Putin ready to meet Trump to talk Ukraine deal

Another interesting end of year marathon Q&A.

At one stage, when implied by a certain western journalist he was "weak" compared to Trump, he quoted Mark Twain, saying "The rumours of my death are much exaggerated", prompting laughter in the audience.

Good to see many western journalists freely allowed to take part and ask anything - that just doesn't happen in western countries with Russian and other journalists/organizations banned.

Looking forward to the high-tech duel.

Putin ready to meet Trump to talk Ukraine deal

This is a meta-comment but are there any pro-Trump/anti-Putin or anti-Trump/pro-Putin?

Curious how they seem to move in lockstep,even using the usual suspects here as an example.

Putin telegraphed a subtle but unmistakeable signal during the event: a map was projected in the background with significant border changes on the western frontier.

This is exactly why so many have changed their tune on The Donald as they realise he is a beacon of hope for the vast majority of us tired of endless wars and the stranglehold of the Democrat-backed military-industrial complex. While they screamed for censorship, endless conflict, and globalist agendas, this once again proves he's a leader willing to pursue actual diplomacy over destruction. A potential Ukraine deal shows that peace is possible, but it's the war-hungry Democrats - the new Cheney-era Republicans of our wra - and their media lapdogs who continue to push for bloodshed to line the pockets of defense contractors. Why would anyone support the same establishment that profits off the suffering of ordinary people while demonizing anyone who seeks dialogue and solutions?

Can't wait for the warmongers to be out of office and for this conflict to finally be over.

*era

No doubt Trumple thinskin will be practicing his derriere massing abilities for such s meeting. The total sellout of Ukraine the result.

If Trump can offer security guarantees, i.e., NATO boots on the ground if Russia reneges, he may be able to get a deal.

But it sure looks like Russia wants a way out, but not a peace deal. They want their cake and to eat it too.

Putin's ultimate goal is political control of Ukraine, so Trump needs to make sure he doesn't fall for Putin's tricks.

And if that can't be achieved, Ukraine can probably survive without American funds in 2025 anyway.

Can't wait for the warmongers to be out of office and for this conflict to finally be over

putin’s term doesn’t end until 2030.

Interesting photo 3rd at the bottom. Kudos for including it:

Putin, discussing ongoing combat operations, displayed a banner he received from the 155th Separate Marine Guards Brigade of the Pacific Fleet, out of Vladivostok (written at bottom is the unit). Signed with names/nicknames of various unit members, he praised that formation which has been in the thick of it from the starting whistle. He gave them a shout-out back in late October for their efforts in defending Kursk, Russia and more. They obviously replied.

The banner is set upon the navy jack and emblem of the naval infantry with a Ribbon of Saint George flourish emerging from both sides.

Motto of the Marines is written over the top of emblem:

Там, где мы, там — победа!

Where We Are, There is Victory!

*This is exactly why so many have changed their tune on The Donald as they realise he is a beacon of hope for the vast majority of us tired of endless wars and the stranglehold of the Democrat-backed military-industrial complex. While they screamed for censorship, endless conflict, and globalist agendas, this once again proves he's a leader willing to pursue actual diplomacy over destruction. A potential Ukraine deal shows that peace is possible, but it's the war-hungry Democrats - the new Cheney-era Republicans of our wra - and their media lapdogs who continue to push for bloodshed to line the pockets of defense contractors. Why would anyone support the same establishment that profits off the suffering of ordinary people while demonizing anyone who seeks dialogue and solutions?*

Can't wait for the warmongers to be out of office and for this conflict to finally be over.

I agree.

I think if Kellogg can do much of the negotiating on Trump's behalf then I have faith a reasonable settlement could be reached if Putin is flexible. Putin has certainly changed his tune, and I would guess it's because the Russian economy is now in serious trouble, and they can't outlast Ukraine which now has enough aid (thank you Biden) to sustain it in 2025.

Important: another note on photo 3.

The man holding up the banner on the left is a member of one of multicultural Russia's many minorities of Asian appearance. I'll let you work out which one (he is in traditional clothing).

And no, he is not from NK!

As I have always thought. A deal! A euphemism for “throw Ukraine under the bus”. Putin , et al understand the weakness of democracy. The Election cycles, (especially in the U.S) public opinion, and I think, if a deal is going to be made over the dead in Ukraine and a land grab. China is going to see what it could get away with. Israel is also in the middle of a land grab in Syria I think these small signals for good or bad, will influence Xi. Taiwan is in the same boat at Ukraine. Another country believes it belongs to them, the US gave both countries security guarantees, both countries never had U.S troops on the ground. And I think we have seen how we appeased Russia when it took Crimea, invaded Georgia, the Donbas region and now the rest of Ukraine. It’ll be peace in our time today. But the strong men are just biding their time. Russia will rearm, retrain, learn from the mistakes as is China, and they’ll be back for more. And finally as part of the deal, Putin et al will never see the inside of a court room and be brought back into the political sphere with smiles and hand shakes. Gotta do business with leaders we don’t like! So they say! I hope the deal would go like this, get out of Ukraine or we go all in on arming Ukraine. This drip feeding of weapons was never really enough. Btw, ignore the news when they say “game changer”. This is a body count game.

putin’s term doesn’t end until 2030.

Might I suggest that those last two words are redundant?

Putin's term ends when he's dead. And who knows how many body doubles they've got lined up to give the impression that he's immortal.

Look at that rascal in the photo! Not sure whether Putin looks more like Adolf Hitler or Herman Goering in the photo judging by his sly smile and excited fist gesture.

Trump can’t get Putin to the bargaining table!

well, there he is, willing and ready to talk.

next narrative: how dare Trump speak to Putin!

A minor and somewhat pedantic note: if Putin wants to make a deal with someone, it's Zelenskyy. And I doubt that Zelenskyy wants an imbecile negotiating - or, let's be real here - offering unconditional surrender - on his behalf.

BTW, if this war is (according to the sixth grade social studies students here) "a proxy war by the military industrial globalist illuminati elite powerbrokers of the USA", why would the USA want to take any action to stop it?

And I doubt that Zelenskyy wants an imbecile negotiating - or, let's be real here - offering unconditional surrender - on his behalf.

All the reason why he said just a few hours ago that he wants a strong and competent leader to guide these negotiations and he sees that leader in Trump.

BTW, if this war is (according to the sixth grade social studies students here) "a proxy war by the military industrial globalist illuminati elite powerbrokers of the USA", why would the USA want to take any action to stop it?

The US has more serious problems it needs to take care of and prioritize domestically first and foremost. Ukraine is the least of this nations problems.

Putin spoke in a confident tone but was forced to admit he did not know when Russia would take back the parts of Russia's Kursk region held by Kyiv since August.

Currently, Russians are in no hurry, exhausting the enemy and saving the lives of their military. There is one disturbing fact here. Ukrainians are committing genocide against civilians on Kursk land. Mass shootings are more common among the elderly (since the young were mostly evacuated). There are many videos on this topic on the Internet. Testimonies from residents of the Kursk region, who eventually managed to flee to the Russian rear.

By May 9, Victory Day, the Kursk region will be liberated for sure. This issue will not even be discussed during the peace talks (if they they will take place). Russians will decide this issue themselves, regardless of the result of the negotiations.

Let's be fair. If Trump can broker a deal which keeps all parties satisfied, he will deserve all the credit, and that alone might justify his re-election.

I just think that there is almost no chance of that happening, given his servile behaviour towards dictators, and the fact that Zelenskyy is generally welcomed with respect when he goes to civilised countries, while Trump generally comes across as an embarrassment to the USA (you should see the emails I get from friends in other countries...), must really get to him.

His ego and susceptibility to manipulation do not bode well.

Great news, more talk and less bullets & bombs, always the preferred strategy. Agree with Putin, permanent solution needed, not a temporary cease fire.

china is listening and watching.

if the u.s. abandons ukraine and/or putin gets a deal for part of ukraine, taking taiwan in the autumn of 2027 will be a walk in the park.

green light is on. it's working.

putin and xi (and their proxies here and throughout the internet) are making fools of gullible people.

HopeSpringsEternal

Great news, more talk and less bullets & bombs, always the preferred strategy. Agree with Putin, permanent solution needed, not a temporary cease fire.

Putin's permanent solution is full control of all of Ukraine.

Can't see Ukraine buying that...

Let's be fair. If Trump can broker a deal which keeps all parties satisfied, he will deserve all the credit, and that alone might justify his re-election.

Give the man a chance, I think he can definitely do this with effort.

I just think that there is almost no chance of that happening, given his servile behaviour towards dictators, and the fact that Zelenskyy is generally welcomed with respect when he goes to civilised countries, while Trump generally comes across as an embarrassment to the USA (you should see the emails I get from friends in other countries...), must really get to him. 

Civilized??? Who? Trump is not the embarrassment, that would be the current President who pretty much-lost everything, and I mean, everything. I disagree, Zelenskyy doesn't have a lot of options going forward, let's be real now.

His ego and susceptibility to manipulation do not bode well.

His ego is to end this conflict and that is a good thing.

Remember, both Putin and Trump realize war's fueling global inflation, as it's destroying trust in currencies. Why US$ has terrible real asset purchasing power vs. pre-war.

In truth, Covid was initial tipping point, virus set off global destabilization and loss in confidence in currencies, but Biden's 2021 escalation of this civil war into global proxy war by recruiting Ukraine threw gas on the "inflation" fire.

No surprise voters unhappy, Trump needs inflation to settle down = stronger currency real asset purchasing power

Can't wait for the warmongers to be out of office and for this conflict to finally be over.

Hear hear!

His ego is to end this conflict and that is a good thing.

Bang on!

Zelenskyy hit back by saying: "People are dying and he thinks it's 'interesting'.. Dumbass."

He was in Brussels on some minor TV program, commenting on Putin's Q&A live, that not many people tuned into or something. So, he evidently reverted to sniping with insults on SM.

Important to observe, as he watched and listened to Putin's event, he could understand well because it's in his native tongue.

The US has more serious problems it needs to take care of and prioritize domestically first and foremost. Germany is the least of this nations problems.

Some Americans in 1939. Appeasement has a way of turning far off problems into close up ones really fast.

HopeSpringsEternal

Remember, both Putin and Trump realize war's fueling global inflation, as it's destroying trust in currencies. Why US$ has terrible real asset purchasing power vs. pre-war.

The US $ is fine. It's the Ruble that is tanking, along with the Russian economy.

"We will absolutely kick them out. Absolutely. It can't be any other way. But the question of a specific date, I'm sorry, I cannot say right now," he said.

Obviously, Putin is not going to discuss specific dates of potential upcoming operations.

Kursk has been an albatross around Kyiv in many ways and could well be even worse, in the sense it gives Moscow an important excuse to refuse negotiations. Even should Kyiv forces retreat from the area, the actual mop-up and clearance operation could last months and months and more months.

But basically, Putin has said (again) that he will not horse-trade Kursk. There was zero ambiguity in the specific message here. Language was very stern.

Burgerland

"Putin's ultimate goal is political control of Ukraine, so Trump needs to make sure he doesn't fall for Putin's tricks."

So the narrative has changed

No narrative change. Look through my old posts and you will see that I say that Putin has lost this war because his number one aim is control of Kyiv. Remove Zylensky and install a puppet.

and now Putin's ultimate goal is not an imperialist land grab to recreate Soviet Union

No, it is. But that looks unlikely.

and wiping Ukraine off the map. Ok, got it.

Yup. You are correct. Putin wants to Russify Ukraine. Strip it of its identity.

Russia's not sitting on massive sovereign debt and financial assets being destroyed by inflation, rather world's most inflation protected real assets rising in value. Why G-7 in political chaos, re-aligning etc.

Putin's simple message for Trump, "Tell Kiev Regime to clear out of 4 territories ASAP in order to save lives and start building, as one way or the other, they will be removed."

Putin's simple message for Trump, "Tell Kiev Regime, Ditto Kursk, clear out ASAP in order to save lives and start building, as one way or the other, they will be removed."

BlacklabelToday  08:22 am JST

Trump can’t get Putin to the bargaining table! 

well, there he is, willing and ready to talk. 

next narrative: how dare Trump speak to Putin!

Trump did not bring anyone to the negotiating table. In fact he’s not even in office. If anything The U.S and the Europeans have been giving Russia a high body count. That’s it! Pure and simple! Nothing to do with Trump or Biden. But all the governments given Ukraine the tools to do the job. Now! Ukrain understands it can crush Russias army. But just like The Mujahideen the Taliban, or the Vietcong, etc etc, you can inflict enough pain over a long time that they’ll both come to the table. As they say “A flea can trouble a lion more than a lion can trouble a flea”. Let’s hope we can give Ukraine the things it needs to make the Russian Bear bleed. That’s why it’s a number game and nothing to do with Trump or Biden. It’s about us collectively! Anyway Trump is only coming in at the end, claiming he did it, when the truth is, zalinsky and Putin and the world did it. He just wants the credit.

Trump and Putin both agree, this Ukraine Civil war that started in 2014 should NEVER metastasize into WWIII

Zelenskyy on the other hand would love for US & NATO to begin conducting strikes on Russia = MADMAN

Nothing else to be expected!

The dictator in the Kremlin asking Donald (who wants to be similar) to present him Ukraine on a silver plate!

And of course Donald will agree without any hesitating, since he is Putain's puppet!

And of course Donald will agree without any hesitating, since he is Putain's puppet!

If that were true then why can't Putin get any concessions?

HopeSpringsEternal

Trump and Putin both agree, this Ukraine Civil war that started in 2014

That Putin started in 2014.

should NEVER metastasize into WWIII

And it hasn't.

Burgerland

You can doubt all you want, Zelenskyy will make a deal with Trump in the driving seat, as will Putin.

Not if it is a bad deal Zelensky won't. Trump has to offer something for him to agree. Something like security guarantees from NATO.

Trump has to offer something for him to agree.

no actually he doesn’t.

he just tells him how it’s doing to be if he doesn’t agree.

""Putin said he had not yet met Assad, who fled to Moscow as rebels closed in on Damascus, but planned to soon.""

He also promised that he will ask Assad about the fate of the missing American journalist Austin Tice .

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/19/europe/russia-putin-austin-tice-comments-conference-intl/index.html

Blacklabel

Trump has to offer something for him to agree.

no actually he doesn’t. 

he just tells him how it’s doing to be if he doesn’t agree.

And then Zelenskyy doesn’t agree and keeps fighting.

What happens next?

HopeSpringsEternalToday  09:10 am JST

Russia's not sitting on massive sovereign debt

yeah, but in case you didn’t know, it defaulted on its less than massive debt.

it’s not what you owe, it’s your ability to pay it.

Biden boxed himself into a corner and left it to 47 to take credit for a ceasefire between the two war-weary sides. But there's still time to make that phone call to Jerusalem and deprive his successor of claiming the Nobel as the "peacemaker".

donald neville chamberlain trump, but wants generals to be like hitler’s generals.

strange combo.

donald neville chamberlain trump, but wants generals to be like hitler’s generals.

strange combo.

So Trump is not ordering the death of millions of Ukrainians?

Putin should hand over Assad to the U.S. authorities so they could investigate the disappearance of the American journalist Mr.  Austin Tice who vanished with no traces so far in Syria 12 years ago.

The new Syrian government is searching for him with no luck so far, they needs to know so they could return him to his family dead or alive.

The departing US administration is responsible for this mess, and as we all know played a key role in generating and perpetuating this terrible conflict in Ukraine.

Majority of Ukrainians want peace negotiations to start, but Washington is not done and is still pressuring the

Kyiv regime to send its 18 year old kids to the frontlines. Russia has single-handedly stopped American aggression. Any negotiations will have to start with the military situation on the ground. This is pretty simple

HopeSpringsEternalToday 08:30 am JST

Great news, more talk and less bullets & bombs, always the preferred strategy.

Pity Putin disagrees with you. He could stop his war of conquest and vanity right now by pulling out his invading hordes.

But the problem is, you see, he won't because he is a murderous dictator hell-bent on the destruction of an innocent people.

HopeSpringsEternalToday 09:22 am JST

this Ukraine Civil war

So, Russia is part of Ukraine is it? And this one, large country is fighting itself?

That's an interesting take that I don't think your Tsar would be very happy with. I wouldn't stand next to any windows or drink any tea if I were you.

should NEVER metastasize into WWIII

Luckily there are still people (not called Donald Trump) around with backbone, a solid understanding of the dictator mindset, and a knowledge of history (like the Munich Agreement travesty), who are aiming to stop Putin doing just that.

WoodyLee

I can see anything is fair game in this forum :) We are still considering CNN as a reliable source?

https://verify-sy.com/en/details/10562/Did-CNN-Fabricate-the-Story-of--Freeing-a-Prisoner-from-a-Secret-Jail--

FosToday 10:04 am JST

The departing US administration is responsible for this mess

No, Putin is.

Perhaps you commented on the wrong thread by mistake?

as we all know played a key role in generating and perpetuating this terrible conflict in Ukraine.

"We all know" that do we?

What we all know is that that's the risible Kremlin propaganda line.

Majority of Ukrainians want peace negotiations to start

The Ukrainians want Russia out of their sovereign country, and for it to stop murdering, torturing, and raping people, abducting their children, and blowing up their infrastructure.

Russia has single-handedly stopped American aggression.

America isn't fighting Putin's war of conquest and vanity. Again, wrong thread I guess.

If that were true then why can't Putin get any concessions?

Because if you reward dictators for waging unprovoked wars of aggression it will incentivize dictators to wage more wars of aggression, which is bad.

The WW2 generation understood this well. One can really appreciate the sensible influence they were having on US politics over the decades by the fact that within a few years of most of them passing on the Republican foreign policy is basically “North Korean soldiers are literally invading Europe now? Oh that is totally fine, we should absolutely let that happen.”

UnderworldToday  09:51 am JST

And then Zelenskyy doesn’t agree and keeps fighting.

What happens next?

Kyiv regime will get crushed eventually. Ukraine is not being "wiped off a map" in the overly dramatic sense. The country is being Balkanized (like the former Yugoslavia which disappeared - the land and people are still there, just some border changes). Many little states will appear who owe allegiance to various powers. That's how these things work. Watch.

isabelle

My thread is spot on, even if in conflict with your interests :)

Once again this conflict reveals an unbelievable hypocrisy: regional or global powers act based on balances of power and not on motives that have to do with morals and ethics. For the US administration it was just a golden opportunity to wear down Putin, put a leash on the Europeans and make good deals on arms and energy. Which is pretty clear even if you don't want to admit it.

What is clear from the beginning is that Russia could not have the US nuclear missiles bases in Ukraine, same as Washington would not allow Moscow to hold military equipment in Canada. It is a very elementary principle of satellite countries and big empires.

rainyday

Because if you reward dictators for waging unprovoked wars of aggression it will incentivize dictators to wage more wars of aggression, which is bad.

I agree with you, if you consider United States of America's actions and what they got away with it: from Iraqi's illegal war (remember the mighty WMD), to the human catastrophe in Afghanistan, and then the bombing in Libya, civil unrest in Yemen, and the current mass killings in the Middle East.

Still, there is hope, as long a the present US administration steps away from any public office and hide forever

Russia's not sitting on massive sovereign debt

yeah, but in case you didn’t know, it defaulted on its less than massive debt.

it’s not what you owe, it’s your ability to pay it.

Russia's economy growing at least twice as fast the G-7, both in 24 and expected in 25. Value of their real assets growing, inflation protected, and easy to monetize.

Trump and Putin realize it's Ukraine that's the failed state and the Biden Proxy War that's fueling global inflation due to currency real asset purchasing power destruction

Putin and probably Trump, happy to see G-7 re-align politically due to this proxy war inflation catalyst!

Burgerland

Putin was not allowed to talk about a settlement with Ukraine at the early stages of the conflict, because the likes of UK's Boris Johnson and US Anthony Blinken told Zelenskyy not to accept any peace deal.

Otherwise we would not have these huge profits of American weapons manufacturers (the top 5 in the world) and the current records at Wall Street, Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500.

This is not Russia or Chinese propaganda, that is what Andy Bennet said, the former prime minister of Israel (the country which is the staunchest ally of U.S.)

https://mronline.org/2023/02/07/former-israeli-pm-bennett-says-u-s-blocked-his-attempts-at-a-russia-ukraine-peace-deal/

I agree with you. if you consider United States of America's actions and what they got away with it: from Iraqi's illegal war (remember the mighty WMD), to the human catastrophe in Afghanistan, and then the bombing in Libya, civil unrest in Yemen, and the current mass killings in the Middle East.

So your worldview basically boils down to:

America waging unprovoked wars of aggression = bad

Russia waging unprovoked wars of aggression = good

Its very hard for me to discern any sort of principled argument in there.

Putin's Kiev tech. challenge idea very interesting, new hypersonic missile against west's top air defenses.

Clearly, Putin's confident as his military capture's territory in east daily, while west is in political paralysis and re-alignment. No question Trump's not calling all the shots, as Putin must be pleased with status quo and obvious Geo-political momentum with BRICS etc. = The WINNER

JJE

And then Zelenskyy doesn’t agree and keeps fighting.

What happens next?

Kyiv regime will get crushed eventually. Ukraine is not being "wiped off a map" in the overly dramatic sense.

Nope. Not going to happen.

HopeSpringsEternal

Russia's not sitting on massive sovereign debt

yeah, but in case you didn’t know, it defaulted on its less than massive debt.

it’s not what you owe, it’s your ability to pay it.

Russia's economy growing at least twice as fast the G-7, both in 24 and expected in 25. Value of their real assets growing, inflation protected, and easy to monetize.

Ukraine’s central bank forecasts GDP to grow by 4% in 2024 and 4.3% in 2025. The currency is stable and interest rates, at 13.5%, remain near their lowest in 30 months.

Contrast that with Russia, where rates should soon hit 23% to arrest the rouble’s fall, banks look fragile and GDP is set to grow by just 0.5-1.5% in 2025.

rainyday

My point since the beginning is about double standards set by the US administrations (s) in the past with their previous frequent, more than any other country we are examining here, and in the present with their allies.

One example for what is happening here and the role of complaint media:

Israel invading a country in the name of protecting security interests from perceived threats on its border = fine, normal, above board, nothing-to-see-here.

Russia invading a country in the name of protecting security interests from perceived threats on its border = wrong, evil, worst thing ever.

rainyday

Fos

Russia invading a country in the name of protecting security interests from perceived threats on its border

Which is straight bunk. You don't illegally invade another country for "security interest". That is an act of aggression and should be denounced.

Not sure why you aren't denouncing Russia's actions.

Putin didn't invade Ukraine in 2022 because he feared NATO. He invaded because he believed that NATO was weak, that his efforts to regain control of Ukraine by other means had failed, and that installing a pro-Russian government in Kyiv would be safe and easy. His aim was not to defend Russia against some non-existent threat but rather to expand Russia's power, eradicate Ukraine's statehood, and destroy NATO, goals he still pursues.

wrong, evil, worst thing ever.

Indeed.

Fos

Burgerland

Putin was not allowed to talk about a settlement with Ukraine at the early stages of the conflict,

Yes, he was, he offered a deal. It was a terrible deal for Ukraine.

because the likes of UK's Boris Johnson and US Anthony Blinken told Zelenskyy not to accept any peace deal.

Because it was a terrible deal.

But the fact of the matter is, if Zelensky wanted to sign that deal, there was nothing that Boris Johnson or Anthony Blinken could have done to stop him.

Ukraine has a |Great' economy with no energy and historic depopulation? Don't believe everything you read, as Ukraine relies solely on western $handouts.

Putin and Trump firmly in reality, again top issue of concern to Trump = winding down war in order to restore currency real asset purchasing power and thus inflation.

Besides, Ukraine's continued fighting serves no purpose, they are simply digging a deeper hole for their recovery, while more and more flee abroad, never to return again.

Talking up Ukraine's economy... now that's a new one. Must sell Brooklyn Bridges too.

Underworld

Because it was a terrible deal

It was a proposal with close negotiations of two neighbor nations who speak the same language, to end the hostilities with a reasonable agreement. The problem is that any agreement would stop the billions of dollars orders of American made weapons, and as you know the decisions in Washington are taken by the US industrial military complex. There is no use to repeat the US military dispatches, check accurate media sources.

The US government is the biggest arms dealer on Earth, and the weapons sales serve Washington military hegemony. Check the shares of Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics and Northrop Grumman, forecast to rise amid growing global instability.

Behind the growth of arms supply, the US has created or intensified conflicts and crises in different regions of the world, forcing other countries to increase their budgets and buy US weapons to better serve the interests of the military-industrial complex.

FosToday 11:16 am JST

Russia invading a country in the name of protecting security interests from perceived threats on its border = wrong, evil, worst thing ever.

Yes, that's correct.

Because even if Russia really did have the mythical "legitimate security concerns" that Putin and his online minions use as a fig leaf, that does not allow him to invade and destroy Ukraine, and brutalize its population.

Whatever he may think about Ukraine's domestic and foreign policy, his actions unquestionably violate international law and the Geneva Convention, and he is rightly wanted for war crimes.

Whichever way you look at it, Putin's actions are wrong and he bears full responsibility. You can argue in favor of this if you wish, but we should all be very clear about what you're arguing for.

FosToday 11:53 am JST

The US government is the biggest arms dealer on Earth

Absolutely unconnected in any way to Putin's war of conquest and vanity.

Your usual anti-US tu quoque fallacy, and therefore discounted from the debate.

Trump and Putin will restore stability to this region soon and that will act to restore global stability, as this proxy war has divided the world and taken on a global nature.

Stability so needed because without it, world will continue to see elevated inflation, due to currency destruction, economic damage, plus growing risk of WWIII

Ukraine can still recover and will recover soon, as peace in 2025 and then reconstruction looks VERY likely!

Trump is a genius in terms of making people do exactly what he wants.

Remember when made quite a few people support MS-13? (gasp)

With this last move, its just a matter of time before the left take the streets to protest against....peace!

can't make this up!

Fos

Underworld

Because it was a terrible deal

It was a proposal with close negotiations of two neighbor nations who speak the same language,

They don't speak the same language, and that was part of how bad the deal was. Putin wanted to eradicate Ukrainian culture and language.

to end the hostilities with a reasonable agreement.

It wasn't reasonable. Ukraine would have had to become defenseless, so that Putin could have another go in a few years.

The problem is that any agreement would stop the billions of dollars orders of American made weapons, and as you know the decisions in Washington are taken by the US industrial military complex.

What a load of bunk. The US didn't want the war to go on any longer.

HopeSpringsEternal

Ukraine has a |Great' economy with no energy and historic depopulation? Don't believe everything you read, as Ukraine relies solely on western $handouts.

And GDP to grow by 4% in 2024 and 4.3% in 2025.

Putin and Trump firmly in reality, again top issue of concern to Trump = winding down war in order to restore currency real asset purchasing power and thus inflation.

Putin must hope. The Ruble is in free fall, so they are propping it up with alarming interest rates.

Besides, Ukraine's continued fighting serves no purpose, they are simply digging a deeper hole for their recovery, while more and more flee abroad, never to return again.

Well, if Russia stopped invading, they would have to.

*My point since the beginning is about double standards set by the US administrations (s) in the past with their previous frequent, more than any other country we are examining here, and in the present with their allies.*

So? Ukraine isn’t being attacked by the US, its being attacked by Russia.

US hypocrisy is blatantly obvious to everyone, but to the sane observer that means the US is wrong when it commits or supports wars of aggression itself (invading Iraq, supporting Israeli attacks against the Palestinians, etc), not that its wrong for opposing Russian aggression.

You can’t have it both ways. If wars of aggression are wrong that applies just as equally to Russia as it does the US.

If you wish to believe Ukraine has a terrific economy Undeworld then so be it. Doubt you'll find many investors excited about Ukraine's current economic situation.

Trump and Putin want a stable prosperous peaceful Ukraine, not subject to being utilized as a NATO Proxy Force

 Trump is only coming in at the end, claiming he did it

please keep entertaining us :)

why no one wants to negotiate peace with biden or kamala?