Russia invades Ukraine

[jon0844]

I agree, seconded.

Besides which, who here actually thinks that Russia would agree to stop fighting now that Trump has given them hope that they now have a better chance?

I think Putin WILL stop fighting. It will be orchestrated to look exactly like the perfect utopian peace deal that Trump said - making him (Trump) look like a hero and want the Nobel Peace Prize for single handedly stopping the war. He'll equate it to being more important than WW2.

Behind closed doors they'll have also negotiated for sanctions to be lifted on Russia, and likely unfreeze assets, and Putin will also have time to rebuild and regroup, knowing that when Trump goes (well, if he goes but that's another story) he can pick up from where he left off.

It's actually a pretty good deal for the USA and Russia, the former getting access to all that raw earth rare earth minerals and the latter given a breathing space.

Now if Trump manages to take power forever, Putin continues to have a useful idiot to help for future endeavours - so it's win win.

 

[Ivor]

Speaking to relations in Ukraine yesterday I didn’t realise since Trump suspended aid even current weapons held in a Polish hub can’t cross the border into Ukraine.

What is the point of not allowing those weapons to cross? Does this bloke have any respect for lives outside of the American people?

 

[AM9]

Speaking to relations in Ukraine yesterday I didn’t realise since Trump suspended aid even current weapons held in a Polish hub can’t cross the border into Ukraine.

What is the point of not allowing those weapons to cross? Does this bloke have any respect for lives outside of the American people?

His repect for "the American people" is only there when it benefits him.

 

[brad465]

Speaking to relations in Ukraine yesterday I didn’t realise since Trump suspended aid even current weapons held in a Polish hub can’t cross the border into Ukraine.

What is the point of not allowing those weapons to cross? Does this bloke have any respect for lives outside of the American people?

Donald "Krasnov" is a Russian puppet. Once you look at things that way everything makes more sense.

 

[Ivor]

His repect for "the American people" is only there when it benefits him.

Good point.

Donald "Krasnov" is a Russian puppet. Once you look at things that way everything makes more sense.

Yes I agree, none of us can forecast how this will go but for sure it won’t play out well for Ukraine by way of what they may desire, it’s heading to a take it or leave it scenario.

 

[Annetts key]

Speaking to relations in Ukraine yesterday I didn’t realise since Trump suspended aid even current weapons held in a Polish hub can’t cross the border into Ukraine.

What is the point of not allowing those weapons to cross? Does this bloke have any respect for lives outside of the American people?

Taken in context with him ordering all the U.S.A. intelligence services to stop providing vital information, stopping all military supplies and aid (including programmes funded and passed by Congress *), sadly doesn't surprise me.

Because he is a nasty and vindictive man. IMHO this is a further sign that he does not care about anyone other than himself. Despite what he says, his reasons for wanting "peace" are not honourable.

Someone who wants the killing to stop for honourable reasons would not deliberately undermine or compromise the very people that they claim they are trying to help.

* if the provision of supplies and aid was passed as a law by Congress, stopping, pausing or discontinuing it may be beyond the authority of the President, hence what he has done may not be legal. But he doesn't care. And any challenge in a court will take time.

---------------------------------

When Marine Le Pen condemns Trump, you just know that it's getting bad...

Le Pen: Trump’s Aid Freeze is ‘Cruel’ – A Turn From Her Former Kyiv Policy?

Le Pen’s reaction contrasts with her previous vow to block French weapons for Kyiv. She warns that the loss of US help in intelligence, technical assistance, and digital ops is even more problematic.

by Kyiv Post | Mar. 4, 2025, 7:53 pm

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has condemned US President Donald Trump‘s decision to suspend military aid to Ukraine, calling the move “very cruel” for Ukrainian soldiers fighting against Russia’s invasion, while stressing that the most critical elements of Washington’s help are in the form of intelligence, technical assistance, and cyber ops.

Speaking to Le Figaro, Le Pen, widely seen as the “natural” candidate for the Rassemblement National (RN) in France’s next presidential election, shifted her tone on Trump’s foreign policy.

“I consider the brutality of this decision to be condemnable. It is very cruel for the soldiers engaged in the patriotic defense of their country,” she said.

Le Pen, who has often advocated for a more independent European stance in global affairs, balanced her criticism by maintaining that “no one can force the United States to continue its support if it no longer wishes to.”

However, she argued that Washington should have allowed Ukraine “a reasonable timeframe to adapt.”

According to Le Pen, the immediate halt in arms shipments is not the most significant issue. “The stoppage of weapons deliveries is less problematic, as it can be compensated for, than the loss of US support in intelligence, technological assistance, and digital operations,” she said.

She also used the moment to criticize Europe’s dependence on the United States for defense and technology. “We are now seeing firsthand the consequences of Europe’s digital submission to the US,” she added.

Trump’s announcement on Monday evening to “temporarily” halt military support to Kyiv—immediately freezing weapons and ammunition deliveries, including those already ordered—has been met with shock across the Western world.

While Russia welcomed the move as “the best contribution to peace,” French politicians reacted with outrage. Former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe denounced the decision as a “betrayal” during an interview with France Inter on Tuesday.

Link to the full article

 

[Ivor]

Taken in context with him ordering all the U.S.A. intelligence services to stop providing vital information, stopping all military supplies and aid (including programmes funded and passed by Congress *), sadly doesn't surprise me.

Because he is a nasty and vindictive man. IMHO this is a further sign that he does not care about anyone other than himself. Despite what he says, his reasons for wanting "peace" are not honourable.

Someone who wants the killing to stop for honourable reasons would not deliberately undermine or compromise the very people that they claim they are trying to help.

* if the provision of supplies and aid was passed as a law by Congress, stopping, pausing or discontinuing it may be beyond the authority of the President, hence what he has done may not be legal. But he doesn't care. And any challenge in a court will take time.

---------------------------------

When Marine Le Pen condemns Trump, you just know that it's getting bad...



Link to the full article

Thanks for posting the article, very informative.

Trump & Co do have support for his policies especially towards Ukraine but the negative reactions to Trump & Co re the war are really building.

 

[DarloRich]

The stopping of intelligence sharing is an outrage. Trump is determined to help Putin win his war.

EDIT - we all knew Trump was going to do Ukraine & Zelensky in. I just didn't think the crime would be quite so public or blatant or that Trump would so openly and unquestioningly embrace Putin and his agenda.

 

[dgl]

Well when Putin obviously has some pretty damming stuff on Trump then you can understand what he is doing.
Would be interesting to find out what Putin knows!

 

[najaB]

Would be interesting to find out what Putin knows!

At this point, I'm pretty sure that it's got to be something like a dead prostitute in Trump's bed when he was in Moscow.

 

[Ivor]

Well when Putin obviously has some pretty damming stuff on Trump then you can understand what he is doing.
Would be interesting to find out what Putin knows!

At this point, I'm pretty sure that it's got to be something like a dead prostitute in Trump's bed when he was in Moscow.

I must be getting naive in my old age as none of this had occurred to me, surely though such scandals would not be from such a decent human being like Trump?

If anything did come out in the wash who is that says FAKE NEWS….FAKE NEWS?

 

[OhNoAPacer]

We are having to get our heads around the fact that Ukraine is not going to be defeated by Russia but by the USA.

 

[DanNCL]

France are now sharing intelligence with Ukraine in response to Trump’s decision to stop sharing US intelligence with Ukraine.

US and Ukraine officials to meet next week to discuss peace plans, Zelensky says

The Ukrainian leader says he will travel to Saudi Arabia where talks on bringing a "lasting" peace will take place.

www.bbc.co.uk

France offers intelligence to Ukraine in place of US
​

After the United States yesterday announced it was pausing the sharing of intelligencewith Ukraine, France has now stepped in to assist Kyiv.

Speaking this morning, France's Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu told French public radio station France Inter that they were passing their intelligence onto the Ukrainians.

 

[brad465]

France are now sharing intelligence with Ukraine in response to Trump’s decision to stop sharing US intelligence with Ukraine.

US and Ukraine officials to meet next week to discuss peace plans, Zelensky says

The Ukrainian leader says he will travel to Saudi Arabia where talks on bringing a "lasting" peace will take place.

www.bbc.co.uk

I suspect their intelligence won't be as comprehensive as the US's (especially as their intel is linked to weapon systems like HIMARS), but at least France are definitely showing they won't succumb to Trump's pressure and will keep Ukraine as equipped as possible.

In the last 1-2 weeks Ukraine has actually been making small gains, particularly in areas where Russia was making small gains, so I wonder if Putin ordered his lackey to turn off intel for Ukraine to give his meat grinder a chance.

 

[alex397]

Donald Trump bans UK from sharing any US military intelligence with Ukraine​

https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/p...us-military-intelligence-with-ukraine-390411/

Donald Trump has banned the UK from sharing intelligence from Washington with Ukraine, according to reports.

The move comes just a day after Trump ordered the US to halt its military aid to Ukraine.

Trump and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy held very tense talks in Washington last week and this latest move leaves many worried for Ukraine in their fight against Russia.

During last Friday’s discussions, the two leaders failed to come to an agreement for a potential ceasefire to the conflict.

It is now being reported that all UK intelligence agencies and military outlets have received explicit orders forbidding them from sharing US-generated intel with Ukraine.

Western nations such as the UK, New Zealand and Australia would have shared this information with Ukraine in the past, but are now unable to do so.

It is another major blow, with many worried that Ukraine will be unable to defend itself against the Russian onslaught.

Speaking to the, MailOnline, Phil Ingram, a UK military intelligence expert said: “The United States’s instruction to stop allies sharing US-derived intelligence with Ukraine is what I would expect.

“The US’s intelligence partners, including Britain, have had their authority to pass on intelligence revoked. The US will tightly control distribution of its intelligence to Ukraine through agencies based in Kyiv.”

Due to the block on US-based intelligence being shared with Ukraine and the cessation of military aid, the country finds itself in a situation where it may run out of weapons.

Speaking to the Financial Times a senior Ukrainian official said: “We have two to three months.

“After that, the position will be very difficult for us. It will not be a total collapse, but we will be forced to withdraw from some areas more quickly.”

I wonder if the 51st State will submit to Trump, it’s not made clear in the article if we actually will comply with the so-called ‘ban’. Does the US really have that much power over us?

 

[Annetts key]

Does the US really have that much power over us?

Yes and no.
Of course the U.S.A. can discontinue intelligence that they supply/share with the U.K.
But we could counter by discontinuing what we share with the U.S.A. and tell the U.S.A. that they cannot carry out any operations from any territory controlled by us. Including operations of the intelligence bases/facilities and military bases.

The bigger question is, will our government continue to try to build bridges or will they finally decide that the only real way to deal with Trump is to stand up to him?

 

[Giugiaro]

Remember what Brexit was for? Grow a pair and tell Trump to sod off.

 

[DanNCL]

Donald Trump bans UK from sharing any US military intelligence with Ukraine​

https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/p...us-military-intelligence-with-ukraine-390411/





I wonder if the 51st State will submit to Trump, it’s not made clear in the article if we actually will comply with the so-called ‘ban’. Does the US really have that much power over us?

Trump only has the power to prevent the UK from sharing American intelligence with Ukraine. He doesn’t have the power to prevent the UK from sharing British intelligence with Ukraine.

 

[alex397]

Trump only has the power to prevent the UK from sharing American intelligence with Ukraine. He doesn’t have the power to prevent the UK from sharing British intelligence with Ukraine.

Of course, a good point. Though it will be frustrating if a British intelligence official had some very useful information but wasn’t allowed to share it if it was obtained by US sources.

 

[Trackman]

This is terrible news if this does turn out to be true.
No smoke without fire, me thinks.

Ukraine war latest: Zelensky and EU in show of unity as Russia warns against European troops in Ukraine

"During all this period, and last week, you stayed with us," the Ukrainian president tells European leaders in Brussels.

www.bbc.co.uk

The White House has denied reports that a decision has been made to revoke the temporary legal status of 240,000 Ukrainians who fled to the US after the war began.

Earlier today, the Reuters news agency reported the move could come as soon as April and may lead to Ukrainians being deported.

But in a post on X, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt calls this "fake news" and says "no decision has been made at this time".

According to the BBC's US partner, CBS News, most of the Ukrainians enrolled in the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) programme came to the US under the Biden-era Uniting for Ukraine policy, which has been suspended by the Trump administration.

Many TPS programs are in the process of being phased out as some of Trump's appointees believe they have long been abused, CBS adds.

 

[Tetchytyke]

It's actually a pretty good deal for the USA and Russia, the former getting access to all that raw earth rare earth minerals and the latter given a breathing space.

A significant minority of the rare minerals are in the parts of Ukraine currently controlled by Russia.

What minerals does Ukraine have and what are they used for?

A minister says nearly all key details have been finalised for a deal giving the US access to the country's minerals.

www.bbc.co.uk

Some of the mineral deposits, however, have been seized by Russia. According to Yulia Svyrydenko, Ukraine's economy minister, resources worth $350bn (£277bn) remain in occupied territories today.

In 2022, SecDev, a geopolitical risk consultancy based in Canada, conducted an evaluation, which established that Russia had occupied 63% of Ukrainian coal mines, as well as half of its manganese, caesium, tantalum and rare earth deposits.

 

[Ediswan]

Of course, a good point. Though it will be frustrating if a British intelligence official had some very useful information but wasn’t allowed to share it if it was obtained by US sources.

Maybe time for some 'parallel construction'. Basically, you first learn something from a source you are not allowed to use, then 'construct' the same conclusion from sources you are allowed to use. Has to be done with care.

 

[brad465]

This is how bad Trump aligning with Russia is, Israel and Saudi Arabia are considering reducing how much intelligence they share with the US:

As Trump pivots to Russia, allies weigh sharing less intel with U.S.

Members of the so-called Five Eyes spy alliance, as well as Israeli and Saudi officials, fear the identities of foreign assets could inadvertently be shared with Moscow.

www.nbcnews.com

Some U.S. allies are considering scaling back the intelligence they share with Washington in response to the Trump administration’s conciliatory approach to Russia, four sources with direct knowledge of the discussions told NBC News.

The allies are weighing the move because of concerns about safeguarding foreign assets whose identities could inadvertently be revealed, said the sources, who included a foreign official.

Every intelligence agency treats its commitments to foreign agents as sacrosanct, pledging to keep agents safe and shield their identities. Anything that jeopardized that obligation would violate that trust, former officials said, and that could lead some spy services to hold back on some information sharing with Washington.

The allies, including Israel, Saudi Arabia and members of the so-called Five Eyes spy alliance of English-speaking democracies, are examining how to possibly revise current protocols for sharing intelligence to take the Trump administration’s warming relations with Russia into account, the sources said

“Those discussions are already happening,” said a source with direct knowledge of the discussions.

No decision or action has been taken, however, the sources said.

The review is part of a wider examination of the spectrum of relations with Washington among many U.S. allies, including diplomacy, trade and military cooperation, as well as intelligence matters, the sources said.

 

[DustyBin]

At this point, I'm pretty sure that it's got to be something like a dead prostitute in Trump's bed when he was in Moscow.

Literally nothing would surprise me at this point, however there is another obvious, rather “boring” explanation.

Trump very publicly said he’d stop the war immediately, which he has failed to do. Having realised that Putin is in no mood play nice and can’t really be dictated to, he’s been left with one option; bully Ukraine into effectively surrendering. It’s entirely possible that there’s nothing more to this than an egomaniac trying to save face having badly misjudged their ability to call the shots.

It’s only a theory but it makes perfect sense (in my opinion).

 

[Gloster]

Trump wants the Nobel Peace Prize. In his mind, if he ends the war in Ukraine, then he will deserve and get the prize (if he doesn’t it will be a steal, which he will make use of). Putin, even if he is not manipulating Trump in other ways, is playing on this aspect of his ego.

 

[Annetts key]

Trump is a fool. I don't know if Russia has any power over him. But fools do make foolish mistakes. And Trump has and is continuing to make mistakes. So who knows if it is something that he is afraid of from his past or it's his ego and wanting to get Ukraine to give up so he can have the glory.

The real problem though, is that whatever the reason, we, as an ally, cannot trust the U.S.A. while he is in power. And the other allies have the same problem.

So, what do we do?

I do hope that Starmer can persuade Trump to do the right thing. But I'm not holding my breath. Hence I think we and all the other allies need to jointly stand up against him. Hopefully, that show of strength will cause him to listen and restore the military support for Ukraine.

Russia is weakening. It may well be quite some time before the Russian army weakens enough, but they can't maintain their current losses forever. Especially if we can apply even more economic pressure.

 

[muz379]

Literally nothing would surprise me at this point, however there is another obvious, rather “boring” explanation.

Trump very publicly said he’d stop the war immediately, which he has failed to do. Having realised that Putin is in no mood play nice and can’t really be dictated to, he’s been left with one option; bully Ukraine into effectively surrendering. It’s entirely possible that there’s nothing more to this than an egomaniac trying to save face having badly misjudged their ability to call the shots.

It’s only a theory but it makes perfect sense (in my opinion).

I honestly think that is it .

I think he thought all his talk about tariffs and NATO being obselete would get Europe on edge so we would back him and pressure Ukraine to sign the deal as well .

Trump is no interventionalist, for all his tough talk he won't want to put american boots on the ground anywhere because he knows that being a wartime president is fraught with risk of popularity declining when americans start coming home in boxes . And he cant give out the tax cuts he wants if he is spending all the money on a war in some far away land .

 

[Three-Nine]

Of course, a good point. Though it will be frustrating if a British intelligence official had some very useful information but wasn’t allowed to share it if it was obtained by US sources.

Ah, please ignore, misread.

 

[jon0844]

So how many lives can be wiped out in the coming days as Putin starts bombing, and Trump is out there wanting a Nobel Peace prize for saving the biggest number of lives that the world has ever seen...

The USA clearly has blood on its hands and it will be crazy when they inevitably blame Zelenskyy.

 

[DustyBin]

Trump is now threatening Russia with new tariffs and sanctions:

Ukraine war latest: Trump threatens large scale sanctions against Russia

Donald Trump says Russia is “pounding” Ukraine on the battlefield, as he threatened new banking sanctions against Moscow in order to end the fighting.

www.telegraph.co.uk

Donald Trump says Russia is “pounding” Ukraine on the battlefield, as he threatened new banking sanctions against Moscow in order to end the fighting.

In his most direct challenge to Russia since he became President for the second time, Mr Trump said: “Based on the fact that Russia is absolutely “pounding” Ukraine on the battlefield right now, I am strongly considering large scale banking sanctions, sanctions, and tariffs on Russia until a ceasefire and final settlement agreement on peace is reached.”

In a direct order to Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, he added: “To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late. Thank you!!!”

Earlier this week, Mr Trump suspended all military aid to Ukraine. He then went on to suspend the intelligence sharing channels between the US and Ukraine.

Overnight, Russia launched massive missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian gas facilities. Russia is also close to encircling tens of thousands of Ukrainian troops who captured territory in the Kursk region.

Yesterday, at a summit of EU leaders in Brussels, Volodymyr Zelensky backed plans for a partial truce to stop air, sea and critical infrastructure attacks and test whether Vladimir Putin is prepared to end his war on Ukraine.

Putin is now ready to discuss the first stages of the ceasefire in Ukraine, but only if there is progress towards securing a final peace settlement, sources told Bloomberg.

Further to my previous post, I really do think Trump severely underestimated the difficulty of playing "negotiator" here, and has no real plan. Or maybe he's cleverer than most of us think he is, and does have a strategy. I'm not convinced, but none of us really know....