Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-25

[Valmy]

The Trumpian idiots believing that they have a deal with Putin must be surprised to learn that Russia now actually claims the four full oblasts after all, not just the currently occupied area.

They'll believe whatever Trump tells them to believe.

[The Minsky Moment]

T what tools does the US have available to induce other countries to follow suit?

It can threaten to rename their geographical features.

[Baron von Schtinkenbutt]

It can threaten to rename their geographical features.

If that doesn't work, we'll start referring to them as states and their heads of government as governors.

[Maladict]

Maybe renaming Crimea to Peninsula of Ukraine will clarify things.

[Admiral Yi]

T what tools does the US have available to induce other countries to follow suit?

It can threaten to rename their geographical features.

 

[Zanza]

Now that's a great photo op.

[Crazy_Ivan80]

and everyone is speculating what was said now...

tbh, I don't think it matters: Trumps innate opinions will take hold and his Russia-whisperers will make sure that they do asap.

[HVC]

Photo looks like the start of a joke

[Duque de Bragança]

Now that's a great photo op.

Corvée de Latran pour Zelensky.   

[Valmy]

You have to admire Zelensky's constant efforts. He will never stop working on Trump.

[Josquius]

Hope in vain of course. But I do remember at the white house it was vance who butted in and made things go off the rails.
Taking advantage of him being free of his minder to plant something in his head....

[Sheilbh]

My impression is that Europe - or at least parts of it - is taking US checking out seriously and are ramping up. They are, however, doing it at the European pace which is not necessarily satisfactory. And they are also doing what they can to not push the US over the precipice any earlier than the pace Trump is setting. That is, they're still maintaining the "we're allies" line of reasoning until such a time as it is clearly and irrevocably rendered impossible.

I'd like faster and more, for sure, but I think the situation is taken very seriously and being acted on.

I think this is basically true - one thing I wonder is the extent to which there's a specific German element here. I think it's really difficult for anything big to happen at a European level while the new German government is still being formed. The direction of travel in Germany is clear (and very positive), I wonder if just it being in place pursuing its own rearmament program, non-caretaker ministers being at councils will just unlock things quite rapidly?

[Jacob]

So Ukraine and the US have signed a mineral deal of some sort? Does anyone have any details or analysis of what this actually means?

[Zanza]

The details are not public yet. It sounds like it is mainly about possible future raw material investments, not about Ukraine "repaying" US help so far. Which would be good.

The main point surely is to give Trump his deal so that he can say he achieved something. Whether that actually ever increases investments into Ukrainian raw materials or not seems irrelevant.

[Zoupa]

Yeah, I'm assuming this is just so Trump can have his win and at the very least not support russia instead.