President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in Saudi Arabia on Monday to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a day before talks between Ukrainian and U.S. officials that Washington hopes will deliver substantial progress towards ending Ukraine's war with Russia.
The United States, once Ukraine's main ally, has upended its policy on the conflict in its stated pursuit of a rapid end to the fighting, engaging directly with Moscow while stopping military assistance and intelligence sharing for Ukraine, which Russian troops invaded at scale in 2022.
Grappling with the new approach in the White House, Ukraine has pushed for "pragmatic" relations after a disastrous Oval Office encounter between Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump descended into acrimony last month.
Zelenskyy is expected later on Monday to meet the Saudi crown prince, whose country has played a mediating role since Russia's invasion, including brokering prisoner exchanges and hosting last month's talks between Moscow and Washington.
Talks on Tuesday between U.S. and Ukrainian officials are the first official session since Zelenskyy's abortive White House meeting, and Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said he had high hopes.
"I think that we're going over there with an expectation that we're going to make substantial progress," he said in an interview with Fox News.
Asked if he thought Zelenskyy would return to the U.S. to sign a minerals deal this week, Witkoff said: "I am really hopeful. All the signs are very, very positive."
Secretary of State Marco Rubio struck a more cautious note, saying there were still details to be worked out on the minerals deal. He added that the talks could be a success without an accord being signed and stressed the need to gauge Kyiv's readiness to make concessions to reach peace.
Under huge pressure from Trump, Zelenskyy has been at pains to show that Kyiv is committed to ending the war soon, despite failing to win the U.S. security guarantees that Kyiv sees as vital for any peace deal.
Zelenskyy has said he will not attend Tuesday's talks with U.S. officials, and the Ukrainian delegation will include his chief of staff, his foreign and defense ministers and a top military official in the presidential administration.
"On our side, we are fully committed to constructive dialogue, and we hope to discuss and agree on the necessary decisions and steps," Zelenskyy said in a post on X. "Realistic proposals are on the table. The key is to move quickly and effectively."
U.S. officials said they were planning to use the meeting in part to determine whether Kyiv is willing to make material concessions to Russia to end the war.
One U.S. official said: "We want to see if the Ukrainians are interested not just in peace, but in a realistic peace."
Trump said on Sunday he expected good results out of the upcoming talks, adding that Washington had "just about" ended a suspension of intelligence sharing with Kyiv.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told Trump on Monday he hoped the talks in Saudi Arabia would have a positive outcome and enable Washington to end its pause of U.S. aid and intelligence to Ukraine, his spokesperson said.
Rubio said Ukraine was already receiving all U.S. defensive intelligence. "All the notion of the pause in aid broadly is something I hope we can resolve ... I think what happens tomorrow will be key to that," he said.
FRAMEWORK FOR AN AGREEMENT
Witkoff, who has been arranging the talks, has said the idea is to "get down a framework for a peace agreement and an initial ceasefire as well".
Zelenskyy has called for a truce in the air and at sea, as well as a prisoner exchange, in what he says could be a test of Russia's commitment to ending the war.
Moscow has rejected the idea of a temporary truce, which has also been proposed by Britain and France, saying it was a bid to buy time for Kyiv and prevent its military collapse.
Zelenskyy has said Kyiv is ready to sign the minerals deal with the U.S., which would create a joint fund from the sale of Ukrainian minerals. Washington says it is crucial to secure continued U.S. backing.
With U.S. support in question, Zelenskyy has been urging his European allies to ramp up their support as Kyiv's battlefield position deteriorates and it faces mounting pressure to retreat from Russia's Kursk region.
Ukrainian troops that stormed into the Kursk region last summer are nearly surrounded by Russian forces, open source maps show.
However, Kyiv's top general, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said on Monday his troops in the Kursk region were not at risk of encirclement, despite a recent counteroffensive by Russian forces that has included North Korean troops.
Russia holds around a fifth of Ukraine's territory, including Crimea which it annexed in 2014, and its troops are also pressing in the eastern Donetsk region, having ramped up drone and missile strikes on cities and towns far from the front.
Russia has launched 1,200 aerial guided bombs, nearly 870 attack drones and more than 80 missiles at Ukraine in the past week alone, Zelenskyy has said.
© Thomson Reuters 2025.
78 Comments
TaiwanIsNotChina
Word is that Marco has been instructed to make territorial demands of Ukraine. Zelenskyy should reject those demands publicly so we can take corrective action on the filth proposing them.
kurisupisu
Mohammed bin Salman certainly knows how to deal with enemies.
I’m sure that the discussion was very ….tactical…
Underworld
The rumor that I have heard is that Trump will withhold intelligence unless Zelenskyy steps down.
He should refuse.
Newgirlintown
Don’t worry, Trump’s going to end the war on day one of his presidency.
Hang on a minute …
Underworld
That’s what they should be asking the Russians. It’s Putin who doesn’t want peace.
John-San
The damage is done for the USA as for respect and international standing. I myself wear a "I am not USAmerican" T shirt when overseas, This is avoid any repercussion for their fascism and alining and aiding Russia like a Hawk Tuah in my meals. Why are the USA there anyway. There present in will only make any negotiation very difficult. Even if Zelensky is replace the USA will still be right in Russian pockets and still will with held any support military or politically. No Russian is the world's new play maker. So up to the world to make in so unworkable for Russia that they have give concession. Down with Fascist USA, Hoo Hah the Free World.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Still Putin's War. A revolution doesn't suck in outside tanks against the will of their operators.
TaiwanIsNotChina
What concessions russia has to make? Uh, we'll get to that!!!
TaiwanIsNotChina
It's like these manchildren from the US don't know the history of the Korean War, for example, which had to be fought to a standstill FIRST and then an armistice was negotiated.
stormcrow
“Please, sir, may I have some more?”
This is so outrageous! We should be thanking Ukraine for their sacrifice. They’re the ones dying by the tens of thousands at the hands of a cruel invader. We should be the ones bending over backwards to help Ukraine. Instead by doing nothing we’re helping Putin achieve his aims. If Putin should win this thing, Trump should be seated with Putin at their victory parade.
geronimo2006
Ukraine is stuffed. The Trump administration are not on Ukrain's side, and have publicly stated so. Trump will demand Ukraine effectively surrender to all of Russia's demands, including the removal of Zelenskyy. Trump just wants a quick peace, and couldn't care less how many Ukrainians die while he withholds intel and aid in doing so.
Underworld
Zelenskyy is willing to make concessions for security guarantees. What is the US willing to do? If they can’t provide security guarantees, expect nothing from Ukraine.
In the meantime, what concessions are the US asking from Russia? It’s Putin who is not willing to give up anything. And it’s Putin who doesn’t want peace.
TokyoLiving
Don't give away the country to the MAGA regime for a mess of pottage..
Make peace only with Russia and you'll be better off..
quercetum
The U.S. went after Russia and it has not gone well. Underestimated the Russian army and thought they could win without committing troops.
This one just a few years. At least they had more resolve in Afghanistan and Iraq. Even more in Vietnam.
Underworld
quercetum
What are you talking about? Russia invaded Ukraine. Nothing to do with the US.
Some dude
The United States, once Ukraine's main ally, has upended its policy on the conflict in its stated pursuit of a rapid end to the fighting, engaging directly with Moscow while stopping military assistance and intelligence sharing for Ukraine...
To be fair, I think at least 75,017,613 Americans still understand and hate the fact that what their government is doing is craven submission to Russia. The rest - either those who voted for the felon, or those who couldn't be bothered at all - are complicit, and should never be forgiven.
quercetum
I actually agree with this. And instead the country that is the beacon of democracy just sits and watch. They’re your fellow democratic brothers. Why won’t you help Ukraine fight?
Don’t you think you should help Zelenskyy defeat Russia? If you’re not going to fight, then end the war. The POSTUS is doing the right thing.
The freedom fighters from the home of the brave cheer on Zelenskyy like spectators at a pit bull dog fight.
Tokyo Guy
Mr KiplingToday 08:06 am JST
I see reality has not quite arrived for some of the posters on JT.
Indeed. The fact that the Russians are losing around a thousand men every day and are using donkeys on the battlefield seems to be hard to swallow for our resident Putin simps.
Blacklabel
Bern hearing this “they losing 1000 men a day”! for 4 years now.
The math doesn’t add up.
Sounds just like the 2022 narratives about being out of missiles and fighting with shovels without even a blanket in winter.
Underworld
Mr Kipling
No. They were not. Russia have fought themselves, at great cost, to a standstill.
Now, is the time to support Ukraine.
But if the US won’t, then they will fight with Europe’s support.
Underworld
Blacklabel
True.
Yes it does. Russia have pretty much culminated on the battlefield.
bass4funk
Such is life
I wear MAGA and never had a problem for the past 9 years. I think people should express themselves anyway they wish, proud to be American, no need to be ashamed regardless who is in President
I’m not sure where liberals get this nonsense from, not sure whether to laugh or sigh…
Russia is not going away, isolating them won’t work or stop them, best thing to do is to engage in dialogue, I don’t even like the Saudis, but we do need them and isolating them would equally be counterproductive. Sometimes you need to sit down with your adversaries and people you just can’t stomach, it’s business, emotions should not be a part of this. It helps no one.
Blacklabel
nah mathematics tells me no.
Blacklabel
yeah for about 3 weeks.
Underworld
Blacklabel
then they will fight with Europe’s support.
That’s what they said three years ago.
Blacklabel
Only with USA money, right?
So Europe could have handled this the whole time like they will from now?
but instead they and Ukraine just took advantage of that doddering fool we had as President to take 150 billion dollars of our money?
3 weeks without us.
Underworld
Blacklabel
That’s what they said three years ago.
No. They had no US money when Russia first invaded.
Who knows? Luckily, the US was looking out for Ukraine, Europe and itself and sent aid to Ukraine.
$66 billion. The doddering fool is Trump and he’s being played by Putin.
It’s been over a week already.
Sh1mon M4sada
Lets not forget Zelensky insisted on visiting Trump at the White house, and whilst being hosted (with reluctance) he took a stance that was a clear contradiction with USA's bipartisan position on Ukraine lost territories.
Dems + Gops were consistently against taking back Crimea or Donbas. Support were given to defend, if Ukraine can't defend, then a bit of self awareness is in order.
Nothing wrong with negotiations whilst being aware of your own weakness. Let's be clear here when Blinken said USA supported Ukraine, he didn't intend for it to be construed as being dragged into a conflict to take back lost territories.
Obama didn't try to take it back, neither did Trump 1.0, or Biden. Why would Zelensky insist on that?
Underworld
Sh1mon M4sada
No, they weren’t.
Sh1mon M4sada
The evidence say otherwise. What did Obama do when Putin waltzed into Crimea?
Underworld
Sh1mon M4sada
No, they weren’t.
What evidence?
He placed sanctions on Russia.
HopeSpringsEternal
Walls rapidly closing in on Ukraine, as DJT's Admin not interested in funding a forever war that Ukraine cannot win, while threatening global stability & fueling inflation.
DJT global security agenda prioritizes Iran non WMD proliferation & global WMD reductions with Russia & China
HopeSpringsEternal
Turns out MOST voters in US, EU, Ukraine and Russia also want Peace in Ukraine and more so every day.
DJT simply listening to the will of the voters, who elected him to end $Expensive Global Proxy War threatening Security, fueling inflation and risking WWIII escalation.
GuruMick
US says they are hoping for a "realistic peace " what does this mean ?
Capitulation to Russia and "raw "lol , I mean "rare " minerals to USA.
Egg prices high in America because of the demand for eggs on Trumps face.
Sh1mon M4sada
That's not the same as taking back is it?
Trump, Vance heaped sanctions on Russia too.
Not Obama, not Trump, not Biden, none had any intention of trying to take back territories, that's the point Zelensky couldn't let go of, and insisting on coming all the way to the White House to publicly start an unnecessary spat with men who just wants to end sufferings, sigh.
WoodyLee
Good News,
Shut this war down and save lives, Ukrainian and Russian youngsters deserve better than dying in trenches.
quercetum
Underworld
It’s more complicated than that. Even though the former Soviet Union collapsed, Russia is not an ally of the U.S. who was and is heavily involved with Ukraine. They could have committed troops at some point in the first year is the 20/20 hindsight but the US leader decided to wait and see.
Keir Starmer
“The only response to Putin is force. We will deploy our forces in Ukraine provided we receive American guarantees. We were 3 years late in responding to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.”
I take the stance of Trump and Starmer. Either negotiate for peace or be commuted to fighting Russia and not leave your Ukrainian brothers of democracy hanging.
The worst is just sitting watching and cheering.
JJE
Russia will make NO concessions. It is holding all the Trump cards.
Since the Kursk cauldron has boiled, the other guy is holding an even weaker hand.
Telling that they don't want him at the talks!
Yermak is the power behind the throne and you'll notice from photos of the Oval-Office-skirmish that he turned up in a particular type of clothing (which he had never done before).
Russia doesn't want/need a ceasefire. It will only stand for its common-sense plan implemented to end the conflict once and for all - including legally observed measures, such as delineated borders amongst others, that address the root causes of this provoked conflict. Otherwise, it will keep going.
Sh1mon M4sada
It means NATO eastward march Clinton style is no longer viable.
I get the argument, that Ukraine is the buffer for Europe's security. But that can only work if Europe didn't rely on Russia for energy and economic security. The EU got greedy...
HopeSpringsEternal
Putin & DJT recognize if politicians in EU and elsewhere, presently support this global proxy war in Ukraine, they're either badly damaged or thrown out of office. Why?
Most Voters Everywhere Want Peace in Ukraine
HopeSpringsEternal
Most important Ukraine war supporters are Leaderless Democrats in DC, now in disarray, badly wounded politically with their lowest party ratings post WWII.
Fraud DOGE's uncovering's fueling above implosion of Democratic Party, triggering public outrage in the US.
Zelenskyy needs to 'read the room' and step aside soon, for the sake of Ukraine's survival and recovery.
isabelle
The US did not "go after" Russia. The war was started by Putin, and Putin alone.
We will keep reminding you all of this fact.
Strange use of "you" there. Many are helping Ukraine fight.
It's Trump that is the issue, not the rest of us.
Most voters want Putin to remove his invading hordes of murderers, thieves, rapists, and child abductors; pay his reparations; and submit to his war crimes trial.
Yes, Putin should never have started it. But that's what conquest-hungry dictators do, as we have seen throughout history. This is why the free world must stop them.
Sadly, Trump is too stupid/enthralled by Putin to understand that, and would rather reward the aggressor than help the innocent victim.
Mr Kipling
Where are Russia losing? Kursk, the east? the south? Ukraine are losing 3-5 times as many men as the Russians. Russia has its land bridge, its Russian speaking east, Crimea. Those are super donkeys.
JJE
Also important to observe the decent people of the south-east, who have borne the brunt of this proxy war since 2014. They deserve a fair deal after over a decade of brutal aggression directed against them.
They want to break away from the central government, which had an unconstitutional change and became rather abusive. A bit like Kosovo, without the change or abuse, if one is reasonable. As seen from current events elsewhere, a sponsored regime can't be trusted to retake territory. These lessons are applicable here too and a valid template moving forward to arrive at a sensible, long-term remedy to this conflict.
OkinawaRider
TaiwanIsNotChinaToday 05:58 am JST
Word is that Marco has been instructed to make territorial demands of Ukraine. Zelenskyy should reject those demands publicly so we can take corrective action on the filth proposing them
What corrective action are you proposing?
Mr Kipling
Seriously Zelenskyy fans...
How is Ukraine going to win? With what? Who is going to fight?
Where the war is right now, not how you would like it to be but actual reality, how can Ukraine remove Russia from the south, east and Crimea?
HopeSpringsEternal
DJT made it clear to a reporter in the Oval Office that asked about contested territory now controlled by Russia when he said...
"Ok tough guy, then why don't you just go over there and tell all the Russian soldiers to leave!"
isabelle
Also important to observe that it is not a proxy war, but a unilateral, unprovoked war of conquest by Putin.
Again, we will keep reminding you of this fact.
HopeSpringsEternal
The many dozens of non-combatant countries that have funded this war, especially on the Ukraine side, their voters are clearly and loudly saying, "enough is enough, the endless costly bloodshed must stop"
DJT = Common Sense = Listen to the Voters and Deliver on Promises Made to them, including Peace in Ukraine
Fos
Let’s put into context few things here. The US administration has sent over 110 billions of dollars of weapons to Ukraine since the start of the conflict. The White House has swiftly taken over Russian gas, charging four times as much, benefiting Texas oil companies. Not to mention that American
LNG is highly polluting for the global environment, something that legacy media does not reveal. A reminder that the top 5 weapons manufacturers in the world are all American, and that Us financial stocks are on all time high. And now Washington is trying to loot Ukraine by getting hold of their main resources. Lets all praise this kind of democracy building :)
JJE
Despite the spin from the general, it looks like that area is folding like a cheap suit. More details have emerged about the pipeline gambit. Appears to have been planned for weeks and bigger in scope. Kyiv forces lost 33% of the remaining area they "control" in 24 hours. Going forward, the real issue is it looks like Russian forces won't halt at the border in Sumy, which they are already operating in.
A fictional version of the same pipeline appeared in a late 80s flick featuring a prominent fictional British secret agent, called the "Trans Siberian Pipeline", ironically used to sneak people through.
isabelle
FYI, invading one's neighbor is much more highly polluting. Please direct your environmental concerns to:
Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin
Moscow Kremlin
23, Ulitsa Ilyinka
103132
Moscow, Russia
OkinawaRider
Also important to observe that it is not a proxy war, but a unilateral, unprovoked war of conquest by Putin.
That is a very simplistic narrative propagated by certain parties supportive of the previous WH administration. Reality is more complex .
HopeSpringsEternal
Call above whatever you want, it's global in nature but not a world war but rather war between Russia and Ukraine $supported by MANY Dozens of Countries.
Most people and voters, including US, EU, Ukrainian and Russian want the open-ended war stopped = PEACE!
HopeSpringsEternal
What ever happened to the will of the people? The voters who get to choose their Political Representatives?
Guess what, voters want PEACE in Ukraine and not for their political representatives to spend THEIR $Taxes on Endless Ukraine War with no endgame other than death, destruction and quite possibly WWIII = DEMOCRACY!!!
JJE
Predicted DJT would up the stakes on the 'deal', consistent with his negotiating strategy. In this case, it will mean making more demands. He has them bent over a barrel - arms, financing, intel, media/political support and any other unsavoury secrets he is privy too. The EU warmongers can't take up the slack and have been sidelined.
The elephant in the room is that deal has to be a kind of a sham, for a multitude of reasons - least of all the fact rare earths and certain other strategic minerals are concentrated in the south-east. One theory is it will be used to the detriment of Kyiv down the track once this revelation is 'discovered' and Washington was 'ripped-off'. This will allow Trump to do a number on them.
Either way, with Kursk and certain oval office encounters, Kyiv is getting squeezed on AND off the battlefield.
HopeSpringsEternal
Plenty of geological maps that show Ukraine rare earths fairly disbursed thru out Ukraine, and surely some of these are in now Russian controlled territory.
Deal will be best possible security guaranty for Ukraine, resulting in a multi-decade commitment by US and others in partnership to help Ukraine recover economically
Underworld
JJE
The latest Russian/North Korean activity in Kursk has been blown out of proportion. It’s minor in the scheme of things.
HopeSpringsEternal
Ace in the hole, if Zelenskyy remains belligerent is shutting down Starlink. Probably not likely after having Military Aid and Intel paused - pretty sure he got the message
HopeSpringsEternal
ISW and others war maps show a dire Kursk situation, bridges across rivers have been destroyed, Ukrainians effectively becoming encircled/trapped. White flags soon, Zelenskyy's not going to have that card either but rather more Ukrainian POW
Underworld
Sh1mon M4sada
US says they are hoping for a "realistic peace " what does this mean ?
NATO has nothing to do with this war. Period.
This isn’t 1945. There are no buffers for security.
Underworld
HopeSpringsEternal
Putting pressure on the victim is the wrong way to achieve peace.
Trump needs to put pressure on Putin, the aggressor, if he’s going to get a peace deal.
And let’s not forget, Putin doesn’t want peace. Zelenskyy does.
Underworld
HopeSpringsEternal
Nope. Nowhere close. Ukraine aren’t encircled.
In your dreams.
HopeSpringsEternal
Zelenskyy's a dead man walking, becoming more radioactive by the day and he has nowhere to turn. It's soon going high time for him to high tale it down to Israel
Ukrainians want their future back, not destroyed under terrible leadership of Zelenskyy that has no vision or endgame other than the terrible status quo.
Easy to tell Saudi officials uncomfortable with Zelenskyy as well, as nobody wants to associate with the losing team.
HopeSpringsEternal
Not my opinion, check out Kursk map for yourself, it's ugly, why Ukraine needs PEACE ASAP.
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 9, 2025 | Critical Threats
https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-9-2025
isabelle
1) Reality is that this is a unilateral, unprovoked war of conquest by Putin.
2) Reality is that Putin thinks Ukraine isn't a country, and believed he could make it part of Russia with relative ease. He was wrong on both counts.
3) Reality is that "NATO expansion" is caused by Russian aggression, not US pressure, and countries join willingly to combat this aggression. If Putin didn't want NATO to expand, he shouldn't have threatened and attacked his neighbors (not just Ukraine, but Georgia and others).
4) Reality is that -- even if Putin's narrative were true, and even if he doesn't like other countries' policies -- nothing gives him the right to invade. He is breaking international law and the Geneva Convention, and is rightly wanted for war crimes.
JJE
With regards to what HSE said, the bridge situation in Kursk has been a real thing. Kyiv regime forces had placed demolition charges on bridges as a precaution after a withdrawal. What they didn't expect was Russian forces would destroy them (including pontoon ones) at the outset BEFORE a withdrawal, with aviation and drones. Result being convoys turned up to destroyed bridges with a reception.
https://x.com/DD_Geopolitics/status/1898498610301723020
HopeSpringsEternal
Apparently, the Ukrainian Kursk salient is collapsing in part because the latest NK troops are far better trained and fresh and Russian drones using fiber optic cables with limited range now playing a far largely role.
Zelenskyy's busy losing 'cards' daily now, no wonder the Democrats in DC in such a panic, because the DOGE $Ukrainian corruption will soon be fully exposed as well.
OkinawaRider
NewgirlintownToday 06:46 am JST
Don’t worry, Trump’s going to end the war on day one of his presidency.
Hang on a minute …
Most of the world is impressed at the speed with which POTUS is moving to end this war. Sharp contrast to the previous WH pro war administration which did nothing towards a peaceful solution. Meanwhile anti Trump pundits are reduced to repeating the 24 hour whine. The world awaits Trump administration presided ceasefire.
Underworld
HopeSpringsEternal
Not even the ISW are saying that they the Ukrainians are encircled.
Some pretty excited Russian milbloggers though. Probably because the Donbas front has stalled.
OkinawaRider
UnderworldToday 11:46 am JST ISW and others war maps show a dire Kursk situation, bridges across rivers have been destroyed, Ukrainians effectively becoming encircled/trapped.
Nope. Nowhere close. Ukraine aren’t encircled.
Unfortunately the reality on the shows otherwise. The situation is very grim for the remaining Ukrainian forces. Ceasefire is needed. POTUS administration is working hard on this.
NATO has nothing to do with this war. Period.
Nobody with an ounce of critical thinking believes that NATO has nothing to do with this war. This agenda driven narrative has run its course.
The latest Russian/North Korean activity in Kursk has been blown out of proportion. It’s minor in the scheme of things.
Denials of the dire reality on the Kursk ground do not benefit anyone except those parties with an agenda that wishes to prolong the war. Trump administration has detailed knowledge and understanding of this reality.
Underworld
OkinawaRider
No, they are not. Trump hasn’t got Putin to the table and he won’t concede anything.
If Putin makes no concessions, there is no peace.
The previous administration knew that Putin didn’t want peace.
Underworld
OkinawaRider
Quite the opposite. The NATO is the cause narrative has run its course.
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.
Underworld
OkinawaRider
Obviously many on this thread do not.
But let’s see if Ukraine troops surrender en masse in the coming weeks to see who is right. ;-)
JJE
Operational pause down there. Bad weather, low clouds, mud, snow = resupply and rotate for the upcoming Spring campaigning season (happens every year). Plus, the current Kursk operation clearly had weeks of careful planning in the 'pipeline', the zone currently enjoying aviation-favorable weather.
OkinawaRider
isabelleToday 11:54 am JST
*1) **Reality is that this is a unilateral, unprovoked war of conquest by Putin.2) Reality is that Putin thinks Ukraine isn't a country, ...*
Reality is that this simplistic narrative and talking points pushed by the previous administration has been dismissed by those with critical thinking skills and knowledge of this war historical context. POTUS and his administration understand this context as well as the need to end this war. The promised peace initiative is moving along at good speed.
Underworld
JJE
No operational pause for Ukraine. They are taking back towns for defense.
The pipeline mission was a disaster for Russian troops. Most of them killed when they got out. Many suffocated in the pipeline.
Underworld
OkinawaRider
Your narrative is easily debunked by asking the question, why would NATO expansion be a problem if Putin is OK with Finland joining NATO? What’s the difference between Finland or Ukraine joining NATO? (And Ukraine wasn’t even looking to join NATO in 2022.)