Russian Invasion of Ukraine | A War in Europe After Hours

[Bob the Ninja]

Trump seems happy to let Russia keep the stolen bits of Ukraine.

I wonder if he would have the same attitude if Russia decided it wanted to repossess Alaska?

 

[Gemma]

Trump seems happy to let Russia keep the stolen bits of Ukraine.

I wonder if he would have the same attitude if Russia decided it wanted to repossess Alaska?

Remember, he was going to sort it on day 1. Well, day 100 is up next week, so not a good look, hence it doesn't matter what the cost is to Ukraine now, just as long as he can say I stopped the war.

 

[Bad Gizmo]

Marco Rubio said today that the coming week will be "very critical" for the White House as it makes a "determination about whether this is an endeavour that we want to continue to be involved in".

"Throughout this process, it's about determining do both sides really want peace and how close they are or how far apart they are after 90 days of effort here ... that's what we're trying to determine this week."

He added:" We cannot continue, as I said, to dedicate time and resources to this effort if it's not going to come to fruition."

Must be a nightmare trying to deal with the Trump administration, they change their mind every day.

The proposals put forward by Donald Trump have been seen by European allies as giving in to Russia's demands, with German defence minister Boris Pistorius going so far as to brand it a "capitulation".

The US president has been ready to accept handing swathes of Ukraine to Russia and denying Kyiv NATO membership.

 

[Cappuccino Kid]

Russia has officially put forward its conditions to end the war – according to old horse Lavrov:

1. Demilitarisation and denazification of Ukraine;
2. Ukraine must not join NATO;
3. International recognition of the annexation of Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia;
4. Lifting of sanctions against Russia and the return of frozen assets;
5. Rejection by Russia of the U.S. proposal to transfer control over the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to Washington and Ukraine;
6. Cancellation of language laws in Ukraine, especially those that restrict the use of the Russian language, culture, and church.

But, Putin has announced a 4-day ceasefire for the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been busy following his announcement of a three-day ceasefire in Ukraine next month.

He's been addressing а meeting of the Federal Assembly's Council of Legislators in Saint Petersburg, thanking MPs for making a "significant contribution to our victory".

"They support frontline troops and veterans, and many of them have personally joined the ranks of volunteers and defenders of the Fatherland," he says.

"This is undoubtedly a powerful and courageous act that commands special and sincere respect."

 

[Gemma]

Russia has officially put forward its conditions to end the war – according to old horse Lavrov:

1. Demilitarisation and denazification of Ukraine;
2. Ukraine must not join NATO;
3. International recognition of the annexation of Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia;
4. Lifting of sanctions against Russia and the return of frozen assets;
5. Rejection by Russia of the U.S. proposal to transfer control over the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to Washington and Ukraine;
6. Cancellation of language laws in Ukraine, especially those that restrict the use of the Russian language, culture, and church.

They should get told to feck off, especially on 1, 3, 5, and 6.

Better news....

 https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1917865109294108887

Although Witkoff's approach to negotiations with Putin is worrying

Witkoff violates established diplomatic practice by appearing at negotiations without accompaniment of advisers, experts and military personnel. He allegedly relies not on his own translator, but on Russian one.

 

[David76]

The mineral deal has been signed but part of it needs to be voted on by the Ukrainian parliament.

Is this minerals deal going to be any good for Ukraine?

 

[Franco Pinion]

The mineral deal has been signed but part of it needs to be voted on by the Ukrainian parliament.

Is this minerals deal going to be any good for Ukraine?

Time will tell, I guess. But it doesn't look bad at all from Ukraine's point of view. I mean, there doesn't seem to be anything unpalatable or demanding from them. It keeps Trump thinking he's won because it's the best deal ever, etc (until he trashes it and blames everyone but himself).

So it keeps him on Ukraine's side, or not totally on Russia's side. For the moment.



Looks like Ukraine and Zelenskyy know how to play cards after all.

 

[Tom]

European leaders have issued a ceasefire ULTIMATUM to Putin. Either he negotiates an end to the war, or Europe will unleash "massive" sanctions against Russia and supply Ukraine with devastating weapons. Putin has 36 hours to respond.

Not sure this will bother Putin much. He will just unleash 100s of drones into Ukraine.

 

[Bob the Ninja]

Putin refused a ceasefire but offered to open "negotiations" with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15th. Zelenskyy has welcomed Putin's suggestion as a "sign that the Russians have finally begun to consider ending the war". Zelenskyy also said a ceasefire must be agreed before those talks can take place.

 

[Cappuccino Kid]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he is ready to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin "personally" in Istanbul on Thursday for talks over ending the war.

His post came shortly after Donald Trump demanded that Ukraine agree to Putin's offer of direct talks between the two countries in Turkey.

"There is no point in prolonging the killings. And I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally," Zelensky wrote.

He had earlier said his country was open to talks with Russia, but only after a ceasefire was in place.