I don’t like the idea of Putin meeting with our 6th grader. I’m not much comforted by Rubio either. Let’s hope the European leaders and the serious American military advisors aid these two in resisting Putin’s wiles. I’m glad you give Rubio some cred as a statesman. That’s hopeful. I have trouble thinking of him as anything other than a rubber stamp with no independence and no agency.
What I feared is now a real possibility. Someone has the persuade Trump he’s being played again. An arrogant fool who is destroying the U.S. will now proceed to destroy democracy around the world. Unbelievable. He must be persuaded to stop.
If you are depending on Marco Rubio, then all is lost at this point. He is an arrogant vacuous little (emphasis on little) boy. Orange man is totally demented and delusional so having him speak with Putin is a disaster. The Europeans must keep going and order weapons and give Ukraine what it needs. A truce in the “air war” whatever that means is pointless as it will be happening on the ground. It is either a truce or it is not. Putin will not agree to that as his nationalists will scream.
“Putin likely walks into that room thinking: I’ve fooled the Trump team for six months — I can do it for six more. Trump likely walks in thinking: I’ve shown my cards, strengthened NATO, punished India, pulled in Saudi — now Putin will backpedal.”
Perhaps, but I wouldn’t bet this is what Trump is thinking. My point all along has been that most of Trump’s actions are Kabuki theatre; all smoke and mirrors!
When Trump’s caught in a domestic controversy, he gets tough on Putin; on paper, but always finds an out or pathway to help Putin in the end (releasing sanctions, etc.).
That said, Trump can’t appear to be partial, so he throws Zelenskyy a bone, along with our European partners who have threatened to stop buying US weapons; however, in the end, he’s doing Putin’s bidding. Full stop!
Furthermore, when Putin has his back against the wall, Trump talks to Putin or has Witkoff meet and then says, as you have so eloquently stated, “Trump publicly praises the outcome of the meeting,” and then states “great progress was made.” Even as all evidence points to the contrary, and he finds another way to help Putin slow down Ukraine’s progress.
And as for the European’s? I agree, they are slow walking their commitments. If anyone has a reasonable theory, I’d like to hear it; however, it could be because of Trump’s tariffs. The European’s are just coming out of a recession, and these tariffs could eventually pull the world back into one.
Additionally, from my perspective, Trump and Witkoff have always been in Trump’s corner, and Rubio has replaced Pence as the cardboard cutout in the room; he’s just a prop!
So don’t expect Rubio to save the day; he couldn’t even hire most of his own deputies at state. Instead, the Heritage Foundation forced most of the people he needs to rely on (loyalists) into his camp; making sure Rubio stays in line.
Lastly, all of these moves that Trump makes is obviously to help Putin prolong the war, and get a better deal; if this is Putin’s goal. Although, I would posit that Putin has no intention of ending this war until he loses, or is usurped by the Moscow elite!
Bottom line: Trump is caught between a rock and a hard place. He was promised by Putin that Ukraine would collapse, and the one thing neither of them can control is the outcome of the war. IIMHO..:)
"Close to $1 billion in foreign military sales was approved in the final week of July."
Annual aid to Ukraine has been cut from something like $80B during Biden era to $800M. This is less than Trump is spending to refurbish his gifted gilded airplane. It's a nominal level of support. The Republicans have abandoned all burden sharing for Ukraine.
If the proposed pause is that Ukraine and Russia discontinue deep strikes in each others’ territory but the ground war along the line of contact continues, then it sounds like Ukraine would be forced to stop the part of the war where Putin is suffering serious damage but continue the part where Putin is making incremental gains. Not good.
A direct meeting is a bad idea between TACO and Putin because he is a really poor negotiator. The EU, Ukraine and UK must be included at the least because any peace plan will have to restore Ukraine and prevent Putin from encroaching upon any other country. The Trump cabal may indeed have changed their view towards Ukraine but it is likely to be transactional and protect the Russian banks to whom Trump is indebted.
My gut feeling tells me that things will continue exactly as they have over the past three and a half years: military and economic aid just sufficient to avoid collapse, and Ukraine losing small amounts of territory at a time. A Russia that, day by day, is struggling more and more to figure out how to make ends meet, and an America that is steadily strengthening its military ties with Europe, while Ukrainians continue to live with a mutilated and occupied territory.
Dangerous for Ukraine. I don’t like it. I hope Europe gets those orders in fast, and Germany helps Ukraine produce long-range missiles. Will TACO attempt to negotiate with Poots directly and force Ukraine to eat a pile of bull? Definitely, if he can get away with it.
This is a mob boss, criminal President losing control over his mind and body. Ukraine better destroy as many airfields and oil tanks that they can.
This was my question, and maybe someone here knows the answer. How much control does the administration actually have over international access to the military industrial complex? I would think all those companies are so huge and powerful that they can work around any government posturing when profits of this magnitude are available.
Haven’t we seen this recently, where weaponry was sold to government X, and they turned around and sent it to government Y? I would think that for these corporations to remain internationally credible, they have to provide the weapons to someone as per contract.
Because Trump, the narcissist, felon pedophile from the White House wants to have every photo opportunity he can to say see what I’m doing. I’m surprised she doesn’t take Melania with him too. And I’ll bet there’s not word one about including Solinski or any of his officials are at the table to even discuss anything so it’s just Showtime. It’s also interference and delay and masking that the Epstein and the crimes against Trump or just mounting and the dissatisfaction he’s going to come away with nothing but another trip to Moscow and I’ll bet he secures a golf course at a hotel.
If...a big "If"...Trump wants to meet with Zelensky after he meets with Putin, then other European leaders should be there as well. At the very least, it should be Merz. Under no circumstances should Zelensky agree to a one-on-one meeting.
Okay this might be an off-the-rails blast from the past, but do we need to revisit the perennial question of what gives between Putin and Trump--as in, what goods does Vladdie possess that make Donnie want to pee his pants, er Depens? Bringing two threads together, might we speculate that it has something to do with the underage Russian 'models' that Trump and possibly his good buddy Epstein 'partied with' in Russia back in the day? As in, there's videotape, audio files and DNA samples in some vault in Siberia? Your guess is probably a lot better than mine, but that was fun.
I don’t like the idea of Putin meeting with our 6th grader. I’m not much comforted by Rubio either. Let’s hope the European leaders and the serious American military advisors aid these two in resisting Putin’s wiles. I’m glad you give Rubio some cred as a statesman. That’s hopeful. I have trouble thinking of him as anything other than a rubber stamp with no independence and no agency.
I am surprised too. Buy he has done some heavy lifting. Now comes his biggest challenge yet. Let's see
What I feared is now a real possibility. Someone has the persuade Trump he’s being played again. An arrogant fool who is destroying the U.S. will now proceed to destroy democracy around the world. Unbelievable. He must be persuaded to stop.
If you are depending on Marco Rubio, then all is lost at this point. He is an arrogant vacuous little (emphasis on little) boy. Orange man is totally demented and delusional so having him speak with Putin is a disaster. The Europeans must keep going and order weapons and give Ukraine what it needs. A truce in the “air war” whatever that means is pointless as it will be happening on the ground. It is either a truce or it is not. Putin will not agree to that as his nationalists will scream.
“Putin likely walks into that room thinking: I’ve fooled the Trump team for six months — I can do it for six more. Trump likely walks in thinking: I’ve shown my cards, strengthened NATO, punished India, pulled in Saudi — now Putin will backpedal.”
Perhaps, but I wouldn’t bet this is what Trump is thinking. My point all along has been that most of Trump’s actions are Kabuki theatre; all smoke and mirrors!
When Trump’s caught in a domestic controversy, he gets tough on Putin; on paper, but always finds an out or pathway to help Putin in the end (releasing sanctions, etc.).
That said, Trump can’t appear to be partial, so he throws Zelenskyy a bone, along with our European partners who have threatened to stop buying US weapons; however, in the end, he’s doing Putin’s bidding. Full stop!
Furthermore, when Putin has his back against the wall, Trump talks to Putin or has Witkoff meet and then says, as you have so eloquently stated, “Trump publicly praises the outcome of the meeting,” and then states “great progress was made.” Even as all evidence points to the contrary, and he finds another way to help Putin slow down Ukraine’s progress.
And as for the European’s? I agree, they are slow walking their commitments. If anyone has a reasonable theory, I’d like to hear it; however, it could be because of Trump’s tariffs. The European’s are just coming out of a recession, and these tariffs could eventually pull the world back into one.
Additionally, from my perspective, Trump and Witkoff have always been in Trump’s corner, and Rubio has replaced Pence as the cardboard cutout in the room; he’s just a prop!
So don’t expect Rubio to save the day; he couldn’t even hire most of his own deputies at state. Instead, the Heritage Foundation forced most of the people he needs to rely on (loyalists) into his camp; making sure Rubio stays in line.
Lastly, all of these moves that Trump makes is obviously to help Putin prolong the war, and get a better deal; if this is Putin’s goal. Although, I would posit that Putin has no intention of ending this war until he loses, or is usurped by the Moscow elite!
Bottom line: Trump is caught between a rock and a hard place. He was promised by Putin that Ukraine would collapse, and the one thing neither of them can control is the outcome of the war. IIMHO..:)
"Close to $1 billion in foreign military sales was approved in the final week of July."
Annual aid to Ukraine has been cut from something like $80B during Biden era to $800M. This is less than Trump is spending to refurbish his gifted gilded airplane. It's a nominal level of support. The Republicans have abandoned all burden sharing for Ukraine.
If the proposed pause is that Ukraine and Russia discontinue deep strikes in each others’ territory but the ground war along the line of contact continues, then it sounds like Ukraine would be forced to stop the part of the war where Putin is suffering serious damage but continue the part where Putin is making incremental gains. Not good.
A direct meeting is a bad idea between TACO and Putin because he is a really poor negotiator. The EU, Ukraine and UK must be included at the least because any peace plan will have to restore Ukraine and prevent Putin from encroaching upon any other country. The Trump cabal may indeed have changed their view towards Ukraine but it is likely to be transactional and protect the Russian banks to whom Trump is indebted.
Very interesting.
My gut feeling tells me that things will continue exactly as they have over the past three and a half years: military and economic aid just sufficient to avoid collapse, and Ukraine losing small amounts of territory at a time. A Russia that, day by day, is struggling more and more to figure out how to make ends meet, and an America that is steadily strengthening its military ties with Europe, while Ukrainians continue to live with a mutilated and occupied territory.
A truly sad and difficult situation. :(
Dangerous for Ukraine. I don’t like it. I hope Europe gets those orders in fast, and Germany helps Ukraine produce long-range missiles. Will TACO attempt to negotiate with Poots directly and force Ukraine to eat a pile of bull? Definitely, if he can get away with it.
This is a mob boss, criminal President losing control over his mind and body. Ukraine better destroy as many airfields and oil tanks that they can.
Can Europe trust the Trump regime to deliver the equipment being purchased now. Or in 2 years time?
Will the equipment even be sent? Will the US pocket the money?
Rubio could emerge as a hero here if Trump remains in league with NATO? This is the side of what is right.
But will Trump care about that or be blackmailed by Putin for some reason?
This was my question, and maybe someone here knows the answer. How much control does the administration actually have over international access to the military industrial complex? I would think all those companies are so huge and powerful that they can work around any government posturing when profits of this magnitude are available.
Haven’t we seen this recently, where weaponry was sold to government X, and they turned around and sent it to government Y? I would think that for these corporations to remain internationally credible, they have to provide the weapons to someone as per contract.
Dangerous Liasons!
Maybe Trump will stumble!
Hopefully Merz will find his calling to save Western Democracy!
Because Trump, the narcissist, felon pedophile from the White House wants to have every photo opportunity he can to say see what I’m doing. I’m surprised she doesn’t take Melania with him too. And I’ll bet there’s not word one about including Solinski or any of his officials are at the table to even discuss anything so it’s just Showtime. It’s also interference and delay and masking that the Epstein and the crimes against Trump or just mounting and the dissatisfaction he’s going to come away with nothing but another trip to Moscow and I’ll bet he secures a golf course at a hotel.
Trump will probably give Alaska to Putin if left alone with him!
Putin’s only question. Spit or swallow?
If...a big "If"...Trump wants to meet with Zelensky after he meets with Putin, then other European leaders should be there as well. At the very least, it should be Merz. Under no circumstances should Zelensky agree to a one-on-one meeting.
Okay this might be an off-the-rails blast from the past, but do we need to revisit the perennial question of what gives between Putin and Trump--as in, what goods does Vladdie possess that make Donnie want to pee his pants, er Depens? Bringing two threads together, might we speculate that it has something to do with the underage Russian 'models' that Trump and possibly his good buddy Epstein 'partied with' in Russia back in the day? As in, there's videotape, audio files and DNA samples in some vault in Siberia? Your guess is probably a lot better than mine, but that was fun.