It should come as no surprise to anyone that Drumpf's pathetic sycophancy viz-a-viz Putin is allowing the latter to play the former like a violin. It is shameful the deference given to Putin by the orange-faced madman and "useful idiot" at their red carpet meeting on the tarmac in Alaska this past August. And WTF are Witkoff and Kushner wheeling and dealing with the Russian terrorists with the blatant goal of lining their own pockets instead of valiantly advocating for the brave Ukrainians and their fearless President? As you stated, Cathy, this theater of the absurd is merely a "show for Trump." If we allow him to stab the Ukrainians in the back, it will be yet another black stain on America orchestrated by the most dangerous, self-serving and inept POTUS in our history. To all of you who voted to inflict this madness yet again on our country: a plague on all your houses.
Great piece. The obvious solution is for the us (US) to get behind Ukraine again with direct military support, and get back to where the Russians had incentive to make a deal. We've allowed Trump to frame such support as a of waste of money or scam, when in fact for a relatively modest investment ($100B), the Ukrainians destroyed fully 1/2 of the Russian army and fought them to a standstill without a single American casualty. Obviously Trumps motivation is to please aggressor Putin and not to do right by the victims.
Cathu, Excellent reporting,commentary and analysis. Witkoff and Jared, what a trustworthy pair. What's Jared thinking, he's going to get two billion from Putin? These clowns are so pro-Russia you mind as well preface their names with comrade. It's hilarious that Trump thinks he's still in the hunt for a peace prize, I think murdering people on the high seas might limit his chances. It's a national disgrace that we have abandoned Ukraine but these people are tough and they have honor on their side. Hopefully, they can continue the fight and the Europeans can provide more and more assistance. It's a fight they dare not lose.
"[T]he most likely explanation of Russia’s peace games is that Putin is simply playing for time."
Yes yes yes! Even more accurately, Putin is playing Trump for time. How many times have sanctions against Russia and support for Ukraine been canceled or delayed since January, much of it on the brink of happening. Putin is the master puppeteer and Trump the greedy and hapless puppet. It would be a funny show if it weren't tragic for the good Ukrainian people, our other allies, world order, and U.S. security.
I don't know why Trump is even bothered by the war's continuance, other than the fact that he wants a Nobel Peace Prize. He has shown no sympathy for the Ukrainians. He doesn't have the stomach to stand up to Putin, whom he seems to worship, for whatever reason. Look at it this way -- the US GDP is about 12 times larger than Russia's GDP. Even Italy has a bigger GDP and Italy's population is less than half of Russia's. What's to admire? Oh, right -- all the repression and killing Putin can get away with. John McCain once called Russia a gas station masquerading as a country. If only Trump would see things that way.
Another excellent analysis. Thank you. There is no point in negotiating with Russia. The Putinesque approach is to use negotiations in dishonest ways to further war aims, not to arrive at any version of "peace" except the capitulation of Ukraine. Russia wants to reabsorb Ukraine and even a "neutralised" country is only a way station towards that aim. The West needs to stop pretending that this aggressive approach by Russia can be ended by negotiations and adopt the approach taken by the wartime powers against Nazi Germany, making demands rather than offers of concessions. Demands that matter would implicitly see the end of the Putin regime and that appears to be unpalatable to the present US administration and perhaps others, who even when sincere may not fancy the instability an end to Putin's rule implies. The hope that Russia can be stopped through support of Ukraine, sanctions and the like that proffer an olive branch is sadly misconstrued. The best outcome of that way just sees a cold war for generations. It may not be "nice" to think like that, but a long period of playing nice with Putin and his clique has merely allowed them to exploit every opportunity.
How insightful, I really appreciate your writing on the Ukraine war. I look forward to future articles. The war is going on for several years without the US providing any leadership for resolving the issues. Uncle Vlady has no taste for peace, the war serves him well. Why would he change his position.
Regarding Russia's invasion and its war crimes during their unprovoked war against Ukraine, the apparent U.S. policy now being conducted by Rubio, Witcoff, and Kushner is treasonous against U.S. interests.
Their actions are not unexpected since the Treasonous Trio take their direction from Trump, our Felonious Oath-Breaker.
The FOB's approach to Ukraine is singularly fueled by the fact that the Biden administration supported Ukraine against Russia.
Our Project 2025 fascist maladministration attacks all policies and projects that have Biden's stamp on them from the history of the 2020 election to the garish remodeling of the White House to trade to health care to taxation to justice to NATO and to Ukraine.
That's the straight-line of the Trump Agenda. That's why no former U.S. ally or partner can consider the U.S.A. its ally.
Again, Cathy, a superb column on the travesty of Russian aggression. If not for the Ukrainians, I would have enjoyed watching Biden help bury Putin. But here we are.
Why should Trump help Ukraine when there is so much money still to be grafted. So much money, so little time! You know, bankrupting the US is no simple task, and can't be done all at once.
As shown by the election result in Tennessee, the American people still don't get it. And never will until it will be too late. Stupidity will have its terrible and just reward.
It should come as no surprise to anyone that Drumpf's pathetic sycophancy viz-a-viz Putin is allowing the latter to play the former like a violin. It is shameful the deference given to Putin by the orange-faced madman and "useful idiot" at their red carpet meeting on the tarmac in Alaska this past August. And WTF are Witkoff and Kushner wheeling and dealing with the Russian terrorists with the blatant goal of lining their own pockets instead of valiantly advocating for the brave Ukrainians and their fearless President? As you stated, Cathy, this theater of the absurd is merely a "show for Trump." If we allow him to stab the Ukrainians in the back, it will be yet another black stain on America orchestrated by the most dangerous, self-serving and inept POTUS in our history. To all of you who voted to inflict this madness yet again on our country: a plague on all your houses.
Great piece. The obvious solution is for the us (US) to get behind Ukraine again with direct military support, and get back to where the Russians had incentive to make a deal. We've allowed Trump to frame such support as a of waste of money or scam, when in fact for a relatively modest investment ($100B), the Ukrainians destroyed fully 1/2 of the Russian army and fought them to a standstill without a single American casualty. Obviously Trumps motivation is to please aggressor Putin and not to do right by the victims.
Cathu, Excellent reporting,commentary and analysis. Witkoff and Jared, what a trustworthy pair. What's Jared thinking, he's going to get two billion from Putin? These clowns are so pro-Russia you mind as well preface their names with comrade. It's hilarious that Trump thinks he's still in the hunt for a peace prize, I think murdering people on the high seas might limit his chances. It's a national disgrace that we have abandoned Ukraine but these people are tough and they have honor on their side. Hopefully, they can continue the fight and the Europeans can provide more and more assistance. It's a fight they dare not lose.
it was never a peace plan more like terms of surrender
"[T]he most likely explanation of Russia’s peace games is that Putin is simply playing for time."
Yes yes yes! Even more accurately, Putin is playing Trump for time. How many times have sanctions against Russia and support for Ukraine been canceled or delayed since January, much of it on the brink of happening. Putin is the master puppeteer and Trump the greedy and hapless puppet. It would be a funny show if it weren't tragic for the good Ukrainian people, our other allies, world order, and U.S. security.
A meat head eating a meat pie… there’s a certain logic to it… I am sure Jared had a quiche!
Super helpful analysis. I think you've nailed this on all fronts. Pardon the pun.
I don't know why Trump is even bothered by the war's continuance, other than the fact that he wants a Nobel Peace Prize. He has shown no sympathy for the Ukrainians. He doesn't have the stomach to stand up to Putin, whom he seems to worship, for whatever reason. Look at it this way -- the US GDP is about 12 times larger than Russia's GDP. Even Italy has a bigger GDP and Italy's population is less than half of Russia's. What's to admire? Oh, right -- all the repression and killing Putin can get away with. John McCain once called Russia a gas station masquerading as a country. If only Trump would see things that way.
He wants natural resources and development rights for his family more than the Peace Prize which he never would get anyhow.
Putin is the man Trump wishes he could be.
Well done. Why has there been no detailed analysis of this shocker in the msm?
Another excellent analysis. Thank you. There is no point in negotiating with Russia. The Putinesque approach is to use negotiations in dishonest ways to further war aims, not to arrive at any version of "peace" except the capitulation of Ukraine. Russia wants to reabsorb Ukraine and even a "neutralised" country is only a way station towards that aim. The West needs to stop pretending that this aggressive approach by Russia can be ended by negotiations and adopt the approach taken by the wartime powers against Nazi Germany, making demands rather than offers of concessions. Demands that matter would implicitly see the end of the Putin regime and that appears to be unpalatable to the present US administration and perhaps others, who even when sincere may not fancy the instability an end to Putin's rule implies. The hope that Russia can be stopped through support of Ukraine, sanctions and the like that proffer an olive branch is sadly misconstrued. The best outcome of that way just sees a cold war for generations. It may not be "nice" to think like that, but a long period of playing nice with Putin and his clique has merely allowed them to exploit every opportunity.
Great article Cathy! Sadly, it makes me ashamed to be an American because we have a government that represents the worst of who we are.
Hopefully, that "tiger" will turn and devour the sour little man.
How insightful, I really appreciate your writing on the Ukraine war. I look forward to future articles. The war is going on for several years without the US providing any leadership for resolving the issues. Uncle Vlady has no taste for peace, the war serves him well. Why would he change his position.
Regarding Russia's invasion and its war crimes during their unprovoked war against Ukraine, the apparent U.S. policy now being conducted by Rubio, Witcoff, and Kushner is treasonous against U.S. interests.
Their actions are not unexpected since the Treasonous Trio take their direction from Trump, our Felonious Oath-Breaker.
The FOB's approach to Ukraine is singularly fueled by the fact that the Biden administration supported Ukraine against Russia.
Our Project 2025 fascist maladministration attacks all policies and projects that have Biden's stamp on them from the history of the 2020 election to the garish remodeling of the White House to trade to health care to taxation to justice to NATO and to Ukraine.
That's the straight-line of the Trump Agenda. That's why no former U.S. ally or partner can consider the U.S.A. its ally.
That's why Congress must impeach.
Again, Cathy, a superb column on the travesty of Russian aggression. If not for the Ukrainians, I would have enjoyed watching Biden help bury Putin. But here we are.
Why should Trump help Ukraine when there is so much money still to be grafted. So much money, so little time! You know, bankrupting the US is no simple task, and can't be done all at once.
As shown by the election result in Tennessee, the American people still don't get it. And never will until it will be too late. Stupidity will have its terrible and just reward.