Thanks for update on sanctions renewal, I missed that.
One has to wonder if Trump is committed to a partnership with Russia and cares not a bit about Ukraine or Europe. Destruction just means a distressed asset opportunity.
Some of the ppl around Trump forsee a U.S.-RU partnership to check China. Europe are just weak states to be managed with subversion and far right politics.
I don't think one can eliminate such dark intentions. 25% possibility?
I have a (perhaps unreasonable) fear that Trump will say and do anything today and then reverse it anytime he wants to. Neither his word or any written contract from his desk appears to make any difference at all. Keep sanctions in place for a year but change it next week. And so on.
Absolutely the brightest, uplifting perspective and bit of news I’ve read in a long time.
I attended the all day (0800-1730) security dialogue hosted by UCCA, Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, in Washington D.C. on Wednesday. Many really smart people covered a lot of material which was good to hear, but left more questions than it answered. There was some solid support for the value to Ukraine of the minerals deal, but if the sanctions can be held (especially if they can be strengthened) for another year that’s definitely icing on the optimism cake. And, keep in mind, no matter how one sided that deal might be, so far, the minerals deal is a piece of paper. After the war is over and Russia is defeated, some years down the road, there will eventually be a more intelligent, reasonable U.S. administration (an easy bar to clear) which can rewrite a better piece of paper.
Required, now, to retract any suggestion of events justifying a feeling of “uplifting” or optimism. The confrontation Vance and Trump appeared to be spring-loaded to, if not an actually pre-planed assault, to inflict disrespect on President Zelensky sets a brand new low for the level of brains or character in their office. The Trump/Vance/MAGA devotion to Putin’s cause can no longer be in doubt, to the embarrassment of the United States and the population thereof. Trump and Vance should be arrested for attempting to impersonate actual thinking, reasonable members of the executive branch.
Maybe you spoke too soon. Don’t blame you for not anticipating the shit show Vance and Chump pulled on Zelensky today in front of the entire world. Oops.
As much 💩 as the Felon rips up on a daily basis, I see no reason why his coerced minerals deal has to be honored by a more pro-democracy administration, that is hopefully, in our future. Let’s just get thru this tragic moment in world history as whole as we can and make corrections once we are in a better position!!
"1. Keep the sanctions in place. Preventing Russia from increasing its oil revenue and denying its financial institutions the breathing room to stabilize operations is critical.
2. Use drones to disrupt Russia’s oil production, especially its refining capacity. This will further cut revenue beyond its current levels, deepening the economic strain.
3. Increase frontline casualties. Raising the daily cost of war for Russia makes sustaining its offensive more difficult over time."
Excellent analysis. What are your suggestions for increasing frontline casualties? Did Putin’s sell off of gold have any impact on Trump’s views? Does he see it as a significant sign of Russian trouble?
Does it matter to strengthening the EU if Ukraine is seen to be cozying up to Trump? Or is that part and parcel of the stream of diplomats who have been arriving at the White House? I fear the U.S. as any kind of ally for the EU. And heaven knows I don’t trust Trump.
drones + glide bombs/mirages + run through the artillery shells in stock. I think Ukraine needs to risk it all now. Time for closer to max risk is here.
No. EU knows what Ze is doing. They are fully on board. I dont see any diplomatic rupture in that dircection. Trump has united EU and Ukraine tighter then ever before. That is the good news in all of this.
Thanks for update on sanctions renewal, I missed that.
One has to wonder if Trump is committed to a partnership with Russia and cares not a bit about Ukraine or Europe. Destruction just means a distressed asset opportunity.
Some of the ppl around Trump forsee a U.S.-RU partnership to check China. Europe are just weak states to be managed with subversion and far right politics.
I don't think one can eliminate such dark intentions. 25% possibility?
And keep supplying weapons.
I have a (perhaps unreasonable) fear that Trump will say and do anything today and then reverse it anytime he wants to. Neither his word or any written contract from his desk appears to make any difference at all. Keep sanctions in place for a year but change it next week. And so on.
He will try to swing. It is ok. We just have to be ready for it. This buys time. Right now, time is what we need. It is more important than weapons.
Absolutely the brightest, uplifting perspective and bit of news I’ve read in a long time.
I attended the all day (0800-1730) security dialogue hosted by UCCA, Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, in Washington D.C. on Wednesday. Many really smart people covered a lot of material which was good to hear, but left more questions than it answered. There was some solid support for the value to Ukraine of the minerals deal, but if the sanctions can be held (especially if they can be strengthened) for another year that’s definitely icing on the optimism cake. And, keep in mind, no matter how one sided that deal might be, so far, the minerals deal is a piece of paper. After the war is over and Russia is defeated, some years down the road, there will eventually be a more intelligent, reasonable U.S. administration (an easy bar to clear) which can rewrite a better piece of paper.
Required, now, to retract any suggestion of events justifying a feeling of “uplifting” or optimism. The confrontation Vance and Trump appeared to be spring-loaded to, if not an actually pre-planed assault, to inflict disrespect on President Zelensky sets a brand new low for the level of brains or character in their office. The Trump/Vance/MAGA devotion to Putin’s cause can no longer be in doubt, to the embarrassment of the United States and the population thereof. Trump and Vance should be arrested for attempting to impersonate actual thinking, reasonable members of the executive branch.
Ha!! Much more eloquent than I but same thinking! 💙🇺🇸⚖️💙🤗
Made my day.
Between KyivPost, Kyiv Independent and Substack, I’ve written tons of stuff.
This is the first time ”eloquent” has shown up as part of the response !!
Yaayy!! I love that it made your day, because you made mine and now I’m fired up and working harder!! 🤩🤩🤗
Maybe you spoke too soon. Don’t blame you for not anticipating the shit show Vance and Chump pulled on Zelensky today in front of the entire world. Oops.
No. It is ok. Even Trump did not have a clue what Vance was planning. He wanted the deal, there was no other reason to extend the sanctions.
Vance scuppered the deal four hours ago.
As much 💩 as the Felon rips up on a daily basis, I see no reason why his coerced minerals deal has to be honored by a more pro-democracy administration, that is hopefully, in our future. Let’s just get thru this tragic moment in world history as whole as we can and make corrections once we are in a better position!!
Will Zelensky be back or is Chump going to pull all support?
YOUR BELOW IS THE PERFECT WAY FORWARD!!
"1. Keep the sanctions in place. Preventing Russia from increasing its oil revenue and denying its financial institutions the breathing room to stabilize operations is critical.
2. Use drones to disrupt Russia’s oil production, especially its refining capacity. This will further cut revenue beyond its current levels, deepening the economic strain.
3. Increase frontline casualties. Raising the daily cost of war for Russia makes sustaining its offensive more difficult over time."
Excellent analysis. What are your suggestions for increasing frontline casualties? Did Putin’s sell off of gold have any impact on Trump’s views? Does he see it as a significant sign of Russian trouble?
Does it matter to strengthening the EU if Ukraine is seen to be cozying up to Trump? Or is that part and parcel of the stream of diplomats who have been arriving at the White House? I fear the U.S. as any kind of ally for the EU. And heaven knows I don’t trust Trump.
drones + glide bombs/mirages + run through the artillery shells in stock. I think Ukraine needs to risk it all now. Time for closer to max risk is here.
No. EU knows what Ze is doing. They are fully on board. I dont see any diplomatic rupture in that dircection. Trump has united EU and Ukraine tighter then ever before. That is the good news in all of this.