Did Ukraine start the war?
Trump threatens sanctions on Russia? . . . really, a few days ago he said he was going to ease sanctions. Does trump even know what's he doing any more?
https://www.reuters.com/world/white-hou … 20Reuters.Your article is old... Google U is a good tool if one keeps current only.
You need to stay current Mar 7, 2025 Wars are not stagnant...And we now have a president that acts to what is happening quickly.
Yes, President Donald Trump did threaten Russia with significant sanctions on March 7, 2025, in response to ongoing conflicts involving Ukraine. He announced plans to impose large-scale banking sanctions and tariffs unless Russia agrees to a cease-fire and engages in peace negotiations with Ukraine.
REUTERS.COM
This announcement came after intensified Russian attacks on Ukraine, including a massive assault involving 58 missiles and 194 drones. In retaliation, Ukraine deployed French-made Mirage 2000 fighter jets for the first time.
The war has escalated in the past two days. Can't imagine the damage Ukraine took from this attack. Wonder how many died.
Trump is trying to bring this all to an end."Your article is old... Google U is a good tool if one keeps current only."
5 days. He is flip flopping in 5 days. The point being, that he changes his mind like people change underwear...
And can I ask what the difference between using Google and using AI would be?Google U is a valuable tool if one stays current, just like AI. The key to using either effectively is verifying the dates of articles and assessing whether an issue has evolved, as some topics are fluid and can change by the hour or day. This is especially true for peace negotiations, where updates come frequently. We see this play out almost daily in reports on the fragile peace talks surrounding the Ukraine war.
As I provided how quickly Trump decided --- Due to intensified Russian attacks on Ukraine, including a massive assault involving 58 missiles and 194 drones. In retaliation, Ukraine deployed French-made Mirage 2000 fighter jets for the first time. Trump quickly threatened Russia with significant sanctions on March 7, 2025, IN RESPONSE to escalation on Russia's part. He announced plans to impose large-scale banking sanctions and tariffs unless Russia agrees to a cease-fire and engages in peace negotiations with Ukraine.
The war has escalated in the past two days. One can assume we will hear more from the White House due to the escalation, which seems inevitable.
"Yes, the Ukraine war has escalated significantly in recent days. Russian forces have intensified their attacks, resulting in substantial casualties and strategic challenges for Ukraine.
Increased Russian Strikes: the Russian military has conducted heavy aerial assaults across Ukraine, leading to over 20 deaths. These strikes have targeted multiple regions, causing widespread destruction and loss of life, AP Mar 8th
The war does not stand still, neither does decision making. Old articles on an ongoing war are worthless.
"Insist that territorial expansions are about security, demand loyalty, crush dissent, and make up the facts as you go. Of course Trump won’t criticize Putin: they’re both reading from the same script."
Some excerpts from the George W. Bush Presidential center..
"To the dismay of those who support freedom, the world is turning toward the appeasement of dictators.
It was painful to watch last week’s meeting in the Oval Office, a room President George W. Bush has often called a “shrine to freedom.” President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance attacked Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the democratically-elected Ukrainian president who is leading the fight against a dictatorial aggressor.
To insinuate that Ukraine is somehow the perpetrator of the aggression, the saber-rattling toward World War III, and the impediment to peace is delusional. Nobody wants the war to end more than Ukrainians, who, after all, are the ones suffering and dying from Vladimir Putin’s war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. The bombardment by Russia is constant. Peace will only come the day Russia ceases fighting. In the meantime, Ukrainians are justified in defending their sovereign territory.
Any peace deal should be a lasting one, not simply a Neville Chamberlain-esque exercise in the temporary appeasement of an aggressor. Ukrainians and Zelenskyy need assurances that they are never attacked again. They ask for security guarantees to deter Putin from launching further aggression, given his failure to keep his prior promises.
The Ukrainians have demonstrated tremendous bravery and innovation against a much larger fighting force. They are extremely grateful for America’s support – and have consistently expressed that.
It’s also worth noting that nearly 70% of total Ukraine assistance is spent in the United States or on U.S. forces, according to a study by the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). That creates jobs for Americans while also helping Ukraine and helping to rebuild our atrophied defense industrial base.
Putin and Xi Jinping must be celebrating that their talking points have been taken up in Washington. Former Russian President Dmitri Medvedev posted on X: “The insolent pig finally got a proper slap down in the Oval Office.” Our democratic friends in Taiwan are now worried they might be next.
President Trump rightly said that lives are at stake. So are freedom and democracy around the world. Appeasement and concessions hardly form the peace through strength that prevents future bloodshed.
https://www.bushcenter.org/publications … sia-secondI wonder how many people who respond on this thread know about the Budapest Memorandum.
When Ukraine gained its independence in 1991 it has the worlds 3rd largest arsenal of nuclear weapons. The United States, Russia, and the UK agreed to provide territorial integrity and peace is Ukraine permitted Russia to take back all of the nuclear weapons in the possession of Ukraine. This was done in 1994.
"On December 5, 1994, leaders of the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Russian Federation met in Budapest, Hungary, to pledge security assurances to Ukraine in connection with its accession to the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as a non-nuclear-weapons state. The signature of the so-called Budapest Memorandum concluded arduous negotiations that resulted in Ukraine’s agreement to relinquish the world’s third-largest nuclear arsenal, which the country inherited from the collapsed Soviet Union, and transfer all nuclear warheads to Russia for dismantlement. The signatories of the memorandum pledged to respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity and inviolability of its borders, and to refrain from the use or threat of military force. Russia breached these commitments with its annexation of Crimea in 2014 and aggression in eastern Ukraine, bringing the meaning and value of security assurance pledged in the Memorandum under renewed scrutiny."
https://www.hks.harvard.edu/publication … and-future
So, it is important for the United States to remember that by providing weapons and security assistance to Ukraine, the United States is simply meeting its obligation under the Budapest Memorandum agreement. Russia has blatantly broken their agreement and has shown they are led by despicable people who cannot be trusted. Has the United States proven it can be trusted?Surely this issue makes it clear that many people only care about what trump says, his position? Documents don't matter, treaties don't matter, laws don't matter, history doesn't matter. Only his words matter. If Trump decides tomorrow that we need to arm Russia.... They will be for it.
Surely you see how he is being celebrated in Russian media?
Yes, Russia has repeatedly and blatantly disregarded The Budapest memorandum...Trump doesn't care. He wanted Ukraine to sign away their minerals with no security guarantees.Obama was the one who completely broke the agreement. Biden supported it, and so far, Trump has as well. I don’t understand your attitude—the hate for Trump is obvious. It seems like you have no real hope for peace and don’t care about what this war could escalate into. The death and destruction don’t seem to matter to you. Trump doesn’t respect or support the Budapest Memorandum, and right now, he’s frozen funds while he tries to negotiate peace.
"Surely this issue makes it clear that many people only care about what trump says, his position? " Willow
His position is Peace, an end to the war. An end to the killing.
I predict he will bring peace, I will pray he succeeds, and will be joyful when he brings peace to that war-torn nation. How will you feel? LOLDoesn't matter what Obama did. Two wrongs don't make a right. It's time to stop kissing Putin's ass. Ukraine needs security guarantees, not more time for Putin too go back and regroup. If anything, history has shown us that Putin's aggressive behavior does not stop when appeased.
Ending intelligence sharing with Ukraine does not promote peace.
The Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances was signed in 1994 by the U.S., the UK, and Russia, along with Ukraine, as part of an agreement in which Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons. In exchange, these nations assured Ukraine that its sovereignty and territorial integrity would be respected, and they promised not to use force or economic coercion against Ukraine. The memorandum was not a formal treaty but a diplomatic agreement, meaning it didn't legally bind the signatories to military action if Ukraine was attacked.
As for whether it requires nations to support a war indefinitely—no, it does not. The memorandum does not obligate the U.S. or UK to provide military aid, let alone fight a war on Ukraine’s behalf. It only promised political and diplomatic assurances, with vague commitments to consult in case of a violation. When Russia invaded Crimea in 2014 and later launched its full-scale war in 2022, the U.S. and UK condemned the actions but were not legally required to intervene militarily.
How long do you think the U.S. should keep supporting this war? Do you believe negotiations aren’t necessary, like they were before Trump stepped in? I’ve brought up the Budapest Memorandum before, which I feel was completely ignored by Obama when Russia walked into Crimea. Biden, on the other hand, backed it, and so far, it looks like Trump won’t—he seems to prefer giving negotiations a chance instead. I see he’s frozen support, which signals a different approach.
As of today, it looks like the UK will continue their support, as will some of the European nations. They’re wealthy nations and should be able to keep backing Ukraine if negotiations fail. It’s too early to say what Trump will do if he can’t reach a deal that’s acceptable to both sides, but that will be the real test when it comes to further U.S. involvement.
I hope peace can be reached. As you know, I was for peace from the day this war started. I hoped that NATO would have pushed Russian Troops out on day one to prevent death, and destruction. I see nothing but more death and destruction if this war is supported. I want a fair agreement, and an end to it. One that both sides will be satisfied with.
President Donald Trump has privately made clear to aides that a signed minerals deal between Washington and Kyiv won’t be enough to restart aid and intelligence sharing with the war-torn country, according an administration official and another U.S. official.
Trump wants the deal, which would give the U.S. a stake in Ukraine’s mineral resources, signed. But he also wants to see a change in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s attitude toward peace talks, the officials said, including a willingness to make concessions such as giving up territory to Russia. Trump also wants Zelenskyy to make some movement toward elections in Ukraine and possibly toward stepping down as his country’s leader, the officials said.
I know this is hard for MAGA, but you should call him by his name. It is not the US, it's Trump.Meanwhile, without intelligence info and military support, Putin is bombing the crap out of Ukraine. Twenty people were killed yesterday because of Trump. He doesn't care or doesn't understand what he is doing to the people of Ukraine. Trump and Putin are pure evil. I'm sure Putin will take advantage of this while Trump and company negotiate the fate of Ukraine.
"Twenty people were killed yesterday because of Trump. " PP
How is Trump responsible for the 20 who were killed? And who takes responsibility for the tens of thousands who died under Biden? Trump has done nothing but push for negotiations between both sides. So, I’d really like to hear a logical explanation of how, after being in office for less than two months, he’s somehow to blame for anything in this ongoing war.
To be blunt, I find that statement absurd. I hope you can answer my question."How is Trump responsible for the 20 who were killed"
trump ended intelligence sharing with UkraineDid all NATO nations do the same? No—they certainly have the ability to continue intelligence sharing. Blaming Trump for these deaths is absurd and poorly thought out. I've asked before, and still haven't received a response—does that mean Biden is responsible for the tens of thousands who have already died? It seems clear that Trump is serious about negotiating for peace or withdrawing the U.S. from the conflict. I remain hopeful that all involved will recognize that ending the war is a better path forward than prolonging it.
Why cut intelligence sharing? You can pursue peace talks without blinding Ukraine & giving Russia carte blanche.It's quite obvious that Trump is making things easier for Putin which is disgraceful.
Trump has made it clear that he is no longer willing to promote or support the war. People can debate that stance, but there’s no denying that he is serious about what he will and won’t do. He has plainly stated, “Come back when you want to talk peace.” While he doesn’t always stick to every statement—sometimes due to changing circumstances that genuinely warrant a shift—he generally stands by his word. I fully support Trump’s commitment to ending the war rather than enabling more bloodshed.
Biden supported the war and shared military intelligence information with Ukraine's military. So this means nothing to you because people still were killed, even during the Biden administration..
However when you take away the tools to execute warfare, there are going to be more people killed, especially if Putin steps up his attacks.
Trump doesn't care how many Ukrainians are killed. He is running a protection racket. Give him what he wants and he will protect you and if you don't he will let Putin destroy you. Do you call that peace?.
A source in the Zelensky government confirmed that operations in the region of Kursk have been worst affected by the loss of access to U.S. intelligence. “Not only Kursk, in all Russian territory there are problems now,” he says. The Ukrainians have lost the ability to detect the approach of Russian bombers and other warplanes as they take off inside Russia.
As a result, Ukraine has less time to warn civilians and military personnel about the risk of an approaching airstrike or missile. “It’s very dangerous for our people,” the government source says. “It has to be immediately changed.”
https://time.com/7265679/satellites-fro … 5#d-pause/This statement was in reply to Willow, she stated Trump was responsible for the 20 people killed two days ago due to Trump not sharing intelligence information---
My reply, and my honest view. I find her view skewed, keep in mind that is my opinion.
Did all NATO nations do the same? No—they certainly have the ability to continue intelligence sharing. Blaming Trump for these deaths is absurd and poorly thought out. I've asked before, and still haven't received a response—does that mean Biden is responsible for the tens of thousands who have already died? It seems clear that Trump is serious about negotiating for peace or withdrawing the U.S. from the conflict. I remain hopeful that all involved will recognize that ending the war is a better path forward than prolonging it.
The escalation is deeply troubling. However, Trump is actively working to end the war rather than prolong or support it further. His stance was clear throughout his campaign, and Americans will be divided on his decision. With the U.S. pulling back, the conflict is likely to worsen unless Trump can bring the two leaders to the table for peace negotiations. Your point is well taken and seems fact-based. But should we continue supporting this war without pursuing negotiations? Trump is clearly pushing both sides toward peace talks and has threatened Russia with heavy banking sanctions. I hope he imposes them immediately.
You need to add a source. misinformation until names and quotes are provided.
People fail to realize that Trump is way out of his league in regard to Putin. Putin is a KILLER, while Trump wants to play hop scotch. Putin did not spend 3 years in pursuant of this Ukraine war without getting everything that he wanted. Putin will give Trump absolutely nothing over the negotiation table.
My prediction--- Trump will negotiate a fair peace, where both will agree to end the war. I have no doubt whatsoever he will end this war.
People who still support this massive failure of a war 'fail to realize'...
They were always lied to... there was never any way, other than the success of a Putin Assassination or Overthrow, that Russia was going to 'return' Crimea to Ukraine.
Only a global world war, and tens of millions of deaths, could make that happen.
Always was the case... still is, now more than ever.Ken, it's clear that many fail to grasp what this conflict could escalate into without negotiations. It seems as though their only concern is ensuring Trump fails in his efforts to end the war. Just look at some of the comments here—they don’t realize that without a resolution, the death toll will rise, and Ukraine will be left in ruins. I believe Trump will bring this war to an end, and once he does, they’ll move on to their next target of outrage. I am no longer sad for this type, I am disgusted and sickened.
No one wants to see the war continue but additionally, no one wants to see capitulation and appeasement to Putin. That is what has actually gotten us to the situation we see today.
So, what happens in a negotiation? Do you really believe that Zelensky is going to exchange his country's territorial integrity and sovereignty in exchange for peace? That is not a deal but a formal agreement with capitulation on the Ukrainian part.
For me, peace is not always the ultimate goal. Justice is more important if peace is to have a chance. While this entire matter is difficult, the compromise cannot be for the the US to abscond with Ukrainian mineral wealth and offer no guarantees to the Ukrainians regarding its security, I would not take such a deal and I doubt that Zelensky would either.
If that is the best that Trump is working for, he needs to think again.Trump has privately made it clear that he will not resume providing military aid and intelligence to Ukraine even if Kyiv and Washington sign a minerals deal. He is not using this deal as a playing card -- He wants peace, period, and does not intend to support the killing on his term in office. He has also made it clear that U.S. and Ukrainian delegations are planning to meet in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on March 11 to discuss the framework for a potential peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia.
Trump wants to see a change in President Volodymyr Zelensky's stance toward open peace talks with Russia.
The push for peace should have happened years ago, before Russia took Ukrainian land. Does this not at best give you cause to pause and think about what might have been prevented if we had tried. It is not your loved one being killed, it is not your land being destroyed --- this glibness truly sickens me. Since when is war preferable over peace? We sit here and discuss the future of others across the world on a chat, as if we have the answers. Sickening.
We have a president that wants to bring an end to a useless war. I thank God he has pulled away... I don't like blood on my hands, ever!If part of a deal between the US and an assailant would be to surrender the Eastern Seaboard as the price, what would you say? We may have well avoided a war with Hitler if we western democracies acceded to all his territorial demands, but was that really a solution?
Everyone wants to see this war resolved, but mine and their freedom as the price might well be non-negotiable.
Freedom is preferable to slavery even at the cost of war, in my opinion.I see a potential solution here, one that both sides might be able to accept. However, this deal is likely too complex for most people to fully grasp. We don’t have the facts on what will actually be discussed, but it’s possible that a beneficial agreement could come out of it. No, it might not be perfect, but it could provide Ukraine with the peace and security it needs, free from the threat of Russian aggression. Not many seem to consider the real alternative, though. Do you think Russia would ever accept defeat, no matter the circumstances? I don’t think they would, even if it meant resorting to nuclear weapons to avoid losing to NATO. It’s a dangerous path to go down.
Is Ken right—do the powers that be actually want a huge war, using Ukraine as a proxy battleground to spark the ultimate conflict? A situation where Russia launches nukes at Ukraine, and then France retaliates and Nukes Russia, escalating it into a full-blown nuclear exchange with Russia? Trump tried to warn Zelensky, telling him that he’d end up in the middle of a massive war, and that Ukraine would likely lose. It’s a chilling thought, but one that seems all too real considering the stakes. Not sure why more can't offer credit to Trump for trying his damnedest to avert a world war.
I think all the armchair strategists better think long and hard what could come of this ongoing war.Yes, i am awaiting a beneficial agreement acceptable to both sides. Russia and Putin will not accept defeat from its original objectives of the Ukraine invasion, but will he compromise with Ukraine at all, that is the question?
I believe if this were to be so grave as deployment of nuclear weapons it would come from Putin's side. But even he recognizes Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD). Are his territorial ambitions worth starting a nuclear war with an outcome that certainly will not benefit him or Russia?
I find it hard to imagine any negotiation that would provide security guarantees to the Ukraine without this being a threat in itself to Putin's very objectives.
We would have crossed this nuclear threshold by now if the risk were credible. Russia has revealed its weakness in not subduing a small neighboring country, considering that it is a superpower. Is Putin really prepared to face the resolve of the western democracies and NATO?
Yes, it is a chilling thought, but we have been on the brink before. If Putin can intimidate the world so easily, where would he stop? Ultimately, is anyone really safe recognizing the history that appeasing a tyrant has never worked to our benefit in the long run.
"peace is not always the ultimate goal. Justice is more important if peace is to have a chance."
Justice for who?
How far back in history are you going?
Justice for the Russian speaking, historically Russian people of Crimea, who had been "given" to Ukraine, in the 1950s? or 60?
Never integrated into a nation state, Ukraine, as it didn't exist outside of the greater USSR... directly controlled by Moscow.
So... while Germany and Poland were quick to regain their former nationality... Ukraine is very different, it wasn't a former separate Nation State, with various parts of the whole having centuries long histories tied to other nations.
We inserted ourselves, through CIA and NGO efforts, into Ukraine...
These efforts at spreading Western influence and control by subterfuge followed by force, has broken the International legal order, the ICC... IMF... UN... it is all falling away...
America stands quite often these days alone, against the entire global community, when votes are cast on UN resolutions...
BRICS is what allows Russia, China, India and others to work in direct opposition to our 'International Order'...
America has garnered a lot of hostility... other nations know America has been destroying nations (Syria, Libya, etc.)... other nations desperately want BRICS to work.
The Ukraine war helped act as a catalyst for many nations in the world to hastily line up to join BRICS.
This war will harm us the longer it drags on because it cannot be won... it is not being fought on our southern border... it is being fought in Russia... over Crimea, which was accepted into the Russian Republic over 10 years ago.
Ukraine will not get justice... pursuing that will only lead to many more hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians to die needlessly.
You want Justice... it was never there for the getting... it was not within Ukraine or America's ability to get... Crimea is gone Russia will never let it go... that is their Justice, Russia has lost men, wealth, this was is as personal to them as any... they are fighting the Nazis who are trying to exterminate them, again.
There aren't enough Ukrainians to force Russia into defeat...
What you fail to consider in your "justice over peace" outlook...
The Russians feel like they are defending their country, their homes, against a hostile and evil force that is threatening their country and raining missiles down on their Capital (Moscow).Ken, I see your post as very insightful and outstanding. At the early stage of the Ukraine-Russia war, we're in a forum. I said I had a fair knowledge of European history. Here your insightful analyse bring the silents into the open. Seriously, Crimea and Ukraine are within the old Russian state or union. Although some of thesd states got their independence when Ronald Reagan,(?) was in power, some still retain the old mindset of being a Russian. I think this is one reason why not much oppositions arise from the sorrounding countries?
It is a fact that valid explanations from either side is expected as the cause of the war.
However, short of abandonment and capitulation of the Ukraine, trump has no real answer or solutions amenable to both sides, is that not correct? In promoting all of this, he remains a loud mouth in an "empty suit"No... He is trying to say, in summary, all that I said in that statement.
He is saying TRUTH... Ukraine CANNOT win.
Ukraine CANNOT tear Crimea from the Russian Republic.
The ONLY way that could have ever happened, short of an assassination of Putin and anyone else that wanted to pursue this course in Russia, was if WE... America... entered into the war and complicitly started WWIII and the end of civilization as we all know it today.
So... extrapolate that out... like I was doing 3+ years ago.
They could have negotiated a peace, one that did not include Ukraine being part of NATO and missiles being put 100 miles from Moscow...
Or they could escalate the conflict and continue to demand back Crimea, along with new territory lost, in a conflict Ukraine is losing, a conflict Ukraine never had any chance to win, not then, not now, not tomorrow.
The brilliant Biden Administration was happy to escalate the war every chance they got... never negotiating, never talking to the Russians at all.
The Trump administration is merely pointing out truth... Ukraine is losing, Ukraine cannot hope to win without America fighting the war for them... so it is time to end it, and the cost will be a steep one for Ukraine.
Zelensky and his supporters worked well with the Biden Administration and the leaders of the EU... all completely out of touch with reality... and perhaps psychotic... as they are willing to send millions of people to their deaths while they drink champaign and eat caviar.
Why Won’t Europe Help ‘Rockstar’ Zelenskyy?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvLxfmCJAkQ
Oh God, arise and let this Ukrainian-Russian war come to an end I pray to you. Amen. And whatever Trump, is doing for the peace deal, let God, arise! Zelensky is a Head Of State, and first among equals. To be-littled him and put him and his country in an adverse scene or blow on the nose is wrong, and ungentlemanly.
“Are you comfortable with that? The fact that you walked away, and Ukraine may not survive?” Bartiromo asked on “Sunday Morning Futures.”
“Well, it may not survive anyway,” Trump replied. “But, you know, we have some weaknesses with Russia. It takes two. Look, it was not going to happen, that war, and it happened. So, now we’re stuck with this mess.”
He cares so much!
Bartiromo asked Trump if his team was treating both Russia and Ukraine similarly. He previously said it was “an interesting question.”
“I think so,” the president said.
“Are you favoring one over the other?” she pressed.
“They’re very different places, okay? Very, very different,” Trump said. “You’re talking about different levels of power. You’re talking about different parts of the world.”
That says it all.
GOP lawmaker says Trump admin. committing "terrible mistake" in Russia-Ukraine negotiations
VIDEOWow. I applaud Rep. Bacon. He is speaking facts and I hope more join him. "We're playing into the hands of Putin... how do you have a just peace if you don't have Zelensky in the meetings..."
The Ukraine-Russia peace deal is hardly understood by others. And unlike the Israel-Hamas peace parley, which is reasonably to some extends, this one seems make Russian had a field day. And whether Zelensky purposefully walk out of the meeting, or Trump, sent him out, because. Zelensky don't have a playing card, that's still a mystery in a closed door meeting. One thing is clear. Trump, Zelensky, and Putin, (but the balance is tilt towards Russia) and the whole world, and mother-earth, want peace. But I still fault with the UN for not bringing in her peace keeping force. Is the peace corp dead?
JUST AN FYI
The cousin of US Vice President JD Vance fought for Ukraine as part of the "Da Vinci Wolves" unit. He was in Lviv in March 2022 and joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Previously, Nate Vance had served in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years. By June of 2022 he was in Donbas. He was there until January of this year. He took part in the battles for Kupiansk, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Pokrovsk.US Vice-President JD Vance's cousin has criticised him and President Donald Trump for "belittling" Volodymyr Zelensky during the three men's Oval Office showdown in February.
"There's a certain level of decorum that I expect from political leaders, especially in front of cameras," Nate Vance - who spent three years volunteering with the Ukrainian military after Russia's full-scale invasion - told the BBC.
It follows his earlier comment that Trump and Vance were acting like "useful idiots" for President Vladimir Putin in their handling of the conflict.
Nate Vance told the BBC's PM programme on Monday that he was "not happy" with the way in which the White House meeting had been handled by his cousin and Trump.
"I'm kind of attached to the Ukrainian issue but, looking at that, if it were some other completely neutral issue and I saw White House officials and hack journalists that are political belittling a foreign leader, I'd be like 'what the hell is going on?'" he told the BBC.
Nate Vance said that he did not agree that Zelensky had failed to show appreciation. "Zelensky does a daily or nightly address and thanks everyone who supports Ukraine on a daily basis," he said.
He said that perhaps the Ukrainian leader had not shown "enough deference to Donald Trump" but that it would be "odd for my cousin and Donald Trump to ask for deference because they've been actively working against his initiatives for the past three years".
He later told the PM programme that he had been a "Republican my whole life so this is an odd stance for me to be taking but I'm pretty passionate about it and it's one issue where I think we're doing wrong".
Asked about other Americans' view of the encounter, he said 20% would be "disheartened" and that "all of this alienation is isolating us and the last time we decided to take an isolationist path we ended up with World War One and World War Two".Yup, you have a portion of the population... a small portion, that believes, more or less, the schtick this post represents.
And then you have people who like to deal with reality... with cost...
If you are willing to throw another ten trillion dollars at this, and lose another ten million lives... it is worth considering... and THAT is exactly how it should be presented to Americans...
Continuing this war will cost the country 10 trillion dollars... or another 50% inflation on all products and services going forward... and 10 million lives... at least 2 million of which will likely be American.
That is the cost for continuing the war and taking Crimea from the Russian Republic.
And that is with a caveat that it may still fail... as Russia may not appreciate the war's outcome and just say F it and nuke the world past the Stone Age to something worse.Both VP Vance and President Donald Trump, 'useful idiots'? lol!
I think we will see who really wants peace or not very soon...
The Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said he had told the US national security adviser, Mike Waltz, that Moscow viewed the proposed 30-day ceasefire as “nothing more than a short reprieve for Ukrainian forces”.
“Steps that merely imitate peaceful actions are not needed by anyone in this situation,” Ushakov said in an interview with Russian state television.
Ushakov’s remarks appeared to be the clearest indication to date that the 30-day ceasefire plan, proposed by the US and accepted in principle by Ukraine, is unacceptable to Moscow in its current form.
Russia’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, said on Thursday that Moscow was ready to discuss a US-backed peace initiative “as early as today”. But she also indicated that Russia saw little urgency in halting fighting, reiterating it would not accept western peacekeepers in Ukraine as a security guarantee and that they would be targeted if deployed.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/ … alks-beginIn true, good, and proper fashion, Trump announces new Draft Policy:
Army Announces People with Ukraine Flags in Bio Will Be Drafted First
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aFNcq428NU
Officials announced today that people's online posting history will be used to determine who will be first selected for the draft, to build up what BG Odierno [spearheading the formation of this new unit] stated was going to be a: "the most well prepared, well trained, single-focused fighting force the world has ever seen."
"I think it is only fair that those who have shown support for the Ukraine war be the first sent to the front lines" - Don Jr. said.
Elon Musk said he was unsure of how serious the President was in his new declaration regarding the Ukraine war, however, he also said it was well within the ability of those at X (formerly Twitter) to determine who had Ukraine flag identifiers, now, or in the past.
-----
Just when you thought it couldn't get better... Trump delivers another gift.Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday refused to fully embrace a U.S. proposal for a ceasefire in the Ukraine war, stating that there were “nuances” that required “painstaking research,” especially since Russian forces were advancing in the war.
Those questions, Mr. Putin said, included whether Kyiv would be able to continue receiving arms shipments during the 30-day truce, and how the cease-fire would be monitored and enforced.
Mr. Putin also said Russia would not allow Ukrainian forces occupying land in Russia’s Kursk region to peacefully withdraw, and that the Ukrainian leadership could instead order them “to simply surrender.”
At this point, is anyone looking back and thinking how ridiculously stupid it was for Trump to claim he could settle this war before he was elected?
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/03/13 … -war-kurskYeah... if he were toppling nations left and right...
Like the US did Libya, Syria, Iraq...
And if this war was not on his country's border... actually IN his country and at some point instigated by Zelensky's world-tour ranting about taking Crimea from the Russian Republic... lets remember that, whether you agree with how it came about or not, Crimea is/was part of the Russian Republic...
So... One might say that Russia is doing what it feels is in its interests for its own survival and sovereignty... the whole NATO and Missiles 100 miles from Moscow is kind of a thing too...
After all, this war IS being raged over what IS Russia... I would think the people of Crimea had little interest in rejoining Ukraine... but who cares what the people want, or whether that land has historic ties to Russia... or is considered an essential part of Russia, culturally and militarily...
Just because Biden is gone doesn't mean they are just going to forget what happened the last 4 years or how many Russians have died.
But yeah... Putin...
Trump says Putin talks will discuss Russia and Ukraine ‘dividing up certain assets’
President Donald Trump said late Sunday that negotiators in Washington and Moscow have begun discussing the division of assets between Russia and Ukraine in an effort to bring to an end the three-year-long war between the two countries.
The president told reporters aboard Air Force One that he plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday and that the conversation would discuss "dividing up certain assets," including land and power plants.
Putin and his officials have repeatedly indicated that they want to cement Russia's land grabs during the three-year war and stop Kyiv from ever joining NATO.
He also said that Russia would oppose any troops in Ukraine as part of post-conflict guarantees, including NATO troops, with Britain and France both saying in recent weeks that they are willing to send forces to monitor any ceasefire.“If [those soldiers] appear there, it means that they are deployed in the conflict zone with all the consequences for these contingents as parties to the conflict,” he added.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told reporters in Brussels on Monday that the stipulations Russia has given show that Moscow “don’t really want peace, actually, because they are presenting as conditions all their ultimate goals that they want to achieve from the war,” according to Reuters.
Last week, Putin's foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov called the ceasefire proposal “nothing else than a temporary respite for the Ukrainian military, nothing more.”Hundreds of attacks on our cities and communities this week: Chernihiv, Kherson, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Odesa, Poltava, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Sumy regions. The Russians launched over 1,020 attack drones, nearly 1,360 guided aerial bombs, and more than 10 missiles of various types.
Those who want the war to end as soon as possible do not act this way. That is why we must jointly continue to put pressure on Russia to force an end to its aggression. Decisive measures are needed, including sanctions that must be not only maintained but also continuously strengthened.
Ukraine, Europe, America, and everyone in the world who wants peace – together, we can ensure a just and lasting peace.
---
After the talks in Jeddah and the American proposal for a ceasefire on the frontline, Russia stole almost another week – a week of war that only Russia wants.
We will do everything to further intensify diplomacy. We will do everything to make diplomacy effective. But every day now is about defending our independence, our state, and our people. We must remember – it is the support of our army, all our defense and security forces, and our state that determines everything.
I thank each and every one who does not forget that Ukraine’s defense and resilience are paramount. I am grateful to all Ukrainian soldiers, every one of our units. I thank everyone who works for our defense and for our state. I thank all Ukrainians for every fundraiser for our Ukrainian army.
We must remember – as long as the occupier is on our land, and as long as air raid sirens sound, we must defend Ukraine.
- Volodymyr ZelenskyyI agreed completely with you, IslandBite. It's a shame that at such peace talks that Russia still carry on an aggressive offensive action. Sanctions against Russia at an international level should be continous. President Donald Trump, is not helping the peace talk much again.
It's clear that Russia doesn't want piece. And it's also clear that Trump doesn't want to help Europe and is pro Russian.
If Putin gets Ukraine, what is much easier now the US has stopped giving aid. Then Russia will move on to take Moldavia and Latvia and the rest of the Baltic. As NATO starts to fall down with the poor leadership of the US.
Basically starting WWIII by the backstabbing of the Donald. (this is a terrible scenario, but could well happen!)
All the military intel that's normally shared between Europe and the US is compromised.
Another very interesting idea that could suddenly happen is that China will talk with Ukraine. And this could perhaps change the Donalds perspective.
interesting podcast to listen to:
The Rest Is Politics - U.S. Slashes Aid – Rory Breaks Down the 3 Possible OutcomesTrump is a fool, a dupe. Anyone could tell without looking that Putin did not prosecute a 3 year old war just to be serenaded by Trump to forget all of his initial objectives.
Why should Trump at this time act foolishly baffled me, and anyone else. America, is Democracy. While Russia, is Maxist. Is Trump trying to please Putin, or something?
Because Trump doesn't know a thing about politics. He is a businessman. And those are two different professions. His politics have only one goal, to enrich himself, the goal of a businessman. But a politician and a president has to enrich the country. And this difference is a disaster for the US and the world today.
America has not just been a democracy. It has been a democratic republic as well. The republic part means no monarch and representation by the people. That has been true up until Trump has taken over. He is now the new monarch. Long live King Trump and his underlings.
Yes,...Trump, is no king and will never be in the history of mankind. I'm assuming because he has not another term, he's acting like a demi-god. Karma always catch up with such person. Is the Legislature worth itself these days?
A dangerous fool. Like a kid, not caring about the consequences of it's actions. Trump is a mega narcissist who lives in media land and not the real world. For him lies and morals are non existent. All that matters is that he gets attention and is seen as the greatest man ever lived as that's how he sees himself.
What a surprise...Putin rejects an unconditional ceasefire. He wants to keep bombing and killing innocent Ukrainians. He wants Ukraine disarmed. He wants Ukraine neutralised. He wants to make Ukraine a vassal state of Russia. He isn’t negotiating. He’s laughing at us.
What a depot. The UN should summon the whole world against Putin.
This was a good article providing clarity in regards to a complicated issue. Could Trump actually be correct about something? Am I missing something?
https://thehill.com/opinion/5198022-ukr … formation/Thanks for posting the article! After reading it, I see valid points about how Ukraine's past actions and Biden's handling of military aid contributed to the conflict. The author argues that Trump's more controlled approach could have led to better negotiations and prevented escalation. While I agree that Trump’s stance might have pushed for peace, it's clear that at this point balancing U.S. interests with Ukraine’s situation is key. The article offers an interesting perspective, especially on the missed opportunity for peace early on. Water under the bridge.
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