large exposure aka Blackrock, etc. of business investment in rump Kiev (Stalin’s) SSR.
The rare earth sham is more bizarre dev for Blackrock etc.
US will most assuredly Vietnamize Kiev for the donors’ investments.
DJT is LBJ, exactly 60 years later..
U$$A is no better than the stumblers into Vietnam
Posted by: paddy | Feb 28 2025 18:38 utc | 90
Haha, that performance in the White House is the best I've seen in ages, hilarious – where can I get popcorn now? I need masses of popcorn for the coming days...
Posted by: Zet | Feb 28 2025 18:38 utc | 91
Zelenski will be replaced after this ....
... no way to repair the personal relationship with Trump.
... asylum in London on the way home would be wise.
Posted by: Don Firineach | Feb 28 2025 18:38 utc | 92
this was one of the best kabuki theaters of recent times, not going to lie.
Posted by: Justpassinby | Feb 28 2025 18:39 utc | 93
@ bored | Feb 28 2025 17:35 utc | 27
You seem to have gone quiet all of a sudden; wonder why that might be?
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Feb 28 2025 18:41 utc | 94
Oh Trump, only you could play both good cop and bad cop at the same time to all side in a conflict. Trump is turning this conflict from NATO vs Russia, to the US vs EU/UK vs Ukraine vs Russia. I think Trump really is trying to sign a deal with Russia to split Ukraine between the two of them and leave UK/EU out in the cold, with no economic ties to Russia and without even the runner up prize of Ukraine. Doing this will cripple the EU economically for a decade, without Russian gas/oil, the EU will have to cancel the whole net Zero carbon Green economy plan and bring back coal fired power plants as that is the only cheap energy source they have that can power their industries to make them competitive.
Without ownership of Ukraine food resources they will have to buy food from the US and Africa to feed their population (they might even be forced to abandoned their war on farmers to restore domestic production), without Ukraine's minerals the EU will have to buy raw materials on the international market (US, Canada, Brazil, Africa), meaning higher prices for all finished goods. Since the Europeans will be forced to buy everything on the international market to survive, where will they get the money - well logically they will need to sell ownership of their domestically economies to either the Chinese or the Americans.
Oh the delicious irony, the EU pushed for this war in the hopes of recreating the 1990's Rape of Russia, and now the Americans have decided it will be easier to make 2025 be remembered as the starting point of the Rape of the EU.
Posted by: Kadath | Feb 28 2025 18:42 utc | 95
Posted by: Apollyon | Feb 28 2025 18:42 utc | 96
Here's another video of Vance and Trump dressing Zelenskyy down.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGoD2bXqLG8/
I tell you what. Propaganda tours? Wanna impress me? Talk like that to fucking Bibi. Give the Jews a dressing down like that on live TV over their propaganda tours. Will never happen. The Jews own the USA and they sure as fuck own Trump.
Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | Feb 28 2025 18:44 utc | 97
This conversation is obsolete since the disastrous press conference. Trump went off and said quote, “You’re going to make deal or we’re out. And if we’re out, you’ll fight it out on your own and I don’t think it will go well for you.”
He also said something I’ve never seen anyone discuss. He talked about his affinity and respect for Putin based on the “Russia, Russia, Russia” hoax and said that Putin had gone through that with him and behaved honorably.
Posted by: CullenBaker | Feb 28 2025 18:44 utc | 98
zelenskyjiijyyiveeevvwhatever could have scored some brownie points if he at least dressed for the occasion.
Posted by: Justpassinby | Feb 28 2025 18:44 utc | 99
Posted by: Don Firineach | Feb 28 2025 18:38 utc | 93
If Zelensky is wise he'll realize the game is over for him. He punched pretty far above his fly-weight. Time to retire somewhere, maybe the UAE.
I almost felt sorry for him being utterly humiliated. He must feel like a wife coming home to find her spouse in bed with another chick. Now he knows who the USA really is.
Posted by: ChrisFromGA | Feb 28 2025 18:44 utc | 100
The comments to this entry are closed.
Thanks for the post b. I have it another way.
It's like having your cake and eating it too. First, he needs to recoup some of the money sent over. He get z to sign on the dotted line, then in the background he works with the Russians on the original peace deal. See, best of both world.
I hope I'm right, otherwise we're in for – well you know.
Posted by: Sakineh Bagoom | Feb 28 2025 16:54 utc | 1