Ukraine Invasion: Part 55

[MagicFox]

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

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Mark Chadbourne

Details of the Trump-Putin phone call are emerging from the Kremlin:

• Putin wants a stop on Ukrainian mobilisation and arming
• there was agreement on a 30-day cessation on energy infrastructure strikes
• ice hockey games between the US and Russia

Yes. Really.

I don’t know quite what to make of it all. From Sky:

Russia’s readout:

• The leaders continued a detailed and frank exchange of views on the situation around Ukraine. Vladimir Putin expressed gratitude to Donald Trump for his desire to help achieve the noble goal of ending hostilities and human losses.
• Having confirmed his fundamental commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict, the Russian President declared his readiness to thoroughly work out possible ways of settlement together with his American partners, which should be comprehensive, sustainable, and long-term. And, of course, take into account the absolute need to eliminate the root causes of the crisis, Russia's legitimate interests in the field of security.
• In the context of the US President's initiative to introduce a 30-day truce, the Russian side outlined a number of significant points regarding ensuring effective control over a possible ceasefire along the entire line of combat contact, the need to stop forced mobilisation in Ukraine and rearm the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Serious risks associated with the inability to negotiate of the Kyiv regime, which has repeatedly sabotaged and violated the agreements reached, were also noted. Attention was drawn to the barbaric terrorist crimes committed by Ukrainian militants against the civilian population of the Kursk region.
• It was emphasised that the key condition for preventing the escalation of the conflict and working towards its resolution by political and diplomatic means should be the complete cessation of foreign military aid and the provision of intelligence information to Kyiv.
• In connection with Donald Trump's recent appeal to save the lives of Ukrainian servicemen surrounded in the Kursk region, Vladimir Putin confirmed that the Russian side is ready to be guided by humanitarian considerations and, in the event of surrender, guarantees the lives of Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers and decent treatment in accordance with Russian laws and international law.
• During the conversation, Donald Trump put forward a proposal for the parties to the conflict to mutually refrain from striking energy infrastructure facilities for 30 days. Vladimir Putin responded positively to this initiative and immediately gave the Russian military the corresponding order.
• The Russian President also responded constructively to Donald Trump's idea of implementing a well-known initiative concerning the safety of navigation in the Black Sea. It was agreed to begin negotiations to further elaborate on the specific details of such an agreement.
• Vladimir Putin informed that on 19 March, a prisoner exchange would be carried out between the Russian and Ukrainian sides - 175 for 175 people. In addition, as a gesture of goodwill, 23 seriously wounded Ukrainian servicemen who are undergoing treatment in Russian medical institutions will be transferred.
• The leaders confirmed their intention to continue efforts to achieve a Ukrainian settlement in a bilateral mode, including taking into account the above-mentioned proposals of the US President. For this purpose, Russian and American expert groups are being created.
• Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump also touched upon other issues on the international agenda, including the situation in the Middle East and the Red Sea region. Joint efforts will be made to stabilise the situation in crisis areas, establish cooperation on nuclear non-proliferation and global security. This, in turn, will contribute to improving the overall atmosphere of Russian-American relations. One positive example is the joint vote in the UN on the resolution on the Ukrainian conflict.
• Mutual interest in normalising bilateral relations was expressed in light of the special responsibility of Russia and the United States for ensuring security and stability in the world. In this context, a wide range of areas in which our countries could establish cooperation was considered. A number of ideas were discussed that go towards developing mutually beneficial cooperation in the economy and energy sector in the long term.
• Donald Trump supported Vladimir Putin's idea to organise hockey matches in the US and Russia between Russian and American players playing in the NHL and KHL.
• The presidents agreed to stay in touch on all issues raised.

I feel like he fallen through the looking glass again 😭😵‍💫

Sounds like a total waste of everyone's time.

So, Ukraine agrees to a 30 day ceasefire, Putin 2 stop hitting the energy infrastructure that they keep denying they are hitting.

Putin agrees his illegal invasion of Ukraine shouldn't have happened, but refuses to withdraw his troops back to his borders to stop his illegal invasion.

Trump says thank you very much, let's play ice hockey, winner gets Greenland. (I may have invented this last bit, I think Canada should make it a 3 way tournament, winner gets Europe and European territories, the world goes back to normal when Canada romps home).

Europe is getting plans in place (move faster) to tell them both to fuck off, so ultimately a waste of time.

I can't help a feeling that Putin is now casting about for a bridge to sell to Trump. (Old, old joke.)

⚡️ Zelensky arrives in Finland to discuss security and strengthen ties.

"Europe should be at the table, and everything that concerns Europe's security should be decided together with Europe," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Telegram, announcing his arrival in Finland.

https://bsky.app/profile/kyivindependent.com/post/3lko5wfjpkk22

There better be a mass revolt of ice hockey players in the US and mass demonstrations. What a sickening thought that they play jolly while Ukraine is in ruins.

I always hoped that I would feel elated when peace was finally spoken about. All I feel is utterly defeated. I can’t imagine how the brave Ukrainian soldiers in the trenches, and their loved ones waiting for them at home must feel knowing they’ve been utterly betrayed.

Canada and Ukraine should have a game the same day…..

Trump is such a weak

Can’t help but recall Kamala’s argument during the debates that Putin will eat trump for lunch. Boy was she right

I agree with this so much

How can it be that the US washes its hands of helping European security, whilst at the same time being the one that seems to get to decide to give it away?

Agree, but this isn’t peace. Trump has stamped all over the idea of fair peace for Ukraine. I’m so impressed with EU leaders though, just hope they maintain momentum and can actually give Ukraine the munitions etc that they need.

Horrible thought struck me that Putin might take the not hitting energy and infrastructure very literally and go on a total crusade against civilians.

The Ukraine the Latest podcast was interesting talking about Putin’s ceasefire. Essentially Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure have recently been fairly ineffective due to advances in Ukrainian air defences. So essentially all he’s very thoughtfully agreed to is Ukraine ceasing its rather more effective attacks on Russian oil and gas facilities….

Ah, interesting. And not at all surprising.

OK am I missing something? Putin and Trump can talk all they like but Ukraine and their European friends don't have to toe the line...we still have agency? Ukraine doesn't have to agree?!

Ukraine can’t agree to these conditions

They don’t but they need to accept that making the decision to continue will come with a full withdrawal of US support.

But so will agreeing to them effectively as during the ceasefire russia allowed to build up and ukraine is cut off from us and European intelligence/support

There are reports that Russia is attacking the enrgy sector in Slovyansk, Donetsk region

https://bsky.app/profile/maks23.bsky.social/post/3lkofjwux5s2e

One might say Sophie's Choice but really there isn't a choice, it's a mirage, a pretense, a distraction.

We need to just get on with it and stop waiting with bated breath for pootin and trump to announce bloody hockey games. It's making a mockery of everyone but Ukraine especially. We need to stop giving these morally bankrupt lunatics any airtime or credence, we can't afford the distraction.

Serious risks associated with the inability to negotiate of the Kyiv regime, which has repeatedly sabotaged and violated the agreements reached, were also noted.
How do these people keep a straight face? More front than Brighton.

Vladimir Putin confirmed that the Russian side is ready to be guided by humanitarian considerations and, in the event of surrender, guarantees the lives of Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers and decent treatment in accordance with Russian laws and international law.
What's been stopping them from following international law for the last three years then?

European nations will have to pull all stops out to fill the gap created if the US stops supplies again.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-18-2025

Key Takeaways:

• Russian President Vladimir Putin did not accept the US-Ukrainian proposal for a temporary ceasefire along the frontline and reiterated his demands for a resolution to the war that amount to Ukrainian capitulation.
• Trump and Putin agreed on a temporary moratorium on long-range strikes against energy infrastructure, but the exact contours of the moratorium remain unclear at this time.
• Putin continues to hold the temporary ceasefire hostage, likely to extract further concessions from US President Donald Trump and delay or spoil negotiations for an enduring peace in Ukraine.
• Russian forces recently advanced in western Zaporizhia Oblast amid intensified Russian offensive operations in the area, likely as part of efforts to leverage Russia's deliberate stalling of the temporary ceasefire proposal to make battlefield gains.
• Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Kurakhove, and Russian forces recently advanced in Kursk Oblast and near Borova.
• The Russian military is reportedly increasing the number of its information and psychological operations units.

Wow. What an amazing deal Trump has won...

I hope US hockey players refuse to play.