The *OFFICIAL* Russia Is About To Invade Ukraine Thread

[fishonjazz]

Trump is officially pulling out of NATO?

I dont think so. Seems to want to though. I will edit. That was a post I saw from someone else fwiw.

 

[Sardines]

I dont think so. Seems to want to though. I will edit. That was a post I saw from someone else fwiw.

I know he has teased it. It would be the absolutely dumbest thing (as I say that I wonder if I am underestimating Trump's potential for stupidity) Trump could do.

I've said it before, NATO is an alliance made by the U.S. for the U.S.. It provides geographic advantages to us. It provides intelligence advantages to us. It boosts our military capability in an indirect way by about 30%.

NATO is governed at all times at the very top by a U.S. military leader.

The only countries who don't like NATO are China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Yet Trump doesn't like NATO.

Trump is a Russian *** hat... err, I mean asset.

 

[Red]

Former Aide Reveals How Putin Played Trump Like A Fiddle On Phone Call

And the U.S. president didn't even know it, recalled Russia expert Fiona Hill.

www.huffpost.com

Fiona Hill, a former senior National Security Council official and expert on European and Russian affairs, has revealed new insights into President Donald Trump’s previous interactions with Russian President Vladimir Putin — and how she believes Putin actually mocked Trump during their exchanges.

In a lengthy interview with Foreign Affairs released Thursday, Hill described Trump as unprepared for meetings with his Russian counterpart and overly fixated on personal interactions rather than diplomatic strategy.

“The very first time I was in one of the phone calls with Putin, I was listening very carefully to the Russian, because the interpreters don’t always capture everything, they don’t capture the nuances, particularly when it’s the Russian interpreter who’s translating into a language that’s also not their native language, all kinds of things are missing,” she remembered.

“There was all kinds of menace in what Putin had said, he chooses his words very carefully,” she explained.

“Many times when Putin and Trump are interacting, Putin’s actually making fun of him,” she continued. “It’s just it’s completely lost in the translation. I can give lots of episodes of this, or he’s goading him and urging him on to something, because he’s trying to see how he’ll react and the translation smooths over all that. That context is absolutely missing. And he doesn’t do a readout afterwards.”

“All of this is amateur hour,” added Hill, who is now a senior foreign policy fellowon the U.S. and Europe at Washington-based think tank Brookings.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxfrJ5smAU8

 

[fishonjazz]

I remember one of the russian troll farm employees who is active on this site telling me how zelensky is a dictator who just wants the war to continue. Well, Zelensky agreed to a ceasefire without any demands and without getting anything he wanted other than a ceasefire.
Putin on the other hand has a list of demands that must be met before he will agree to any ceasefire.
And of course, once again, trump is repeating Putin and russias propaganda and believing their information over the information from our own intelligence. SSDD

Vladimir Putin says Ukraine must surrender after Donald Trump calls for soldiers to be spared

Vladimir Putin said Ukraine must surrender after President Donald Trump urged the Russian leader to spare the lives of Ukrainian soldiers, following ceasefire talks between the U.S. and Russia in Moscow. In a post on Truth Social, Trump called Thursday's discussions with Russia "very good and...

www.yahoo.com

Vladimir Putin said Ukraine must surrender after President Donald Trump urged the Russian leader to spare the lives of Ukrainian soldiers, following ceasefire talks between the U.S. and Russia in Moscow.

trump also claimed that thousands of Ukrainian soldiers are surrounded.

"AT THIS VERY MOMENT, THOUSANDS OF UKRAINIAN TROOPS ARE COMPLETELY SURROUNDED BY THE RUSSIAN MILITARY, AND IN A VERY BAD AND VULNERABLE POSITION," he said.

"I have strongly requested to President Putin that their lives be spared. This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II," he added.

Trump seemed to be referring to the sticking point in Russia's Kursk region, something Putin has discussed as an issue in the talks. He also appeared to echo remarks Putin made in response to the U.S.-Ukraine ceasefire proposal on Thursday that Ukrainian troops are encircled in Kursk -- a scenario Ukraine strongly denied.

Putin responded to Trump's remarks on Friday, saying the soldiers need to surrender to be spared.

"[In] the event of a ceasefire and surrender, they will be guaranteed life and a worthy treatment in accordance with the norms of international law and the laws of the Russian Federation," he said. (the laws of the russian federation lol)

Ukraine pushed back Friday against the claims that its troops are surrounded in the Kursk region, where Putin this week ordered forces to "destroy" all Ukrainian formations remaining in the contested border region.

"The reports about the supposed 'encirclement' of Ukrainian units in the Kursk region are false and are being fabricated by the Russians for political purposes and to put pressure on Ukraine and its partners," the general staff of the Ukrainian armed forces said in a statement on Friday.

"The threat of encirclement of our units is absent," it added.

"Putin is lying about the real situation on the battlefield, he is lying about the casualties, he is lying about the true state of his economy, which has been damaged by his foolish imperial ambitions, and he is doing everything possible to ensure that diplomacy fails," he said.

"Putin is now doing everything he can to sabotage diplomacy by setting extremely difficult and unacceptable conditions right from the start even before a ceasefire."

The claim that Ukrainian forces are surrounded was also shot down by defense analyst Michael Kofman, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment who focuses on the Russian and Ukrainian militaries, who called it "simply untrue."

George Barros, the Russian team lead for the Washington, D.C.-based Institute for the Study of War, also reacted on X to Trump's remarks, saying, "Available evidence from the battlefield does not indicate any Russian encirclements of Ukrainian forces at scale, and certainly not by the thousands."

During a visit to a command center in Kursk on Wednesday while clad in military fatigues, Putin said, "Your task is to completely destroy the enemy, which has entrenched itself in the Kursk region and is still conducting warfare here, and fully liberate the Kursk region's territory within the shortest possible time."

Russian advances to the border in the Kursk Oblast appeared to have slowed on Thursday compared to recent days, according to the latest assessment from the Institute for the Study of War.

The general staff of the Ukrainian armed forces said Friday that the situation "has not undergone significant changes over the past day," and that troops are "regrouping" and have withdrawn to "more advantageous defense lines."

"Our soldiers are repelling enemy offensive actions and delivering effective fire damage with all types of weapons," it said.

Russian officials have indicated they will not engage in peace negotiations while any of Kursk remains under Ukrainian control.

 

[fishonjazz]

From the comments:
Even people in this country (United states) are saying Putin is lying about Ukraine's soldiers being encircled. Yet, Trump was telling people today that the troops are encircled so he is believing Putin. When Trump says things are going well and he had a good talk with Putin it doesn't seem like things are going well for Ukraine when he keeps saying Putin's points. Putin wants the Ukraine troops to surrender in Kursk so they can't use that land in negotiations. How about Russian troops surrendering in Ukraine?

You do understand that Trump got "instructions" from Putin through his good friend Steve Witkoff, a real estate developer with NO DIPLOMATIC EXPERIENCE And Putin refused to meet with Gen Kellogg.
This is potentially much more sinister. Trump is selling Ukraine for his own wealth, while continuing to establish an authoritarian regime in the US.

"...guaranteed life and a worthy treatment in accordance with the norms of international law and the laws of the Russian Federation...."
That's not very reassuring.

Especially since the the norms of international law and the laws of the Russian federation, certainly as practiced, at least, are very much at odds.

Their laws are in direct conflict with what has been happening on the battlefield and in captivity for the past three years. And most non-Russian soldiers who are released look like concentration camp survivors, starved and with untreated injuries. In short, Putin lies again.

The question, is Vladimir Putin the most powerful man in America?
This war started and is ongoing because Putin invaded Ukraine claiming it is and has always been part of Russia and has no right to exist as an independent nation. Russia has not moved from this initial view.
There are only two ways for the war to end, for Russia to end its invasion and withdraw its troops or for Ukraine to fully capitulate, surrender, to Putin.
If anything good came of Zelensky's meeting with Trump in the oval office it is that Ukraine showed it will not surrender no matter what is U.S. policy. It was no accident that Vance interjected attacking Zelensky when Zelensky made the key point that Putin cannot be trusted to keep any agreement having broken every promise and agreement he has made in regard to Ukraine.
What American policy toward the war should be is to put maximum pressure on Putin and Russia to end the war and go home.
What to expect from Trump given his track record is more incoherence if not outright betrayal of Ukraine, NATO and American values.
I have read on commentator say that the worst part of Trump being president again is that Vladimir Putin is again the most powerful man in America. Trump's action so far have confirmed this view.

 

[fishonjazz]

But of course. What Putin wants, Putin gets.: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/worl...1&cvid=675d847200e249c3b83b68d325abce3f&ei=36

President Donald Trump said on Saturday that General Keith Kellogg's role has been narrowed from special envoy for Ukraine and Russia to only Ukraine, after Russian officials had sought to exclude him from talks aiming to end the war.

"General Kellogg, a Highly Respected Military Expert, will deal directly with President (Volodymyr Zelenskiy), and Ukrainian leadership," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. "He knows them well, and they have a very good working relationship together."

Russian officials had communicated to their counterparts in the United States that they did not want Kellogg involved in top-level discussions aimed at ending the Ukraine war, sources told Reuters this week. Some high-ranking former Russian officials have complained that Kellogg was, in their view, too sympathetic to Kyiv.

 

[fishonjazz]

MSN

www.msn.com

Around 20 countries have contributed to Czechia’s initiative to supply Ukraine with much-needed artillery shells. The participating nations include Canada, Germany, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Belgium, Finland, Portugal, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Spain, and Slovenia.

This broad coalition ensures Ukraine continues receiving the necessary firepower to counter Russian aggression.

A Ukrainian security official told NV that the shells will be sourced from South Korea and South Africa, with the total contract valued at approximately $2 billion.

 

[fishonjazz]

MSN

www.msn.com

Around 20 countries have contributed to Czechia’s initiative to supply Ukraine with much-needed artillery shells. The participating nations include Canada, Germany, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Belgium, Finland, Portugal, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Spain, and Slovenia.

This broad coalition ensures Ukraine continues receiving the necessary firepower to counter Russian aggression.

A Ukrainian security official told NV that the shells will be sourced from South Korea and South Africa, with the total contract valued at approximately $2 billion.

I just noticed something. Look at the list of countries helping get ammo to Ukraine. Canada, Denmark (Greenland), South Africa.
All countries that have been in trumps crosshairs since he took office.
All countries helping Ukraine stand up to Russia.
Hmmmm

 

[enchilada_style]

View: https://bsky.app/profile/ronfilipkowski.bsky.social/post/3lkouqsbhzs2d

 

[Rubashov]

View: https://bsky.app/profile/ronfilipkowski.bsky.social/post/3lkouqsbhzs2d

First sensible thing said by Boris Johnson in at least 15 years. Well I suppose even a broken clock is right twice a day

 

[fishonjazz]

So zelensky accepts a cease fire with no demands of their own.
Putin rejected that proposal. trump and trumpers criticized zelensky for wanting the war to continue after the meeting in the white house with zelensky but not a peep about putin rejecting the ceasefire that ukraine agreed to. Putin instead said that he would accept a truce on attacking energy. Why did he want that specifically? Ukraine had been hitting russian oil production facilities. Putin and trump dont like when the oil gets affected. People getting killed? eh. Oil getting hit? Hold on, we have to stop this! Once again Trump is willing to hamstring the Ukrainians with his "truce". Russia is losing the war on oil and gas production. The Ukrainians have been extremely successful on attacking those sources of war revenue that Putin desperately needs. Putin gets the Ukrainians to stop those attacks, and he has time and money to rearm and secure those vulnerable sites.

Oh and Russia attacked Ukraine again literally hours after this phone call with trump.

Putin also wants ukrain to recieve no further military aid in any future ceasefire. Russia wants to be able to rearm and rebuild their weaponry stocks/supplies but dont want ukraine doing the same. That way the next invasion would have russia at a more advantageous position.

Remember when zelensky didn't wear a suit to a meeting and trump and trumpers all freaked out about the disrespect? Putin purposely made President Trump wait for an hour, publicly dismissing him while attending a conference yet not a peep about that disrespect.

So Putin's list of demands, in order to stop the war they began, includes not allowing peacekeeping troops to be based in Ukraine, no entrance into NATO, military aid stopped, and the cessation of intelligence info. from the United States, and I'm assuming, from the European Union.

Seems to me that Russia is already planning another invasion of Ukraine, and since Trump has previously stopped the transfer of military hardware and intelligence data, and isn't fond of NATO, and pre-negotiations, said Ukraine will need to cede territory to Russia, it would appear that Trump won't have a problem with anything Putin wants.

After the extreme harm the Russians have evilly inflicted on the innocent people in Ukraine, it seems like demanding that the Ukrainians give up their right to self-defense would be a nonstarter. If the Russians don't intend to go further at a time of their choosing, they would not be demanding that the Ukrainians give up their inherent right to protect themselves from further Russian aggression. For one reason or another, it seems clear that this Administration is acting in Putin's best interests, not the interests of the Free World.

The short story is that, so far Russia is being given the upper hand in practically every aspect. The Ukrainians are expected to capitulate and that will effectively be the end of the Ukraine as an independent nation.
If things follow this trajectory it will only embolden North Korea, China, and anyone else with their sights set on obtaining more territory or resources by force. Given some of the rhetoric coming out of the current government, it could set the that results in Canada ending up as the 51st state. Greenland and Panama should be on tenterhooks right now.

So, it's ok if North Korea and others continue to provide military support with troops and ammunitions for Russia but Ukraine can't have that? Then, the "economic" issues that Trump wants with Russia is a talking point for stopping the war? Sure seems like Russia has Trump on their side in these negotiations.

"The Russian side said a “key condition” for any resolution to halt the war was the end of U.S. and European support for Ukraine." Hey Putin, try this on for size: how about if you take all your military home and send the North Koreans home; stop killing Ukrainians who you invaded; give all their land back, that you invaded; and make reparations to the Ukrainians, who you invaded, then we'll talk. Until then, arms shipments and European support will continue.

Who would have imagined, 2 months ago, that America, the defender of Democracy across the world, would be having our President licking the boots of the Russian President, calling a Democratically elected President of a Democratic Nation a Dictator for fighting against an invading Communist country, telling that nation that they will have to give up parts of their country to the invader... and all while Russia HAD SIGNED an internationally recognized treaty with the Ukraine in the 90's, vowing to never invade or have hostilities towards the country, in exchange for all of their old soviet nukes... which they agreed to and delivered.

Trump has done more to destroy the credibility and reputation of our country in 2 months, than all previous presidents, combined, in the past 30 years.

Why would Putin agree to a peace deal?
He invaded Ukraine.
If he wanted peace he would withdraw.
He wants to achieve victory by manipulating trumps and the process because he can't achieve victory on the battlefield.

I heard when they ended the phone call, they played the "No, you hang up" game.

 

[fishonjazz]

“We agreed to an immediate Ceasefire on all Energy and (Energy) Infrastructure..”
Because that’s what the Ukranians have been targeting throughout the war. NEVER a public place such as schools, or parks or hospitals the way Putin does.

This “deal” essentially stops only the Ukrainians but not the Russians. It’s not a true ceasefire. In fact, Russia bombed a hospital moments after the phone call ended.

Another important detail is the fact that Putin was LATE FOR AN HOUR on that phone call. It’s a power move he’s done to mock other world leaders. And now he’s done it to Trump. When Trump also won the presidency, Russian state TV congratulated him and then showed a naked picture of Melania.

So much for Putin’s “fear” and “respect” for Trump.

A mere four hours after agreeing a "ceasefire against energy infrastructure" a Russia-guided bomb took out the power plant in the Ukrainian city of Slovyansk. They also attacked a hospital.
I’m sure Trump will do his best to pretend it didn’t happen and that Ukraine is somehow at fault.