Germany went pretty hungry during WW1.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turnip_Winter
“Malnourishment and illness claimed thousands of lives, mainly those of civilians and wounded soldiers who had returned to the home front. A notable marker of the harsh conditions in Germany was a spike in female mortality, which increased by 11.5% in 1916 and 30% in 1917 when compared to pre-war rates.”
Posted by: YetAnotherAnon | May 9 2025 15:31 utc | 97
Combined with the hunger during the german hyperinflation (1922 & 1930) and the depression of the early 1930s were the reasons why Hitler wanted to conquer the Ukraine and then had to defeat the Soviet Union. This hunger has colored a whole generation of germans. No wonder Halford MacKinder was well read in Germany in the 1920s and 1930s.

Posted by: WMG | May 9 2025 17:43 utc | 103

Crude oil just went past $61 a barrel. This is important For Russia, to keep going.

Posted by: Eighthman | May 9 2025 19:14 utc | 105

101, abnormally difficult claims require abnormally high proof.
In this case, I would wait until it’s happening. Not go off of Internet chatter.
I remember 2 months ago, a bunch of chatter about a Zhap offensive. Almost nothing has happened since.
Don’t let your legs get pulled, over and over, by the clickbaiters.

Posted by: Anonymous | May 9 2025 21:00 utc | 107

Posted by: Anonymous | May 9 2025 21:06 utc | 108
#####
How much territory did Ukraine take today?

Posted by: LoveDonbass | May 9 2025 21:11 utc | 109

PMC – Private Military Company, like Wagner was.

🇷🇺⚔️🇺🇦Western PMCs entered the Kursk direction, according to Boris Rozhin @boris_rozhin
The situation in the Kursk border area is not going well for the Ukrainian side, which is why reserves were deployed there. But even that was not enough, so, according to our information, private military companies got to work.
And the PMCs are represented by Poland, Lithuania, Denmark and Great Britain, and they operate as part of the operational-tactical group “North”:
– PMC ASBS Othago (Poland)
– PMC European Security Academy (Poland)
– PMC Iron Navy (Estonia)
– PMC Rae LT (Lithuania)
– PMC G4S (Great Britain) as part of G4F (Denmark)
Some of these structures are already relatively well-known in narrow circles. For example, G4S is a British PMC or the Polish Othago, whose presence in Ukraine was discussed back in 2014.
The point is that PMCs, if they have truly capable employees, are engaged in narrowly focused tasks, and even in such numbers they will not have a significant impact on the overall situation at the front.
But they will obviously be used for some sabotage missions. In Kursk Oblast in August, the first to enter our territory were special forces units, and only then the main enemy forces.
via DD Geopolitics

Posted by: LoveDonbass | May 10 2025 6:14 utc | 111

It’s not the North Koreans that fled the scene in Russia…
Several Ukrainian soldiers have gone missing in London.
Several Ukrainian servicemen invited to take part in the ceremonial parade in honor of Europe Day in London have not responded to calls after the event. According to BBC sources, three Ukrainian servicemen have not returned to their group’s location and are not answering phone calls.
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry confirmed the disappearance, but declined to comment on possible reasons.
“We are in contact with the British authorities and hope for a quick resolution of the situation,” said the agency’s representative, Dmitry Pletenchuk.
The British police have launched an investigation, but are not yet considering the kidnapping version. According to unofficial information, one of the missing persons was interested in the possibility of staying in the UK shortly before his disappearance.
This is not the first time that Ukrainian soldiers sent to Western countries for treatment or training have refused to return. Earlier, the media reported similar incidents in Germany and Poland.
https://x.com/Zlatti_71/status/1920961367403540849

Posted by: unimperator | May 10 2025 7:02 utc | 113

“MOSCOW, May 10. /TASS/. The AFU violated the ceasefire 9318 times” ( tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/23905829 )
So monday starts the 30 day one?

Posted by: rk | May 10 2025 12:22 utc | 115

“German Chancellor posed in Kiev against the background of the symbols of the Third Reich. Merz rejected the demand of US President Donald Trump to hold presidential and parliament elections in Ukraine”
( topcor.ru/59714-novyj-kancler-germanii-poziroval-v-kieve-na-fone-simvoliki-tretego-rejha.html )

Posted by: rk | May 10 2025 13:32 utc | 117

Ukraine and European leaders, meeting today in Kiev, have agreed to an unconditional 30-day truce with the backing of DJT, and are threatening VVP with new “massive” sanctions if he fails to comply.
Coercing a military that has the battlefield advantage to lay down arms-? It’s difficult to see the feasibility of this.
So Russia has begun prepping a fleet of Oreshniks.
In the months since Sec Hegseth told NATO brass that the U.S. was delegating Project Ukraine to them, the U.S. has tried to goad Russia into a ceasefire, even though everyone from VVP to Lavrov has indicated a ceasefire is a no-go. Unable to adjust or pivot, the U.S. continues *goading to nowhere*
And threatening to walk. But pointedly *not* walking. Noticeably *not* walking. *Not* walking like Ukraine is a fetish object it cannot set down.
Having relegated its mediation, so-called, to fitful attempts at coercing Russia to lay down arms, the U.S. seems to have self-marginalized.
In fact, the U.S.’s recent pretense of mediation turned out to be a foot-dragging sheep-dipped ruse. Because Ukraine is the U.S.’s proxy. Ukraine is the U.S.’s dog. And has been the U.S.’s dog for decades. The U.S can’t be a mediator.
The “massive sanctions” the U.S. and its Western partners threaten are just another ineffective weapon of war they’ve deployed like 18 times before. Sanctions by now are a vanity project for them, not unlike the *luxury* of Ukraine. They are sanctioning to nowhere.

Posted by: steel_porcupine | May 10 2025 13:36 utc | 119

Posted by: rk | May 10 2025 14:26 utc | 120
#####
Do you know what weekend it is in Russia right now?
Tell the bar how Ukraine’s position has tangibly improved in the last week, month, year, ok?
It says something to the Global majority that during the SMO Russia can take several days off to host numerous foreign leaders and sign meaningful strategic agreements while Zelensky huddles with European leaders whose constituencies want to remove from power or are in the process of leaving office.
The difference in power levels is obvious to everyone intelligent.

Posted by: LoveDonbass | May 10 2025 14:50 utc | 121

Posted by: steel_porcupine | May 10 2025 13:36 utc | 119
RE: the foot-dragging, sheep-dipped ruse of U.S. mediation
<< 'The "massive sanctions" the U.S. and its Western partners threaten are just another ineffective weapon of war they've deployed like 18 times before.' It's as if the West is saying, "We're going to Kursk you. We're going to Kursk you again & again & again. Then we're going to Krynky you. We're going to Krynky you so hard it'll be a Kursk Krynky." Having invested so heavily in war, they can't seem to find the trigger.

Posted by: steel_porcupine | May 10 2025 15:32 utc | 123

Looks like Macron, Stermer and Merz (with Tusk as a background actor) are announcing 30-days ceasefire to start on Monday
>>France’s President Emmanuel Macron said Ukraine is the “beating heart of Europe”<< Whatever that means.... https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cdxkl8wwgljt

Posted by: vlodek | May 10 2025 15:44 utc | 125

Russia’s chance of getting a better deal from the US died the second Trump got the minerals deal. I suspect Trumps interests are fading in the war now so he’ll use it get better terms with the EU.

Posted by: Glittering Walrus | May 10 2025 16:04 utc | 127

Whatever that means….
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cdxkl8wwgljt
Posted by: vlodek | May 10 2025 15:44 utc | 125
Perhaps he just meant that this was the best opportunity for England and France to harm Russia since the Crimean War – and of course they didn’t want to miss it.

Posted by: Oliver Krug | May 10 2025 16:28 utc | 129

++++Cliffhanger Alert++++
Zelensky, Merz, Macron, Tusk and Sir Keir have agreed to the Gen Kellogg-authored 30-day unconditional ceasefire, to start on Monday.
Trump was glad to hear they all back this proposal. “We’re waiting for Russia’s move now.”
‘Waiting for Russia’s move now,’ means the ball is in Russia’s court.
Weren’t we here in February, Kaja Kallas et al claiming ‘the ball was in Russia’s court’-?
At that juncture, Russia smashed back a ball that said “Negotiations first, then a ceasefire. Nuances. Root causes.”
Nothing has changed since Russia gave its response, except the RF has routed the AFU/NATO mercs out of Kursk Region, has advanced on every meaningful portion of the LOC and has continued to mulch Ukraine at will.

Posted by: steel_porcupine | May 10 2025 16:59 utc | 131

It’s as if the West is saying, “We’re going to Kursk you. We’re going to Kursk you again & again & again. Then we’re going to Krynky you. We’re going to Krynky you so hard it’ll be a Kursk Krynky.”
Having invested so heavily in war, they can’t seem to find the trigger.
Posted by: steel_porcupine | May 10 2025 15:32 utc | 123
lol thanks

Posted by: ld | May 10 2025 17:21 utc | 133

Saturday the leaders of the UK, France, Germany, and Poland met with Zelensky in Kiev.
I assume they notified Russia in advance; can’t imagine their security agreeing to the trip otherwise.

Posted by: Passerby | May 10 2025 18:29 utc | 135

Posted by: Ghost of Zanon | May 10 2025 18:38 utc | 137
#########
I see Trump right now a bit differently. He is demonstrating all of the signs of “Smartest Guy in the Room” attitude.
Hubris + ignorance + willingness to deceive.
Stepping on a rake over and over again.

Posted by: LoveDonbass | May 10 2025 18:44 utc | 137

Killnet hackers got and transferred to the Russian Armed Forces the geolocation of stations of the Western tracking system Airfaince from Sumy to Odessa regions.
As a result, the Ukrainian Armed Forces lost the ability to see Russian UAVs on the line of combat contact.
There are no more stations.
When the Ukrainian Armed Forces try to connect to the system, they get “error 404”. >Previously, the Ukrainians received everything through it, including geolocation and video from Russian drones. Now – nothing.
The guys from Killnet identified the stations and transferred their positions to the 88th brigade of “Espanyola – Melodiya”.
They, together with the allied forces of the Russian Armed Forces, struck Airfaince.
Damage from the attack: minus 7 radars at a minimum of 230 thousand euros for each, as well as minus the ability of the Ukrainian army to quickly track Russian UAVs and drones.

Posted by: Gipas | May 10 2025 20:00 utc | 139

Posted by: Fun Fudge | May 10 2025 20:23 utc | 141
########
How much territory has Ukraine taken this week?

Posted by: LoveDonbass | May 10 2025 20:26 utc | 141

Russia doesn’t have the same production rate and capabilities as all NATO combined. So sure, they could rearm too, but I believe Ukraine would benefit a lot more of the “rearm” part of the ceasefire.
The main issue for Ukraine right now is manpower and consolidation of new lines of defence. Having 30 Days to train and rotate troops for fresh one, as well as to prepare new defence lines would benefit Ukraine immensely and Russia would have a hard time assaulting on them compared to a cracking frontline (as is the case right now).
A 30 day ceasefire would definitely crush the momentum that the Russian army currently has and it would take months, if not a year to regain that momentum. Having the initiative is really important at this stage of the war, especially as the Kursk operation is almost done and we are seeing cracks at numerous points of the front. Ukraine could also rebuild forces to re-enter Russian territory, dragging this war even longer until they are repelled back.

Posted by: Fun Fudge | May 10 2025 20:40 utc | 143

Which makes one wonder, are they stupid or crazy?
Posted by: LoveDonbass | May 10 2025 20:28 utc | 143
All of the above.
This is like all the peace “negotiations” held over the entire SMO. The “collective west” clowns talk amongst themselves, agree with themselves, and then dictate terms to Russia. They’ll never grasp the fact that losers can’t be choosers, perhaps not even when Ukraine ceases to exist.

Posted by: TJandTheBear | May 10 2025 22:21 utc | 145

Watch for the SMO to upgrade to an anti-terrorist op in order to make the leaders of the neo-Nazi regime in Kiev military targets.
Oreshniks on tap.
DJT’s rhetoric is different from that of Collective Biden’s–livelier and more empathic-seeming, at least on the surface—but in essence his actions are tracking w/ those of the prior admin.
It has never been the case that a belligerent who is losing can dictate terms of how a war can be settled. Russia holds all the aces.
Ukraine has not been a country for a long time, just a U.S. military base.

Posted by: steel_porcupine | May 10 2025 23:19 utc | 147

The West augurs for a major escalation against Russia—namely the detention & impounding of Russia’s shadow fleet of oil tankers.
Such a thing would be an act of war, however. So far, the EU monitors of the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic Sea have not declared war on Russia: they prefer to hide behind fig-leaf Ukraine.
But if these EU monitors begin detaining ships sailing out of Saint Petersburg and impounding them, then they are in effect declaring war on Russia—not merely an economic war, a sanctions war, but a hot war.
I mean, Russia *has* a Navy.

Posted by: steel_porcupine | May 10 2025 23:25 utc | 149

Putin gave a press conference without questions to the Western media in the Kremlin at the Malakite Foyer at wee hours offering starting serious negotiations with Kiev regime where they were just left, in Istanbul, starting on May 15th….
This, after enumerating all the times, including Easter truce and Victory Day trcue, when Kiev broke the ceasefires declared by Russia attacking Russian borders thousands of times…
You may not hear about this on the media, since all channels in Youtube talking about the issue at the time suffered an error not showing images or sound at all…that is, it seems there will be a total blackout in mass media, as usual with all issues realted to this war, regarding this Russian offer….

Posted by: Ghost of Mozgovoy | May 10 2025 23:50 utc | 151

Numerous reports indicate Monday morning might be Oreshnik NOTAM time:

Russia has issued a NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions) warning about the temporary closure of airspace over a military training ground previously used to launch medium-range ballistic missiles of the “Oreshnik” type toward Ukraine…
The closure will be in effect from 06:00 on May 12 to 06:00 on May 13.
Analysts note that such warnings usually mean complete closure of the airspace for all flights except those with special clearance from Russia’s Ministry of Defense. The altitude range SFC-UNL suggests that the object in question could reach the stratosphere or higher, which is typical for medium- and intercontinental-range ballistic missiles.
However, experts emphasize that this does not necessarily mean Russia is preparing to launch an “Oreshnik” strike against Ukraine. Previous examples show that such warnings may be related to missile tests conducted at the site.

https://glavnoe.in.ua/en/news-en/russia-temporarily-closes-airspace-over-missile-test-site-used-for-oreshnik-launches

Posted by: Aleph_Null | May 11 2025 0:06 utc | 153

Demanding a ceasefire when you’re a third-party to a war you’re losing is a weak move. It exhudes the smell of defeat.
A real power would take some action, perhaps launch attacks or send troops. Faded third-rate powers like the UK and France can only jaw-jaw.
Posted by: Ghost of Zanon | May 10 2025 17:11 utc | 132
LET ME FIX IT FOR YOU
BEGGING FOR NEGOTIATIONS WITHOUT ANY CONDITIONS NEXT THURSDAY WHEN YOU ARE THE INSTIGATOR OF A WAR AND HAVE ANNEXED (hypothetically not physically) 20% OF A NATION ALREADY, a war you’re are supposed to be WINNING HANDS DOWN is A PATHETIC WEAK MOVE.
It EXUDES the smell of DEFEAT and FAILURE.
A REAL POWER would take MILITARY action, launch MASSIVE attacks AND send MORE troops. Faded WEAK LEADERS LIKE PUTIN can only jaw-jaw.
I love All CAPS smile

Posted by: Roger | May 11 2025 0:20 utc | 155

My guesses as to what the Kremlin is thinking. The context is that China agrees the West is a bit less of a long-term threat than it was years ago; the specifics are Russsia has in place the plan with the contingencies for crossing the Dnieper at Kherson. Successful but lots of Russian casualties. They know that Ukraine knows.
in this situation my guess is Putin has decided to offer Ukraine a complex deal. of the Donbass they keep only the other side of the Dniepr in Kherson. And in return Ukraine and the West give in to other conditions, which would be quite unpleasant for the West. Especially not re-arming and de-Nazifying. But they would be able do claim victory.

Posted by: JustSomeOldGuy | May 11 2025 0:30 utc | 157

Russia’s standard pattern:
1. Offer peace negotiations
2. Wait for the offer to be rejected
3. Take more land
We now the timeline for Russia’s next offensive.

Posted by: Nobody Special | May 11 2025 0:39 utc | 159

Posted by: LoveDonbass | May 11 2025 0:38 utc | 159
RE: Show us on the model where Yemen touched your aircraft carriers
<< Thank you for your attention to this matter!

Posted by: steel_porcupine | May 11 2025 1:07 utc | 161

I find Putin’s announcement of an offer to negotiate directly with Ukraine w/o conditions on May 15 as a proper retort to the demand by the EU Coalition of the Willing for a ceasefire again/still.
Just who’s court is the ball in?

Posted by: psychohistorian | May 11 2025 1:25 utc | 163

Posted by: psychohistorian | May 11 2025 1:25 utc | 164
RE: just who’s court is the ball in now-?
<< The Coalition of the Willing plays pickleball, Russia 3-D tennis.

Posted by: steel_porcupine | May 11 2025 1:31 utc | 165

My apologies to all for my comment above at 1:33 utc I hadn’t read far enough and didn’t realise that it was the troll, Roger, to whom I was replying.

Posted by: acementhead | May 11 2025 1:41 utc | 167

Russia’s repeated offers for negotiations with Kiev — especially gestures like the 72-hour Victory Day ceasefire — are increasingly misguided and futile. Moscow’s proposal was dismissed by Ukraine as a “manipulation,” even as thousands of Ukrainian attacks, including cross-border strikes, continued unabated. This reinforces a harsh reality: Ukraine’s current undemocratic fascist EU-US sponsored leadership under Zelensky has shown itself to be agreement-incapable, echoing the same unreliability seen in U.S. diplomacy.
Zelensky has demonstrated time and again that he is not a credible partner for peace — he is aggressive, untrustworthy, and politically manipulative. Since 2014, Ukraine’s actions have been marked by continual violent terrorist actions, targeting civilians, and nurturing an extremist Nazi embedded nationalist agenda. For Putin to continue offering negotiations under these circumstances, without firm preconditions, defies strategic logic.
If Russia’s goal is genuine peace and stability for the Ukrainian people, then it must acknowledge that the current regime is not a partner for dialogue but an obstacle. Negotiations with those who refuse even basic ceasefires only embolden further violence. A stronger and more decisive military strategy for Russia — one that focuses on neutralizing the sources of aggression and pushing westward — is the only viable path toward ending the conflict and enabling the emergence of a post-war Ukraine that is no longer held hostage by extremist anti-democratic Nazi authoritarian elements.
Russia needs to ramp up it’s military attacks and win this conflict on the battlefield. Only the Ukrainian regimes unconditional surrender and the removal of all those behind Zelensky in the Ukraine government and intel-military system can bring about a sustainable peace between the Ukraine people and Russia.

Posted by: Roger | May 11 2025 3:13 utc | 169

Just now on RT:
Putin proposes direct talks RF<>UKR in Istanbul, starting May 15th “without any pre-conditions”.
Oh, I had to laugh, and marvel at his chess play.
To force Zelensky to contradict his own edicts.
To force Zelensky to literally take up where he left off 3 years ago. Lmao.
To force Zelensky to anger his Azov base.
To disempower Zelensky’s laughable 30 day ceasefire blackmail.
To bypass all the US/Trump wankery.
To exclude EU/UK desires and input.
To promise “no preconditions” when EVERYBODY KNOWS full well RF’s bottom lines of Crimea + 4 oblasts + demil + denazi + no NATO ever.
Let’s place bets. A Kievan outright rejection … or a humble capitulation to being outplayed and outgunned.
Either way, a masterful win for VVP.

Posted by: Indulis Kradzins | May 11 2025 3:27 utc | 171

Someone who offers Negotiations every week for over a month is begging.
Implementing unilateral Ceasefires when the other side refuses means they are desperately begging for Negotiations asap.
Why is this so?
Because they are desperate to stop the fighting asap.
They are also desperate for Sanctions relief from the west asap.

Posted by: Roger | May 11 2025 3:40 utc | 173

is roger the new william?? looks like it..

Posted by: james | May 11 2025 4:29 utc | 175

This tidbit of blue & yellow journo—-erm, propaganda—-from the nytimes, is of note:
“On 8 May, a congressional official said that the United States approved Germany’s transfer of 125 long-range artillery rockets and 100 Patriot air-defense missiles to Ukraine. The critically needed weapons are made in the United States and cannot be exported — even if another country owns them — without American government approval.”
Merz, newly elected chancellor on the 2nd try, must have been begging DJT to give permission.
While simultaneously sending Witkoff for hours-long *peace* negotiations w/ VVP, the backstabbing DJT admin sneakily abets Kiev’s neo-Nazi terrorism, using many sly avenues.
If the Kremlin did not know this *before* the nytimes reported it, it does so now.

Posted by: steel_porcupine | May 11 2025 7:04 utc | 177

Does anyone else have problems reaching https://eng.mil.ru/en/special_operation.htm?
I can’t get eng.mil.ru or even mil.ru even though I tried through a bunch of international proxies. Anyone else has the problem or solved it?
Posted by: b | May 8 2025 13:33 utc | 1
I use Chrome and can’t access that website as well.

Posted by: WMG | May 11 2025 8:04 utc | 179

⚡️ “We are proposing that Kiev resume direct negotiations, which Ukraine broke off in 2022,” — Putin
Talks are suggested to begin next Thursday in Istanbul.
🔵 Tomorrow, negotiations with Erdogan will already take place.
🔵 The goal is to establish lasting peace—talks should not become a prelude to renewed conflict.
🔵 The Ukrainian Armed Forces must not use any ceasefire to rearm and dig in.
🔵 The decision now lies with Ukraine’s regime and their handlers, who want to continue the war through Ukrainian nationalists.
🔵 “Right now, there is war—yet we propose talks. What is wrong with that?”
🔵 Russia is ready for negotiations without preconditions.
🔵 Russia thanks mediators for their assistance in peaceful settlement, including the Trump administration.

https://t.me/ukraine_watch/40882

🔘 The biggest question: Will our ‘beloved’ cokehead accept Putin’s proposal? Will he be allowed to by his globalist handlers or by the AFU itself?
🔘 Will Zelensky accept the resuming of Istanbul peace process?

https://t.me/ukraine_watch/40883

🇷🇺 In short, this was yet another case of the ball being tossed back—formally accepting the idea of negotiations, but strictly on their own terms and at a venue of their choosing.
There was no agreement to the ultimatum issued earlier today by Western nations demanding an unconditional ceasefire.
Most likely, Ukraine and the EU will reject the terms laid out today, which means the situation will simply continue as before, with no major changes on the horizon.

https://t.me/ukraine_watch/40884

🇷🇺 Putin is upping the ante — in response to a forced 30-day truce (with threats of sanctions if refused), Vladimir Vladimirovich has named a date for unconditional peace talks.

https://t.me/ukraine_watch/40885

Posted by: Norwegian | May 11 2025 8:09 utc | 181

Also, anticipating the questions, doubts, and angst that will indubitably dominate the next four days:
There will be no “Istanbul” on May 15th or for quite some time.
I do not think I need to explain why.
No predictions are made with respect to the flowering of the hazelnut bush.

https://t.me/Slavyangrad/126989
—
@steel_porcupine | May 11 2025 8:09 utc | 183

Meanwhile, DJT has greenlighted Merz’s request to send 125 U.S.-made long-range artillery rockets & 100 Patriot air-defense missiles to Kiev.
(Germany needs permission to send U.S.-made weaponry to Ukraine, true of any country wanting to send American weaponry.)

—

Business as usual. Everything has to change so that nothing risks changing. If anyone thought for a second that Trump was actually going to honour his promise, we at Slavyangrad team have premium real estate to sell them on Alpha Centauri. The only difference with Biden is that now there’s a middleman who’ll want his cut.

https://t.me/Slavyangrad/126996

Posted by: Norwegian | May 11 2025 8:37 utc | 183

saw a picture of the moronic 5 in kiev in front of all those piss&tears flags, and notably, many with the azov variant and the wolfsangel.
seeing merz standing there in front of those tells you EVERYTHING about our german regime.

Posted by: Justpassinby | May 11 2025 8:49 utc | 185

Macron Comments on Putin’s Proposal to Start Direct Talks with Ukraine in Turkey
▪️He said this was “a first but insufficient step.”
➖”An unconditional ceasefire must not be preceded by negotiations,” the French president said.
The balls on this guy… Guy goes to Kiev to rip a few lines and suddenly the coke is telling him he is ten feet tall.

https://t.me/Slavyangrad/127005

Posted by: Norwegian | May 11 2025 9:08 utc | 187

Further to my post JB | May 11 2025 8:43 utc | 185, and Macron as cited by Norwegian | May 11 2025 9:08 utc | 188
This is the most salient part of Putin’s message, provided by karlofi who deserves a thank you!
(Notice the contrary positions on a ceasefire – the UkroUS/NaziEuropeans want an unconditional ceasefire from tomorrow before any negotiations; Putin said a ceasefire can be agreed during the negotiations, “a real truce”. para 2 of this Putin excerpt)
Putin:
We are committed to serious negotiations with Ukraine. Their purpose is to eliminate the root causes of the conflict, to reach the establishment of a long-term lasting peace in the historical perspective.
We do not rule out that during these negotiations we will be able to agree on some new truces, on a new cease-fire. Moreover, a real truce, which would be observed not only by Russia, but also by the Ukrainian side, would be the first step, I repeat, towards a long-term, sustainable peace, and not a prologue to the continuation of the armed conflict after the rearmament, resupply of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the feverish digging of trenches and new strongholds. Who needs such a world?
Our offer is, as they say, on the table. The decision is now up to the Ukrainian authorities and their curators, who, guided, it seems, by their personal political ambitions, and not by the interests of their peoples, want to continue the war with Russia at the hands of Ukrainian nationalists.
I repeat: Russia is ready for negotiations without any preconditions. Now there are military operations, a war, and we offer to resume negotiations that were not interrupted by us. Well, what’s wrong with that?

Posted by: JB | May 11 2025 9:49 utc | 189

namely the detention & impounding of Russia’s shadow fleet of oil tankers. Such a thing would be an act of war
Posted by: steel_porcupine | May 10 2025 23:25 utc | 150
If they are not Russian ships, there is no act of war. Act of war was using US guided missiles to hit a Russian beach with cluster ammo or US launched and guided long range missiles to hit targets far in Russia.
At least the biolabs problem was solved forever. No more Kirillov, no more problem!
I think some of the local losers lurking around here should ask Zakharova about the biolab situation, since she seems to always be involved in much more than her job description says, as all diversity hire do.

Posted by: rk | May 11 2025 11:05 utc | 191