Ukraine Invasion: Part 55

[MagicFox]

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

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Apologies, I posted the wrong link above.

https://theconversation.com/chicken-wire-ai-and-mobile-phones-on-sticks-how-the-drone-war-in-ukraine-is-driving-a-fierce-battle-of-innovation-235503

Its the USA going back to "America First" a policy they had up until 1941, even when Europe had been invaded for over 2 years... yes they sent us stuff but it was all about business and how much money can we make.

Abandoning Ukraine (and leaving all of Europe to its own devices) is this policy in action.
Macron seems to have woken up to this, will the UK?

I don't hold with the "Trump is a Soviet Asset" stuff... even if he was, what about all those around him?

Starmer's diplomacy and KC state visits, will not alter this new direction the Americans have taken.
The Americans are the new enemy of Europe/UK and all the sweet talk isn't going to change that.... they'll be introducing Tariffs against us in the near future.

Never before have we needed a strong EU, with the UK at its heart but thanks to the Tories, we haven't got that.

The Russians have now said that stopping intel share, is a great step towards peace...

This all sorts of reminds me of a political style of Blitzkrieg by Trump. Huge political attacks in a short space of time, leaving little choice but to give into demands of the USA administration. Disgusting way to handle things really but not surprising with his America first policy.

America First has always been America's policy.

The last 50 years hasn't been philanthropy! They've just exercised power in different ways.

The difference is that Trump thinking he can manage Putin and their primary threat switching to China.

Sorry, wrong thread!

@Alexandra2001 the eu is weak because of the tories?

No worries @Notonthestairs !

Four senior members of Donald Trump’s entourage have held secret discussions with some of Kyiv’s top political opponents to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, just as Washington aligns with Moscow in seeking to lever the Ukrainian president out of his job

https://www.politico.eu/article/donald-trump-allies-secret-talks-volodymyr-zelenskyy-opposition-ukraine-elections-yulia-tymoshenko-petro-poroshenko/

Thread by Jacob Öberg
https://bsky.app/profile/profjacob.bsky.social/post/3ljoybhuhqk24

Fucking hell.

It just can't g - I'd like to think it can't get worse, but right now that's a really stupid thing to think.

It’s like every day is a new circle of hell.

It’s awful how our tolerance levels have changed. These recent events would have been unthinkable 6 months ago but now they come so think and fast we judge each one by the last. Pure Overton window.

Yeah I was coming to see if anyone had posted that Politico article.

Trump:- This is what Putin asked me to do. And here I am doing it.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️ US halts intelligence sharing with Ukraine, FT reports. (https://kyivindependent.com/us-halts-intelligence-sharing-with-ukraine-ft-reports/)

⚡️ France providing intelligence (kyivindependent.com/france-providing-intelligence-to-ukraine-minister-assures-after-us-freeze/) to Ukraine, minister assures after US freeze.

⚡️US intelligence sharing pause affects (kyivindependent.com/u-s-intelligence-sharing-pause-affects-warnings-russian-strikes-on-ukraine-nyt-reports/) Russian aerial strikes warnings, NYT reports.

⚡️Rubio labels (kyivindependent.com/rubio-labels-russias-all-out-war-against-ukraine-proxy-war-between-washington-moscow/) Russia's all-out war against Ukraine 'proxy war' between Washington, Moscow.

⚡️ Trump may resume Ukraine aid after further progress toward peace, White House says. (kyivindependent.com/trump-may-resume-ukraine-aid-after-further-steps-toward-peace-confidence-building-white-house-says/)

⚡️Zelensky to take part in (kyivindependent.com/zelensky-to-take-part-in-special-european-council-meeting-on-march-6/) special European Council meeting on March 6.

⚡️Ukraine, EU drafting plan (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-eu-drafting-plan-for-first-steps-toward-lasting-peace-zelensky-says/) for first steps toward lasting peace, Zelensky says.

⚡️Macron open to extending France's nuclear protection (kyivindependent.com/macron-open-to-extending-frances-nuclear-umbrella-to-european-allies-amid-threats-from-russia/) to European allies amid threat from Russia.

⚡️Ukraine, US delegations to meet 'soon' (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-us-delegations-to-meet-soon-for-negotiations-zelenskys-top-aide-says/) for negotiations, Zelensky's top aide says.

Trump lifting US sanctions on Russia — a ‘huge win’ for Putin, ‘chaos’ for global economy (kyivindependent.com/trump-lifting-us-sanctions-on-russia-a-huge-win-for-putin-chaos-for-global-economy/)
U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration is reportedly ready to lift sanctions on Russia imposed after the start of the full-scale invasion, in a reversal of U.S. policy toward Moscow during its war against Ukraine.

⚡️EU prepares (kyivindependent.com/eu-officials-prepare-for-new-wave-of-ukrainian-refugees-amid-trump-uncertainty-politico-reports/) for new wave of Ukrainian refugees amid Trump uncertainty, Politico reports.
EU leaders are discussing how to handle a potential renewed wave of refugees from Ukraine in the face of uncertainty in U.S. policy and Russia's ongoing offensives, Politico reported on March 5.

⚡️Trump's team leads private talks with Zelensky's political rivals, Politico reports. (kyivindependent.com/trumps-team-leads-private-talks-with-zelenskys-political-rivals-politico-reports/)
Trump's allies held talks with Yuliia Tymoshenko, a former prime minister and head of the opposition Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) party, and high-ranking members of the European Solidarity party of ex-President Petro Poroshenko, Politico reported, citing sources

⚡️ Poroshenko, Tymoshenko confirm 'public' contacts with allies but reaffirm (kyivindependent.com/poroshenko-tymoshenko-reaffirm-opposition-to-elections-under-martial-law-after-claims-of-us-contacts/) opposition to elections during war.

⚡️ Update: France denies plans (kyivindependent.com/zelensky-macron-starmer-may-visit-washington-next-week-media-reports/) for Macron's visit to Washington with Zelensky, Starmer 'at this stage.'

⚡️Netherlands to provide (kyivindependent.com/netherlands-to-provide-ukraine-with-3-8-billion-in-2026/) Ukraine with $3.8 billion in support in 2026.

⚡️Canada ready (kyivindependent.com/canada-voices-willingness-to-partake-in-ukraine-peacekeeping-mission/) to join Ukraine peacekeeping mission with US backing, defense minister says.

⚡️Drone coalition mobilizes (kyivindependent.com/drone-coalition-receives-over-2-billion-from-partners-to-boost-ukraines-defense-ministry-says/) over $2 billion to boost Ukraine's defense, ministry says.
An allied initiative, co-headed by the U.K. and Latvia, was launched in January 2024.

⚡️ Lithuania exits (kyivindependent.com/lithuania-exits-convention-on-cluster-munitions/) Convention on Cluster Munitions.
Lithuania, which lies at NATO's eastern flank and borders Russia's ally Belarus and the heavily armed exclave of Kaliningrad, argued that it requires all possible means to deter potential aggression, especially since Russia uses the weaponry as well, the LRT broadcaster reported.

⚡️ Russia's oil, gas budget revenue in February drops (kyivindependent.com/russias-oil-gas-revenue-in-february-drops-by-18-year-on-year/) by 18% year-on-year.
Oil and gas revenues last month amounted to 771.3 billion rubles ($8.6 billion), a significant drop from 945.6 billion rubles ($10.5 billion) in February 2024 and a moderate decrease in comparison to 789.1 billion rubles ($8.8 billion) in January.

⚡️Arsen Zhumadilov officially appointed (kyivindependent.com/arsen-zhumadilov-appointed-as/) as new Defense Procurement Agency head.

⚡️ Romania expels (https://kyivindependent.com/romania-expels-2-russian-diplomats-in-connection-to-georgescus-case-media-reports/) 2 Russian diplomats in connection to Georgescu's case, media reports.

⚡️ Russia jails (kyivindependent.com/russia-jails-british-volunteer-fighting-for-ukraine-for-19-year/) British volunteer fighting for Ukraine for 19 years.

⚡️70% of Americans say Ukraine is not to blame for war with Russia, poll shows (kyivindependent.com/70-of-americans-say-ukraine-is-not-to-blame-for-war-with-russia-poll-shows/).

⚡️US Supreme Court rules judge can force (kyivindependent.com/us-supreme-court-rules-judge-can-force-trump-administration-to-un-freeze-remaining-foreign-aid/) Trump administration to un-freeze remaining foreign aid funding.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on March 5 the Trump administration must adhere to a lower court ruling that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) restart payments worth nearly $2 billion for the remaining USAID projects.

Trump’s ‘America First’ strategy with Ukraine could backfire on US long term interests, experts warn (https://kyivindependent.com/trumps-america-first-strategy-with-ukraine-could-backfire-on-u-s-long-term-interests-experts-warn/)

⚡️UPDATE: Russian missile attack (kyivindependent.com/russian-missile-attack-on-hotel-in-kryvyi-rih-kills-2-injures-7/) on hotel in Kryvyi Rih kills 4, injures 31, including child.

⚡️Update: Humanitarian workers (kyivindependent.com/russian-missile-attack-on-hotel-in-kryvyi-rih-kills-2-injures-7/) from US, UK, and Ukraine checked into Kryvyi Rih hotel just before Russian strike, Zelensky says.

⚡️Russian attacks (kyivindependent.com/russian-attacks-against-ukraine-6/) against Ukraine kill at least 8, injure 39 over past day.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬

• MAR 6, 2025 ■ Engagements stay above the 7-day average, fewer casualties ■ 3rd day of relatively modest equipment losses ■ Improved strike ratio

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will consider financing energy and infrastructure programs in Ukraine that were previously under USAID’s responsibility, said Hideki Matsunaga, head of JICA's Ukrainian office.

🇫🇷 Macron during his address to the nation:
▫️Russia has become a threat to France and Europe.
▫️We signed the Minsk agreements in 2014, but Russia violated them. We cannot trust agreements with Russia.
▫️By 2030, Russia plans to mobilize 3 million soldiers and build 4,000 tanks.
▫️Peace will return to our continent only with a “pacified Russia.”
▫️Peace “cannot be built at any cost and under Russian dictate, and it cannot mean Ukraine’s capitulation.”
▫️Did not rule out the deployment of European troops in Ukraine.
▫️Decided to start a discussion on the use of French nuclear weapons to protect the entire EU.
▫️France has the most effective army in Europe.
▫️Next week, France will gather the chiefs of staff of countries ready to “guarantee future peace in Ukraine.”

France and Britain are set to finalize work with Ukraine, possibly “in a few days,” on a peace plan to present to the United States while also seeking to mend ties between the U.S. and Ukraine ahead of possible talks in Washington, Reuters reported, citing diplomats.
The breakdown in U.S.-Ukraine relations has added urgency to efforts by the two European nuclear powers to finalize a peace plan. The proposal would initially include a short ceasefire, with broader security guarantees to follow. Britain and France have emphasized that future guarantees will require U.S. involvement.
“We are looking at putting this plan together in days, not weeks,” one senior European diplomat said.
If conditions allow, this could lead to further meetings in Washington between European leaders and Trump. However, it remains unclear whether Zelenskyy would be involved or if discussions would be limited to British and French leaders.
French government spokeswoman Sophie Primas told reporters on Wednesday that a visit by Macron, Starmer, and Zelenskyy was being considered, but Macron quickly corrected her, stating that such a meeting was not currently planned.
Details of the peace plan have not been disclosed, but one European diplomat said military leaders aim to finalize its military aspects within the next week.
One option under consideration is a partial ceasefire lasting one month, covering air and sea attacks and strikes on energy infrastructure but not ground combat. This proposal is reportedly supported by France, Britain, and a coalition of other willing countries.

On Tuesday, Zelenskyy stated he was ready to sit down at the negotiating table and support plans for a ceasefire.

US President Trump's National Security Advisor, Waltz, says preparations are underway for a new round of talks between the United States and Ukraine.
When asked about the US suspension of intelligence sharing with Ukraine, Waltz stated that the American side "has taken a step back and is pausing and reviewing all aspects of this relationship."
Most Americans do not believe Ukraine is to blame for starting the war, — Reuters/IPSOS poll.
According to the survey conducted on March 3-4, 70% of respondents do not consider Ukraine more to blame for the war, while only 7% hold this view.
Both Republicans and Democrats largely share the belief that Ukraine is not responsible for starting the war. Among respondents, 81% of Democrats and 62% of Republicans expressed this opinion, while 11% of Republicans consider Ukraine more to blame.
Another 23% of Americans either did not answer the question or said they did not know.

Payment problems linked to U.S. sanctions against Russia have caused the latest halt in Russian oil supplies to the Czech Republic via the Druzhba pipeline, Reuters reported, citing two sources familiar with the situation.
The stoppage was caused by payment issues between the Polish owner of Czech refineries and Russian suppliers, Czech Industry Minister Lukáš Vlček said late Tuesday.
The disruptions forced oil refiner Unipetrol, owned by Poland’s Orlen, to tap state reserves. The Czech government agreed to allocate 330,000 metric tons of crude oil to the company, CTK news agency reported Wednesday.
The payments stalled due to issues linked to the latest round of U.S. sanctions on Russia, both sources told Reuters. As a result, Russia canceled orders for March deliveries, one of the sources said.
The Czech Republic imports Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline and other oil through the TAL pipeline, which runs from the Italian port of Trieste to Central Europe via Germany. The upgrade will make the country fully reliant on the TAL pipeline from July, ending Prague’s need for Russian oil. The contract between Russia’s Rosneft and Orlen to supply Unipetrol expires in mid-2025.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

European “peacekeeping forces” in Ukraine would be treated the same as NATO presence — Russia’s Foreign Minister Lavrov
He said Macron’s remarks on nuclear weapons are a “threat” to Russia.

Zelensky has arrived in Brussels and has already met with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The United States has reportedly paused military aid to Ukraine. What does this mean for the war?
Kyiv Post's Corrie Nieto dives deep into this topic.
www.kyivpost.com/videos/48337

The US is already discussing with Ukraine the date, location, and team for peace negotiations, after which military supplies may RESUME — Trump’s National Security Advisor Waltz

The Head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office, Yermak, and Trump’s National Security Advisor, Waltz, held a phone conversation and discussed the location and date of negotiations with Russia — Zelensky’s advisor Lytvyn

Ontario Premier Doug Ford terminated all $100 million contracts with Starlink and banned the company from participating in U.S. government procurement. [it'll be fine for Elon, he can arrange contracts with Russia instead]

Trump has introduced a 25% tariff on most Canadian and Mexican imports and doubled tariffs on Chinese goods from 10% to 20%. The move affects approximately $1.5 trillion in annual imports.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

📍 Former President Petro Poroshenko confirmed contacts with American partners but stated that his team has always been and remains categorically opposed to elections during wartime.
According to the politician, the European Solidarity party communicates with U.S. representatives solely about Ukraine’s security and achieving peace through strength.
📍 Yulia Tymoshenko, a former presidential candidate, stated that the Batkivshchyna party is negotiating “with all our allies capable of helping to ensure a just peace as soon as possible.” She added that holding elections in Ukraine is currently impossible.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl has already been played by 6 million people.
The game reached this milestone just three and a half months after its release.

Trump lifting US sanctions on Russia — a ‘huge win’ for Putin, ‘chaos’ for global economy (kyivindependent.com/trump-lifting-us-sanctions-on-russia-a-huge-win-for-putin-chaos-for-global-economy/)

<head in hands>

And it gets worse. Such a lack of humanity

www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-plans-revoke-legal-status-ukrainians-who-fled-us-sources-say-2025-03-06/

From @dibly's link:

Trump to revoke legal status for 240,000 Ukrainians as US steps up deportations
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-plans-revoke-legal-status-ukrainians-who-fled-us-sources-say-2025-03-06/
The planned rollback of protections for Ukrainians was underway before Trump publicly feuded with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy last week. It is part of a broader Trump administration effort to strip legal status from more than 1.8 million migrants

This supports that to a great extent this Trump administration is going to do what it's already decided to do.

There's lots of window-dressing to try to distract and displace blame.

They will repeatedly tell us everything they do is in response to some "bad behaviour" they've detected in us; in reality very little will be a response to us.

Classic gaslighting.

For sure.

It's not that we're absolutely powerless – we're not – it's that they will repeatedly try to dump responsibility for all their bad behaviour on us.

Oh, and they'll repeatedly claim any good behaviour on their part wasn't caused by us. I'm waiting for Trump to claim he was going to exempt auto parts from the tariffs anyway.

So we need not to take their blethering at face value.

(It goes without saying that we do still need to evaluate our own behaviour; but realistically, without falling for the bullshitting.)

Keith Kellog is currently being interviewed live on CBS which is quite interesting. At the moment he’s being questioned on the pause in sharing of intelligence. They asked what Ukraine needs to do to have it restored and he’s said they need to come to the negotiating table….WTF!

The lying, manipulation, gaslighting, arrogance, throwing their weight around, aggression: it's all peak toxic masculinity.
But I really, in my most optimistic moments, think they are now fully exposing themselves to world scrutiny and that that is potentially transformative.
The darkest hour is just before the dawn. Stand strong.

China are not happy with the US and Russia deciding on the proposed peace deal