Ukraine Invasion: Part 55

[MagicFox]

We're on 55. Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦 That last one went quickly!

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What I've seen so far is that the intel is still flowing, as of right now. No guesses as to the future.

IN fact a Ukrainian official said that as of last night the military aid had not stopped arriving, but perhaps that was already nearly there?

A Ukraine peace deal “won’t make anyone happy,” and both sides will have to make concessions. “You can’t walk into the Oval Office demanding only security guarantees while refusing to discuss what Ukraine is willing to concede.”

Vance is such a fucking snake (apologies to any legless reptiles I've unwittingly offended, I know that you have spines and I should be comparing him to an invertebrate). What will Russia be conceding?

What a shame Zelensky has had to concede to Trump re rare minerals.
Wasn't Europe so lucky in 1939- 1945 that support against Hitler wasn't transactional.

https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1896948147085049916 from Zelenskyy in the last few minutes.

Basically everything Trump has been asking for.

@shashankjohsi

Worth stating simply what’s happening. An American government is launching a full-scope political & economic assault on an ally repelling an ongoing invasion to compel them to terminate martial law, topple their president, hand over minerals to America & accept a ceasefire w/out security guarantees.

Except he didn't apologize for anything that happened at that meeting. And Ukraine was ready to sign the minerals deal last week, after it had been negotiated to be far less one sided and have the money paid into a jointly administered fund.

If Trump is looking for groveling, this isn't it.

But what does he have to apologise for in regards to the meeting? I'm asking genuinely as I can't see what he did wrong.

I agree.

I don't think he did anything wrong either, but clearly Trump and Vance do.

Agree..

Oh, and sorry to hear you’ve had the ‘ick- hope you are fully recovered PDQ.

Their issue was (apparently) that he didn’t say thank you or acknowledge Trump’s personal contribution. He’s done both those things.

Trudeau absolutely ripping Trump and tariffs on SKY

I thought he was great! “You’re a very clever man but this is a very stupid thing to do” 😂 fuck Trump!

It was like a nice cold drink on a very hot day!

Things are so utterly shit that to be honest I’m here for the pettiness.

Piton appears to be speaking, BBC have him on mute though so no idea what he’s going on about.

Thanks. My fabulous GP Rx'd me the antiviral medication Tamiflu, which was really helpful. I'd probably still be laid up if I hadn't had it. I highly recommend it if you have the flu and can get it.

This WSJ columnist thinks there's hope for the US NATO relationship based on Trump's transactional mindset, if Europe actually starts to do some heavy lifting on defense. Let's hope so. The US and Europe need each other militarily.

Donbas in the Oval - A White House press conference opens a second front in the Ukraine War.

And Mr. Trump? His cynicism will be congruent with his times and needs. He wants a peace that will keep at least until he’s out of office. He wants a Nobel Prize. And, of course, the U.S. must make a profit. His rift with Europe is ripe to be repaired just as quickly as he sees an attractive offer on the table. Then expect a sequel to his first term when he announced himself a “NATO fan” after noting spending increases he could take credit for.

Most of all, Mr. Trump knows the U.S. could yet be pulled into a war over Ukraine, which also came across in Friday’s scrum. This is a powerful motivator to any president.

Seem to be reports that’s the minerals deal will be signed tonight so Trump can announce it in his not a state of the u ion address. Honestly I can’t keep up.

Yes it looks like Zelenskyy has had to take one for the team.

Not sure what's in the deal but I hope it's not too unfavourable to Ukraine.

Hope you don't me joining in - I've lurked for the last three years but I couldn't stay silent with what's gone on this last few days.

I love when lurkers feel comfortable enough to join us in conversation 🇺🇦 It’s definitely more favourable than the original draft of the “deal” but I want to hear that in return aid will continue, I won’t hold my breath though!

Ukraine will sign a mineral contract with the US which won't yield anything until 20 years from now, only if, US companies qualify to mine. Trump the master strategist is set to sign the equivalent of a "maybe" by Ukraine. Trump gets to gloat and Ukraine gets ammunition. #StandWithUkraine

https://www.csis.org/analysis/breaking-down-us-ukraine-minerals-deal

Thanks I don't post much on the site despite being here far too many years.

There are an army of lurkers supporting Ukraine I am sure. I really appreciate the expertise on this thread.

I strongly dislike Trump for many reasons but what he did on Friday to an ally facing annihilation is beyond the pale.

Trump's address is at 2am GMT (9pm EST).