As the leader walked across the White House lawn in military fatigues, much was on his mind. His country was under attack; an unprovoked attack from a neighboring power. A peace deal had been signed, but then brazenly violated. His country found itself at war and in desperate need of conscripts, weaponry, and other military aid. Though the US had not provided ground troops, it had poured billions of dollars into helping build up its military even though an ocean separated the USA from the conflict. The two men did not see eye to eye on everything; there were competing policy priorities weighing down on the US President and the public was not fully onboard with supporting a foreign war.
No, I’m talking about Volodymyr Zelenskyy. I’m talking about Winston Churchill.
* * *
Two years ago, I traveled to Kyiv on the one-year anniversary of the war against Russia. I invite you to revisit that trip report today. As I wrote then:
I have friends and associates in Ukraine. The war is real. The destruction is real. Now I’ve seen it first-hand. Many have lost all their material possessions. Families have been separated. There is no evidence that Ukrainians were conducting ethnic cleansing in eastern Ukraine such that a Russian invasion was justified. It was a lie..the same kind of lies that Adolf Hitler used to justify his war of aggression. If we fail to see that, we risk letting history repeat itself. Will we learn this time? Will we pay the upfront cost of arming and supporting Ukraine to avert even more expense and pain later?
> Read More: My Trip To Ukraine In The Midst Of War
* * *
NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, was formed to:
- deter Soviet expansionism
- prevent the revival of European militarism
- promote political and economic stability in the North Atlantic region
- safeguard the freedom of its peoples
The United States and its allies realized that the cost of not doing so could be even higher; that it was the solemn duty of the United States of America to promote stability and order by entering into an alliance that would diminish any return of or on Russian expansion. No, the USA or European powers never had their eyes on taking Russian land (a curious paranoia of the Putin regime), but they certainly wanted to prevent the Iron Curtain from spreading.
And it wasn’t Ukraine that invaded Russia in 2014…it was Russia that invaded Ukraine. The complex geopolitics of Crimea and the former Soviet SSR called Ukraine are not lost on me. But it seems to me the point that Zelenskyy was trying to make in the Oval Office yesterday was that Russia and Ukraine did sign a ceasefire to end that conflict only to see Putin and Russia ignore it in 2022 when Ukraine was invaded.
Outrage over warning that Putin could become a US worry despite an ocean of separation should not be lost on anyone who has studied history. Nazi Germany was always a threat to the USA…stopping that aggression was not wasteful depsite so many domestic needs.
Russia is now warning about human rights violations in Estonia…the same lies it used to justify its invasion of Ukraine. The same lies Hitler used to justify his invasion of Poland….despite a peace treaty.
Capitulation does not work against a rogue regime, especially one determined to re-assert its role on the world stage.
And concerning saying “thanks” or being ungrateful, I reference again the solemn duty of the United States and think of my own role as a father. I do not doubt that Ukraine is grateful for US assistance, but assisting Ukraine furthers US interests…it is not charity. And weakening the Russian military is payback…so is the drone technology that Ukraine has so smartly pioneered that the US will be able to use in future conflict.
It is my duty to clothe and feed my children, those precious souls that have been entrusted to me. I don’t need their thanks because my duty as a protector and defender is to promote their well-being. The USA has a sacred role in promoting global stability and the preservation of democratic norms and until now, has effectively, albeit imperfectly, strived to advance that aim.
But lately it seems like up is down, left is right, and right is wrong.
It’s not too late. It’s not too late for Zelenskyy to return to the White House. Maybe he needs to spend three weeks there, like Churchill did with Roosevelt in 1941..a beautiful time and beautiful chapter in world history that solidified the relationship between the two allies.
To borrow the words of Churchill in his 1941 address to Congress:
We have therefore without doubt a time of tribulation before us. In this same time, some ground will be lost, which it will be hard and costly to regain. Many disappointments and unpleasant surprises await us. Many of them will afflict us before the full marshalling of our latent and total power can be accomplished.
As Churchill said, it is not given to us to peer into the mysteries of the future. Still, I avow my hope and faith, sure and inviolate, that in the days to come the Ukrainian and American peoples will, for their own safety and for the good of all, walk together in majesty, in justice and in peace.
Will we heed his warning?
Ukraine had an opportunity to join NATO. Estonia, Bulgaria, Romania and others did. Ukraine did not. Therefore, they forfeited their chance to be defended. The pouring of hundreds of billions of dollars in weapons is charity to them.
Zelenskyy is unhinged. He knew Trump was temperamental yet Zelenskyy could not control his emotions. That makes him unfit to be leader of Ukraine but that country is stuck with him, much as America is stuck with Trump’s temper for about 4 more years.
Trump should control his anger and re-offer the rare earth metals deal but add one new provision. Ukraine must open an embassy in Taipei. Taiwan is at risk to being the next Ukraine so Ukraine should pre-emptively show support. The cost of opening a small embassy in Taipei could be share 3 ways by Ukraine, United States, and Taiwan. If they use the foreign embassy building which is used by several small countries, the cost is low.
This message is not in support of Trump but in support of America.
Taiwan is not happy with questionable countries .
Ukraine is filled with questionable players .
Taiwan , like Israel , has the guts and class to defend itself , thank you .
But not without our funding
Not true. Taiwan buys most of its stuff. They don’t get it free, like Israel.
Was referring to Israel as alert supports.
Trump would sell out Taiwan in a second, just like he is selling out Ukraine right before our eyes.
Derek’s response seems like it was written at one of the troll factories in Russia. With all due respect, it is not possible that anyone who cares about American interests – like the spread of democracy – could have written that.
Odd! I’m not a Russian troll factory. In fact, Russia opposes Taiwan so that disproves the Russian accusation. Anyone accuses me of being a Russian supporter is probably a Kim Jong Un supporter or someone with a small Oscar Meyer hot dog.
I love the “this is not in support to Trump but of America.” It’s like posting a racist comment and then adding that you have friends of color.
Sorry, no pass here. And it’s clear many like you are starting to realize the hell they voted for and the wrath this new America will unleash on the world. And trying to talk your way out of it with niceties. You, Derek, need to stand up and say, “I made a horrible mistake.” This is not about America. This is about Trump.
Antwerp, at this juncture, we’ve got to stop looking at mistakes made and encourage just moving forward. We are all in this mess together. Forgive .
When the followers admit their mistake I will forgive. Not a second sooner.
Some have. And I don’t want anything to humiliate those that are afraid
Which one is “unhinged” and which one is “temperamental” again?
Well done.
My father and uncle served in the US Army in World War II defeating fascism. Yesterday I was nearly sick to my stomach in that their sacrafices lay now in waste.
Agree. The US is on the wrong side of history this time…..
You’re welcome to go fight for Ukraine. I hear they need soldiers.
Zelensky is literally kidnapping them off the streets.
You keep repeating this…Ukraine has a draft. Those that evade the draft will face consequences. With citizenship, comes duty.
God forbid we ever have to activate the Selective Service System in the USA…I suspect it would be far worse than Vietnam with all the unpatriotic “patriots” who talk about making America great again but are unwilling to stand up at their country’s darkest hour and truly step forward.
Have you seen the videos of it actually happening?
They are readily available if you choose to look.
You could also Google “Ukraine conscription” to read the myriad of articles on the topic.
The difference between our draft and what they are doing is that we don’t send our objectors to the front lines.
In various democracies, citizens (and sometimes even residents) have a legal obligation to defend the country of citizenship (or residence) when it comes to an invasion or occupation by foreign military powers.
Military invasions must be resisted and opposed, or you get a more Hobbesian world of global state violence. Sometimes this resistance requires conscription. Tough luck, but if you stand for nothing you’ll be run over by anything and everything (including by M-T-V’s lies).
Musk is publicly advocating for the US to pull out of NATO and the UN. Maybe he wants the US to form a neo-Warsaw Pact, but this time it can be the Budapest Pact that includes Russia, Belarus, Hungary and M-T-V reality TV America.
Matthew: thank you for saying this- in my opinion, it should be shouted out across all the media outlets. I agree with you that the issue should not be a right/left or center political issue, but one of ideals of all people.
If I were Trump, I would
1. sign the minerals deal
2. demand that Putin withdraw from Zaporizhzhia Oblast. The rest of occupied Ukraine would be subject to an internationally supervised by the people of occupied oblasts to what country they want to join (Russia, Ukraine, or be independent). If an oblast has divided control as is the case, the Russian and Ukrainian controlled oblasts would vote as separate entities.
3. Ukraine would open an embassy in Taipei and Taipei could either open an embassy in Kyiv or have an ambassador in Warsaw accredited to Kyiv.
Neither Zelenskyy nor Putin would like such deal. Putin would get some of Ukraine. Zelenskyy would get some of it back.
If Putin agreed but Zelenskyy did not, all US aid ends. If Zelenskyy agreed but Putin did not, the US would increase military aid to Ukraine.
Trump has forever been a conman and scofflaw — in his business life, in his personal life and in his political life — and no such person can be a reliable counterparty in any agreement under the current dynamic in the US.
The US under Musk-Trump-Vance can’t be trusted to be a reliable ally that delivers to contractual agreements.
You can trust Trump as far as you can trust Putin. Whether that’s coincidence is open to conjecture.
“Zelenskyy is unhinged. He knew Trump was temperamental yet Zelenskyy could not control his emotions.” That is a reality in an alternate universe, not the one in which we live.
Why do we always have to kiss Trump’s a$$ rather than call him out for his narcissim and habitual lying? He always supports dictators and not freely-elected leaders.
Actually, the persons unhinged in the Oval Office were Trump and Vance. Zelenskvy stood his ground in a very polite yet direct manner, trying during the exchange to inset the truth. It was a set-up with Vance being the attack dog, and Zekenskvy rolled with the punches. For three years, his country has been invaded and under attack with Russian destructing buildings and infrastructure, plus more important killing of people: Call it what that is: Genocide and a war crime.
I’m impressed with Zelenskvy and embarassed by Trump and Vance. That’s become a daily reality.
And Zelensky was not speaking his native language. It was an ambush. This administration plays with our citizens lives.
Very difficult to argue in a foreign language. He should have used his interpreter, which would have given him a few seconds to cool down.
“Why do we always have to kiss Trump’s a$$ rather than call him out for his narcissim and habitual lying? ” Because Zelenskyy is not representing himself but representing Ukraine in relationship to the United States of America, not Trump. Both men cannot control themselves, which is bad. Trump has a point that it is the US who has propped up Zelenskyy. Without America, Zelenskyy would have either been in a coffin 3 years ago or a Russian prison.
It was supposed to be a closed door discussion after the meet & greet. Again attempted ambush
Derek, honestly, give it up. You are showing your secret embarrassment with a weak defense. There is no defense. Be man enough to say that America has been hoodwinked by grifters who want for them. Not you.
Maybe the manlet should have just kept his head down and signed a deal first, instead of a defiant body language for 40 minutes before the thing really blew up. The manlet should realize his position.
You only watched clips from social media didn’t you?
You mean bow down? We are a world connected more than ever before in history. And you want a leader of a free nation that was attacked and defending its democracy to bow and beg? I am astonished at the restraint Zelenskyy displayed. It was heroic. But, of course, you had already made your decision as to who he was (manlet) before because your King told you to.
I am still perplexed at this “king” allegations, but sure, I’ll bite. US has zero obligation to keep sending tens of billions to Ukraine. The minerals deal would have been something that would give the US some justification, but the manlet lost his cool and blew it, and gaslighted that the WW3 would come to our shores if the US didn’t give him money. If you call that heroic, then ok I guess
By the way, what” leader of a free nation” has suspended elections?
@Jan: The Ukrainian constitution says no elections during martial law. We can debate whether marital law is required, but the country is bombed every night and it’s not like Zelenskyy is simply defying the law by not holding elections.
@Jan
Hmm, if history serves me I believe WW2 in the U.S.?
You are correct in that we have no obligation to Ukraine. But without America as the leader of the free world the rest of the world will collapse. This is actually America First. In that it is defending economies, people, lives, and interests that are intertwined now more than ever and serve our own interests for a peaceful and prosperous world.
To Antwerp’s first comment above, indeed, this is what America First really means.
Ronald Reagan would be rolling over in his grave.
Your education has failed you. The US had elections, and FDR was voted in for 3rd and 4th terms. 22nd Amendment (2-term limits) was put in place long after WWII.
And I will strongly disagree that the free world will collapse if Ukraine crumbles. Like I said in the other post the USA has ZERO interest in Ukraine (The minerals deal would have been a start, but the hero manlet blew it). If you have substituted Ukraine for Taiwan (strong electronics economy) or Israel (the best strategic ally in a region that really hates us), then yes, what you said will mostly apply
@Matthew “America First” is not putting in hundreds of billions to Ukraine (a country with no strategic interest to US) to a stalemate and no real progress. This is the same forever war situation that we saw Iraq and Afghanistan.
But why did the manlet blow off the minerals deal?
Jan, question for you. Why a manlet? Are you just making fun of his build/height or does the word mean someting else that I am missing?
@Jan, we may have to agree to disagree, but I assume you read my post. There I laid out why we should support Ukraine. And that doesn’t mean perpetuating the war. It does mean negotiating a peace, if possible, that doesn’t reward Putin for his aggression. And with the utmost respect, you are right about FDR winning a 3rd and 4th term, but you’re awfully naive if you think that Putin will be happy simply to accept the land in Eastern Ukraine that Russia is now occupying. You really think that Putin does not have his eyes on other treasure?
It’s probably for the same reason you call your political enemies funny names. You don’t have to look too deep into it.
@Jan If you believe that those elections were actually viable than please, go ahead and dream your narrative. It was not even remotely close to being a normal situation. It was wartime and you know full well that FDR was in full power for all those terms and no one was reasonably opposing him. Which is why, yes, in the 1950’s (not “many years” later) they enacted term limits. Thank god.
As to your additional point. I imagine Sudentland in Czech was thought of as the same way. Oh wait, it was. Just a slip of land in eastern Czech that no one cared about. How did that turn out?
And the minerals deal (while not a full NATO thing) is something that would have been a deterrent if the US now has strategic interest in the region. Manlet blew it. Why I do have to keep repeating my stance on this?
@Antwerp
“It was wartime and you know full well that FDR was in full power for all those terms and no one was reasonably opposing him.”
But we still had elections, and people voted for him, and that’s ok. Same with Lincoln who could have done the same thing and try to suspend elections. Are you insinuating FDR was corrupt? (That’s a rabbit hole that I have no time to dive into!)
You don’t have to be stubborn about a point you flatly lost, just take the L and move on
@Jan Because your stance consists of nothing else but calling someone a “Manlet?”
If it will make you happy I concede to interpretation. The reality is that you and I both know that elections during WW2 in America were nothing more than ceremony. Further, had we been attacked as Ukraine has been I assure you that it would have been even far less than ceremony.
Correct me if wrong. Did Zelenskyy not offer recently as part of a settlement to hold elections?
I think he did. Maybe we get to hear more about that if the hero manlet decides to come back to the negotiating table
“Every October for five consecutive years, the wartime British government led by Winston Churchill obtained legislative consent to postpone scheduled elections and extend the life of the sitting British parliament.
“Churchill’s reasons for doing so were obvious and in many ways apply equally to today’s Ukraine. In 1940, Britain sought to avoid the distraction and potentially divisive impact of elections in order to maintain national resilience and focus all its energy on the war. The Churchill government also recognized the impracticality of holding an election with millions of displaced people across and beyond the nation, and saw that it would be virtually impossible to ensure a fair test of public opinion with Britain under daily attack and engaged in a global war.”
— Atlantic Council
Ukraine is in a hot war. But Trump probably wants to declare martial law in the US because of unarmed peaceful protesters whom he will want to provoke and massacre.
@Jan … +1 . Good thinking .
Do you really think it a coincidence that this ambush happened? I do not. It was pathetic, childish, and pointless like our stable genius in chief, but not all that surprising.
It was not an ambush . Z. was petulant and demanding . Trump was exactly correct in calling out his poor manners.
Pu-trump was as obnoxious and undiplomatic as it gets. Shaking your fingers in the face of your guests is bullying and the 2 on 1 pile on was an ambush. Now repeat that a hundred times.
Maryland is 100% correct. In what alternative reality was Z being rude? Make it make sense…
Zelenskyy was out of control. So was Trump. Neither was right. Both were wrong in the Oval Office meeting. Both are unhinged diplomats. However, it is Zelenskyy who is asking for money so he cannot be unhinged.
@Matthew … It is very easy to write knowing suggestions about war . It is also relatively easy to serve in the armed forces , if one is not a combatant in war . They can pontificate without actual experience .
It is far more difficult to actually fight a war . One goes into it with a sort of fatalism , that one will either make it through or one will not make it through . Those who have done so have this history as a common bond .
Churchill himself was a military man before he did anything else . He knew courage as “a given” .
Neither Zelensky nor Trump were actual combatants , and neither has a clue of the reality . They are politicians .
Zelenskvy is a leader whose invaded country is at war; he knows the horrible price being paid by Ukrainians. On a daily basis he sees the destruction and death cause by Russia. For Trump, his fake bone spurs shielded him from the reality of war during the days of the Vietnam war, just as his inherited wealth has always shielded him from the consequences of his actions except for the E Jean Carroll law suite which established him as a convicted sexual abuser.
Neither Zelensky nor Trump will ever be amongst the fraternity of combat veterans .
Despite his other flaws of alcohol , etc., one must acknowledge Sec. Def. Hegseth as being a combat veteran .
In the military fraternity , it is the only experience which counts .
That’s just not true. Totally arbitrary.
@Matthew … Sorry , but I must disagree from my personal experience . One knows if one is being targeted for death , because the bullets are cracking and men are dying . Once one experiences it , one Knows how lucky one is .
Flyboys Know when they dive down into fire . Sailors know when their ship is gone and they are in the water . Tankers know when their track is shot off , and they are sitting ducks . Helicopter crews know when they hit the ground .
We also know when the folks in the Rear glance at us guiltily , and the Colonel shakes our hand .
Which war did you fight in? Which branch?
We share personal details in the VA hospital waiting rooms , not on social media .
Odd, you have no trouble sharing everything else here.
@alert You talk a lot. And offer nothing in facts. Do tell us, what exactly is your history? I agree, a forum is not the place, unless of course you choose to dominate it with touting your experiences and life issues. At that point, a call out is needed or else you are anyone, anywhere. Present facts or stop using your background as any sort of knowledge base to anything being discussed. I am nobody. I can say what I want and people can take it with a grain of salt. But if I decided to be an expert espousing my experiences, well, people would naturally expect a CV as to this. Especially when millions of lives are at stake. Do tell.
You do realize that you may come across like one of those chicken hawk stolen valor clowns?
How many faux Purple Hearts do you have? Or are you — like your Lord Trump — going to claim that Purple Hearts are for losers?
By the way, Hegseth is already in trouble again. 😉
Putin is far richer and more ruthlessly Machiavellian than Zelensky, and so wimpy wannabe strongman Trump will always continue to favor Putin.
Trump is a megalomaniacal simpleton who’s been duped by Putin, and Vance is a pathetic toadying lickspittle who knows he must slavishly praise every statement and decision of the Dear Leader, no matter how outlandish or outrageous, if he’s going to get the MAGA endorsement for the 2028 election. Trump thinks he’s playing a game of 3D chess that will land him the Nobel Peace Prize, but he obviously has no idea that Putin is the most accomplished Grandmaster of political treachery alive today, and he’s being played for an absolute chump. As Judge Judy would say, “MORON!”
The reality of the situation is that Ukraine by itself does not have the military power to remove Russia from the invaded areas. This is true no matter how much material support is given, or how much one wants to believe in a fantasy world that does not exist. A military force large and powerful enough to remove Russia from Ukraine would have to include NATO troops, and quite a few of them. War game that scenario out and see what it leads to.
The other solution is the real world scenario where Russia retains is captured territory, and Ukraine receives some type of security guarantee in a peace treaty deal. Russia will not accept Ukraine joining NATO, no matter how much many people want that scenario. The next best thing is the mineral deal, where the US strategic position is very tightly linked to the continued operation of the mines and keeping them under Ukraine’s control. This is not as tight of a security deal, but joining NATO is not going to happen.
If the EU wants to go to war with Ukraine against Russia to drive them out, they should put their money and soldiers on the line first instead of waiting for the US to bail them out one more time again.
This is the logical, rational and reasonable position.
It’s neither partisan nor biased.
Matthew is happy to support the kidnapping, conscription and killing of unwilling Ukrainian men because he’s a pseudo tough guy.
Your third sentence is Unfair to @Matthew .
It’s the reality of the situation and people who refuse to accept that reality are condemning more unwilling combatants to injury and death.
It would be one thing if the men were volunteering and the lines for recruitment were around the block.
But they are not and people who are advocating for more war have that blood on their hands.
I am not advocating for more war; it’s time for a ceasefire.
But I object to calling the aggressor the victim and the victim the aggressor. I object to calling the dictator a friend and the friend a dictator. I object to historical revisionism. I object to ceding land and other rights before negotiations have even started. What kind of dotard dealmaker does that?
What was Z’s mistake? Apparently campaigning for Harris in PA. A true man forgives.
@Matthew foreign interference election is a pretty big deal, not something you just “forgive” and leave. Your party is still crying about Russian interference in 2016.
@Jan: what do you think my party is?
@Matthew The uniparty consisting of Bush/Cheney-era warmongering “compassionate conservative” Republicans and most current-day Democrats
That’s quite an interesting viewpoint. And a sad one.
But there is some truth that the GOP under President Trump has left me…not the other way around.
I appreciate your engagement in this post.
I think this is the most nuanced take. A mineral deal with Americans on the ground is a natural deterrent against Russia doing more things, but as you said we don’t need another grifter joining NATO. Too bad the charlatan manlet in charge of Ukraine couldn’t control himself and got himself kicked out of this deal.
Myself , I don’t think the mineral deal is good , because it involves the U.S. to some degree , which we will want to defend .
For the same reason , I don’t think any U.S. security guarantee to Ukraine is good for the U.S.
In my opinion , I think it is up the the EU to help Ukraine , IF Zelensky finally agrees to a cease-fire . Zelensky’s huge mistake is to not accept a cease-fire Now , which is what Trump is pressing for .
If we get something out of it, I think it’s ok. Not my most preferrable option either. Right now the status quo is we (USA) are feeding tens of billions to a corrupt government against another corrupt government but with more bodies to throw. This shit is unsustainable.
@Jan … +1 . Exactly . My guess is the front-line soldiers would be Happy to accept Trump’s cease-fire , and to not have some politician urging them on to keep fighting .
Zelensky ought to Embrace Trump’s cease-fire . Trump’s logic For a cease-fire is undeniably Best for the soldiers.
Zelensky is a moron to walk away from a cease-fire .
@Alert I am amazed how you can “speak” for the Ukrainian soldiers who are on the front lines and defending their freedom. Have you been there? Do you have a front line connection to the minds of the men and women who are defending their homeland? And yet you try to tell us that you were once a combat soldier? Clearly you know nothing about defending your own home. Or freedom.
In what universe is it fair that a country gets to invade another … and get to keep its stolen land. That’s complete and utter bullshit, This alpha crap is destroying the world. Neither Putin nor Trump can be trusted in anyway. They will continuously alter the deal to rape and pillage. Seriously f* that.
It’s conquered land.
They fought for it, they occupy it and unless someone takes it back, it’s theirs.
You may not like that but that’s how the world works…and has ALWAYS worked.
I don’t even disagree, but that doesn’t mean we have to reward Russia for its aggression. History shows us why…
So then what is the punishment?
The EU can’t even stop buying Russian oil so how do propose we punish them?
jcil is carrying water for the traitorous conman Trump and his MAGA lackeys.
European countries have put more into this fight against Russia than we have. For the EUropeans, Russian irredentism is a more real and existential threat so they have been pushing their limits for quite some time.
And the US abandonment of NATO allies is a recipe for instability and war. Because of Trump, there are going to be far more nuclear cooks in the kitchen than is good for peace and predictability.
Why is the EU still buying Russian oil?
Because they know that Greta Thunberg’s anti-oil screeching is nonsense , and they need oil to function .
Exactly.
You can’t condemn Russia for their abhorrent behavior and continue to purchase their oil with a clear conscience.
Because the US wanted them to do so. And actually Trump now wants them to unlock all the energy spigots possible from Russia.
But he doesn’t seem to care about inflation nowadays. What’s the price of eggs nowadays in your local grocery store compared to a year ago?
I wonder what would happen to inflation if energy became less expensive?
(Hint..the cost of energy significantly affects inflation)
and now, Russia is offering us a mineral rights deal
Zelensky may have lost everything
He also had multiple chances at a fair cease fire and peace treaty. Now, he has two options: 1. Surrender unconditionally 2. Start a nuclear exchange (he likely has atomic bombs given his statements)
@Derek … +1 . Zelensky is an impractical idiot .
Don’t worry, maybe Europe will step in to fund this forever war
That is complete and utter BULLSHIT.. and you know it. This is Putin’s doing. He violated the 2020 Cease fire. Its complete and utter STUPIDITY if one thinks that Putin or Trump could ever be trusted.
\
Get your fact straight.
Ryan actual facts don’t matter anymore. Putin & trump both hope people do not remember and continuing to repeat a lie makes it true
Matthew, I’ve been a reader of yours for years now, drawn initially for the reviews and inspiration. Over time, I’ve found myself coming back to your site over all others because of how much I value your opinions and how they are baed in your values. As you’ve taken steps to talk about things that are beyond travel and affect us in the world, I’ve agreed and disagreed, occasionally adding a criticism.
I greatly appreciate that you have values that you’ve clearly thought through, challenged, and are willing to stand behind, even if the winds of the time change and your opinion becomes unpopular. You’ve challenged me, and I imagine others, to think about things from a different perspective and I’m grateful for that. Keep it up.
This comment really means a lot to me, KB. Many thanks.
Matthew runs a good column. I agree with him much of the time. However, Zelenskyy could not control his temper is an idiot. If he was an effective diplomat, he would not have reacted that way, even if provoked. He is the one asking for money so the burden of effective behavior is his.
He was dealt with bad cards because previous Ukrainian presidents did not join NATO. They had the chance, like Bulgaria and Latvia and Albania and many others but they did not take the opportunity. Now they want to buy fire insurance after the fire has engulfed the building.
A brilliant post, Matthew. Mostly, fair. Which is so hard to find today.
It is really a shame that a country with a democratic tradition like the United States is led by people who are so weak against their true enemies, and so irrational and harsh with their allies.
Unfortunately, today the White House is commanded by Putin puppets.
One of your best posts Matthew – very thoughtful, well written. Kudos!
Want to see Real Damage? Go visit Gaza! you cannot pick & choose. Oh I see why you Feel that way about Zelenski.
Not going to get off track here.
Big difference: Gaza attacked Israel and Israel responded. As it had every right to do. Israel has been far too light-footed about it. I understand it wants the hostages back, but it’s time to fix that problem once and for all so that Hamas can never strike again. Everyone of the convicted terrorists released from Israeli prisons in exchange for the hostages should be recaptured and decapitated, then hung upside down in Gaza City on a stake as a warning to would-be imitators.
Would the US be willing to accept Canada joining a mutual defense treaty with China, and having People’s Army toops stationed in Ontario and BC ?
That’s the situation people want Russia to face by having Ukraine join NATO .
Yes, Russia’s the bad guy in this war, but that doesn’t make Ukraine the good guy .
Good thinking .
That’s probably what will happen if trump keeps acting like a fake tough guy to all our allies. China will replace us as the world leader and we will be what Russia is now.
Not necessarily. Norway shares a border with Russia. Norway is part of NATO but doesn’t allow permanent stationing of non-Norwegian troops. Estonia and Latvia might have 2,000 foreign troops, easy to overrun, there mostly for show and as a trip wire.
Check in with Finland (800 mile border) and see how well it is protected. Long ago they suffered a similar invasion.
You must go to a different Norway than I do.
We always seem to have some assets on the ground even when this kind of stuff is not going on:
https://www.europeafrica.army.mil/ArticleViewPressRelease/Article/3759917/press-release-us-army-soldiers-begin-long-distance-transit-across-nordic-region/
Matthew…your quote:
” We should support Ukraine. And that doesn’t mean perpetuating the war. It does mean negotiating a peace, if possible, that doesn’t reward Putin for his aggression.”
So then how do you propose we take back what Putin currently occupies?
Stop buying his energy?
Send in the 82nd Airborne?
Let’s here it…
You could start with not telling zelensky that he needs to be nicer to putin, and not inviting Russian state media to the white house over the AP and Reuters.
You have NOTHING substantive to offer.
Good to know.
Meanwhile…Zelensky sat there with his arms crossed looking defensive.
That’s bad body language 101 and you learn that in your first job.
As for the AP and Rueters….LOLOLOLOL.
Try being lectured by two narcissists set on sabotaging you in your third language.
Now DOD stops offensive cyber operations against Russia. What is going on? The American people will not tolerate this for long.
Not speaking the language is an excuse.
Bring an interpreter…other world leaders do.
Especially when Zelensky is the one who demanded the WH meeting (easily verifiable, by the way).
I watched about 45 minutes of the video and it’s around minute 38 that Zelensky loses the plot and starts complaining that dialog and negotiations didn’t work.
Up until that point the engagement was cordial.
Sure, Trump dinged him about his faux fatigue outfit but Zelensky should be able to handle a criticism which isn’t new.
But you continue to dodge the biggest question…what is your solution to “punish” Russia and end the war?
When he is being confronted by two Putin apologists in an official capacity and facing a M-T-V stage-managed hostile audience, you expect the natural and honorable thing for him to do is kiss Putin’s shoes and Putin’s bootlickers’ shoes? Bullies really love to bully wimpy, cowardly kiss-ups. Good thing Zelensky is a real man of honor and not a pushover for wannabe bullies. I am proud of Zelensky and his being a real ally of America even while we suffer these MAGA clowns.
I hope your parents are no longer with us so they don’t have to see what an apologist for Russia their poor son has become. Very sad
Ukraine has interesting history wrt to nuclear weapons.
When the USSR collapsed, Ukraine hold about third of their nuclear weapons and at the time was third largest nuclear weapon country in the world. If they had kept those, the current situation wouldn’t most likely exist. In the agreement to return them to the Russia for dismantling, they got assurances from Russia, UK and the US that their sovereignty and borders would be respected.
That didn’t last long..
The Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances one of the foreign policy highlights of Clinton’s first term.
For surrendering their nuclear arsenals and singing up for NPT, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine got security guarantees from the four nuclear powers: the US, UK, France and Russia, And China gave side assurances.
I am a retired academic paediatrician and I was working in L’viv at the Ohkmadyt Children’s Hospital last February and March on the 2nd anniversary of the brutal invasion. I was humbled by the resilience of the paediatricians and trainees working tirelessly under very trying circumstances. I was impressed by strength of the “unbroken” (Ukrainian term) children and families transported from the south and east after being seriously injured. Despite this, there was a sense of solidarity and pride in their heroic soldier, the bravery of Zelenskyy, and a determination to preserve Ukraine’s democracy and identity in the face of overwhelming odds. I am returning soon with equipment and with love. Slava Ukraini.
As a Brit I’ve always admired the way the US led the free world. Didn’t always agree with every action, but in the main they were on the side of democracy.
Now in my late 60s I never thought I would live to see the day that the US voted with North Korea, China, Belarus and Russia against Western democracies in a UN motion. Trying to justify it by saying that they didn’t think it would help negotiations with Putin by voting with the Western nations was laughable.
I also never thought I would hear the US threaten to send in troops to take control of the Panama canal, invade Greenland, send troops into Mexico and make Canada another US state.
I agree Europe should increase defence spending to counter the treat of Russia. But it was of great concern I hear Elon Musk support the US withdrawal from NATO because Europe has chosen to support Zalensky following the Trump meeting. It would have been an act of treachery to leave Ukraine fight against Russia, It would be self defeating for Europe to allow Russia to continue to take continue to take chunks of without supporting Russia. Who would be Russias next target, Moldova would be a likely target.
Sadly with the US withdrawing from it’s commendable and historical role of leader of the free nations, I suspect European support for another US led invasion like the Gulf War will be less likely.
At the infamous meeting Vance accused Zalensky of not saying thank you. He has thanked the American people/Government more than 20 times on US soil, including his speech to senate. Vance was also really rattled and annoyed when Zelensky asked him if he had ever been to Ukraine. He also berated Zalensky for debating the issues in front of the cameras arranged by the White House. Did he expect him to sit there and not address something he didn’t agree with? He just questioned Vances vision of diplomacy settling the war, as he has already experienced that Putins agreements are worthless. Trump accused him of being disrespectful, but I didn’t see disrespect.
100% agree. There was no disrespect.
Even China, India and Iran didn’t vote with the US, Russia, Belarus, and North Korea. Israel voted with Russia, Belarus, the US and North Korea.
@GUWonder: I noticed. Very troubling.
It was an interesting vote to see, but not much in the way of surprises. The three vote categories and how the votes lined up are a sign of the times. And I’ve been watching major UN General Assembly votes and major UNSC votes ever since I was old enough to understand why someone I knew well had a photo addressing the UNGA during what was probably then too high-level week for the UNGA session. But Musk wants us out of NATO and the UN, so maybe I can have the photo of the house is ever sold or converted into a rental.
Orange Mussolini is a straight up KGB asset. Google “Krasnov” if you don’t believe me. Of course this story is not being covered by US oligarch propaganda media. Occam’s razor- this is why Dump always defends his Russian daddy. Despicable and disgusting betrayal of our people, our allegeded values and our democracy by this Obese assclown.
Some of Trump’s behavior ( and devotion ) to Putin tells me they did try to recruit him
The Soviet era KGB and interior ministry types — and sometimes also the CIA, if you go by the CIA archives — had a history of agency employees suspecting people to be foreign government assets/agents even when they weren’t, never had been and never would be. But Trump has always been susceptible to propaganda visits and wanted VIP treatment from political head honchos.
I half joke sometimes that if Obama made Trump his Commerce Secretary in 2009 or maybe even 2013 and played golf with Trump and praised Trump’s golf game, this national nightmare would never have happened.
He also has exhibited the nasty behaviors that would make a good target for blackmail
He seems rather shameless and has no respect for the truth. Kompromat doesn’t work so well against such people who are wannabe mafiosos and want attention as notorious playboys. Such people are of the school of “better to be famous and hated than to be forgotten or unknown”.
For example, how would kompromat ever work against say Al Goldstein, the famous pornographer and advocate for the 1st Amendment? It wouldn’t.
Putin plays the long game. Some information becomes more valuable with time. Nasty behaviors include far more than the playboy usual. I do think it’s more than narcissism. ” I could shoot somebody on fifth avenue type of nasty.
I used to hang out with some FSU people who were previously groomed to be KGB types as far as I could tell at the time. [Their families are still in very privileged positions across the FSU. Any and every kind of “beyond Playboy” antics that the Marquis de Sade or Caligula could imagine seemed to be in the repertoire for some of them.
And NYC was a real den of such vice for them then, and Eastern European prostitutes — and that includes Slovenian ones — were available on demand for those whom they viewed as “the next generation of leaders” whom they wanted to capture in ways. Epstein played the same game but his marks were men who were already “mature” establishment figures.
Musk and Trump have been wanting the US out out of NATO for more than a few days.
In their twisted mind, NATO makes the world more dangerous. NATO and the EU are the historical linchpins in Europe’s relatively far more peaceful post-WW2 period than what it has seen before.
But vulture capitalists and merchants of deaths thrive on war, instability and disorder in general. I’ll try to make it work for me financially, but it will not be pretty. I feel for the zoomers and what they will inherit from MAGA-devastated America.
Well we saw Criminal Trump and the foul mouthed lout who is supposed to be his deputy in full fling with President Zelensky on Friday night. Thank goodness that in Europe politicians recognise and tell the truth and will continue to back the President and the people of his sovereign country Ukraine as long as they need us.
The US really showed its true colours on Friday night. Be ashamed, very ashamed.