Ukraine - somebody explain to me

[PaloAltoCougar]

If only Trump had taken this position on Day One.... Instead, (i) his and Hegseth declaring at the onset of Trump Part Deux that Ukraine would have to let Russia keep the territory it had gained, (ii) his and Vance's despicable treatment of Zelensky in the Oval Office, and (iii)Trump's warm embrace of Putin in Alaska eliminates any credibility for our master negotiator.

[wally]

If only Trump had taken this position on Day One.... Instead, (i) his and Hegseth declaring at the onset of Trump Part Deux that Ukraine would have to let Russia keep the territory it had gained, (ii) his and Vance's despicable treatment of Zelensky in the Oval Office, and (iii)Trump's warm embrace of Putin in Alaska eliminates any credibility for our master negotiator.

It's all part of the bigger plan. It's going to be like 'The Sixth Sense' for you when it all comes together in the end.

[PaloAltoCougar]

Anne Applebaum, of whom I'm a fan for her essays on Russia over the years, has written one of the most encouraging things I've read about the Russo-Ukraine War recently, "Ukraine's Plan to Starve the Russian War Machine" in The Atlantic. What she writes about may be a major reason for Trump's surprising turnaround on Ukraine (that, and the fact he finally figured out Putin has been playing him). Since Trump assures us he's been right about everything, he may be trying to clean up his shameful past with Ukraine and Zelensky.

[frank ryan]

Anne Applebaum, of whom I'm a fan for her essays on Russia over the years, has written one of the most encouraging things I've read about the Russo-Ukraine War recently, "Ukraine's Plan to Starve the Russian War Machine" in The Atlantic. What she writes about may be a major reason for Trump's surprising turnaround on Ukraine (that, and the fact he finally figured out Putin has been playing him). Since Trump assures us he's been right about everything, he may be trying to clean up his shameful past with Ukraine and Zelensky.

I'd love it and give Trump props if he follows through on this shift, but I'm not optimistic as this administration is full of Putinistas.

Hegseth, Gabbard chief among them

[PaloAltoCougar]

I'd love it and give Trump props if he follows through on this shift, but I'm not optimistic as this administration is full of Putinistas.

Hegseth, Gabbard chief among them

Despite my hopes, i share your skepticism. And at the risk of attack, i have to say that one of the things I didn't like about Charlie Kirk was his support for Putin and his opposition to helping Ukraine. During this Cambridge Debate, he talked about how corrupt Ukraine was and how Zelensky's unpopularity was why he refused to call for elections, ignoring the fact that Zelensky is constitutionally barred from holding elections at the moment. The most recent Gallup Poll (and at least one other independent survey) in Ukraine shows he is supported by 67% of Ukrainians, a number Trump can only dream about (and no doubt does).

[chrisrenrut]

a number Trump can only dream about (and no doubt does).

I'm fairly certain that Trump's sycophantic (and maybe syphallytic) advisors tell him his ratings are as high or higher all the time. As well as the "facts" that grocery and gas prices are down.

[LVAllen]

Despite my hopes, i share your skepticism. And at the risk of attack, i have to say that one of the things I didn't like about Charlie Kirk was his support for Putin and his opposition to helping Ukraine. During this Cambridge Debate, he talked about how corrupt Ukraine was and how Zelensky's unpopularity was why he refused to call for elections, ignoring the fact that Zelensky is constitutionally barred from holding elections at the moment. The most recent Gallup Poll (and at least one other independent survey) in Ukraine shows he is supported by 67% of Ukrainians, a number Trump can only dream about (and no doubt does).

He didn't ignore that. He was told directly that it was unconstitutional for Ukraine to hold elections. He chose to publicly state his position that the President can do what he wants. He did not believe the Constitution binds the executive, which is a big freaking deal.

[dabrockster]

Ukraine officially awards lithium deposit to Trump-linked investors, $179 million set for development

Ukraine’s prime lithium deposit has been officially awarded to a U.S.-linked group of investors as the country courts U.S. President Donald Trump with business deals amid ongoing peace proposal talks.

The winner of the competition, launched in August 2025, is Dobra Lithium Holdings — a joint venture between TechMet, a U.S. government-backed mining firm, and The Rock Holdings, Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko wrote on Telegram on Nov. 12.

The New York Times reported last week, citing anonymous Ukrainian officials, that the government was ready to approve the investment group, which also includes Trump ally Ronald S. Lauder — the man credited with the idea for the U.S. to take control over Greenland.

The announcement comes as President Volodymyr Zelensky leverages Ukraine’s economic potential to win over Trump's support for Kyiv’s 20-point peace proposal. As part of ongoing peace talks, Kyiv also announced an $800 billion "prosperity plan" to attract American and European investors over the next 10 years.

The product sharing agreement with the state lasts for up to 50 years, according to the Economy Ministry.

In the first four years of the extraction, Dobra Lithium Holdings will pay the Ukrainian government 4% of the direct share of the profits, as well as a rental fee, corporate tax, and employees' taxes, totaling 13% of the company's profits, Perelygin said.

Once Dobra Lithium Holdings is in its fifth year of lithium production, the government gets a much bigger share — 22% — after the company recoups its initial costs.

https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-...thium-deposit/

[Bo Diddley]

This picture of Zelenski is haunting and makes me sad. He looks like he carries the weight of the world.

Z.jpg

[frank ryan]

This picture of Zelenski is haunting and makes me sad. He looks like he carries the weight of the world.

Z.jpg

The way Trump and his mean girl side kick Vance treated him in the Oval Office is one of the more shameful moments of American diplomacy in modern memory. He's a real leader

[Bo Diddley]

So today we actually started trilateral peace talks (US, Ukraine & Russia) to look for an end to the war in Ukraine. This seems pretty significant to me. I wonder if they'll make any significant progress beyond meeting itself.

[Pelado]

So today we actually started trilateral peace talks (US, Ukraine & Russia) to look for an end to the war in Ukraine. This seems pretty significant to me. I wonder if they'll make any significant progress beyond meeting itself.

Doubt it.

[Bo Diddley]

Also, a Russian court acknowledged that Ukraine sank the Moskva.

According to the report, the court illegally sentenced in absentia Ukrainian Navy officer Andrii Shubin, commander of Ukraine’s 406th Artillery Brigade, to life imprisonment on charges of what Russia described as “international terrorism.”

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world...ne/ar-AA1UP4Y4

They also want $29 million from him. I wonder why so little? Google tells me it cost $750 million to build.

[Bo Diddley]

I imagine Russia wants to consolidate their gains, make a deal that includes a lifting of sanctions, and then rebuild their war machine. Since they chewed through their antiquated assets, the rebuilt capabilities will also be modernized. And eventually they'll be in a position to continue to expand their footprint in Europe.

[PaloAltoCougar]

I imagine Russia wants to consolidate their gains, make a deal that includes a lifting of sanctions, and then rebuild their war machine. Since they chewed through their antiquated assets, the rebuilt capabilities will also be modernized. And eventually they'll be in a position to continue to expand their footprint in Europe.

All true, and I expect State and Defense War Department veterans have so advised their master. Unfortunately, Trump cares only about short-term wins and not about helping other nations or promoting democracy. Putin is a genuine war criminal but if appeasing him gets a quick if fleeting win and a Nobel Prize, Trump will enthusiastically throw Ukraine under the T-55 tank.