News Related To The Ukraine / Russian War

[Shiftless2]

From elsewhere

‘Yes, Putin’s a War Criminal’, Trump’s Treasury Secretary Bessent Tells Congress
Good man! And he is the third high-ranking official of Trump’s Administration being critical of Russia, next to JD Vance and Kellogg — see the comment.

• When asked directly if he considered Putin a war criminal, Bessent replied, “Yes.” (min 1:59:00)

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called Russian President Vladimir Putin a “war criminal” as lawmakers pressed him on the Trump Administration’s policy to push Ukraine into dialogue with the Russian leader.

Bessent criticized the Biden administration’s “weak sanctions” on Russia, saying it only targeted lower-level oil companies with a price cap that failed.

He was specifically asked by Congressman Juan Vargas (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee Task Force on Monetary Policy, during the Committee hearing, whether he would negotiate with a war criminal.

“I think that’s the nature of diplomacy when one must negotiate with both sides,” Bessent replied. “I believe that negotiation was needed with the Japanese after WWII.”

During his testimony, Bessent also spoke about the Trump administration’s policy on leveraging sanctions and “choking off” the financial lifelines of terrorists, criminals, and hackers from Mexico and Guatemala to China and Iran.

• When asked about Russia, Bessent highlighted the US response to Moscow’s fossil fuel revenue, which supports its war against Ukraine.
• He also went on to criticize the Biden administration’s “weak sanctions” on Russia, noting they only targeted lower-level oil companies and put in place a price cap that failed.

Vance on Peace Negotiations: We Think Russians Are Asking for TOO MUCH

> "I'm not yet that pessimistic on this, I wouldn't say that the Russians are 'uninterested'," Vance said. "What I'd say is right now the Russians are asking for a certain set of concessions in order to end the conflict. We think they're asking for too much." * * COMMENT — he is one of three ...

onlytruthaboutrussia.quora.com

US Special Envoy: Ukraine Ready for 30-day Ceasefire with 18-mile Buffer Zone but Russia RESISTS

> “Ukrainians want to have a comprehensive ceasefire — sea, land, air, infrastructure — for a minimum of 30 days,” Kellogg stated during the interview with Fox News. * * COMMENT — he is one of three high-ranking officials of Trump’s Administration being critical of Russia, next to JD Vance an...

onlytruthaboutrussia.quora.com

He highlighted the Trump administration’s success in lowering oil prices and the impact of reduced Russian revenue on their war efforts.

COMMENT —​

• There is definitely a change of tone in the Administration’s narrative about Russia to more critical assessment. Today I uploaded posts about JD Vance saying Russia wants “too much” and Trump’s envoy Gen Kellogg saying Russia is blocking the peace negotiations.
• Let’s see if this change translates into some action of support for Ukraine…

 

[sear]

"Let’s see if this change translates into some action of support for Ukraine…" #121

unlikely

Trump is eager if not hasty to blame Biden. But a change of party control @1600 Penn Ave doesn't change the fundamental reality.
Russia has nukes.
Ukraine doesn't.

"Let’s see if this change translates into some action of support for Ukraine…" #121

Unlikely Trump would support Ukraine enough to enable / empower Ukraine to expel Russia from Ukraine.
More unlikely still Trump would empower Ukraine to additionally expel Russia from Crimea.

note:
It's not that Trump has finally come to his senses about the difference between right & wrong.
More likely, Trump is annoyed his autocrat buddy & role model Vlad is making Trump look bad by not providing the ridiculous peace deal Trump groundlessly fantasized, and boasted about.

 

[Shiftless2]

Russia has nukes.
Ukraine doesn't.

And Ukraine doesn't based in large parts of their reliance of assurances from the US

 

[sear]

"And Ukraine doesn't based in large parts of their reliance of assurances from the US" S2 #123

U.S. government officials have demonstrated the United States of America simply is not a reliable partner in military alliance, or in trade.

The good news? Uncle Sam is experimenting with various styles of combat camouflage face paint, as disgrace may soon drive him into hiding in the shrubbery.

 

[Shiftless2]

U.S. government officials have demonstrated the United States of America simply is not a reliable partner in military alliance, or in trade.

If nothing else Donnie has proven that America's word is only good until the next election (if that long)

 

[sear]

ref #125

"And Ukraine doesn't based in large parts of their reliance of assurances from the US" #123

There are numerous repercussions.

But one stunning, potentially humanity-threatening example:

Western betrayal of Ukraine not only certifies Western spinelessness. Allowing Russia to gnaw Crimea-sized chunks off of Ukraine provides incentive for nuclear proliferation. It is exactly the opposite of what we should be striving for.

Trump's rude oval office rebuke to Ukraine's Zelenskyy was half-right.
It may indeed be World War Three at stake here. But Trump / NATO / EU may be as much or more to blame than Zelenskyy.
After all, Zelenskyy has done about all he could. It's the anti-Russian forces that have forced Ukraine to a stalemate.

"You should buy stock in a business that's so good that even an idiot can run it, because sooner or later one will." Warren Buffett, CEO Berkshire Hathaway

Thanks for the Warrening Mr. Buffett.
Sadly, your pessimistic aphorism scales up to nation level with chilling utility.