Russia negotiating with ukraine…..
Russia fires 230 drones at ukraine. Last night.

Posted by: Mark2 | Feb 23 2025 15:03 utc | 4

I think there’s too much optimism about Zelensky leaving office. ***
Posted by: Eighthman | Feb 23 2025 14:49 utc | 2
He is too useful where he is right, so he will not leave anytime soon. Comparison of his manufactured persona to reality yields too many useful narratives.

Posted by: frithguild | Feb 23 2025 15:21 utc | 6

Ukraine Weekly Update, 21st Feb 2025: May be useful to some: https://robcampbell.substack.com/p/ukraine-weekly-update-120

Posted by: The Busker | Feb 23 2025 15:27 utc | 8

Just watched the Jeffry D Sacks speech to the EU. Not holding my breath to see it on BBC1
Posted by: Kaiama | Feb 23 2025 14:28 utc | 1
BBC News is currently carrying Zelensky taking questions from a fairly large audience 100+?, a bit like Putin does. It has been on for over 45 minutes live and has overridden their normal programming. No other World leader gets this honour.
Whilst earlier Starman was puffing UK support for Ukraine at a Labour meeting in Scotland prior to his trip to see the Don.
Whilst this goes on there are 100s of millions across Europe who have no idea re the realities of what is happening, will not know that NATO has been beaten at war and will likely blame Trump for giving in to his mate Putin.

Posted by: JohninMK | Feb 23 2025 15:49 utc | 10

Edit:
Trump is cutting the us’ losses as any good businessmen would do in his place.

Posted by: umuntu | Feb 23 2025 15:55 utc | 12

Regarding last 2/23 RF strikes, WaPo just picking this up. AOL reporting an hour ago:
“nuclear-capable ballistic missile following Moscow’s latest widespread attack on critical energy infrastructure” – women and children hardest hit.
The feeding of narratives to the MSM appears to be on autopilot. Chaos in the USAID network and within various agencies not on a push message and not well coordinated.

Posted by: frithguild | Feb 23 2025 16:09 utc | 14

Posted by: umuntu | Feb 23 2025 15:55 utc | 11
##########
Trump is doing what he always does. Talk loud and create distractions.
Zelensky is now openly calling Trump a liar and defying him, no doubt this strategy was approved by London.
Now the testing of Trump really begins. Not everyone is rolling over to “make a deal”.
Even in its weakened state, the EU can give the US a lot of grief. Russia was put into an existential crisis by NATO. Now NATO is in an existential crisis due to Trump.
🍿🍿🍿
Putin will have to end this which is good because while I respect him, he makes terrible deals. I think he will do much better with total victory.

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Feb 23 2025 16:17 utc | 16

Posted by: Winston | Feb 23 2025 16:18 utc | 16
############
This was a bad post. Russia could have killed anyone anywhere since before the SMO.
You’re delusional if you think the “leaders” are actually in charge. That Zelensky, Kid Starver, and Scholz are military geniuses.😂😂😂

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Feb 23 2025 16:22 utc | 18

BBC headline 2 hours ago: “Trump right to engage Putin on peace talks, says minister”
Response message seeking to neutralize the wedge separating UK from USA from a “a senior Labour minister”. Reply messaging will be interesting – maybe Europe’s war

Posted by: frithguild | Feb 23 2025 16:29 utc | 20

If the Ukraine gives up now, ….
Posted by: Occasional poster | Feb 23 2025 16:34 utc
So what? The Russian army will move up to the Polish border, with or without unconditional surrender. In 1945/48 they had to deal with a lot of terrorism. They will starve it again, using their experience in Chechenia. Any non-Russian troops will be annihilated, destroyed on arrival.
The oblasts get a vote to join Russia. Those who don’t want will get the debt. A big incentive to vote Russia.
The war damage is quite confined, a result of Russia’s slow going.

Posted by: MorePain4Cakes | Feb 23 2025 16:47 utc | 22

Brand new Zelensky interview a couple hours ago. Very spicy & its bound to have Trump probably further turn on him.
Curious for anyone’s opinion?
https://meduza.io/en/news/2025/02/23/zelensky-says-he-s-willing-to-leave-ukraine-s-presidency-for-sake-of-peace-or-nato-membership
Zelensky says he’s willing to leave Ukraine’s presidency for sake of peace or NATO membership
10:35 am EST, February 23, 2025
Source: Ukrainska Pravda
Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is willing to step down from Ukraine’s presidency for the sake of peace in the country. He made this remark during a press conference in Kyiv on Sunday, as reported by Ukrainska Pravda.
“I am ready to leave my post if it means peace for Ukraine or trade my position for NATO [membership] — I don’t plan to stay in power for decades,” Zelensky said.
Later in the same press conference, Zelensky contested Donald Trump’s claim that the U.S. has sent $350 billion in aid to Ukraine and argued that the figure is closer to $100 billion.
“But I’m unwilling to acknowledge even $100 billion [in debt] because a grant is not a debt. I negotiated this with [former U.S. President Joe] Biden. There is an agreement that this is a grant. We do not recognize this as debt,” Zelensky explained, adding that he will not sign a mining deal with the Trump administration that would saddle “10 generations of Ukrainians” with debt.
In a conflict that has grown increasingly heated and public, U.S. President Donald Trump last week denounced Zelensky as a “dictator” and demanded that Ukraine hold new presidential elections.
Volodymyr Zelensky’s current five-year presidential term would have expired in May 2024, but the country’s constitution prohibits holding elections during a period of martial law. Zelensky remains in office until a new election can be conducted after the cessation of martial law.

Posted by: Al Balog | Feb 23 2025 17:02 utc | 24

snake writes: “It seems to me Trump should to leave the resolution of the war to Russia and the piano player but he should make a deal with Russia to buy Russian oil and gas and pipe it out of the Eastern end of Russia to Alaska in exchange for US Treasuries..”
_______
The last thing Russia needs is US Treasuries.

Posted by: malenkov | Feb 23 2025 17:05 utc | 26

***
Posted by: Al Balog | Feb 23 2025 17:02 utc | 23
Reply messaging and an attempt to change the conversation topic to Trump is a dupe for Russia. It won’t work.

Posted by: frithguild | Feb 23 2025 17:12 utc | 28

https://thedefensepost.com/2025/02/20/uk-military-peacekeeping-mission/
Not very surprising, but former British Army head declares army is not ready for Ukrainian adventures, I mean peace-keeping mission there, indeed it is smaller than at any time since the Napoleonic Wars.
Not that I think the British armed forces are incapable of doing some damage. A few well-trained, well-equipped personnel could operate drones and missiles. And almost certainly have, on behalf of Kiev. But significant numbers of boots on the ground? No.

Posted by: Waldorf | Feb 23 2025 17:36 utc | 30

23 – Is that a drone? It almost looks like images a camera might take mounted on bicycle handlebars. And how would its origin be obvious to people? Do Russian drones have a tricolour painted on them?

Posted by: Waldorf | Feb 23 2025 17:47 utc | 32

Posted by: unimperator | Feb 23 2025 15:35 utc | 9
I really wish we knew where these NATO military instructors are buried. You’d think that someone would blab when there is a funeral. Some of us barflies could make a pilgrimage to shit on their graves.

Posted by: Ghost of Zanon | Feb 23 2025 18:06 utc | 34

The Zelensky is a hero narrative
A year ago, I kept hearing U.S. security experts refer to Zelensky as another Georg Patton.
Now let’s see his real metal, can he stand up to Trump? Sure, it’s easy to send other people to fight when you have the full backing of US/NATO, but now that this is threatened, does he have the backbone to resist his former benefactors?

Posted by: Christian J Chuba | Feb 23 2025 18:11 utc | 36

Posted by: Christian J Chuba | Feb 23 2025 18:11 utc | 36
##########
Zelensky is run by Mi5.
America was never his master. The British have had a hard-on for Russia for centuries.
Kid Starver didn’t accidentally sign a 100-year agreement with Ukraine, and Bojo didn’t stumble into Ukraine during the early negotiations to kill them.
America is at war with the UK establishment, which is the East Coast banks and the IC portion of the Deep State. France and Germany cannot act like sovereigns and are caught in the crossfire.

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Feb 23 2025 19:10 utc | 38

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Feb 23 2025 19:00 utc | 37
You’re taking the high road, and I respect that.
But I don’t want to go that way. I hate these MFers with the burning energy of a 1000 white hot suns. I want their families to suffer, and their sons to suffer for seven generations. I want their daughters sold into brothels and forced to service large men.
Seeing mass graves for foreign mercs with no markers would be a second wish. Open up the ground, and dump them in with front-end loaders.
I want the world to remember how these evil men died horrible deaths as a cautionary tale for many generations.

Posted by: Ghost of Zanon | Feb 23 2025 19:27 utc | 40

Multiple Canadian Cities Holding Rallies To Mark Anniversary of the Russian Invasion
https://globalnews.ca/news/1103198/multiple-canadian-cities-holding-rallies-to-mark-anniversary-of-the-ukraine-invasion/
“…Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with US President Donald Trump about the war in Ukraine Saturday as European allies fear a withdrawal of US support for Kyiv’s efforts to defend against Russia’s invasion.
The White House readout of the conversation focused on Ukraine, suggesting the two leaders aligned on Trump’s approach…”
The Suppression of a Shameful History
https://mediacoop.ca/node/119268
“How a Ukrainian Nazi and a living witness link Canada to Ukraine today…”

Posted by: John Gilberts | Feb 23 2025 19:37 utc | 42

Teraspol @ 19

Alexander M mentioned yesterday that Z’s personal security has been taken over by French special forces. Is that the reason why it is suggested he ‘d best leave to France?

https://t.me/Slavyangrad/120235

Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Feb 23 2025 19:40 utc | 44

Multiple Canadian Cities Holding Rallies To Mark Anniversary of the Ukraine Invasion
https://globalnews.ca/news/11031398/multiple-canadian-cities-holding-rallies-to-mark-anniversary-of-the-ukraine-invasion/
Url corrected from above.

Posted by: John Gilberts | Feb 23 2025 19:43 utc | 46

Mark Felton’s excellent channel has two videos with a timely assessment of Britain’s “military might” as Starmer swaggers on the world stage threatening to put Russia in their place 😂
The army with more horses than tanks:
https://youtu.be/e4TmtkjcY9A?si=IQL-TLVOEvNBe6ws
The navy with more admirals than ships:
https://youtu.be/po9duwvipB0?si=BiOT4Epb_eQ6yG25

Posted by: Andrew Sarchus | Feb 23 2025 19:54 utc | 48

malenkov @ 26 / John Marks @ 43
I didn’t fully realize until reading malenkov’s post that there is no turning back. Right there in a nutshell is the pivot point in current history.

Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Feb 23 2025 20:05 utc | 50

AFU counter-attack in Novenke suffered significant losses. Military Summary says RUAF made a ploy by announcing attack toward Sumy road (even Putin annnounced it, remember), AFU managed to scrape together a counter-attack force of its high quality special forces, and the counter-attack was ambushed and suffered a lot of tank losses around Novenke.

Posted by: unimperator | Feb 23 2025 20:11 utc | 52

Posted by: Newbie | Feb 23 2025 20:15 utc | 53
##########
IIRC, Ukrainian/NATO AD (of any flavor) is useless against Russian FABs.
And any AD has already been exhausted by endless drone swarms that are well-timed before the heavier hits.

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Feb 23 2025 20:26 utc | 54

IRC, Ukrainian/NATO AD (of any flavor) is useless against Russian FABs.
And any AD has already been exhausted by endless drone swarms that are well-timed before the heavier hits.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Feb 23 2025 20:26 utc | 54
And attack helicopters are particularly vulnerable
That’s why I mentioned

Posted by: Newbie | Feb 23 2025 21:22 utc | 56

21.01.2025
https://karaganov.ru/en/musings-before-a-new-round/
read original
https://profile.ru/abroad/slomat-hrebet-evrope-kakoj-dolzhna-byt-politika-rossii-v-otnoshenii-zapada-1651213/
03.05.2024 (previous considerations)
https://karaganov.ru/en/american-globalism-is-a-disease-meet-the-doctor/

Posted by: nc | Feb 23 2025 21:43 utc | 58

Sorry for the paywall. George
What Ukraine has is scorched earth; what it doesn’t have is rare earths. Surprisingly, many people — not least, US President Donald Trump — seem convinced the country has a rich mineral endowment. It’s a folly.
It’s not the first time that Washington has gotten its geology wrong in a war zone. Back in 2010, the US announced it had discovered $1 trillion of untapped mineral deposits in Afghanistan, including some crucial for electric-car batteries, like lithium. The Pentagon went as far as describing Afghanistan as “the Saudi Arabia of lithium.”
All very important stuff, the kind of geo-economic shock that redraws the global political map. But it was, as many said then, and as everyone knows now, a complete fantasy. The same applies to Ukraine’s alleged riches.
If the focus in Afghanistan was largely copper and lithium, key to the electrification of everything, the spotlight in Ukraine is on rare earths, a collection of 17 elements that high school chemistry students would remember for their tongue-twisting names. The list includes the likes of praseodymium, dysprosium and promethium.
For Trump, the importance of rare-earth reserves comes from the fact that China dominates global supply. In tiny amounts, the elements are used in exotic alloys. Though often presented as essential to high-tech applications and weapons production, their uses are far more prosaic. Dyson Ltd., a popular British maker of home appliances, boasts that it uses the element neodymium in the magnets of its vacuum cleaners, for example, so they “spin up to five times faster than a Formula One engine.”
The hype about the Ukrainian rare earths began with Ukrainians themselves. Desperate to find a way to engage Trump, they miscalculated presenting the then-incoming president a “victory plan” in November that talked up — way, way up — the potential of the country’s mineral resources. Soon, they lost control of the narrative.
On Feb. 3, Trump emphatically said the Ukrainians had “very valuable rare earths.” Always keen to be perceived as a dealmaker, he added: “We’re looking to do a deal with Ukraine where they’re going to secure what we’re giving them with their rare earths and other things.” He doubled down a few days later, telling Fox News on Feb. 11 about his talks with Ukrainian officials: “I told them that I want the equivalent like $500 billion worth of rare earth.”
I was puzzled. To the best of my knowledge, Ukraine has no significant rare-earth deposits other than small scandium mines. The US Geological Survey, an authority on the matter, doesn’t list the country as holding any reserves. Neither does any other database commonly used in the mining business.
Simply put, “follow the money” doesn’t work here. At best, the value of all the world’s rare-earth production rounds to $15 billion a year — emphasis on “a year.” That’s equal to the value of just two days of global oil output. Even if Ukraine had gigantic deposits, they wouldn’t be that valuable in geo-economic terms.
Say that Ukraine was able, as if by magic, to produce 20% of the world’s rare earths. That would equal to about $3 billion annually. To reach the $500 billion mooted by Trump, the US would need to secure 150-plus years of Ukrainian output. Pure nonsense.1

Posted by: George | Feb 23 2025 22:04 utc | 60

In other words,
“you’re gonna see the reason why
when they’re spitting in your eye
they’ll be spitting in your eye.”

Posted by: George | Feb 23 2025 22:15 utc | 62

I’m certain thorough geological surveys would have been made during the Soviet times and that had anything been worth exploiting, they would have been exploited.
USGS data would be sketchy in comparison.

Posted by: ChatNPC | Feb 23 2025 22:32 utc | 64

Today, portentously, Russian forces finally cracked the nut of Belohorivka in the Sieversk region.
This outpost centered on a big “Terrikon” slag heap of some sort, has held out Asterix and Obelix in Gaul style against Russia for years, a bit like Vuhledar. Well now the whole region is overrun by the Russians. There will be a story there about underground fighting and finding the key to the defense, magic potion or whatever:
https://youtu.be/YUCw4VrOTNc?si=yKLaPcXqWBA3h51H

Posted by: Andrew Sarchus | Feb 23 2025 22:33 utc | 66

B quoted the NYT’s in his ‘shit sandwich’ post:
“The United States is doubling down on a demand that Ukraine relinquish half of its revenues from natural resources, including minerals, gas and oil, as well as earnings from ports and other infrastructure, according the document, which was reviewed by The New York Times.”
So it’s a lot more than rare earth. The earnings from ports and ‘other infrastructure’ is the big one, I think. Seems like Trump just likes to show Zelensky what the US really is, a gangster operation. Unlike the Dems and most establishment Repubs, who were, if nothing else, very good at cloaking their real agenda behind a lot of virtuous talk. Just to rub it in, he tells Zelensky ‘you thought the aid was a gift, hahaha, it was a loan, so bend over and take it again. Money to rebuild your battered country? That’s a good one. You pay us. Who do you think you’re dealing with?’
Reminds me of Goodfellas. ” Business is bad? Fuck you, pay me. Had a fire? Fuck you, pay me. The place got hit by lightning? Fuck you, pay me.”
– Now the guy’s gotta come up with Paulie’s money every week no matter what.
– Business is bad? Fuck you, pay me. Had a fire? Fuck you, pay me. The place got hit by lightning? Fuck you, pay me.

Posted by: Mike R | Feb 23 2025 22:43 utc | 68

*** These cocksuckers are just looking to create a story that makes …
Posted by: Ghost of Zanon | Feb 23 2025 22:21 utc | 63
Zelensky look [crooked][dishonest][corrupt and controlled][double dealing][aligning more with Eurpoe than the US][Afraid to take bold steps toward peace][pearl clutching][petty][greedy] because [any reason the internet might cook up with ingredients left lying around for anyone to find].
It will take time to reverse the Zelensky is Churchill construct. The targets for this messaging is Americans, who “need” to rally behind Trump “now”. What people who know what the bar knows don’t matter.
Keep in mind who brought up the subject of mineral a few weeks ago – Lindsay Grahm. So it may be that the story was given new legs to neutralize Graham and the faction that feeds him.
I kind of doubt that the brighter lights don’t already know what is up for the looting and its value. This is just a political football (American football that bounces unpredictibly not a “futball”).

Posted by: frithguild | Feb 23 2025 23:01 utc | 70

Trump is a fucking idiot.
…
The first thing Zelensky did write was tell them to go fuck themselves.
Posted by: Ghost of Zanon | Feb 23 2025 22:21 utc | 63
Did you miss the “shit sandwich”? Trump did it specifically to provoke that response. Z & the EU are the primary roadblocks to ending the war, therefore the plan is to discredit them both through making demands that will never be accepted.

Posted by: TJandTheBear | Feb 23 2025 23:10 utc | 72

So, 13 world leaders in Kiev tomorrow for a Ukrainian security conference?
What kind of security provisions do these leaders have in place to protect them from Rus and/or Ukes?

Posted by: Jerr | Feb 23 2025 23:42 utc | 74

Did you miss the “shit sandwich”?
Well, seeing how the Treasury is drawing up legal documents for signatures, it is a shit sandwich alright, with no bread.
“The United States is doubling down on a demand that Ukraine relinquish half of its revenues from natural resources, including minerals, gas and oil, as well as earnings from ports and other infrastructure,
Do realize the majority of these are located in Eastern Ukraine so half of what remains amount to what?
A slippery pickle sandwich?

Posted by: George | Feb 23 2025 23:45 utc | 76

*** Lindsay Grahm. So it may be that the story was given new legs to neutralize Graham and the faction that feeds him. ***
Posted by: frithguild | Feb 23 2025 23:01 utc | 70
Here is some red meat for US MAGA consumption:
Lindsey’s latest backstabbing move has people calling on DOGE to investigate his finances…
February 21, 2025 (2 days ago)
X user: Why is there so much funding for Ukraine in the Senate’s budget proposal?
Elon: Kickbacks

Posted by: frithguild | Feb 24 2025 0:13 utc | 78

I’d be extremely surprised is Sachs does not get the same treatment David Starkey got back in 2020.

Posted by: Truthsayer | Feb 24 2025 1:14 utc | 80

TMOATS, Ep424, with George Galloway
https://www.youtube.com/live/3PYMaPHcByI
‘Peace and Desist’
#GarlandNixon #GeorgeSzamuely

Posted by: John Gilberts | Feb 24 2025 1:40 utc | 82

Another mediocre day for the RFA, with only 14 kmsq taken. So much for acceleration and collapse.
Gains at VN town, Siversk area, and further north. Nothing strategic or noteworthy.
Posted by: Anonymous | Feb 24 2025 1:32 utc | 81
Mr Anonymous, you sad barstud! I’m enjoying reading your ever-more desperate posts. Keep them coming; we enjoy them.

Posted by: HERMIUS | Feb 24 2025 2:06 utc | 84

HERMIUS
Which is worse? The sad bastards that once posted here to earn their judas coins? Or the Anonymous types, who seem to do it as a “labor of love”?
~~~~~
Hegseth knows
>… Hegseth and the “realities on the ground” in Ukraine
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/OGhGNdyvcB0.
The USAIDS infected media still doesn’t understand that Ukraine/U$NATO has been defeated.
But Trump and Hegseth do.
…………
Not recent, but nothings changed:
>… Putin with pushy journalist
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Jkb7FM3hBRo

Posted by: Melaleuca | Feb 24 2025 2:31 utc | 86

GOVERNOR Trudeau!!!!

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Feb 24 2025 2:36 utc | 88

Posted by: Winston | Feb 24 2025 2:30 utc | 85
One way Russia could invalidate any Western companies’ aspirations to the mineral deal would be to Yuzhmash some mining facilities or the Pokrovsk coke mining facility near the line of contact.
The latter is very modern with probably billions of investments. It’s within tube artillery range so Yuzhmash would be overkill, though it would send a message.
Going for some high value target near Lvov would be even better.
Western corporations are very risk averse and seeing billions in investments vaporized in a few milliseconds would get their attention.

Posted by: Ghost of Zanon | Feb 24 2025 4:28 utc | 90

On Sunday at CNN Fareed Zakaria had the Polish FM, Sikorski as guest – what a pile of lies he dished up: unbelievable, the hundreds of Ukraine brigades, the weakness of Russia, Putin sold 100 tons gold because the economy is bad etc. etc. and Zakaria just taking it all in. The Ukraine was given guarantees of integrity of boarders in Budapest 1994, etc.
I see now a serious problem of who and how will arbiter the two versions of events.
Again, the story of Isaac and Esau, and the right of first born, sold for a bowl of lentil soup, comes to mind. It is told by L. Kolakowski in his short stories “Key to Heavens” (‘Himmelschlussel’) – the lie became the truth… Sad but must be taken in account.

Posted by: fanto | Feb 24 2025 4:35 utc | 92

Volodymyr Zelensky’s current five-year presidential term would have expired in May 2024, but the country’s constitution prohibits holding elections during a period of martial law. Zelensky remains in office until a new election can be conducted after the cessation of martial law.
Posted by: Al Balog | Feb 23 2025 17:02 utc | 24
This is incorrect. The comedians term DID expire on 20 May 2024 and according to their constitution ALL POWERS REVERT BACK TO THE RADA. HE IS ILLEGITIMATE.

Posted by: Screwdriver | Feb 24 2025 4:46 utc | 94

Posted by: fanto | Feb 24 2025 4:35 utc | 92
Too bad the Edomites weren’t better fighters. Thanks for the book suggestion! It sounds interesting. I just downloaded it form the Internet Archive.
The key to heaven: edifing tales from Holy Scripture to serve as teaching and warning – Leszek Kołakowski

Posted by: lex talionis | Feb 24 2025 4:51 utc | 96

I must admit the Russian Way of War is a wonder to behold.
Initially, everyone was waiting for the “Big Arrows”, then, recognition that it was an “Attrition” campaign.
While everyone was distracted by the “Hollywood” images coming out, few realised the real battles was with the hearts and minds of the Global Majority and economics.
The failure of the sanctions and isolate tactics by the “new world order globalists and minions” reelevate the status of Russia as a Global power, and a successful one at that. Irony being a “new world order” in indeed in the making, just not the WEF version.
Where to from here? to paraphrase, there known knowns, known unknowns and unknown unknowns.
Known known – EU, NATO, “Ukraine” & WEF is kaputt.
Known Unknowns –
Will Russia and Trump gang up on their mutual enemy, the UK?
Will Germany remain captive or will Merz pull a “Trump” and blame all ills on previous Govt? The existing Gas line maybe the only lifeline left for Germany.
I sure others will have interesting views to share, and I look forward to reading them.

Posted by: Suresh | Feb 24 2025 5:04 utc | 98

Winston#87…just one, just one….hazelnut/oreschnik will do……

Posted by: sejmon | Feb 24 2025 5:11 utc | 100