It was my understanding since the fall of the USSR that the "West" has to align with Russia in some kind of "christian" alliance to counterweight the rising superpower China. Then I did not quite understand why the opposite situation developed, and cui bono, now I do.
Hey y’all it’s awesome to see some discourse on Mark’s posts. This is one of my primary news sources these days and I was hoping that others would discover the wealth of knowledge being conveyed here. And thanks as always to Mark for the huge time commitment this must represent.
The EU has two choices at this point. 1) Either step up more and engage w/Ukraine to pro-long the war or 2) begin to back away. EU interests, economics, elections, will dictate this more so than their leaders.
I can't see the EU backing away, at least not voluntarily. This is an institution of almost mythical megalomania. The Euroweenies are like the extreme Left: they can only ever double down.
Yeah and that will be their final downfall. Exactly how many divisions have they? And exactly how many hours will those survive in Ukraine? They discredit themselves further with every word that comes out of their mouths! But they can’t STFU either bc that would mean ceding the moral high ground permanently. Zugzwang.
We are witnessing defeat after defeat dealt not by the good people of the populist peace parties but rather by the swamp creatures themselves! Starting with Trump (CNN and the rest of the libtards elected him by platforming him in the name of stopping him), then Ukraine (Eurocrats never considered that the op could actually be aimed at them as a primary target, EVEN AFTER NORD STREAM!), Then Trump II (demonizing young men to the degree that they woke up from their porn-induced slumber to say fuck right off I’m not a racist), USAID (caught cheaters saying to their wives: how dare you go through my phone), Ukraine again (this time with boots on the ground explicitly).
These people are so high on their own supply of propaganda that all they need is a tiny push, a tiny pinprick of truth, and they fall gently into the cliff that they have constructed themselves.
What a fucking time to be alive.
Trump is playing everyone so masterfully that I think they’re going to have to try to kill him again, otherwise he may actually find a way to team up with Russia and later China and destroy the glafia permanently. A guy can hope…
Just saw on the Fox news website an article I had just read on the TASS website regarding ukie losses in Kursk yesterday. Never thought I'd see the day that that would happen.
Alex Krainer lays it out. In short, a 21st century Marshall plan. Britain cam own everything, European banks and businesses can rebuild Ukraine, and US provides security.
Thanks so much for looking through this person, "Elenzky" as A. Christoforou pronounces it.
I had not been watching Zelensky interviews during the build up to, and on-going conflict---and your description and others' of his "court jester archetype" personality is making my mind blow up like a balloon.
I watched the Oval Office meeting, only last night that it took place. Reading your article on it, from yesterday, and then reading Stephen Bryen's observations of the U.S. policy purpose for Zelensky being there, to talk with Trump, I think that Zelensky has just hanged himself out of his presidency.
But, Mr. Bryen's notation says it in a more thoughtful way:
Trump Told Zelensky, Make a Deal or We’re Out
To begin with, there was no private meeting with Trump and Zelensky.
1. Trump and Putin are very close to a deal on Ukraine.
2. Trump invited Macron and Starmer to Washington to brief them, which he apparently did. The French went away fairly unhappy, but Starmer seemed to be in general agreement. Starmer made a pitch to include Article 5 and NATO in any deal; Trump rejected that appeal. Putin, meanwhile, talked to Xi by telephone and sent Sergei Shoigu (who heads Russia's Security Council, something like the NSC) to Beijing to meet with Xi.
3. Trump invited Zelensky. The cover for Zelensky's appearance in Washington was the "Minerals Deal" which the two leaders were supposed to sign.
4. The Minerals Deal was actually a sort of security guarantee for Ukraine, as Ukraine and the US would become "partners." While Trump is unwilling to send US troops to Ukraine, he saw the Minerals Deal as a security substitute.
5. The Minerals Deal was not signed.
6. The real reason for the Zelensky visit was to brief him on the Putin negotiations and to gain his support.
7. Zelensky was not briefed because he vociferously and harshly objected to any negotiations with Putin. He did this in public, to Trump's face, and in front of the press. As I have said many times before, Zelensky cannot negotiate with Russia.
8. Trump told Zelensky he was gambling with World War 3 and that he was in a poor position. Zelensky tried to answer back, but each time was rebuffed both by Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance.
9. The result is there was no private meeting and Trump told Zelensky he would be welcomed back only when he was ready for peace.
10. Usually there is a press conference at the end of a visit to the White House. That was cancelled and, in essence, Zelensky was dismissed.
11. The next steps are unclear, as Trump's attempt to cut a deal with Russia is now blocked by Zelensky's refusal to cooperate.
Some guesses:
Guess 1. Trump will retaliate by cutting off arms deliveries to Ukraine and cutting off any US money to the Ukrainian government. If that happens, Ukraine's army will disintegrate in the next couple of months, or sooner.
Guess 2. Trump will put together some kind of deal with Russia not including Ukraine. This could be an economic deal, or it could be a deal that lifts sanctions on Russia.
Guess 3. It is unlikely Trump will change course on Russia and Ukraine, unless Zelensky changes his position or is replaced in some way.
Guess 4. Trump may ask the Europeans to stop backing Ukraine under current circumstances. It seems the British may cooperate, but not the French. The Germans right now don't have a government, so they are unpredictable. Trump will talk to the Germans about helping them improve their economy in exchange for geopolitical cooperation. We will see.
Guess 5. Trump will let Ukraine collapse but may seek a deal with Putin on Ukraine once Zelensky is gone.
The Minerals Deal was actually a sort of security guarantee for Ukraine, as Ukraine and the US would become "partners." While Trump is unwilling to send US troops to Ukraine, he saw the Minerals Deal as a security substitute.
There are no commercially viable minerals - explanation in my post below
Zelensky knows this as does Trump
No large # of US personell would ever be sent to Ukraine to mine so its all a fairy tale, a facade, there are no ' security guaranties ' as likehood of mining is near zero
A security guarantee would blow up Trump's plans to support a new security architecture. Plus many over the past couple of days have suggested to "walk away" as most know. The Neocon's and Deep State supporters will kick and scream (see Frum) all the way and lack of critical thinking and deep-seated hatred for Russia will be their undoing. (See L. Graham).
Have you ever noticed how for decades now Hollywood always made Russia the bad guy in their movies? It’s like Americans have been programmed to believe Russia must be the enemy at all times.
And now after years of sending billions and billions of dollars to Ukraine and supporting a proxy war with Russia, all that it has led to is over 1 million dead and slaughtered Ukrainians and Russians, and also many economic sanctions that has driven inflation all over the world.
It’s time for diplomacy and time for peace. It’s time to restore good relations and lift the sanctions and develop good trading partners with not only Ukraine, but with Russia as well.
This will lead to world, peace, and prosperity for all.
Washington is needlessly provoking the Chinese at a point in time when we need Chinese good will:
The US refuses to return Chinese gold. China strikes back, — Sohu Several hundred tons of China's gold reserves were transferred to the US for storage.
Now China has asked the USGOV to return it to China, but the US has repeatedly rejected China's request on various pretexts.
The Trump Administration has now precipitated a response from Beijing:
China is selling off its US Treasury bonds.
China is one of the largest foreign holders of US government debt, and the more it sells these assets, the greater the risk to the US economy.
They don’t want to return the Chinese their own gold, hmm? Wonder how DOGE is coming along with the Ft. Knox inventory? I mean I’m sure it’s all there and everything is fine, but given all the waste and corruption that Musk has found so far, it seems only reasonable for us to make certain, right? We might be reading about the greatest gold heist in the history of the world. No, I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about. Maybe Hunter was a little light on bribe money and Joe told him to grab a few bars and put the receipts in the garage next to the Camaro.
I think that Trump is susceptible to flattery. And I think that we, perhaps by God's grace, dodged a massive bullet yesterday.
Michael Tracey went through commentary by Scott Bessent and Lindsey Graham (so far; that is what I listened to). Both expected us to sign a massive deal with Ukraine with long-term security underwriting it. Bessent thought that the meeting with Starmer was fantastic. I just hope that Trump will burn those bridges permanently with Ukraine, the EU, and Anglo-Zionists.
What would happen in another country--say Saudi Arabia or China--if Z vocally called one of the host country's leaders a b___h during a televised meeting in the host country's seat of power/the leader's home?
I think Z would have immediately been taken by Security, and removed from the building.
- Trump Administration has literally been handed their greatest win yet. Unforseeable and unexpected this is a complete gift from Zelensky.
- Trump can now Dump Ukraine and focus time, money and weapons on the continued Israeli US Genocide.
- Previously Trump was reluctantly planning to be mired in a Ukrainian quagmire now Trump can dump that quagmire almost fully on the EU and focus on ethnic cleansing; Though had no expectation of profit, a " mineral deal " was a way out saving Face.
Now Face is Saved without all the mess.
We will see if Trump makes gestures at getting back together, or smarter to just leave it be and let EU get suckered into the corruption and disaster.
( but a face saving exit for Trump distinguishing it from Biden Abandonment of Afghanistan )
If any commercially viable rare earth mineral deposits exist in Ukraine - has not been shown or proven - ' deposits ' are claimed to exist, of those deposits claimed to exist up to 70% are in the currently Russian claimed territories
Soviet Union explored and mapped Ukraine’s major lithium deposits from the 1950's through 1980's Ukraine continued including Foreign Corporation Exploration
In 2018, European Lithium, through its Ukrainian subsidiary EPL Ukraine LLC, applied for and secured exploration licenses for lithium deposits in Ukraine Between 2018-2021exploration licenses licenses were issued, Ukraine promoted claimed deposits to attract foreign investment.
No One Invested; Ukraine has no operational rare earth mines. eg: Lithium has never been mined in Ukraine
Those estimates report reserves are ~500,000 tons of lithium oxide
China’s lithium reserves are estimated at 5.1 million tons
Supply chain—from mining to refining ; Ukraine has nothing, not even One (1) ' Planned ' operating mine, no supply chain, no refining, no transportation or delivery -- China has everything up and running
Due to the type of lithium deposit in China and Ukraine - hard rock v brine - (China predominantly mines brine - Ukraine apparently all hard rock ) China cost to produce is estimated at 1/2 of any Ukraine deposit, if any ever found. That's just getting it out of the ground - has to be transported refined delivered put in a product
Anyway there is a lot more, but rest assured, it is a complete fairy tale, excepting If China were to cut off supply - Ukraine could be mined at probably some > 10 times the expense
It was my understanding since the fall of the USSR that the "West" has to align with Russia in some kind of "christian" alliance to counterweight the rising superpower China. Then I did not quite understand why the opposite situation developed, and cui bono, now I do.
Hey y’all it’s awesome to see some discourse on Mark’s posts. This is one of my primary news sources these days and I was hoping that others would discover the wealth of knowledge being conveyed here. And thanks as always to Mark for the huge time commitment this must represent.
The EU has two choices at this point. 1) Either step up more and engage w/Ukraine to pro-long the war or 2) begin to back away. EU interests, economics, elections, will dictate this more so than their leaders.
I can't see the EU backing away, at least not voluntarily. This is an institution of almost mythical megalomania. The Euroweenies are like the extreme Left: they can only ever double down.
Yeah and that will be their final downfall. Exactly how many divisions have they? And exactly how many hours will those survive in Ukraine? They discredit themselves further with every word that comes out of their mouths! But they can’t STFU either bc that would mean ceding the moral high ground permanently. Zugzwang.
We are witnessing defeat after defeat dealt not by the good people of the populist peace parties but rather by the swamp creatures themselves! Starting with Trump (CNN and the rest of the libtards elected him by platforming him in the name of stopping him), then Ukraine (Eurocrats never considered that the op could actually be aimed at them as a primary target, EVEN AFTER NORD STREAM!), Then Trump II (demonizing young men to the degree that they woke up from their porn-induced slumber to say fuck right off I’m not a racist), USAID (caught cheaters saying to their wives: how dare you go through my phone), Ukraine again (this time with boots on the ground explicitly).
These people are so high on their own supply of propaganda that all they need is a tiny push, a tiny pinprick of truth, and they fall gently into the cliff that they have constructed themselves.
What a fucking time to be alive.
Trump is playing everyone so masterfully that I think they’re going to have to try to kill him again, otherwise he may actually find a way to team up with Russia and later China and destroy the glafia permanently. A guy can hope…
To your point Steg... https://justthenews.com/government/diplomacy/european-leaders-reiterated-support-ukrainians-reacted-dread-after-trump
Then maybe there is a 3rd choice. - Ukraine people demand elections, kick out the "Green Goblin" ,and determine their own fate.
Just saw on the Fox news website an article I had just read on the TASS website regarding ukie losses in Kursk yesterday. Never thought I'd see the day that that would happen.
Alex Krainer lays it out. In short, a 21st century Marshall plan. Britain cam own everything, European banks and businesses can rebuild Ukraine, and US provides security.
And Putin says, "Nope!"
https://youtu.be/tO7bhSRGhoI?si=QSMVB0uj9GqqDEKs
Thanks so much for looking through this person, "Elenzky" as A. Christoforou pronounces it.
I had not been watching Zelensky interviews during the build up to, and on-going conflict---and your description and others' of his "court jester archetype" personality is making my mind blow up like a balloon.
I watched the Oval Office meeting, only last night that it took place. Reading your article on it, from yesterday, and then reading Stephen Bryen's observations of the U.S. policy purpose for Zelensky being there, to talk with Trump, I think that Zelensky has just hanged himself out of his presidency.
But, Mr. Bryen's notation says it in a more thoughtful way:
Trump Told Zelensky, Make a Deal or We’re Out
To begin with, there was no private meeting with Trump and Zelensky.
1. Trump and Putin are very close to a deal on Ukraine.
2. Trump invited Macron and Starmer to Washington to brief them, which he apparently did. The French went away fairly unhappy, but Starmer seemed to be in general agreement. Starmer made a pitch to include Article 5 and NATO in any deal; Trump rejected that appeal. Putin, meanwhile, talked to Xi by telephone and sent Sergei Shoigu (who heads Russia's Security Council, something like the NSC) to Beijing to meet with Xi.
3. Trump invited Zelensky. The cover for Zelensky's appearance in Washington was the "Minerals Deal" which the two leaders were supposed to sign.
4. The Minerals Deal was actually a sort of security guarantee for Ukraine, as Ukraine and the US would become "partners." While Trump is unwilling to send US troops to Ukraine, he saw the Minerals Deal as a security substitute.
5. The Minerals Deal was not signed.
6. The real reason for the Zelensky visit was to brief him on the Putin negotiations and to gain his support.
7. Zelensky was not briefed because he vociferously and harshly objected to any negotiations with Putin. He did this in public, to Trump's face, and in front of the press. As I have said many times before, Zelensky cannot negotiate with Russia.
8. Trump told Zelensky he was gambling with World War 3 and that he was in a poor position. Zelensky tried to answer back, but each time was rebuffed both by Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance.
9. The result is there was no private meeting and Trump told Zelensky he would be welcomed back only when he was ready for peace.
10. Usually there is a press conference at the end of a visit to the White House. That was cancelled and, in essence, Zelensky was dismissed.
11. The next steps are unclear, as Trump's attempt to cut a deal with Russia is now blocked by Zelensky's refusal to cooperate.
Some guesses:
Guess 1. Trump will retaliate by cutting off arms deliveries to Ukraine and cutting off any US money to the Ukrainian government. If that happens, Ukraine's army will disintegrate in the next couple of months, or sooner.
Guess 2. Trump will put together some kind of deal with Russia not including Ukraine. This could be an economic deal, or it could be a deal that lifts sanctions on Russia.
Guess 3. It is unlikely Trump will change course on Russia and Ukraine, unless Zelensky changes his position or is replaced in some way.
Guess 4. Trump may ask the Europeans to stop backing Ukraine under current circumstances. It seems the British may cooperate, but not the French. The Germans right now don't have a government, so they are unpredictable. Trump will talk to the Germans about helping them improve their economy in exchange for geopolitical cooperation. We will see.
Guess 5. Trump will let Ukraine collapse but may seek a deal with Putin on Ukraine once Zelensky is gone.
The Minerals Deal was actually a sort of security guarantee for Ukraine, as Ukraine and the US would become "partners." While Trump is unwilling to send US troops to Ukraine, he saw the Minerals Deal as a security substitute.
There are no commercially viable minerals - explanation in my post below
Zelensky knows this as does Trump
No large # of US personell would ever be sent to Ukraine to mine so its all a fairy tale, a facade, there are no ' security guaranties ' as likehood of mining is near zero
A security guarantee would blow up Trump's plans to support a new security architecture. Plus many over the past couple of days have suggested to "walk away" as most know. The Neocon's and Deep State supporters will kick and scream (see Frum) all the way and lack of critical thinking and deep-seated hatred for Russia will be their undoing. (See L. Graham).
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene @RepMTG
Have you ever noticed how for decades now Hollywood always made Russia the bad guy in their movies? It’s like Americans have been programmed to believe Russia must be the enemy at all times.
And now after years of sending billions and billions of dollars to Ukraine and supporting a proxy war with Russia, all that it has led to is over 1 million dead and slaughtered Ukrainians and Russians, and also many economic sanctions that has driven inflation all over the world.
It’s time for diplomacy and time for peace. It’s time to restore good relations and lift the sanctions and develop good trading partners with not only Ukraine, but with Russia as well.
This will lead to world, peace, and prosperity for all.
Hadn't seen this:
Douglas Macgregor @DougAMacgregor
Washington is needlessly provoking the Chinese at a point in time when we need Chinese good will:
The US refuses to return Chinese gold. China strikes back, — Sohu Several hundred tons of China's gold reserves were transferred to the US for storage.
Now China has asked the USGOV to return it to China, but the US has repeatedly rejected China's request on various pretexts.
The Trump Administration has now precipitated a response from Beijing:
China is selling off its US Treasury bonds.
China is one of the largest foreign holders of US government debt, and the more it sells these assets, the greater the risk to the US economy.
10:24 AM · Mar 1, 2025
·
They don’t want to return the Chinese their own gold, hmm? Wonder how DOGE is coming along with the Ft. Knox inventory? I mean I’m sure it’s all there and everything is fine, but given all the waste and corruption that Musk has found so far, it seems only reasonable for us to make certain, right? We might be reading about the greatest gold heist in the history of the world. No, I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about. Maybe Hunter was a little light on bribe money and Joe told him to grab a few bars and put the receipts in the garage next to the Camaro.
Hadn't heard this until now. Gold vs. Bonds... hhhhhmmm.....
If true, this is very, very serious.
I think that Trump is susceptible to flattery. And I think that we, perhaps by God's grace, dodged a massive bullet yesterday.
Michael Tracey went through commentary by Scott Bessent and Lindsey Graham (so far; that is what I listened to). Both expected us to sign a massive deal with Ukraine with long-term security underwriting it. Bessent thought that the meeting with Starmer was fantastic. I just hope that Trump will burn those bridges permanently with Ukraine, the EU, and Anglo-Zionists.
https://open.substack.com/pub/mtracey/p/zelenskys-white-house-meltdown?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=1mko6
I found myself largely agreeing with Bannon, who's a smart guy. Wonder what he's saying today.
Same as he said yesterday, the day before and last week: Walk Away!
Haven’t listened to Bannon, but saw a headline of him saying just walk away
Did Zelensky call Vance a B*tch?
https://www.msn.com/en-in/politics/government/did-zelensky-cuss-at-vance-in-ukrainian-during-oval-office-shouting-match-video-surfaces/ar-AA1A0MyJ
What would happen in another country--say Saudi Arabia or China--if Z vocally called one of the host country's leaders a b___h during a televised meeting in the host country's seat of power/the leader's home?
I think Z would have immediately been taken by Security, and removed from the building.
Calling a leader an insulting and slanderous word in person is not only rude and unforgivably disrespectful~it is a threat.
What a punk
- Trump Administration has literally been handed their greatest win yet. Unforseeable and unexpected this is a complete gift from Zelensky.
- Trump can now Dump Ukraine and focus time, money and weapons on the continued Israeli US Genocide.
- Previously Trump was reluctantly planning to be mired in a Ukrainian quagmire now Trump can dump that quagmire almost fully on the EU and focus on ethnic cleansing; Though had no expectation of profit, a " mineral deal " was a way out saving Face.
Now Face is Saved without all the mess.
We will see if Trump makes gestures at getting back together, or smarter to just leave it be and let EU get suckered into the corruption and disaster.
.
I really hope and pray Trump just backs out! Enough meddling over there!-!!!!!
.
The Ukraine Trump Mineral Deal Fairy Tale
( but a face saving exit for Trump distinguishing it from Biden Abandonment of Afghanistan )
If any commercially viable rare earth mineral deposits exist in Ukraine - has not been shown or proven - ' deposits ' are claimed to exist, of those deposits claimed to exist up to 70% are in the currently Russian claimed territories
Soviet Union explored and mapped Ukraine’s major lithium deposits from the 1950's through 1980's Ukraine continued including Foreign Corporation Exploration
In 2018, European Lithium, through its Ukrainian subsidiary EPL Ukraine LLC, applied for and secured exploration licenses for lithium deposits in Ukraine Between 2018-2021exploration licenses licenses were issued, Ukraine promoted claimed deposits to attract foreign investment.
No One Invested; Ukraine has no operational rare earth mines. eg: Lithium has never been mined in Ukraine
Those estimates report reserves are ~500,000 tons of lithium oxide
China’s lithium reserves are estimated at 5.1 million tons
Supply chain—from mining to refining ; Ukraine has nothing, not even One (1) ' Planned ' operating mine, no supply chain, no refining, no transportation or delivery -- China has everything up and running
Due to the type of lithium deposit in China and Ukraine - hard rock v brine - (China predominantly mines brine - Ukraine apparently all hard rock ) China cost to produce is estimated at 1/2 of any Ukraine deposit, if any ever found. That's just getting it out of the ground - has to be transported refined delivered put in a product
Anyway there is a lot more, but rest assured, it is a complete fairy tale, excepting If China were to cut off supply - Ukraine could be mined at probably some > 10 times the expense
with limited supply
.
EU already said they would step up support
This just could not get any better for Trump
Trump administration must be celebrating what a gift.
https://x.com/kajakallas/status/1895570098834063878