Great article at Simplicius the Thinker about the upcoming talks. His final line hits the nail on the head. After the Minsk betrayals, "the ‘talks’—even the upcoming ones between Trump and Putin personally—are likely only to be the very opening normalization procedures of a very long process, which will take its natural course through the remainder of the year, as the Russian army continues to plow ahead." We're living in the middle of amazing "slowly then suddenly" times.
Well, the UK - and the EU - are now going to have to put their money where their mouths are. It wouldn't surprise me if they raise the spectre of an "EU army" again at their pathetic beanofest. It would satisfy all of their delusional megalomanic tendencies: We're major players on the world stage, Russia fears us, and last not but not least, an army would make us into the European superstate that we all want. As for the UK, as a Brit, I never understood our former reputation for playing fair. We were always a nasty, arrogant bunch.
admittedly I’m a russophile but Lavrov is very impressive. Mark, I think you’ve said yourself that the Russians take this seriously. it’s not something they give you as a political gesture
David Stockman sees how the trilateral disarmament could work. He points out that, the numbers that Trump is talking about would leave us with a strong nuclear deterrent and homeland protection. It would bring us back all the way to what the founding fathers envisioned. None of the countries would face realistic threats at that point. And being Stockman, he shows us the math.
It's a bi-lateral agreement but they do not say what France gets out of it
Seems like the US will take whatever France thought they might get
I have the feeling Zelensky promised the resources to many
Sequel to the Producers
In the 1968 film The Producers, Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom sell 25,000% of their next show, Springtime for Hitler, to raise money. Their plan is to produce a flop, pocket the profits, and run away.
Yep. I got it wrong about Trump. I thought he was incapable of two things: learning from his mistakes and picking the right people. Even after 3 weeks, it's clear that Trump 2.0 is as different from Trump 1.0 as my waistline is now from what it was in 1980.
Yes. I also doubted whether he could be tough enough. Or would end up being a beast of burden for the political establishment. This time around they're scared of him, and those who aren't may be about to learn the hard way. I suspect he has no illusions and therefore no loyalties when it comes to the Swamp.
I do not think Trump has forgotten - but that pining over past EU UK meddling, backstabbling if you like, is irrelevant to the goal.
Russia has full control and Ukraine for the taking; it is important for Trump to get control of resources moreso given China control of the rare mineral market and recent ban on shipping several rare minerals to the US. The US desperately needs these minerals.
If you had not seen this video you may appreciate it
China's new export ban on tungsten shocks defense contractors as Pentagon races to find new supply
It was all so unnecessary. Without Nudelman and the Neocons, we could have worked out trade deals with the Russians and Chinese long ago instead dissing and provoking them. Everyone could have been a winner.
Great synopsis. Putin will plough on in Ukraine until he fulfils the aim of the SMO, so there's no joy there for Trump. His only hope of a good ending is, as you say, to make it all part of a much bigger agreement. I can't wait to see the neocons' faces if it works out. Imagine the US, Russia and China actually finding a way of living together instead of the US trying to boss everyone around with forever wars and far-flung interventions! The bottom line, though, is that Trump must let Ukraine (and Israel) become what Vietnam was to LBJ: "distractions" that destroyed his domestic programmes.
A battered Ukraine is a broken Ukraine... never again to be a threat to Russia. Good riddance IMO. Trump has mainly ambivalent feelings on this and only looks for payback to the US taxpayers for Zhou's war.
A lot of the money may be unrecoverable, but I'm sure DOGE can claw it back from many other places. Banning sex change surgery in the armed forces should account for a lot of the deficit!
Great article at Simplicius the Thinker about the upcoming talks. His final line hits the nail on the head. After the Minsk betrayals, "the ‘talks’—even the upcoming ones between Trump and Putin personally—are likely only to be the very opening normalization procedures of a very long process, which will take its natural course through the remainder of the year, as the Russian army continues to plow ahead." We're living in the middle of amazing "slowly then suddenly" times.
Ukraine did not do this on their initiative. I think this is the EU response to JD Vance's speech, led by the UK.
Well, the UK - and the EU - are now going to have to put their money where their mouths are. It wouldn't surprise me if they raise the spectre of an "EU army" again at their pathetic beanofest. It would satisfy all of their delusional megalomanic tendencies: We're major players on the world stage, Russia fears us, and last not but not least, an army would make us into the European superstate that we all want. As for the UK, as a Brit, I never understood our former reputation for playing fair. We were always a nasty, arrogant bunch.
The Brits excel at perfidy, but lets not forget USAid.
Success on the home front is a key message as our friend Hakeem Olajuwon Jeffries is sending the message that the price of eggs is too high. https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5148023-jeffries-trump-gop-cost-of-living/
Isn't that cause for impeachment? Or will Trump unleash an Egg-ecutive order to deal with it?
If he did the message would be scrambled.
admittedly I’m a russophile but Lavrov is very impressive. Mark, I think you’ve said yourself that the Russians take this seriously. it’s not something they give you as a political gesture
Team Russia against the Western "leaders" is men against boys/girls. It's almost cruel.
as serious as wodka.
“the cretins in Kiev seem determined to right a wrong and convince America to send its future military aid warhead-first.”
Given Trump’s obliterate Iran order if assassinated he has a big bullseye painted on his back.
Cartels, Israel, Europe and Ukraine will have an interest in seeing him gone.
It’s an odd coalition that has Kennedy written all over it.
Don't discount this guy... https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/02/alert-federal-authorities-so-called-comedian-calls-assassination/
David Stockman sees how the trilateral disarmament could work. He points out that, the numbers that Trump is talking about would leave us with a strong nuclear deterrent and homeland protection. It would bring us back all the way to what the founding fathers envisioned. None of the countries would face realistic threats at that point. And being Stockman, he shows us the math.
https://davidstockman.substack.com/p/hallelujah-president-trump-actually
I really do not see it as Trump punishing UK EU for the election shenanigans or bad words or feelings
But as an awareness that there is little to nothing left in Ukraine once Russia takes what they want
The US is desperate for resources the EU even more
eg: China began banning the export of several rare minerals and the US has to be in a panic over that, very very very large panic
So who was promised what in Ukraine and what is actually available
eg: The French had apparently made a few agreements, here is one reported:
https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20240312-french-parliament-to-vote-on-macron-s-ukraine-strategy-after-controversial-ground-troop-comments
It's a bi-lateral agreement but they do not say what France gets out of it
Seems like the US will take whatever France thought they might get
I have the feeling Zelensky promised the resources to many
Sequel to the Producers
In the 1968 film The Producers, Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom sell 25,000% of their next show, Springtime for Hitler, to raise money. Their plan is to produce a flop, pocket the profits, and run away.
"I really do not see it as Trump punishing UK EU for the election shenanigans or bad words or feelings" Oh I disagree. Trump has a long memory. He's reminded now every day he walks into the oval office and his Georgia mug shot photo hangs on the wall. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trumps-mugshot-spotted-hanging-ornate-frame-near-oval-office
Yep. I got it wrong about Trump. I thought he was incapable of two things: learning from his mistakes and picking the right people. Even after 3 weeks, it's clear that Trump 2.0 is as different from Trump 1.0 as my waistline is now from what it was in 1980.
wish it would impact my waistline. Cherry coke and Bon Bon's watching the media explode isn't helping it.
I've outsourced my waistline to the local brewery, Cardi.
I assume the brand is called "EU Light".
Yes. I also doubted whether he could be tough enough. Or would end up being a beast of burden for the political establishment. This time around they're scared of him, and those who aren't may be about to learn the hard way. I suspect he has no illusions and therefore no loyalties when it comes to the Swamp.
Agreed. He also knows that he has 4 years to do what he needs to do.
I do not think Trump has forgotten - but that pining over past EU UK meddling, backstabbling if you like, is irrelevant to the goal.
Russia has full control and Ukraine for the taking; it is important for Trump to get control of resources moreso given China control of the rare mineral market and recent ban on shipping several rare minerals to the US. The US desperately needs these minerals.
If you had not seen this video you may appreciate it
China's new export ban on tungsten shocks defense contractors as Pentagon races to find new supply
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivdsyNvFq_8
Critical Thinking at it's finest by the Pentagon bureaucrats.
It was all so unnecessary. Without Nudelman and the Neocons, we could have worked out trade deals with the Russians and Chinese long ago instead dissing and provoking them. Everyone could have been a winner.
Great synopsis. Putin will plough on in Ukraine until he fulfils the aim of the SMO, so there's no joy there for Trump. His only hope of a good ending is, as you say, to make it all part of a much bigger agreement. I can't wait to see the neocons' faces if it works out. Imagine the US, Russia and China actually finding a way of living together instead of the US trying to boss everyone around with forever wars and far-flung interventions! The bottom line, though, is that Trump must let Ukraine (and Israel) become what Vietnam was to LBJ: "distractions" that destroyed his domestic programmes.
A battered Ukraine is a broken Ukraine... never again to be a threat to Russia. Good riddance IMO. Trump has mainly ambivalent feelings on this and only looks for payback to the US taxpayers for Zhou's war.
A lot of the money may be unrecoverable, but I'm sure DOGE can claw it back from many other places. Banning sex change surgery in the armed forces should account for a lot of the deficit!
The Trans military no more.
Yep. It does actually reduce our military capabilities: the enemy will no longer die of laughter.