Russian Ukraine Invasion

Tonight President Trump addressed a joint session of Congress. He addressed a wide variety of issues, but a highlight was his announcement that Ukrainian President Zelensky had a letter delivered to him a few hours ago, in which Zelensky said that he wanted the war to end and was willing to come to the negotiating table as soon as is practical. He also said that he was willing to sign the minerals deal as soon as is convenient. Zelensky thanked the US for everything that America has done to help preserve Ukrainian independence and praised Trump for his strong leadership. President Trump for his part praised Zelensky.

(That wasn't so hard was it Zelensky?)

And President Trump announced that he had communicated with Russian President Putin who said that Russia is prepared to come to the negotiating table as well.

So it really sounds like like the diplomatic track is back on again.

I'm not sure what happened. Trump's freezing military aid to Ukraine doubtless got Kyiv's attention. And Zelensky probably got an earful from others in his government and military, demanding that he climb down.

Even Starmer, Macron and the other Europeans are doing precisely what Trump wants them to do.

So after what appeared to be a disaster on Friday, things are shaping up very well on Tuesday.

(Mar 5, 2025 05:51 AM)Yazata Wrote: Tonight President Trump addressed a joint session of Congress. He addressed a wide variety of issues, but a highlight was his announcement that Ukrainian President Zelensky had a letter delivered to him a few hours ago, in which Zelensky said that he wanted the war to end and was willing to come to the negotiating table as soon as is practical. He also said that he was willing to sign the minerals deal as soon as is convenient. Zelensky thanked the US for everything that America has done to help preserve Ukrainian independence and praised Trump for his strong leadership. President Trump for his part praised Zelensky.

(That wasn't so hard was it Zelensky?)

And President Trump announced that he had communicated with Russian President Putin who said that Russia is prepared to come to the negotiating table as well.

So it really sounds like like the diplomatic track is back on again.

I'm not sure what happened. Trump's freezing military aid to Ukraine doubtless got Kyiv's attention. And Zelensky probably got an earful from others in his government and military, demanding that he climb down.

Even Starmer, Macron and the other Europeans are doing precisely what Trump wants them to do.

So after what appeared to be a disaster on Friday, things are shaping up very well on Tuesday.

When the US eventually finds out they've all been played (by a hostile government) and that all the allies had to play along too because of Trumps ego, expect things to get really interesting.

Yazata Wrote:(That wasn't so hard was it Zelensky?)

I'd sooner have watched my country burn than go back to Trump - probably not exactly easy for Zelensky.

(Mar 5, 2025 02:44 PM)confused2 Wrote:

Yazata Wrote:(That wasn't so hard was it Zelensky?)

I'd sooner have watched my country burn than go back to Trump - probably not exactly easy for Zelensky.

See, the left has become the war hawks. Damn the number of dead bodies propping up their fragile egos or abiding hatreds.

(Mar 6, 2025 01:41 AM)Syne Wrote:

(Mar 5, 2025 02:44 PM)confused2 Wrote:

Yazata Wrote:(That wasn't so hard was it Zelensky?)

I'd sooner have watched my country burn than go back to Trump - probably not exactly easy for Zelensky.

See, the left has become the war hawks. Damn the number of dead bodies propping up their fragile egos or abiding hatreds.

Nazi's would see everyone as Left considering their Swastika is Clockwise.

Trump's actions are totally reactionary and erratic. He has no reliable policies and no long term game plan.

"President Donald Trump said Friday he is “strongly considering” levying new sanctions and tariffs on Russia for its war against Ukraine, floating the possibility of new pressure on Moscow just days after he ordered a pause on U.S. military assistance and intelligence sharing with Kyiv.

Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform, said he was considering the action “based on the fact that Russia is absolutely ‘pounding’ Ukraine on the battlefield right now.”

He added that the prospective sanctions could remain in place until the two sides come to a ceasefire and peace settlement.

The sanctions threat came as Trump faces criticism for increasing pressure on Ukraine to reach a deal while playing down or even denying Russia’s responsibility for starting the war with its invasion three years ago.

“To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late,” Trump added in his post."

https://apnews.com/article/trump-russia-...a48ccb306b

So stronger sanctions aren't pressure to reach a deal?
Seems pretty consistent. Pressure both sides to reach a peace deal.

Why did he lift sanctions on Russia in the first place? I guess seeing Russia go in and start bombing Ukraine was a wake-up call. "Hey, maybe Putin CAN'T be trusted!" Ya think?!!

Please cite your source on Trump lifting sanctions on Russia.

Trump only entertained the possibility of removing sanctions. Can you show otherwise, or have you just been drinking from the MSNBC fountain?

As of March 8, the situation is kind of mixed in the Ukraine war.

In Russia's Kursk oblast, last summer's Ukrainian offensive appears to be in increasingly dire difficulty.

But in the small mining city of Toretsk which Russia captured a couple of months ago, Ukraine's attempts to recapture it continue. The Ukrainians continue to push forces deep into the town.

And there has been little change around Pokrovsk, where the Ukrainians are resisting Russian attempts to advance.

nsNS

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(Mar 8, 2025 11:59 PM)Syne Wrote: Please cite your source on Trump lifting sanctions on Russia.

I haven't heard anything about sanctions being removed.

Quote:Trump only entertained the possibility of removing sanctions.

That's what I heard. It makes sense: offer to reduce sanctions if Russia does what we want, and threaten to increase them if they don't.

Quote:Can you show otherwise, or have you just been drinking from the MSNBC fountain?

The alternate-reality fountain of disinformation!