“The deal on the table, under discussion is $100 billion for buying American weapons, funded by Europe.”
I agree with you — awesomely done.
Going into the day, I was very puzzled why Zelenskyy was traveling to Washington in the first place, given that it was so clear that Trump had every intention of badgering him to accept a “deal” that would in effect constitute Zelenskyy’s political suicide and Ukraine’s suicide as a free and democratic country. Of course I knew that Zelenskyy has sufficient integrity to be able to say no, but traveling to Washington just for the purpose of getting bullied and saying no makes no sense. It would have been better to communicate, through the appropriate diplomatic channels, that Trump could come to Kyiv if he wants to talk with Zelenskyy.
However, now that it turns out that he was able to make the trip with a $100 billion carrot in his suitcase —something way bigger than anything that Putin is currently able to offer or even hint at— suddenly it all makes sense!
Terpsichore must be pleased with this diplomatic dance. Kudos to Zelensky and the EU plus for a solid strategy. I feared the worst. But they and Melania have done great work.
I am laughing to myself because Trump doesn’t realize Putin is gaslighting him in major ways. I believe Putin uses mail-in voting, but he persuaded Trump that it would and had ruined his chances of election. Trump knows zero about Russia. And of course the Ukrainian tanks are now flying American flags as they attack Ukraine. Ukrainians are naturally furious at how Trump behaved.in Alaska. He couldn’t have been more tone deaf or unctuous.
Thank you for th early morning missive. The good news is far better than I had realized. That’s why I rely on your analysis.
I have none of my usual words of caution this time. We are in an extremely strong position. Putin will have to act to try and stop this — yet every angle I consider still runs into a dead end.
That letter from Melania is devastating. I’m still wondering how I failed to see its value at first glance.
I am so glad they will try to help the children. The kidnapping must constitute an enormous war crime.
Friday had me in despair. I really hope thought Putin had worked on Trump so successfully that Zelensky was going to get it in the neck. But the combined team effort was masterful. Contrary to my earlier comments Europe does recognize this as the existential crisis it is.
I’ll be interested to hear how Putin responds to the order of weapons.
I wanted to spit when I saw Lavrov was wearing an CCCP sweater.
I honestly didn’t see Melania’s letter as being so tough for Putin — and I really didn’t think he cared but now I see it. I also didn’t think Donny J was going to do a weapons deal either. You’re right, Europe needs to get this signed, sealed, and delivered ASAP. There’s a reason I subscribe to The Concis: you always bring the bigger picture into focus.
She royally fucked him. EUROPE and Ukraine should take it from here. Her job is done. Now it is theirs. Take the dagger she gave and twist it thrice when the Russians come to negotiate.
Trump is so outclassed by Zelenski and the coalition leaders that they should press forward and leave Trump to just keep grumbling in the background of his ludicrous press conferences. The money on the table funded by the coalition will probably make the difference between his armaments industries slipping into decline and staying at the forefront. Money speaks louder than politicians in the USA.
Yes. Putin will be spending the next 100 hours with a singular aim, to use all the KGB experience to find a way to intervene. But as long as Europe does not take the foot of the pedal on which they have their foot on, there is nothing he can do. It is Europes game to lose it from here. He can only watch.
We need to also discuss the billions in frozen Russian money held in world banks. All that money must go to Ukraine to rebuild its homes and infrastructures.
We must never forget that Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine and expected his conquest to be over in mere days. However, history reminds us that the Ukrainians have been the iron fist of Russian power for a long time and are a terrible foe to face. They have shown an unexpected mastery of strategy and warfare that has surprised the world. While thousands of Ukrainian men, women, and children have been killed in this war, over a million Russian soldiers and sailors will never return to Mother Russia except to be buried.
The Ukrainians often say that Russians who invade their sacred land will spill their blood to fertilize Ukrainian fields. They are not joking. Yet they have also obeyed the rules for prisoner treatment. The Russians have not.
Read Ukrainian history. Remember as they do the lessons of Mariupol and Bucha.
Great article! It put things into perspective for me. Trump is no deal maker, all he sees are dollar signs. Zelensky is a true leader. Hopefully the European coalition and Ukraine keep their foot on the pedal.
The letter was widely panned by almost everyone. And Trump's tone-deaf response to Ursula Van der Leyen earnestly talking about the importance of returning the children, and Trump, bizarrely, shifting to his exaggeration of a historic trade deal, one assumed he meant with Germany, wasn't exactly a moment of clarity and didn't suggest he believed in the letter or the outcome; but, hard to say if it was that, or Trump is just such an incompetent statesman, tired, aged, and in moments, barely with it. A lot of twists and turns. A shame Trump always creates unnecessary and ridiculous bedlam before he seems to or actually does come around to understanding he needs to at least act like a world leader whose decisions and behavior have global ramifications.
Fingers crossed! And let's continue to give praise where praise is truly due, not only to Macron, Stubbs, and other European leaders who know exactly what authoritarian invaders are capable of when they decide to seize territory (cue photos of all the Russian tanks rusting at the side of the roads in Finland, and photos of Vichy France), but to Melania Trump, a Slovenian immigrant, who had the sheer guts and heart to tell it like it is to both Putin and Trump. May her courageous truth-telling change the world for the better.
Your analysis has a way of calming my fears Shankar, and giving us hope for Ukraine and the West
Thanks, Aocm
“The deal on the table, under discussion is $100 billion for buying American weapons, funded by Europe.”
I agree with you — awesomely done.
Going into the day, I was very puzzled why Zelenskyy was traveling to Washington in the first place, given that it was so clear that Trump had every intention of badgering him to accept a “deal” that would in effect constitute Zelenskyy’s political suicide and Ukraine’s suicide as a free and democratic country. Of course I knew that Zelenskyy has sufficient integrity to be able to say no, but traveling to Washington just for the purpose of getting bullied and saying no makes no sense. It would have been better to communicate, through the appropriate diplomatic channels, that Trump could come to Kyiv if he wants to talk with Zelenskyy.
However, now that it turns out that he was able to make the trip with a $100 billion carrot in his suitcase —something way bigger than anything that Putin is currently able to offer or even hint at— suddenly it all makes sense!
Yep. They kept it all under wraps. Stunning work by Europe. Have never seen them this co-ordindated and dare I say this calculated.
Terpsichore must be pleased with this diplomatic dance. Kudos to Zelensky and the EU plus for a solid strategy. I feared the worst. But they and Melania have done great work.
I am laughing to myself because Trump doesn’t realize Putin is gaslighting him in major ways. I believe Putin uses mail-in voting, but he persuaded Trump that it would and had ruined his chances of election. Trump knows zero about Russia. And of course the Ukrainian tanks are now flying American flags as they attack Ukraine. Ukrainians are naturally furious at how Trump behaved.in Alaska. He couldn’t have been more tone deaf or unctuous.
Thank you for th early morning missive. The good news is far better than I had realized. That’s why I rely on your analysis.
I have none of my usual words of caution this time. We are in an extremely strong position. Putin will have to act to try and stop this — yet every angle I consider still runs into a dead end.
That letter from Melania is devastating. I’m still wondering how I failed to see its value at first glance.
I am so glad they will try to help the children. The kidnapping must constitute an enormous war crime.
Friday had me in despair. I really hope thought Putin had worked on Trump so successfully that Zelensky was going to get it in the neck. But the combined team effort was masterful. Contrary to my earlier comments Europe does recognize this as the existential crisis it is.
I’ll be interested to hear how Putin responds to the order of weapons.
I wanted to spit when I saw Lavrov was wearing an CCCP sweater.
Hi Alexandra,
I guess you meant to say “Russian tanks flying American flags” (while attacking Ukraine).
All best, Andrew
I saw the article about this in Kyiv Independent . They said they couldn't verify the images. It seems like something Putin would do
I honestly didn’t see Melania’s letter as being so tough for Putin — and I really didn’t think he cared but now I see it. I also didn’t think Donny J was going to do a weapons deal either. You’re right, Europe needs to get this signed, sealed, and delivered ASAP. There’s a reason I subscribe to The Concis: you always bring the bigger picture into focus.
She royally fucked him. EUROPE and Ukraine should take it from here. Her job is done. Now it is theirs. Take the dagger she gave and twist it thrice when the Russians come to negotiate.
Thank you Shankar. Your analysis lends perspective that is missing in flat tit for tat reporting. You allow me to hope.
Trump is so outclassed by Zelenski and the coalition leaders that they should press forward and leave Trump to just keep grumbling in the background of his ludicrous press conferences. The money on the table funded by the coalition will probably make the difference between his armaments industries slipping into decline and staying at the forefront. Money speaks louder than politicians in the USA.
Yes. Putin will be spending the next 100 hours with a singular aim, to use all the KGB experience to find a way to intervene. But as long as Europe does not take the foot of the pedal on which they have their foot on, there is nothing he can do. It is Europes game to lose it from here. He can only watch.
Thanks that makes me feel a lot better. Strategic
Yep. I was a total mess yesterday. LOL
We need to also discuss the billions in frozen Russian money held in world banks. All that money must go to Ukraine to rebuild its homes and infrastructures.
We must never forget that Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine and expected his conquest to be over in mere days. However, history reminds us that the Ukrainians have been the iron fist of Russian power for a long time and are a terrible foe to face. They have shown an unexpected mastery of strategy and warfare that has surprised the world. While thousands of Ukrainian men, women, and children have been killed in this war, over a million Russian soldiers and sailors will never return to Mother Russia except to be buried.
The Ukrainians often say that Russians who invade their sacred land will spill their blood to fertilize Ukrainian fields. They are not joking. Yet they have also obeyed the rules for prisoner treatment. The Russians have not.
Read Ukrainian history. Remember as they do the lessons of Mariupol and Bucha.
Great article! It put things into perspective for me. Trump is no deal maker, all he sees are dollar signs. Zelensky is a true leader. Hopefully the European coalition and Ukraine keep their foot on the pedal.
Powerful deductive piece, Mr. Narayan. Thanks for sharing it. This was a well executed diplomatic pincer move by Europe.
Yes let Melania think of the children while Europe meets enough of their spending requirements by buying arms and equipment for Ukraine
The letter was widely panned by almost everyone. And Trump's tone-deaf response to Ursula Van der Leyen earnestly talking about the importance of returning the children, and Trump, bizarrely, shifting to his exaggeration of a historic trade deal, one assumed he meant with Germany, wasn't exactly a moment of clarity and didn't suggest he believed in the letter or the outcome; but, hard to say if it was that, or Trump is just such an incompetent statesman, tired, aged, and in moments, barely with it. A lot of twists and turns. A shame Trump always creates unnecessary and ridiculous bedlam before he seems to or actually does come around to understanding he needs to at least act like a world leader whose decisions and behavior have global ramifications.
Fingers crossed! And let's continue to give praise where praise is truly due, not only to Macron, Stubbs, and other European leaders who know exactly what authoritarian invaders are capable of when they decide to seize territory (cue photos of all the Russian tanks rusting at the side of the roads in Finland, and photos of Vichy France), but to Melania Trump, a Slovenian immigrant, who had the sheer guts and heart to tell it like it is to both Putin and Trump. May her courageous truth-telling change the world for the better.
Maybe someone should reach out to the Nobel Committee and nominate Melanie.
wouldn't that kick Donny in the shins if she received the prize
Joint Nobel peace prize for Zelensky and Melania. How would Trump react?
Maybe this will garner Trump the Nobel Peace Prize... Melania Trump.