The War in Ukraine

[Lumber]

The U.S. is refusing to co-sponsor a draft U.N. resolution that condemns Russian aggression and reaffirms a commitment "to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders".

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/us-refusing-co-sponsor-un-motion-backing-ukraine-ahead-war-anniversary-diplomats-2025-02-20/

 

[Good2Golf]

All, we have added a separate thread in the Global Politics sub-forum for all things politically related/pertaining to the Ukraine War including:

• Political discussions/negotiations related to any kind of settlement of the conflict;
• Secondary political implications of such discussions/negotiations; and
• Politically-related outcomes for other nations directly or indirectly impacted for having supported, or endorsing positions or approaches taken by nations implicated either directly or indirectly in the conflict.

Thread 'Political impacts of Ukraine war'

Wednesday at 14:42

is that a "real" rumour?

Well the idiot in charge of the Pentagon and Elon Musk have spouted it...

SO much for Make American Great Again -- it is more like MAKE RUSSIA GREAT.

• KevinB
• Replies: 91
• Forum: Global Politics

• 
• 
• 

This thread can remain home to posts focusing on the combat operations of tactical and operational-level including 3rd party assessments/analyses of the ongoing war/combat/military operations between RUS and UKR.


Thanks in advance for everyone’s cooperation.

Milnet.ca Staff

 

[Kirkhill]

Some pluses?

The Ukraine peacekeeping plan Starmer will present to Trump​

Sir Keir Starmer will present Donald Trump with a plan to send fewer than 30,000 European troops to Ukraine in an attempt to secure American protection for the deployment.

The Prime Minister is expected to detail how European forces could police any ceasefire deal brokered by the US president when the pair meet in Washington next week.

But he will urge Mr Trump to have US fighter jets and missiles on standby in Eastern Europe to respond with lethal force if Russia breaks the terms of any armistice, according to Western officials briefed on the plans.

The Anglo-French strategy for a “reassurance force” was presented to Europe’s most powerful leaders at an emergency meeting in Paris earlier this week as they scrambled to respond to Mr Trump opening peace talks with Vladimir Putin.

It was drawn up amid fears that the US president would wash his hands of Ukraine and any ceasefire almost immediately after any deal is concluded.

2:22PM

US considers ‘automatic Nato membership’ for Kyiv if Russia breaches peace deal​

The US is considering granting Ukraine automatic Nato membership should Russia violate any future peace agreement, four US officials have told NBC News.

It would form part of Washington’s wider plan to provide Kyiv with security guarantees in order to prevent a future Russian attack.

Moscow has repeatedly insisted Ukraine must not join Nato, blaming the alliance’s alleged “expansion” in eastern Europe for Putin’s invasion.

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Zelensky not a dictator, says Farage after Trump comments

Nigel Farage said Volodymyr Zelensky is “not a dictator” as he contradicted comments made by his ally Donald Trump.

www.telegraph.co.uk

Minuses

Mr Trump also claimed his treasury secretary was treated “rudely” during an official visit to Kyiv, accusing Mr Zelensky of “sleeping” and failing to make a deal.

Scott Bessent, the US treasury secretary, met the Ukrainian president in Kyiv last week to discuss granting Washington access to rare earth minerals in return for security support.

“Scott Bessent actually went there and was treated rather rudely, because essentially, they told him ‘no’,” Mr Trump told reporters on Air Force One.

I guess we all need to be a bit more rude to Trump.

Stop ‘badmouthing’ us, Trump adviser tells Ukraine​

Ukraine “badmouthing” the US is “unacceptable”, Donald Trump’s national security adviser has said after a war of words erupted between the US president and Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday.

Mike Waltz, who travelled to Saudi Arabia for talks with Russia on Tuesday, urged Kyiv to “tone it down” but insisted a peace agreement could still be reached.

“They need to tone it down and take a hard look and sign that deal…differences can be reconciled,” Mr Waltz told Fox News, referencing a minerals deal which Mr Zelensky rejected last week.

The Telegraph reported last week that the deal proposed by the Trump administration effectively puts Kyiv in a stranglehold by going far beyond control over Ukraine’s critical minerals.

Mr Trump vowed on Wednesday to “resurrect” the minerals deal, warning Mr Zelensky “things are not gonna make him too happy”.

And I am guessing that Trump really wants his 50% stake in Ukraine's mineral wealth. He may even be using Vlad as a club to beat Zelensky.

Meanwhile Zelensky is shoring up his base of European support and....

Zelenskiy freezes US minerals deal, reaches out to Arab nations

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has frozen a proposed concession to mine Ukraine’s considerable mineral resources worth several trillion ...

www.intellinews.com

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has frozen a proposed concession to mine Ukraine’s considerable mineral resources worth several trillion dollars after the US side offered little in return, and travelled to the Middle East to reach out for new investors.

Zelenskiy said that the proposed agreement reached with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent last week “does not adequately protect the country’s interests” and has not been signed.

US President Donald Trump has demanded access to $500bn of Ukrainian minerals in compensation for US support during the three-year-long war, but has failed to offer security guarantees demanded by Zelenskiy as a key part of any deal.

The Ukrainian leader has been clear that the US minerals deal must encompass not only subsoil resources but also security guarantees and foreign investment in Ukraine, all of which must be legally articulated, and it is becoming increasingly clear that none of his allies are willing to offer a genuine security deal.

During a working visit to the UAE, Zelenskiy announced the signing of a bilateral trade agreement that will simplify trade between the two countries. According to the Ministry of Economy, this marks the first agreement in Ukraine’s history with a Gulf nation.

"This is a historic event, as it is the first agreement in the most economically advanced region of the Middle East. It covers not only the UAE, but the Gulf regions in general. This is not just an agreement between two countries, it is an entry into the global market, as the UAE is an important economic, trade and financial hub in the Middle East. The implementation of the Agreement, which covers virtually the entire range of bilateral trade, will allow increasing the production and export of Ukrainian products by removing tariff barriers in trade between the two countries," said Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko.

Zelenskiy noted that this significant economic pact, saying it, “liberalises access to the UAE market for nearly all Ukrainian goods.”

Europe preps huge defense package in boost to Ukraine: "Never been seen"

Media reports said as much as $700 billion could be allocated to Europe's defenses, though it was not clear how much of that amount would go to Kyiv.

www.newsweek.com

....

You know, for a comedian I can't help but think Zelenskyy continues to play a canny hand.

Friends in Europe offering 30,000 hostages and 700 Billion Euros
Friends in Turkey offering military industrial support and keeping the Russians off the Black Sea
Friends with the Arabs offering to invest in his country's assets in a competition with the Donald who wants to "buy" them cheap and Vlad who just wants to take them militarily.

And nobody accepting that he is a dictator - making the Donald more and more peeved.

Just say no!

 

[rmc_wannabe]

Some pluses?

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Zelensky not a dictator, says Farage after Trump comments

Nigel Farage said Volodymyr Zelensky is “not a dictator” as he contradicted comments made by his ally Donald Trump.

www.telegraph.co.uk

Minuses



I guess we all need to be a bit more rude to Trump.



And I am guessing that Trump really wants his 50% stake in Ukraine's mineral wealth. He may even be using Vlad as a club to beat Zelensky.

Meanwhile Zelensky is shoring up his base of European support and....

Zelenskiy freezes US minerals deal, reaches out to Arab nations

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has frozen a proposed concession to mine Ukraine’s considerable mineral resources worth several trillion ...

www.intellinews.com

Europe preps huge defense package in boost to Ukraine: "Never been seen"

Media reports said as much as $700 billion could be allocated to Europe's defenses, though it was not clear how much of that amount would go to Kyiv.

www.newsweek.com

....

You know, for a comedian I can't help but think Zelenskyy continues to play a canny hand.

Friends in Europe offering 30,000 hostages and 700 Billion Euros
Friends in Turkey offering military industrial support and keeping the Russians off the Black Sea
Friends with the Arabs offering to invest in his country's assets in a competition with the Donald who wants to "buy" them cheap and Vlad who just wants to take them militarily.

And nobody accepting that he is a dictator - making the Donald more and more peeved.

Just say no!

He has demonstrated he is far more than a mere comedian after the past 3 years.

This is a man who truly loves his country, has nerves of steel to face his enemies, and knows how to influence and persuade those around him.

He is the statesman Trump can only aspire to be. The world needs more leaders like him.

 

[Remius]

And all of this turning Europe into a competitor rather than an ally…

 

[GR66]

And all of this turning Europe into a competitor rather than an ally…

And the next time the US goes looking for a "Coalition of the Willing" to support their overseas interests...

 

[Maxman1]

I updated my post to note that any rational person would demand the 25th be invoked as POTUS is bat shit crazy.

But, is Vance any better?

 

[KevinB]

And the next time the US goes looking for a "Coalition of the Willing" to support their overseas interests...

Short Term Loss, for Long Term Loss...

 

[KevinB]

But, is Vance any better?

There is a thread for that now

 

[MilEME09]

Unless Europe is ready to grow a spine, this peacekeeping plan is dead already, Russia has said it will not accept European peacekeepers in Ukraine. So either we give Russia the middle finger and just do it, send them in and put a no fly zone over western ukraine or give it up.

 

[KevinB]

Unless Europe is ready to grow a spine, this peacekeeping plan is dead already, Russia has said it will not accept European peacekeepers in Ukraine. So either we give Russia the middle finger and just do it, send them in and put a no fly zone over western ukraine or give it up.

Based on what Poland, France and the UK have said, I think the middle finger already got flipped.

Romania just passed a law that allows (well demands) their Military to shoot down any Russia UAS or Aircraft crossing (or deemed to be crossing into) their territory.

 

[MilEME09]

Based on what Poland, France and the UK have said, I think the middle finger already got flipped.

Romania just passed a law that allows (well demands) their Military to shoot down any Russia UAS or Aircraft crossing (or deemed to be crossing into) their territory.

I doubt that law is actually needed and was more showmanship. its a lot of posturing which, we need a lot more action of the coming days

 

[quadrapiper]

I doubt that law is actually needed and was more showmanship. its a lot of posturing which, we need a lot more action of the coming days

Although setting that posture into law makes it far easier for Major Bloggins, Air Defence OOW, to say (or click...) "engage" at 0300.

 

[MilEME09]

Although setting that posture into law makes it far easier for Major Bloggins, Air Defence OOW, to say (or click...) "engage" at 0300.

Just as easy as issuing ROE's of "If it aint ours, or commercial, shoot it down"

 

[quadrapiper]

Just as easy as issuing ROE's of "If it aint ours, or commercial, shoot it down"

I wonder how keen the Romanian AD apparatus, Minister of Defence, or whoever, would be on issuing those ROE without specific legislative cover. Can't imagine Romania doesn't have Russian-aligned legislators.

 

[Kirkhill]

Just as easy as issuing ROE's of "If it aint ours, or commercial, shoot it down"

Maybe not in a country that just annulled its election

The cancelled elections and the mainstreaming of the far right in Romania

Hard-right ‘TikTok messiah’ Călin Georgescu was leading the Romanian presidential race when suspected Russian intervention prompted the Constitutional Court to annul the elections. Ana Țăranu analyses how the annulment feeds into the Romanian far right's polarising worldview

theloop.ecpr.eu

Hard-right ‘TikTok messiah’ Călin Georgescu was leading the Romanian presidential race when suspected Russian intervention prompted the Constitutional Court to annul the elections. Ana Țăranu analyses how the annulment feeds into the Romanian far right's polarising worldview.

Major Bloggins's chain of command may not be as robust as he might like.

 

[KevinB]

Maybe not in a country that just annulled its election

The cancelled elections and the mainstreaming of the far right in Romania

Hard-right ‘TikTok messiah’ Călin Georgescu was leading the Romanian presidential race when suspected Russian intervention prompted the Constitutional Court to annul the elections. Ana Țăranu analyses how the annulment feeds into the Romanian far right's polarising worldview

theloop.ecpr.eu

His party supporters got 100 votes against the bill, versus 200 for

Major Bloggins's chain of command may not be as robust as he might like.

2/3 ain’t bad

 

[dapaterson]

Can't imagine Romania doesn't have Russian-aligned legislators.

I can think of 47 in the USA.

 

[Kirkhill]

WRT Boris Johnson

Boris Johnson eyeing up political comeback, allies claim

Ex-PM dismisses idea of return but is said to be ‘watching and waiting’ how fate of Tories unfolds ‘to see if things drop into his lap’

www.telegraph.co.uk

Even those who believe that he harbours hopes of a return admit it is “50-50” about whether it will ever happen, with Mr Johnson himself said to not have made up his mind.

But it has been noticed that Mr Johnson appears to be keeping his hand in directly with politics and international affairs behind the scenes, raising eyebrows among some of his old political confidants.

The former prime minister is attending the Munich Security Conference, which started on Friday, where Western defence and security leaders will discuss Ukraine’s future.

The Telegraph understands that Mr Johnson has held multiple calls with Donald Trump since he won the US presidency. He also still talks to Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president.

And with that in mind there is this from Boris.

“Of course Zelensky’s ratings are not 4 per cent. They are actually about the same as Trump’s.”
“Of course a country undergoing a violent invasion should not be staging elections. There was no general election in the UK from 1935 to 1945."

Boris Johnson to Europe: Trump’s just trying to shock you

Former British prime minister says US president’s Ukraine comments are ‘not intended to be historically accurate’.

www.politico.eu

Boris Johnson says Trump only aims to shock Europe over claims Ukraine started war

The former PM said Trump’s claims were designed to ‘shock Europeans into action’

www.independent.co.uk

When will we stop being scandalised about Trump: Boris Johnson to Europe

Former British PM Johnson has urged European leaders not to take Trump’s blaming of the Ukrainians for their country’s own invasion too literally, suggesting that his statements are not meant to be historically accurate but are intended to provoke Europeans into taking action

www.firstpost.com

Trump blaming Ukraine for war like saying US bombed Pearl Harbor, says Boris Johnson

The ex-Prime Minister, a fierce supporter of Ukraine, also rejected the US president’s ‘dictator’ claim against Volodymyr Zelensky

www.standard.co.uk

And this

Zelenskyy rejects claim Boris Johnson talked him out of 2022 peace deal

Exclusive: Ukraine president says British PM had nothing to do with decision not to seek deal with Russia

www.theguardian.com

 

[MilEME09]

I wonder how keen the Romanian AD apparatus, Minister of Defence, or whoever, would be on issuing those ROE without specific legislative cover. Can't imagine Romania doesn't have Russian-aligned legislators.

entirely possible, but id rather see Romania protect the grain corridor, we as a collective west have been far to soft in fear of escalation and Russia takes advantage of that.