@Posted by: Otto Penn | Mar 13 2025 14:51 utc | 3
Post got deleted (auto filtered) when I mentioned the website, though.

Posted by: Otto Penn | Mar 13 2025 14:52 utc | 4

Anyone have any solid info on whether Ukraine signed the “minerals” deal?
Posted by: Melaleuca | Mar 13 2025 14:42 utc | 1
—
The real question is how many deals with the same exclusive promises they have signed.

Posted by: too scents | Mar 13 2025 15:01 utc | 6

@ Melaleuca | Mar 13 2025 14:42 utc | 1
alex krainer has been following this closely.. perhaps this or one of the other articles covers it best, but here is one for consideration..
Ukraine “rare earths” deal: the empire’s fatal mistake
Rare earths deal is a very British hustle, a cheap rerun of Winston Churchill’s playbook to ensnare the US in World War 2. Now Starmer’s doing it for WW3. from march 8th..

Posted by: james | Mar 13 2025 15:05 utc | 8

It seems to me that the big question at this moment is – will the Ukrainian military keep retreating and surrendering across the contact line? Was Kursk an exception or will we witness their national collapse? This, by its self, could signal why they want a ceasefire right away – to stop defeat from going nonlinear. If so, Russia should accelerate the fighting into their collapse.

Posted by: Eighthman | Mar 13 2025 15:06 utc | 10

Makes me wonder why it’s filtered.
Posted by: heavymetal101 | Mar 13 2025 15:05 utc | 9
Dunno which website that is (ZH?) but just to be clear: the filters are not maintained by our host but by the Typepad system this blog is running on.

Posted by: Zet | Mar 13 2025 15:26 utc | 12

Trump and the US doubling down on stupid sanctions
“Treasury has ‘ended the Biden exemption’ that allowed sanctioned Russian banks to process European payments for oil sales. Now no one in Europe can purchase Russian oil”
“this General License 8L, issued in the last days of the Biden Administration, provides a winddown period for financing energy purchases from Russia. That period ended on 12 March. ”
they let it expire and are pretending that it’s going to “bring Russia to the table” WRT

Posted by: Ezzie | Mar 13 2025 15:32 utc | 14

Do you mean that webside ad here in the comments “useful to some” by busker ?

Posted by: Klaus | Mar 13 2025 15:34 utc | 16

In other words, Nyet! Others have provided similar answers. The other side has proven it cannot be trusted. Period.
Putin is meeting with Lukashenko today and is supposed to hold a presser when done. Perhaps he’ll add some more depending upon what he gets asked.
Posted by: karlof1 | Mar 13 2025 15:03 utc | 7
——————————————————–
Whitkoff to meet Putin behind closed doors tonight.
Posted by: Night Tripper | Mar 13 2025 15:29 utc | 13
———————————————————
Is there anything legally communicated by any party?
Zelensky is a civilian. Who speaks and writes for Ukraine? The US cannot represent Ukraine unless it has been officially (and in writing) to do so.
Talk, talk is great. Maybe Witkoff (a light weight and not a diplomat) will learn something. The rest of the Trump Foreign Policy team has provided very little understanding of what the Russians say and want.

Posted by: Acco Hengst | Mar 13 2025 15:39 utc | 18

Posted by: unimperator | Mar 13 2025 15:39 utc | 19
so this is a way to chain EU into further subservience to the US?
I’m in the US so I know my perspective of world events is skewed and am trying to grasp the big picture

Posted by: Ezzie | Mar 13 2025 15:43 utc | 20

Makes me wonder why it’s filtered.
Posted by: heavymetal101 | Mar 13 2025 15:05 utc | 9
Did you ever read what they post on China ? It’s all “sectarian mantra” to say the least , so they are not to be trusted on all topics… despite being really good on some.
On a different topic (Kursk bulge), it seemed the 404’s “best units” were already redeployed to Djerzinsk and Krasnoarmiesk last two weeks (that would explain the “counter attacks” registered there.)
So it might have helped the RUAF and it’s affiliated in “enhancing their positions” to say it with purposed formula :).

Posted by: Savonarole | Mar 13 2025 15:43 utc | 22

who has signing authority for Ukraine?
in fact that is a question for all nation states..
whose signature in each nation state binds deals the nation state makes?
what if that person is non competent, incompetent to the subject matter of the deal. and so on..
Consider the USA re Biden?
Consider Syria for example.. who could bind Syria by signature today?
Why is not a vote of the electorate needed to bind a nation to a deal?
I suggest the only biding authoritative signature should be one that has been authorized by an affirmative to the deal vote of the governed people in that nation state.
I would love to see that the USA had to get a vote of the Americans it governs before it can sign a treaty or make a deal with a foreign entity.
Article 2, section 2, paragraph 2 of the US constitution says..
(The President) shall have the Power, with the advise and consent of the Senate to make treaties, provided 2/3 of the Senators present concur.
what does 2/3 of the Senators present mean? Does consultation with just three senators, 2 of which concur with the Treaty, <=is that sufficient for the President to bind the nation by his signature to the terms contained within a Treaty?

Posted by: snake | Mar 13 2025 15:44 utc | 24

There is a 15 to 1 ratio
The West spent $ 350 billion on ukraine and killed 115,000 Russian soldiers costing $ 3,043,478 to kill 1 Russian soldier.
Russia spent $ 250 billion on ukraine and killed 1,200,000 ukrainian soldiers costing $ 208,333 to kill 1 ukrainian soldier.
If you have more realistic numbers, tell us them and how the math works out

Posted by: Hot Carl | Mar 13 2025 15:48 utc | 26

I think someone hijacked Night Trippers handle. No news source is reporting that.
Trolls are back? I thought USAID cut off the money.
Posted by: Ghost of Zanon | Mar 13 2025 15:49 utc | 27
Putin basically told gersaimov yesterday to build a buffer zone in sumy region. Don’t sound like a ceasefire coming anytime soon
http://kremlin.ru/events/president/news/76446

Posted by: Feck | Mar 13 2025 15:52 utc | 28

too scents and Melaleuca
The minerals deals. Even those agreements which involved lands still held by the Ukes would be open to question. Why? The now doubly illegitimate regime in Kiev is the product of a U$$A designed coup d’ Etat at Maidan in 2014. That was the scene where the legitimate elected government of Ukraine was overthrown by the likes of Robert Kagan’s bitch…along with the Agency and Little Georgie of Our Sorrow$.
As a very legalistic attorney by background; V.V. Putin along with the redoubtable Sergei Lavrov…can readily make the case that any and all agreements/contracts made by the current Kiev Regime…are null and void. Because the R.U. is rapidly destroying the Ukrainian military; those “arrangements” made by the Piano Dick-Tater will be obliterated by force of arms.

Posted by: aristodemos | Mar 13 2025 15:56 utc | 30

The Pipeline Raid Of Sudzha, the real story
The Russians first sent in the N. Koreans who immediately died from the NG gas. Then they lit up the pipeline to burn their bodies so that they would not be discovered. This explains why we haven’t seen any of the N. Koreans who are there.
This alerted the Ukrainians who were able to organize a kill zone for the Russians to thwart their subsequent meat wave attacks. And then the Ukrainians were able to use Russia’s OWN PIPELINE to do a deep infiltration attack behind Russian lines.
This is the true story of Sudzha, as told by NATO.

Posted by: Christian J Chuba | Mar 13 2025 16:07 utc | 32

13 March 2025
16:06 GMT
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Moscow is in favor of a ceasefire, but has numerous questions about its practical implementation.
The Ukrainian troops in Russia’s Kursk Region are cut off, and it would be unclear what is to be done with them in the event of a truce, he said.
”Are we supposed to let them out, after they committed mass war crimes against civilians? The Ukrainian leadership could tell them to lay down their arms, and just surrender,” the Russian president said.
It is also unclear how the ceasefire would be monitored and enforced, he added.
#15:24 GMT
It is unclear how amenable the US is to Russian demands about demilitarizing and denazifying Ukraine, Yevgeny Primakov, the head of the Russian agency for international cooperation, Rossotrudnichestvo, has said.
”Under any circumstances, Ukraine must not pose a threat to Russia,” he said.
”This means we must prevent any risks of revanchism, which logically entails that Ukraine should not maintain offensive military capabilities or embrace an aggressive Nazi ideology aimed against Russia,” Primakov stressed. This would entail dismantling several social and political institutions active in Ukraine, as well as reforming its education system, he added.
It is unclear how willing the US is to consider these issues, Primakov said.
RT
https://www.rt.com/news/614136-witkoff-moscow-ukraine-talks/
@NightTripper Being in favour of one does not necessarily mean agreeing to one ….

Posted by: Don Firineach | Mar 13 2025 16:22 utc | 34

RF will agree to an immediate ceasefire if…………………………………………..
– Ukronazi supplies lines to NATO end
– UFA cedes all territory east of the Dneiper River
– Odessa and all Black Sea ports are surrendered immediately
– No NATO or EU membership ever
– Volo is replaced after free elections
– All sanctions terminated immediately
– All cash assets held in western banks are returned intact
– Norstream pipelines are repaired and reopened
In other words….take it or leave it……..no more Minsk I and II nonsense………

Posted by: tobias cole | Mar 13 2025 16:29 utc | 36

@NightTripper Being in favour of one does not necessarily mean agreeing to one ….
Posted by: Don Firineach | Mar 13 2025 16:22 utc | 34
For the Nth time I will remind that a 30 day no planes/drones/rockets air/sea truce might favor artillery heavy RF forces.
Also as I said, the devil is in the details, and putin needs to iron out things with trump.

Posted by: Newbie | Mar 13 2025 16:30 utc | 38

Chuba 32 – Stop smoking that really bad Kieve crack………

Posted by: tobias cole | Mar 13 2025 16:31 utc | 40

Meloni says Nyet!
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will no take part in an upcoming video conference proposed by UK and France, in which a so-called “coalition of the willing” intends to increase military support for Ukraine, La Repubblica and La Stampa newspapers have reported.
In its article on Tuesday, La Repubblica said that “it is certain” that Meloni will boycott the virtual meeting of the Western European leaders being convened by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday.
The Italian PM reportedly “distances herself from the Franco-British axis” due to her disagreement with the push by London and Paris to send peacekeepers to aid Kiev. Meloni believes that Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron are “rushing ahead” with their idea, according to La Repubblica.
https://www.rt.com/news/614151-meloni-italy-ukraine-peacekeepers/

Posted by: Don Firineach | Mar 13 2025 16:32 utc | 42

Not surprising at all.
Russians are fine thinker and diplomats.
USA/WEST/TRUMP Ehi guys this is the big deal now the ball is in your park.
RF Nice play guys, very nice. Now let’s play seriously as adults. Ball in your park again.

Posted by: Mario | Mar 13 2025 16:33 utc | 44

Fair enough, lets see what comes out of the Witkoff discussion later. There is clearly no ceasefire as of now.

Posted by: Night Tripper | Mar 13 2025 16:38 utc | 46

@Malenkov
Thanks. His post seemed diametrically opposed to his ones in the older thread B posted on Trump intending to continue the war. Maybe NT should take some time off. I too find myself having to resist the tendency to be gaslit by the liars in the press.
IF there had been any actual acceptance, it would have been all over Politico, CNN, Reuters, etc.
The fact that markets are bed-shitting again tells us everything we need to know.
Dow -400
Nas -275
Gold -new ATH’s near 3000/oz

Posted by: Ghost of Zanon | Mar 13 2025 16:40 utc | 48

With the ceasefire on hold, press attention can now turn to the Kursk Region and Sudzha—because what else is there to write about-?
😉

Posted by: steel_porcupine | Mar 13 2025 16:41 utc | 50

Posted by: Ghost of Zanon | Mar 13 2025 16:40 utc | 48
Gold/silver telling no ceasefire is coming and things are breaking down with continued isolation, economic tariffs, de-Eurozation, and de-dollarization. Not to mention the lunatics at EU commission planning to confiscate private citizen bank account savings.

Posted by: unimperator | Mar 13 2025 16:44 utc | 52

I *do* hope Mr. Witkoff has time enough to hear about Yaroslav the Wise when he sits down w/ VVP today, especially the long version.

Posted by: steel_porcupine | Mar 13 2025 16:45 utc | 54

Posted by: Night Tripper | Mar 13 2025 15:43 utc | 21
Putin thanks Trump for giving Ukraine his attention. He has agreed to the ceasefire.
Posted by: Ghost of Zanon | Mar 13 2025 14:11 utc | 399
Ceasefire proposal rejected, per ZH and Reuters.
Reuters is lying, lying, lying! It is not a news agency. They does the do what we do here: we give our opinions, predict, bet, and support… A ceasefire request can never be categorically denied. This is an ethical and philosophical principle. Look at the US vs. Vietnam case. The negotiations took about a year! Russia simply laid out its terms. The ball is no longer in Russia’s court! In Ukraine’s court? No! Trump’s staff has already confirmed that the war is between the US and Russia! But the Trump administration will indeed achieve a ceasefire at the time agreed with Putin. Both will speed it up. And this will not be good for Zelensky, but it will be good for Putin and Trump. Cf in: @Elber | Mar 13 2025 14:09 utc | 398.

Posted by: Elber | Mar 13 2025 16:48 utc | 56

Putin just pushed the poisoned chalice back to Trump, “I’m honored, but in my country tradition says the guest honors us by drinking first”.
Italy isn’t a USA vassal/client state it’s a prisoner of war, as is Germany and Japan, a large part of Italy is sympathetic to Russia, domestically Meloni has to tread carefully, and the Atlanticists are grooming her for a big future (the next von der Leyen?)when her role in Italy is done, which is never long in Italy. When the time comes, when UK and France have sufficiently escalated the threat to EU civilization she will join the coalition of the willing. She’s a shallow opportunist who sold out long ago.

Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Mar 13 2025 16:54 utc | 58

Moon of Alabama got a tip of the hat from another website today.
Posted by: Otto Penn | Mar 13 2025 14:51 utc | 3
All foreign policy should be decided by a Congress of the bar. It may not be pretty, but it would certainly be a great improvement.

Posted by: Ahenobarbus | Mar 13 2025 16:57 utc | 60

Mar 12, 2025 – European Parliament
> MEPs welcome proposal for a 30-day ceasefire agreement and expect Russia to agree to it and cease all attacks on Ukraine
> EU and its member states must significantly increase their assistance to Ukraine
> Parliament welcomes a ‘coalition of the willing’ for a European-led enforcement of an eventual peace agreement
In a resolution adopted on Wednesday, Parliament says the EU is now Ukraine’s primary strategic ally and must help the country uphold its right to self-defence.
MEPs welcomed the proposal for a 30 day ceasefire, reached on 11 March. They expect Russia to agree to it and follow it by ceasing all attacks on Ukrainian civilian population, infrastructure and territory.
Following an “apparent shift” in the US position on Russia’s war of aggression, “which has included openly blaming Ukraine for the ongoing war”, the EU and its member states are now Ukraine’s primary strategic allies and must maintain their role as its largest donor, according to MEPs. To uphold Ukraine’s right to self-defence,(5) the EU and its member states must significantly increase their much-needed assistance to the country(5).. .here
June 2024 – AP
BRUSSELS (AP) — Far-right parties rattled the traditional powers in the European Union with major gains in parliamentary seats, dealing an especially humiliating defeat to French President Emmanuel Macron, who called snap legislative elections.

Posted by: Don Bacon | Mar 13 2025 17:02 utc | 62

“We are in favor of it,” VVP said, referencing a possible ceasefire, “but there are nuances.”
VVP also thanked DJT for giving “so much attention” to the prospect of a deal. “The idea of a ceasefire itself is correct and we are certainly supporting it, but there are issues that need to be discussed. I think that we need to talk to our American colleagues and partners.”
<< Translation: we are not accepting this ceasefire, no hard feelings however.

Posted by: steel_porcupine | Mar 13 2025 17:02 utc | 64

Prediction: DJT will put a bigly positive spin on VVP’s desire to peer into the “nuances” of the potential ceasefire plan.
<< Prediction: the EU will *not* be pleased w/ the need to slow down and peer into the "nuances." VVP's response, and particularly his thanking DJT for giving "attention" to this ceasefire matter, will leave the EU-elites sweating. They will worry about back-channels--that they may be back-channeled away in this matter.

Posted by: steel_porcupine | Mar 13 2025 17:08 utc | 66

Lukashenko just said if Russia/US reach a ‘deal’ of Ukraine, the EU will be screwed. Wonder what he means by that…

Posted by: unimperator | Mar 13 2025 17:11 utc | 68

At least, by now, Trump has grasped one supremely important fact, the Kiev regime is being run out of Europe.
As well, Trump also grasps the fact Europe does not want peace.
Unfortunately, Europe is so deeply embedded in the US that Trump cannot do the necessary which is to simply walk away from the Ukraine disaster.
Trump is stuck to the Ukraine disaster like a fly stuck to flypaper. No matter how furiously it beats its wings, it cannot get unstuck.
I suppose in any event it provides good entertainment for the bar as we sip our beers, if somewhat droll.

Posted by: Oswald | Mar 13 2025 17:19 utc | 70

Zelensky now is indeed the new Churchill–!
The U.S. and Russia have joined up to screw him.

Posted by: steel_porcupine | Mar 13 2025 17:27 utc | 72

The pipeline heroes of Kursk will march across Red Square on 9 May.

Posted by: steel_porcupine | Mar 13 2025 17:30 utc | 74

@ Melaleuca | Mar 13 2025 14:42 utc | 1
Kevin @ InsideChinaBusiness cited some industry opinions and tentatively concludes any such “minerals” aren’t economically extractable. Leads me to wonder: Why do TPTB discuss such nonsense publicly (sock puppetry)? Is it a theatre prop? For what reason? To attempt to burden Ukraine with unpayable debt? Other?

Posted by: I forgot | Mar 13 2025 17:35 utc | 76

The resolution of the situation in Ukraine requires long-term agreements rather than the 30-day ceasefire proposed by the losing party [US of A and NATO]. A lasting and sustainable peace in Ukraine, requires certain <’non-negotiable’> conditions all of which were clearly stipulated last year by the Supreme Commander in Chief of the Russian Federation, Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (VVP).
These conditions for resolving the conflict, includes the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Donbass and Novorossiya, Kiev’s refusal to join NATO, the removal of all Western sanctions against Moscow, and the establishment of Ukraine’s non-aligned and nuclear-free status.
Unless taken seriously, the US of A [the losing party] under the Titanic’s Captain DJT would be faced with either an ignominious defeat or nuclear strikes on their allies and their overseas bases.

Posted by: pepe | Mar 13 2025 17:37 utc | 78

I told you in the other thread that Putin would name his conditions for a ceasefire and it will now get done. I find his conditions to be actually less demanding than imagined.

Posted by: CullenBaker | Mar 13 2025 17:41 utc | 80

Guaranteed: DJT will be begging VVP to sponsor his membership in BRICS+

Posted by: steel_porcupine | Mar 13 2025 17:42 utc | 82

Maybe Lukashenko could offer Belovezhskaya Pushcha for any future talks.

Posted by: lex talionis | Mar 13 2025 17:46 utc | 84

zeigdeinepapiere | Mar 13 2025 17:02 utc | 63
Unless Trump can get Zelensky deposed …
—
You just answered your own question. Do you really think Trump is so foolish as to become embroiled against Russia?
That kind of logic is embraced by those who suffer from rabid TDS like Echo Chamber, LoveDunbas and Too Scents.
For one, they’re not only not Americans, but virulent América haters to boot. For two, they don’t consider that Starmer, Z, et al were behind both Muh Russia! and impeachment 1.0; you really think Trump forgot?
For three, they simply wave away and dismiss his accomplishments in politics, ignoring winning the first time, being cheated the second time, impeached twice, persecuted vía lawfare, subject to multiple assassination attempts, and then winning again, carrying both the Senate and House with him.
But no, he’s a stupid dope, a blundering blowhard who has now ensared himself in Ukraine. But wait, as mentioned above, there’s an easy way out, no?
New Ukraine government, new agreements (territory, neutrality), boom, hey I tried my best, now let’s focus on fortifying N America (Canadá + Greenland), reconcile with Russia and turn our attention to you know who.

Posted by: Markw | Mar 13 2025 17:49 utc | 86

Posted by: unimperator | Mar 13 2025 17:11 utc | 68
Posted by: unimperator | Mar 13 2025 17:16 utc | 69
Actually, Lukashenko more precisely said if Russia and US reach a deal of Ukraine, it will be the end of both EU and Ukraine.
it will be the END OF BOTH EU and UKRAINE (my emphasis)
My opinion is similar to yours: either with both the European Union and NATO.
***
This midday, before b opened this thread (UTC -3, BR) I commented on CallenBaker in the following terms:
Posted by: CullenBaker | Mar 13 2025 12:42 utc | 366
(…) I think this war has been an absolute disaster and Biden perpetrated the worst mistake/atrocity of American foreign policy ever in encouraging and inciting it. (…)
It would be case of capital punishment, for alleged treason or serious ineptitude. But Biden does not deserve that, because that was not his intention (treason). It turns out that when all the strong-handed sanctions failed, white flag diplomacy should have been raised (which was not: serious ineptitude!). But here too, Biden does not deserve to be hanged, because at that point he was already insane (unaccountable by law). But the current US administration has a moral, legal and constitutional duty to prosecute Biden’s agents. And if the US manages to emerge “unscathed” (at least without the deaths of Americans), it will be imperative duty of every American citizen to kneel at Trump’s feet!
Trump will get this ceasefire and perhaps others, BUT HE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PREVENT the collapse of NATO. And the best thing the US can do is to dismantle the SERPENT (that’s what DRAGON calls it!) and repatriate ALL THE AIR AND NAVAL EQUIPMENT that can be saved.
The new world order emerging and resulting from this so-called SMO will not accept any country having a thousand military bases on foreign territory or even just very far from its continental territory (Guam, Falkland Islands, Diego Garcia et al.).
Posted by: Elber | Mar 13 2025 14:09 utc | 395

Posted by: Elber | Mar 13 2025 17:53 utc | 88

French defense ministry already teaching new recruits the *pipeline slither* as part of their intensive training.
Macron is begging Zelensky to station his French Reassurance Force near a pipeline.
<< EU-elites can't stand the fact that the most innovative tactic in the Ukraine War did not involve a swarm of FPV quad-coptors but Russian troops in a Russian pipeline.

Posted by: steel_porcupine | Mar 13 2025 17:59 utc | 90

DJT says he wants the killing to stop, but that is not how a hegemon sustains itself. A hegemony wants *primacy* not peace.
On the sliding scale of hegemonic leaders DJT is on the squishy spectrum, which is no doubt why the Deep State, including Europe’s Deep State, tried to make sure he did not return to the White House.
Meanwhile, Sec Rubio has stated that Ukraine will have to make difficult concessions, as will Russia, before the war can end. He never mentions what “difficult concessions” the U.S. will have to make.
The U.S., in trying to mediate a ceasefire, is perpetuating the myth that this is a war between Ukraine and Russia—-and not a proxy war between the U.S. and Russia.

Posted by: steel_porcupine | Mar 13 2025 18:04 utc | 92

Posted by: Otto Penn | Mar 13 2025 14:52 utc | 4
Posted by: grunzt | Mar 13 2025 17:55 utc | 89
There are numerous words that do not pass the filter, considered vulgar terms. One of them is “substack”.
Suggestion: change an obvious letter to x, k, y… but tell us which one.

Posted by: Elber | Mar 13 2025 18:05 utc | 94

Anyone ever think that the Russians are done being suckers and are now doing a reverse Minsk I – II – Istanbul, i.e, the Russians are now pulling the USA’s leg, stringing it along? Not saying it is but it could be. Hard to cheat a cheater, though.

Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Mar 13 2025 18:07 utc | 96

The EU-elites, so giddy about their ceasefire game—“the ball is in Russia’s court”—expected Russia to hit the ball back to them.
Instead, they found a checkmated king from the chessboard.
<< In seeing to Russia's interests, VVP has given DJT a major assist against the war-mongering EU vassals.

Posted by: steel_porcupine | Mar 13 2025 18:11 utc | 98

Sorry I’m not 96 but 69 years old

Posted by: berthold | Mar 13 2025 18:12 utc | 100