Rubio and the Euroweenies are all quoting the same cliché: "The ball is now in Russia's court". They are completely correct, of course - but not in the way that they imagine.
I see this as a great move by Trump. Trump knows that the Russians will not accept the US Ukraine EU deal, and Trump knows he cannot sell the Deal the Russians Will accept - to the US Senate and Congress or EU .
Making the best of a no win situation -
You try to sell the US Public and try to sell the rest of the world, that you are reasonable and seeking peace and that you offered or will offer a reasonable settlement
---- This points out the Error Tremendous Error Biden made - he refused to even speak.
So While Trump knows absolutely the US Ukraine offer is hogwash and will go no where
Trump is offering as PR
So the ball is in Russia Court and Russia keep hitting
Latest headline from Zerohedge states perfectly the Russian response: "Moscow 'Studying' 30-day Truce Plan, Makes Steady Battlefield Gains In Meantime"
They are not waiting on the mercurial Trump who is backed by the people who wish to destroy the Russian nation and it's people. It's clear Trump is collaborating with his Zionist backers to allow "Big Israel" Ukraine to pause, regroup and then continue. To me it looks like the Trump admin. has hit a wall (not the one they promised to build on our southern border) and is floundering while the Zionists seek continuance. Now Trump is the monkey on the leash of the Organ Grinder we know as the Israel Lobby.
Yes, he was. I go to other sites like "The Power Line Blog" or "Epoch News" to see what they are saying. I am dumb struck how strong and deep the anti-Russia and Palestinian feelings are, and how they cheer on Israel and Ukraine. They want slaughter. I have many people who will not speak with me for my views on these two conflicts and the reality of who the real bad guys are.
Wait till you see the British press, Cos. It's 1854 and the Charge of the Light Brigade all over again. I share your views about the two conflicts, and I'm not vaccinated against Covid, so my list of cocktail party invites is somewhat small! :)
Yes, you are correct. I stopped reading them about four years ago, although I would pop in for the Saturday morning funnies post by Hayward. I stopped that too. I recently started peeking in because I wanted to see what they were saying and yes, it's all anti-Russia and pro-Israel. The comments are disgusting and ignorant. Scott Johnson is the resident Zionist and Hinderacker is a neocon war monger. They are a Straussian shop with Hayward. They were mildly anti-Trump the first go around.
How do you interpret trying? He has bowed to his donor masters and is now the war president. Your ad hominem attack on other readers and those who offer opinions here appear to be much more informed than you was ignorant. Blind allegiance by uninformed people like you is why this country is floundering. DOGE revelations were no surprise, but welcome exposure of the truth for the uninformed like you. But it’s not enough to make public noise we need leaders who will walk the walk not just self aggrandize with bull shite and then cave. We’ve seen this foreign policy before and it’s just more of the same except a different side is walking away with a bigger slices of the pie while the folks see their wealth melt away. Address the concerns and dig deeper for some critical thinking and self awareness.
I'm sure the kremlin was well aware that this would be the outcome, the shocking fact that Trump is full of shit just like he was 8 years ago. Regardless of what the western elites and media say, the global majority fully back Russia and that's all that matters.
The Ukraine will collapse along with the EU and the US economy will too, it won't happen overnight, but it will and that's what the global majority want.
Once again the delusional optimistic citizens of the west have voted in another nutcase and fallen for the same trick.
When the food starts running out and the lights stop working, then and maybe only then, will the western world's people wake up and rise up.
I am a compulsive contrarian so here goes. When Trump says something outrageous, it is generally a magic trick. "May i direct your attention over here." Often, it is to get a reaction of, "that's the stupidest thing I have ever heard. He needs to do such and such." And presto, alakazam, the heretofore impossible appears (like magic).
We can certainly hope, Jeff, and I get it that there is often a big difference between what Trump says and what he actually does. However, this time he's backed up his rhetoric with the concrete acts of restoring arms supplies and intel.
‘The unstoppable courage of the Russian soldier’ occurred during godless communist totalitarianism. Now Russia is again on God’s side, opposing godless nazi/banderite and nato/western corruptocracies, and I doubt they are going to be any less unstoppable. Great to see the bankers overreach!
When so much is at stake this looks like a horror show. I've never been a fan of the genre. We wanted the truth, clarity and transparency. This show is none of that.
What a blow! The rug has been pulled out from under the American people by a man who has ripped off the peace mask he put on.
Trump played Putin and set him up. BIG mistake.
Trump is going to keep the billions of American dollars flowing into Project Ukraine, and into madman Netanyahu's Israel. Shipments of bombs will be sent to keep the killing going.
How long before our soldiers will be sent to Ukraine, Russia, Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Yemen, and Iran?
Will Americans take to the streets in protest, as the Romanians are doing because their votes have been stolen from them?
Oh wait, we best not exercise our right to free speech, because we could get arrested. College students in the US cannot speak out in protest against the genocide Israel is doing.
I don't think Trump wants to escalate. His priority is to save the United States.
So far, I think he's doing a good job. I've long been unhappy with the direction of our country and if he disappoints, we keep going forward, looking for a new standard bearer. A lot of times Trump employs bombast to keep his opponents guessing. Who knows? Maybe he and Putin have a plan to leave Ukraine and Europe holding the bag.
Trump has a very narrow path to follow. Our debt is the number one challenge we face. Our depleted military capacity is another. He does have a limited amount of cards to play and I'm sure he knows it.
Yes, time is not our friend. These problems go back a long time and they've been snowballing. The hour is late. Recovery will not happen overnight.
I read Meaning in History because I appreciate the views that Mr. Wauck and fellow commenters posit. I also read other sources that have a different take.
They do and I agree we are attacking issues that have been left to metastasize for too long and fixing them will take time and fixing often takes the most time.
Same here. Mark's work is astounding and the people who share their views here are appreciate even when there might be disagreement we can say so without offending each other. The other sites where views on the subject differ tend to be very combative when challenged.
At home, Trump is doing a great job, IJM. However, his foreign policy is a disaster. And there seems little point in Doge saving the odd billion here and there if Trump is pouring even more billions into Ukraine. Maybe he and Putin do have something going behind the scenes and Trump is just playing to the crowd. Unfortunately, I think it's more likely that it's Trump doing his usual thing: talking himself into a corner.
IJM, I agree with everything you say. I absolutely love everything PDJT is doing domestically. Unfortunately, it isn't helpful for him to proclaim that he wants peace and yet to keep arming Ukraine and giving it intelligence info to bomb and drone Russian territory. That will prolong the war. It also isn't helpful for him to continue sending bombs to Israel and to threaten the citizens of Gaza with "hell." It also isn't helpful for the promotion of peace for him to greenlight Israeli troop incursions into Lebanon and Syria, and to threaten Iran with military force.
Like many people, I just wish he would get us out of all of these places as quickly as possible. I know that is fraught with danger politically and I don't expect that to be easy or fast. At the same time, the last thing I want is to see him take actions that will actually escalate war or the timelines needed to withdraw. I don't think he wants to escalate either. But some of the things he is doing seem at cross purposes to his stated goals. I do appreciate everything he has gone through and his good intentions.
PDJT does like to keep people off balance so it’s a mistake to make assessments too quickly. Did he not approve Javelin missiles to Ukr during his 1st tenure? The Russians won’t forget that either.
Trump's claim will be he was reasonable, but it's Putin who is the problem. Is vilifying Putin his scapegoat for not keeping his campaign promise or is it kubuki theater?
Remember that 1970s by Stealers Wheel, 'Stuck in the middle with you'? "Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right...."
Donald Trump could sing that song. He's taking on collectively, Europe, China, the Middle East, media, the Deep State, Democrats and Republicans.
I'm going on my gut here. He's got to appear tough, but not too, tough. Putin won't respect a weakling. And, yes, I have concerns about being too much in Israel's pocket.
I remember the maxim, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."
Yeah, I remember and I take your point. Perfect! He's a uniquely tough man in a uniquely tough position. He can use our prayers both for his protection and for his judgment. Thanks!
Frankly, this is the best possible outcome for Russia. Their best course of action has always been to stay the course and finish the job. Trump's rhetoric and bluster now gives Putin ample cover to ignore these bombastic threats and press ahead with military action. Very likely this stunt will result in Russia now taking everything east of the Dnieper River, and if Trump doubles down, they will take Odessa too.
Even if there had been negotiations and positive exchanges between the two sides, I think the Putin would still have pushed on to those targets. Without them, any deal is a Pyrrhic victory for Russia.
Rubio and the Euroweenies are all quoting the same cliché: "The ball is now in Russia's court". They are completely correct, of course - but not in the way that they imagine.
I agree
I see this as a great move by Trump. Trump knows that the Russians will not accept the US Ukraine EU deal, and Trump knows he cannot sell the Deal the Russians Will accept - to the US Senate and Congress or EU .
Making the best of a no win situation -
You try to sell the US Public and try to sell the rest of the world, that you are reasonable and seeking peace and that you offered or will offer a reasonable settlement
---- This points out the Error Tremendous Error Biden made - he refused to even speak.
So While Trump knows absolutely the US Ukraine offer is hogwash and will go no where
Trump is offering as PR
So the ball is in Russia Court and Russia keep hitting
Great points.
Latest headline from Zerohedge states perfectly the Russian response: "Moscow 'Studying' 30-day Truce Plan, Makes Steady Battlefield Gains In Meantime"
They are not waiting on the mercurial Trump who is backed by the people who wish to destroy the Russian nation and it's people. It's clear Trump is collaborating with his Zionist backers to allow "Big Israel" Ukraine to pause, regroup and then continue. To me it looks like the Trump admin. has hit a wall (not the one they promised to build on our southern border) and is floundering while the Zionists seek continuance. Now Trump is the monkey on the leash of the Organ Grinder we know as the Israel Lobby.
Well put - "It's Trump's War Now." There's nothing in this ceasefire deal that the Russians can agree to. Simplicius has a good review of why the Russians won't bite - https://simplicius76.substack.com/p/us-and-ukraine-hatch-ceasefire-travesty
Wow, Simp was scathing of Trump, not just over Ukraine, but in general!
Yes, he was. I go to other sites like "The Power Line Blog" or "Epoch News" to see what they are saying. I am dumb struck how strong and deep the anti-Russia and Palestinian feelings are, and how they cheer on Israel and Ukraine. They want slaughter. I have many people who will not speak with me for my views on these two conflicts and the reality of who the real bad guys are.
Wait till you see the British press, Cos. It's 1854 and the Charge of the Light Brigade all over again. I share your views about the two conflicts, and I'm not vaccinated against Covid, so my list of cocktail party invites is somewhat small! :)
Powerline blog is anti Russia and pro Israel all the time. I rarely visit any more.
Yes, you are correct. I stopped reading them about four years ago, although I would pop in for the Saturday morning funnies post by Hayward. I stopped that too. I recently started peeking in because I wanted to see what they were saying and yes, it's all anti-Russia and pro-Israel. The comments are disgusting and ignorant. Scott Johnson is the resident Zionist and Hinderacker is a neocon war monger. They are a Straussian shop with Hayward. They were mildly anti-Trump the first go around.
How do you interpret trying? He has bowed to his donor masters and is now the war president. Your ad hominem attack on other readers and those who offer opinions here appear to be much more informed than you was ignorant. Blind allegiance by uninformed people like you is why this country is floundering. DOGE revelations were no surprise, but welcome exposure of the truth for the uninformed like you. But it’s not enough to make public noise we need leaders who will walk the walk not just self aggrandize with bull shite and then cave. We’ve seen this foreign policy before and it’s just more of the same except a different side is walking away with a bigger slices of the pie while the folks see their wealth melt away. Address the concerns and dig deeper for some critical thinking and self awareness.
I'm sure the kremlin was well aware that this would be the outcome, the shocking fact that Trump is full of shit just like he was 8 years ago. Regardless of what the western elites and media say, the global majority fully back Russia and that's all that matters.
The Ukraine will collapse along with the EU and the US economy will too, it won't happen overnight, but it will and that's what the global majority want.
Once again the delusional optimistic citizens of the west have voted in another nutcase and fallen for the same trick.
When the food starts running out and the lights stop working, then and maybe only then, will the western world's people wake up and rise up.
I am a compulsive contrarian so here goes. When Trump says something outrageous, it is generally a magic trick. "May i direct your attention over here." Often, it is to get a reaction of, "that's the stupidest thing I have ever heard. He needs to do such and such." And presto, alakazam, the heretofore impossible appears (like magic).
A guy can hope, right?
We can certainly hope, Jeff, and I get it that there is often a big difference between what Trump says and what he actually does. However, this time he's backed up his rhetoric with the concrete acts of restoring arms supplies and intel.
Trump knows Russia would say no.
So what political purpose does Trumps actions over Ukraine have, over the past month?
And what has Trump achieved so far?
He's achieved the goal of convincing Putin (if he ever needed to be) that this will be settled on the battlefield, not at the negotiating table.
I don’t believe that Putin believes otherwise.
‘The unstoppable courage of the Russian soldier’ occurred during godless communist totalitarianism. Now Russia is again on God’s side, opposing godless nazi/banderite and nato/western corruptocracies, and I doubt they are going to be any less unstoppable. Great to see the bankers overreach!
I knew we couldn't count on him in Palestine, but I had hopes regarding Ukraine; apparently not.
If you would like to learn about the Russian Tu-160 strategic bomber, here is a good description that includes color photos:
https://www.19fortyfive.com/2025/03/tu-160m-russia-has-the-worlds-fastest-and-largest-bomber-flying-in-2025/
It's a beast.
https://youtu.be/xxbpqKaAn1Q
The B-1A had similar capabilities, not as large or heavy, of course that project was killed, during the Jimmy era.
Awesome video of "The White Swan,", Mark!
Everyone--do take a look.
Nothing Can Stop Russia.
Trump is seeding a narrative that from our vantage we can only guess.
Let's see what happens.
Enjoy the show.
"Enjoy the show"
When so much is at stake this looks like a horror show. I've never been a fan of the genre. We wanted the truth, clarity and transparency. This show is none of that.
Total madness !!!
And stupidity, too !!!
What a blow! The rug has been pulled out from under the American people by a man who has ripped off the peace mask he put on.
Trump played Putin and set him up. BIG mistake.
Trump is going to keep the billions of American dollars flowing into Project Ukraine, and into madman Netanyahu's Israel. Shipments of bombs will be sent to keep the killing going.
How long before our soldiers will be sent to Ukraine, Russia, Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Yemen, and Iran?
Will Americans take to the streets in protest, as the Romanians are doing because their votes have been stolen from them?
Oh wait, we best not exercise our right to free speech, because we could get arrested. College students in the US cannot speak out in protest against the genocide Israel is doing.
I don't think Trump wants to escalate. His priority is to save the United States.
So far, I think he's doing a good job. I've long been unhappy with the direction of our country and if he disappoints, we keep going forward, looking for a new standard bearer. A lot of times Trump employs bombast to keep his opponents guessing. Who knows? Maybe he and Putin have a plan to leave Ukraine and Europe holding the bag.
Trump has a very narrow path to follow. Our debt is the number one challenge we face. Our depleted military capacity is another. He does have a limited amount of cards to play and I'm sure he knows it.
Time is not our friend and yes, he has few cards to play and I doubt he has the Ace up his sleeve.
Yes, time is not our friend. These problems go back a long time and they've been snowballing. The hour is late. Recovery will not happen overnight.
I read Meaning in History because I appreciate the views that Mr. Wauck and fellow commenters posit. I also read other sources that have a different take.
I'll stick with my wait and see position.
They do and I agree we are attacking issues that have been left to metastasize for too long and fixing them will take time and fixing often takes the most time.
Same here. Mark's work is astounding and the people who share their views here are appreciate even when there might be disagreement we can say so without offending each other. The other sites where views on the subject differ tend to be very combative when challenged.
I applaud your patient wait and see approach.
You're delusional my friend. That what you think is how they want you to think.
I hardly think I'm delusional and I don't appreciate that comment.
You've made three references in this thread alone to others being delusional and one reference to "low IQ."
I'm capable of thinking for myself and I posted a perfectly reasonable proposition.
I'm well aware of the grave situation this nation is facing. However, I won't allow my emotions to control my ability to reason.
At home, Trump is doing a great job, IJM. However, his foreign policy is a disaster. And there seems little point in Doge saving the odd billion here and there if Trump is pouring even more billions into Ukraine. Maybe he and Putin do have something going behind the scenes and Trump is just playing to the crowd. Unfortunately, I think it's more likely that it's Trump doing his usual thing: talking himself into a corner.
You could be right. I'm not yet convinced.
Time will tell. I'm keeping an open mind.
I hope to be wrong, Just.
Brother, buckle up. This is high stakes, for all the marbles.
IJM, I agree with everything you say. I absolutely love everything PDJT is doing domestically. Unfortunately, it isn't helpful for him to proclaim that he wants peace and yet to keep arming Ukraine and giving it intelligence info to bomb and drone Russian territory. That will prolong the war. It also isn't helpful for him to continue sending bombs to Israel and to threaten the citizens of Gaza with "hell." It also isn't helpful for the promotion of peace for him to greenlight Israeli troop incursions into Lebanon and Syria, and to threaten Iran with military force.
Like many people, I just wish he would get us out of all of these places as quickly as possible. I know that is fraught with danger politically and I don't expect that to be easy or fast. At the same time, the last thing I want is to see him take actions that will actually escalate war or the timelines needed to withdraw. I don't think he wants to escalate either. But some of the things he is doing seem at cross purposes to his stated goals. I do appreciate everything he has gone through and his good intentions.
PDJT does like to keep people off balance so it’s a mistake to make assessments too quickly. Did he not approve Javelin missiles to Ukr during his 1st tenure? The Russians won’t forget that either.
“ . . . when it comes to Russia
5:06 they also know that Donald Trump can't be trusted at all I mean this is I don't know who Donald Trump thinks he's
5:12 fooling but the Russians don't have short memories uh the Russians are fully cognizant of the fact that Donald Trump
5:18 when he was president last time promised that he was pursuing friendship and end up being a president that was horrible
5:24 for Russia um imposing sanctions but not just that I mean Donald Trump this this notion that uh that you know Donald
5:33 Trump wouldn't have allowed this war to take place is a lie this war is Donald Trump's War he created the conditions
5:39 never forget that the Russian maneuvering that took place in uh 2021 um is you know the the maneuvering
5:47 of troops is because of policies put in place by Donald Trump to rebuild the Ukrainian Army to position Ukrainian
5:53 Army so they can pose an offensive military threat to the Russians of the dombas straight up Donald Trump did that
6:01 Donald Trump armed them Donald Trump's the one that went along with the facade of Minsk um you know leading the
6:08 Russians down a a path believing that there was going to be um you
6:14 know peace all along knowing that it wasn't it just to buy time to build up the army that Donald Trump built up
6:21 Donald Trump put the NATO train facility in the western Ukraine in 2017 Donald
6:26 Trump built a battalion of Ukrainian forces every 55 days designed to fight the NATO standards to recapture the doas
6:34 Donald Trump did that and he wants maybe in the west we'll forget it the Russians
6:40 aren't going to forget that they know damn well who he is and what he has done this is Donald Trump's war and now he's
6:47 trying to pretend that it isn't it . . .
remember those 20 bases the CIA bases that went in there who was the president when they went in
11:02 Donald Trump what was the policy of the United States When Donald Trump was President the Strategic defeat of
11:07 Russia“?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kznnOT8aA0
The part about Trump setting the conditions that made war inevitable is what I've been maintaining.
Trump's claim will be he was reasonable, but it's Putin who is the problem. Is vilifying Putin his scapegoat for not keeping his campaign promise or is it kubuki theater?
Putin will say "So what?" and keep on pushing westwards. He cares not a jot what we think about him.
Thanks for that nice reply.
Remember that 1970s by Stealers Wheel, 'Stuck in the middle with you'? "Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right...."
Donald Trump could sing that song. He's taking on collectively, Europe, China, the Middle East, media, the Deep State, Democrats and Republicans.
I'm going on my gut here. He's got to appear tough, but not too, tough. Putin won't respect a weakling. And, yes, I have concerns about being too much in Israel's pocket.
I remember the maxim, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."
Yeah, I remember and I take your point. Perfect! He's a uniquely tough man in a uniquely tough position. He can use our prayers both for his protection and for his judgment. Thanks!
Thanks.
Amen to prayer.
Seems like sand pit diplomacy, “Its his fault.”
I wonder if the Euro conflict was an under the table ruse to garner public opinion and get Europe into a war economy. Seems like it worked.
Also temporarily pulling Intel/Com from Ukraine may have been a threat to ramp up mobilisation.
Frankly, this is the best possible outcome for Russia. Their best course of action has always been to stay the course and finish the job. Trump's rhetoric and bluster now gives Putin ample cover to ignore these bombastic threats and press ahead with military action. Very likely this stunt will result in Russia now taking everything east of the Dnieper River, and if Trump doubles down, they will take Odessa too.
Absolutely correct. The Russians saw this 'peace proposal' a mile away. Low IQ is destroying the west.
Even if there had been negotiations and positive exchanges between the two sides, I think the Putin would still have pushed on to those targets. Without them, any deal is a Pyrrhic victory for Russia.
Right! If PDJT can encourage israel to finish ‘the job’, then turnabout for Russia is fair play.
They need to take Odessa regardless
Yes!