Every Republican leader that I've ever known in my lifetime would be stupefied and confounded by Trump's loyalty to a former Communist head of the KGB over Zelensky, a man fighting for his country.
NYTimes:
[At the meeting in the White House in February], "...Mr. Trump berated the Ukrainian president, saying 'you don’t have the cards' in the war — essentially telling a weak foreign power to bend to the demands of a far more powerful one. The president did so again on Friday night, after Mr. Putin flew back to the Russian Far East, telling a Fox News interviewer that Ukraine was going to have to realize that Russia was a more 'powerful' country, and that power meant Mr. Zelensky was going to have to make concessions."
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Trump condones Putin's grabbing territory in a sovereign state because the international war criminal has superior power.
Is that an American value?
Maybe it is now, under Trump.
NYTimes:
"After the Friday summit with Mr. Putin, [Trump] went another step. Mr. Trump and European allies had agreed earlier in the week that a cease-fire must precede a peace accord, but he abandoned that view and sided with the Russian leader. *
“With Trump abandoning the cease-fire, but making no reference to the ‘severe consequences’ he threatened, we are at a dangerous moment for the alliance,” said James G. Stavridis, a retired Navy admiral who served as NATO’s supreme allied commander from 2009 to 2013, when the United States still viewed Russia as a NATO partner, if a difficult one."
*(TACO=Trump Always Chickens Out).
Trump agreed to Putin's demand that they meet in Alaska of all places, with its clear signal of Russian territorial dreams. Next, Trump rolled out the red carpet and offered him a seat in the presidential limousine!
Later Trump parroted Putin's claim that the 2020 election was the “stolen (it wasn't);” that no other country employs mail-in ballots (a lie); and that he wouldn’t have invaded Ukraine if his puppet, Trump, had been president (there is no way to prove that).
To emphasize how impaired Trump is, he couldn’t even remember the terms he agreed to with European leaders the week before.
Quoting from recent headlines: “ … after his meeting with Mr. Putin, Mr. Trump sided with Mr. Putin in calling for a direct peace agreement without securing a cease-fire in Ukraine first. Mr. Trump claimed that Mr. Zelensky and European leaders had agreed on the point. But his statement was a shift from the 'principles' agreed upon earlier in the week by Mr. Trump”.
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Zelenskyy and European leaders are going to meet with Trump in the White House in DC today, and we can be sure that the toddler’s words will be met with a hefty dose of skepticism and, behind the scenes, with frustration and anger that the US has squandered its erstwhile moral standing in the world with a president who is, it appears, firmly in Putin’s pocket.
20 comments:
And yet, we should all be rooting for US President Trump. I for one will welcome a peace supported by our European allies between Ukraine and Russia and if Trump helps make it happen, I'll celebrate and give him his props.
As always of course, the devil will be in the details.
If Ukraine has to cede territory to the invaders, or gets no real security guarantees, I would not consider that a real deal, so much as a cram down.
Here's an interesting observation sane people in the world are dealing with as it relates to the Ukraine/Russia problem...
"Italy [and their far right leader Meloni] is the only one who MIGHT put SOME blame on him [Zelensky]…"
What blame is there to put on the leader of the invaded country?
Was Poland to blame for Hitler invading? Was Armenia to blame for the Turks invasion and genocide? Was Israel to blame for the Oct 7 invasion? Was the US to blame for 9/11?
Of course not, but the world we live in today somehow has decided that Ukraine is responsible. What sophistry. What idiocy. What gaslighting.
The question is this... Does a free country have a right to determine it's own path, within it's own borders, with whatever alliance it desires?
It's a simple yes or no question no MAGA person will ever answer.
Because they choose not to inhabit a world of truth, facts and democracy.
Except when it benefits them personally or their misfit vision of the American role on the world stage.
But again, let me reiterate, because some folks here have a struggle with my actual words, choosing instead to impute their insecurities on them...
I will congratulate, cheer and celebrate if Pres Trump is able to get a deal between Russia and Ukraine that secures the borders of both countries and provides real security guarantees to hold Russian aggression in check.
I hope he can get it done.
Yes. People of good will all want to see the killing stopped.
But here's what we have to reckon with: Russia has poor record of breaking/ignoring agreements.
Russia has broken multiple agreements with Ukraine, including the Budapest Memorandum, the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership, and the Minsk agreements. These violations include the 2014 invasion and annexation of Crimea, the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine, and the full-scale invasion in 2022.
This pattern of broken promises and disregard for international law has been a major source of mistrust and conflict between the two countries.
How can Ukraine trust Moscow?
Shaw... no doubt all thinking people can acknowledge Russia has a lousy track record of following through on past agreements. That's why Ukraine, to have any hope of future self determination must get a security guarantee from the west.
People must remember that at one point Ukraine had that guarantee themselves, in the form of a nuclear arsenal. But the US pressured them to give up that arsenal and their essential "defense guarantee" and instead accept our pledge to protect them.
As we have on so many other agreements, treaties and pledges, we of course reneged when the going got tough.
So here we are.
We can assume Trump avoided history in his schooling - busy selling trinkets to sucker freshmen, no doubt.
What the heck is going on in the Ukraine issue? What US President sits down with counsel, in this case, the closest US Allies, and berates them in public? I get that it has happened in provate under many presidents, but not in public.
What "great negotiator" shows his or her hand in public?
And why do we see Trump hectoring allies who came to our aide after 9/11, but offering all sorts of deference to Putin, an enemy of the USA?
I'm all for America first, but not Russia.
Let's be sure of the Russian position... Putin's forces get to remain in the Donbas and Luhansk regions where they have taken ground. Additionally, in those areas, Ukraine MUST cede the rest of those areas not already controlled by Russia.
So effectively, Ukraine must give to Russia territory currently under Ukrainian control and which before the Russian invasion, was sovereign Ukranian land.
Additionally, Ukraine must also accept current Russian troop lines as the new border between Russia and Ukraine.
Such a deal...
So how does America's list of attacks compare?
So your reaction to this post is "Stop showing us what Russia does because America is bad too?" That's not going anywhere on this post.
Came to scold Joe Conservative on staying on topic but you got to it first Shaw. Even had a witty bon mot about educators and staying on track metrics... Ah well.
Related: a catalog of all the stolen Ukraine children was released by Russia, sorting the kids out by age and looks. Shades of Epstein! I know, it's for 'adoption' purposes. Sure and stealing children isn't a war crime.
I'd hoped emptywheel would have a detailed break out of the meeting today but her post focused mainly on Friday. She made some pointed and excellent questions and observations about the meeting on Friday which tied into today but no deep dive yet. There was attached video but it's age restricted for some reason.
What I've learned today is Trump admitted that the USA is a client of Russia. (how the mighty have fallen! And client? What trade? What services?) And that Russia made all the promises they've made so many times before when they spoke with Trump on Friday but in reality, like trusting Trump, can anyone truly trust Russia to hold to their agreements? I mean, the USA isn't a bastion of trustworthiness either so who holds super powers to account?
Belle of the Ranch said foreign policy is messy and so did Stonekettle, both voices I respect. I knew messy but this? Riding herd on a flamboyance of toddlers for their parents during church services back in the day seems easy now in comparison. And again on my brain, who holds those who think they are above accountability to their word?
The Star Trek future I'd hoped for seems to be so far away right now but that doesn't mean I quit fighting. I may not live to see the results of all our work but our children and children's children will and that is the only reason I need to continue.
I'm sure Joe Con has lots of instances of independant American armies invading countries who have not attacked us. And then annexing or claiming territory as ours.
Go ahead Joe, we'll wait...
BTW, P.E. Friends, be sure to bring a screwdriver with you if you’re going to vote in person, so that you can unscrew you license plate from your vehicle when the poll workers ask to see it before you can vote!
Trump said you have to show your license plate in order to vote, so it must be true.
Oh, and Trump ended 6 wars. He showed his license plate to the Nobel Peace Prize Committee to prove it.
It’s a miracle!
We should give Alaska because we stole it from them. Jimmy gave the canal back and it worked out fine.
While we are at it California goes back to Mexico. That would be a big win for us
Actually, America bought Alaska from Russia, (known as Seward's Folly), it didn't "steal" it.
The Panama Canal was in Panama, which was not part of the US, so it ceded Panama's Canal back to the Panamanians with the Torrijos-Carter Treaty, and it's working out just fine. Look up the reasons for the Treaty to understand why we ceded the Canal back to Panama. It was the right thing to do.
If you actually think giving California back to Mexico would be a "win" for the US, then you have a poor understanding of how much the US depends on the economic powerhouse that is California.
PS. You are aware that California is the 4th largest economy on the planet, are you not? It was the 5th largest; but during the governorship of Gavin Newsom, it rose to 4th place on the planet behind America, China, and Germany.
Can you explain why you think giving California back to Mexico would be a "win" for America? I'm curious.
I can probably state this with confidence: Trump is THE most ignorant and corrupt POTUS this country has ever had the misfortune to suffer under.
Trump is corrupt; Putin is corrupt. They are corrupt soulmates. Trump extended courtesies (red carpet, flyover, ride in "The Beast") to Putin that are normally reserved for respected international dignitaries.
Putin is an international war criminal who murders his political opponents.
That's who Trump admires.
Trump’s Diplomacy-by-Spectacle Failed in Alaska
A principled ceasefire and negotiation require hard work. Trump prefers a fantasy peace.
The History of Humankind and Its Steady Unrlenting Acceptance Of Materialism and the Never Ending Pursuit Of Self Gratification Is the Foundation Upon Which Capitalism and the Suffering Of the Modern World Was Built.
It Is Clear the Recognition and Acceptance Of These Truths Remain a Long Way Off In America as Well As Much Of the World. Therefore, Unnessary Suffering Will Continue Unabated.
All of this is theater Shaw... let's see if our conservative sleepy joe biden critics can be consistent.
At yesterday's meeting, Trump was unable to even find the Prime Minister of Finland at the meeting. Hint, he was sitting right in front of him.
Also yesterday, Trump decided to speak on Voter ID at the polls, sharing an anecdote which his includes his well known tell that a lie is coming, "sir". Here's his quote...
“They asked me for my license plate, I said, I don’t know if I have it. They said, Sir, you have to have it. I was very impressed, actually.”
President Trump, the oldest man to ever be elected president was telling a story about being asked for his license plate so he could vote.
Is it unfair, after Biden's obvious stumbles, to ask if Trump is also stumbling? Slipping? Missing a taco on the Number 9 Combo plate?
Any Dem who denied Biden was getting slower who now is critical of Trump is not being consistent, or honest. And any MAGA person who slammed sleepy joe biden who doesn't also admit the obvious about Trump is likewise, inconsistent.
Trump right now reminds me of Tony Bennett as he aged. We know in private, or changing situations, like many as they age, struggled. But on the stage, he was still flawless for years.
Trump is Trump is Trump at his rallies. But he's a real danger in tense presidential situations. Unlike Biden, Trump has no bench full of actual, you know, smart people who understand government and know how it works.
The team Trump has assembled around him is a team of people not recruited as the best people, as he claimed in his first admin, or a team of rivals, as Lincoln had. Not at all. Trump's team was recruited instead for loyalty and to carry out his agenda, simply trusting Trump. no matter how addled he may seem.
His people, Hegseth, Gabbard and Biondi among them, are not heavyweights. There is not a George Schulz, a James Baker or even a Gen Mattis anywhere to be seen in this admin.
Anyone not worried, even after the generally good news yesterday, is not paying attention.
Biden's default world, where he instinctively went, was governing and public service. It was his life for over 50 years. But he got tripped up in public uncontrolled situations.
Trump's default world however is as a carnival barker. And outside of that, in one on one conversations, and tense government situations, we see more and more, he is out of his comfortable element.
-FJ, Joe Con, skud... should something be done? Are you as uncomfortable with Trump as you supposedly were with Biden? Or were you uncomfortable with Biden only because he was a Democrat? Can, or perhaps a better question is, will you, be consistent?
I'm legit worried about President Cankles Trump.
I'm more worried about a republic that since Obama was in office, has elected two presidents who both alternated between aging, incompetence and instability.
If these two do not make a strong case for an upper age limit for the presidency, nothing ever will. And we will suffer.
I'll never understand why Biden didn't stick to his promise of being a one-term POTUS. His legacy would have been secure if he had. But because he (and those around him) believed they could cover up his mental weaknesses and forge ahead, Biden damaged his presidency. This is the tragedy of men in power.
As tragic as that was, you're correct in saying that at least Biden knew how government worked and surrounded himself with people who believed in the American promise of what good government could deliver to the people.
Trump is an ignoramus when it comes to good governance; he believes running a country is like running a real estate business; and from what we've seen in all the litigation surrounding Trump over the years, he ran his businesses either around the edges of legality or completely outside the law.
And that's what he's doing as POTUS. Trump is an almost 80 man who in those 8 decades of life has, IMO, learned nothing about decency, honor, and humility.
That does portend well for leadership, and we're seeing the results in real time.
Should have read: "That does NOT portend well for leadership, and we're seeing the results in real time."
Shaw... I know you meant "That does not portend well for leadership..."
Humility, one of the best traits to see in someone. Instead, in Trump, we see a reflex to crush, a reflex to grind others into the ground.
How that behavior models his claimed "savior" or is a good example of a man living out the faith or even tenets of Jesus, I'll never know.
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