Hard to understand why Trump is repeating theses outlandish numbers. I mean, Russ is knows its casualties. It’s not like it’s a strong negotiating point.
My shocked face … Undersea Cable Damage In Baltic Sea The Result Of Accidents, Not Russian Sabotage; WaPo | ZeroHedge
What happened ? Firstly, a far more staid and reeled-in Trump forewent the now expected blustering bravado about marching up to Putin and forcing him to end the war in a single day. Instead, in an uncharacteristically quiet and uncertain tone, Trump remarked that negotiations would depend entirely on whether Putin is interested or not: Trump Storms Out the Gate, But Already Falters on Ukraine
Trump threatens Russia with sanctions, tariffs if Putin doesn’t end Ukraine war President Donald Trump threatened to impose “high levels” of sanctions on Russia and tariffs on imports from there if the country did not reach a settlement to end its war against Ukraine. Trump’s warning, made in a social media post, called out Russian President Vladimir Putin by name. “Let’s get this war, which never would have started if I were President, over with! We can do it the easy way, or the hard way - and the easy way is always better,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. Trump threatens Russia with sanctions, tariffs if Putin doesn't end Ukraine war
I'm reading this as Trump already has Zelenskyy on speed dial for talks and Putin isn't moving quickly enough to his liking. Basically, Trump pushing Putin to the negotiation desk. Interesting development indeed. If Putin is indeed dragging his feet on coming to the table, he is costing Russia leverage in negotiations. President Trump made it clear he expected the war to end on his first day in office. Obviously, that was hyperbole, but at the same time, he made his expectations clear.
Not even close. As I said in the post above (still awaiting mod approval for some reason), Trump made his expectations clear before inauguration. War was to end on day one. If Putin is dragging his feet on getting Russia to the table, he should have known this was coming.
My post #30544. It’s not so much that Trump folded as much as his realizing he has nothing for Russia. Russia’s objectives will be achieved militarily.
Probably ought to wait to see how this plays out over the coming days and weeks before making that assessment, don't you think?
I’m all for Trump putting an end to the war. Obviously this is where the “devil is in the details” as I want it to be a favorable conclusion. Ukraine didn’t deserve to be attacked and Russia isn’t entitled to its lands. Unfortunately, I don’t see a way in which Russia doesn’t keep some of Ukrainian soil which is an unfortunate outcome in that the bad actor is going to be rewarded for what they’ve done.
Per the usual, you have it all wrong. Biden: we don't want to talk to you, enjoy your sanctions. Trump: talk to us or sanctions. Understand that in the realm of diplomacy, that is a vastly different approach. But sure, TDS over world.
That's a rather simplistic view. A somewhat more nuanced view would be, Biden said: GTFO / Trump said: Stop fighting and you can have eastern Ukraine. What diplomacy do you envision that would make Russian pull back to 2014 borders? Exactly - there is none. That only happens on the battlefield. So you're either OK with appeasing a leader's war of aggression / conquest - or you're not. Personally, I'm not. I don't think Biden was either - he just sucked at it.
Oh. TDS. That’s your retort. The Western World has imposed some of the most crippling sanctions ever imposed on a country, and you think the great plan to end the war is…. Sanctions. Come on, man. The only “secret sauce” to ending the war is for Russia to know the War will be fought at great expense. As it stands, Russia believes—and rightfully so given Trump’s campaign promises—that the West will throw up its hands and stop Ukrainian support. That’s a message that needs to be disabused, because Russia understands the West lack of long-term resolve. Russia now has Trump as the opposition leader, and he knows Trump doesn’t get along with Amy of our traditional allies. Sure, talks are great. But the only thing that will make Russia move the needle is an understanding that capitulation is not on the table.
And fighting until we get borders back to pre-2014 has roughly 5% support in Congress, so I don't know why you continue to beat that drum. I think most in Congress understand that each side will have to give. Can we finally stop parroting this fantasy of pre-2014 borders? It's not going to happen.
