Russia responded to Trump’s sanction threats with a huge aerial bombardment. 
Russia Defies Trumps Peace Calls
Trump’s one-sided pressure on Ukraine is working out as one might have expected, not at all.
I one of its biggest attacks in the war, Russia Launches Massive Aerial Assaults on Ukraine.
Russia stepped up missile-and-drone assaults on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and other regions, killing at least 12 people overnight into Sunday after President Trump last week declined to impose further sanctions on Moscow over its refusal to halt its invasion.
Russia attacked with a total of 367 drones and missiles—one of the largest single-night raids of the war, according to the Ukrainian Air Force—in a second consecutive day of pounding strikes that sent civilians running for shelters in the middle of the night. Officials said that children were among those killed by the strikes and that a further 60 were injured and more than 80 residential buildings damaged across the country, even as more than 300 of the missiles and drones were shot down.
The increased ferocity of Russia’s assaults comes days after Trump demurred on threats to sanction Russia further if it didn’t sign an immediate, 30-day cease-fire. In a two-hour call with Trump last week, Putin refused a truce that Kyiv consented to in March. Trump has publicly insisted that Putin wants peace, but in a call with European leaders this week, conceded that Putin isn’t ready for peace, The Wall Street Journal reported, because he believes he is winning.
Trump last week said that Ukraine and Russia should continue negotiations over a peace deal among themselves—talks that so far have yielded only one tangible result: a three-day exchange of around 1,000 prisoners from each side that concluded Sunday.
Trump “Truths” and Tweets (Emphasis in bold is mine)
- January 26, 2023, 7:06 PM: IF I WERE PRESIDENT, THE RUSSIA/UKRAINE WAR WOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED, BUT EVEN NOW, IF PRESIDENT, I WOULD BE ABLE TO NEGOTIATE AN END TO THIS HORRIBLE AND RAPIDLY ESCALATING WAR WITHIN 24 HOURS. SUCH A TRAGIC WASTE OF HUMAN LIFE!!!
- February 7, 2023, 9:39 PM: We wouldn’t have had the War with Russia and Ukraine if I were President. I could also end it in 24 hours—which is what should happen!
- May 21, 2023, 7:37 AM: An agreement must be reached, immediately, between Russia and Ukraine. The right person can get it done in 24 hours. DO IT!
- June 15, 2024, 6:39 PM: “I will have that settled prior to taking the White House as President-Elect.”
- February 12, 2025, 1:11 PM: I just spoke to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine. The conversation went very well. He, like President Putin, wants to make PEACE. We discussed a variety of topics having to do with the War, but mostly, the meeting that is being set up on Friday in Munich, where Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead the Delegation. I am hopeful that the results of that meeting will be positive. It is time to stop this ridiculous War, where there has been massive, and totally unnecessary, DEATH and DESTRUCTION. God bless the people of Russia and Ukraine!
- February 13, 2025, 6:52 AM: GREAT TALKS WITH RUSSIA AND UKRAINE YESTERDAY. GOOD POSSIBILITY OF ENDING THAT HORRIBLE, VERY BLOODY WAR!!!
- March 7, 2025, 9:17 AM: 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 Cease Fire and FINAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ON PEACE IS REACHED. To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late. Thank you!!!
- April 26, 2025, 9:35 AM: No matter what deal I make with respect to Russia/Ukraine, no matter how good it is, even if it’s the greatest deal ever made, The Failing New York Times will speak BADLY of it. … This is Sleepy Joe Biden’s War, not mine. It was a loser from day one, and should have never happened, and wouldn’t have happened if I were President at the time. I’m just trying to clean up the mess that was left to me by Obama and Biden, and what a mess it is. With all of that being said, there was no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas, cities and towns, over the last few days. It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war, he’s just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently, through “Banking” or “Secondary Sanctions?” Too many people are dying!!!
- May 8, 2025, 4:38 PM: Talks with Russia/Ukraine continue. The U.S. calls for, ideally, a 30-day unconditional ceasefire. Hopefully, an acceptable ceasefire will be observed, and both Countries will be held accountable for respecting the sanctity of these direct negotiations. If the ceasefire is not respected, the U.S. and its partners will impose further sanctions. Thousands of young soldiers are dying on a weekly basis, and everybody should want it to STOP. I do, and the United States of America does, also. As President, I will stay committed to securing Peace between Russia and Ukraine, together with the Europeans, and a Lasting Peace it will be! This ceasefire must ultimately build toward a Peace Agreement. It can all be done very quickly, and I will be available on a moment’s notice if my services are needed. Thank you for your attention to this matter!
- May 11, 2025, 12:03 AM: A potentially great day for Russia and Ukraine! Think of the hundreds of thousands of lives that will be saved as this never ending “bloodbath” hopefully comes to an end. It will be a whole new, and much better, WORLD. I will continue to work with both sides to make sure that it happens. The USA wants to focus, instead, on Rebuilding and Trade. A BIG week upcoming!
Incredibly Interesting Fox New Interview
Please consider the July 16, 2023 interview Trump describes how he could solve Russia-Ukraine conflict in 24 hours
Maria Bartiromo: “You said you could end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours. How would you do that?”
Trump: “I know Zelenskyy very well, and I know Putin very well, even better. And I had a good relationship, very good with both of them. I would tell Zelenskyy, no more. You got to make a deal. I would tell Putin, if you don’t make a deal, we’re going to give him a lot. We’re going to [give Ukraine] more than they ever got if we have to. I will have the deal done in one day. One day.”
On April 30, 2024, Trump posted a link, without comment to a Washington Post article referencing that interview.
The title of the WAPO article was If Republicans want to help Trump, they should pass Ukraine aid now
Trump Praises Zelensky as a ‘Brave Man’
Also note the February 2022 Independent post Trump praises Zelensky as a ‘brave man’ two years after he tried to extort him for political dirt on Biden
Donald Trump praised the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, as a “brave man” for his handling of the Russian invasion – nearly three years after he tried to extort him for political dirt on Joe Biden.
He told the annual conservative conference, held in Orlando, Florida: “The Russian attack on Ukraine is appalling. It’s an outrage, and an atrocity that should never have been allowed to occur,” he said. “We are praying for the proud people of Ukraine, God bless them all.”
Synopsis
Trump repeatedly made claims he could solve this in a day.
In 2022 praised Zelensky’s courage and called Putin’s attack on Ukraine “an outrage, and an atrocity that should never have been allowed to occur.”
In the 2023 Fox interview Trump told Maria Bartiromo “I would tell Putin, if you don’t make a deal, we’re going to give him a lot. We’re going to [give Ukraine] more than they ever got if we have to.“
On April 30,2024, Trump’s one-line “Truth” was “If Republicans want to help Trump, they should pass Ukraine aid now”
On March 7, 2025, Trump said “I am strongly considering large scale Banking Sanctions, Sanctions, and Tariffs on Russia until a Cease Fire and FINAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ON PEACE IS REACHED.”
On April 26, 2025, Trump correctly assessed the situation. “It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war, he’s just tapping me along.”
Gee, ya think?
On May 8, 2025, Trump said “both Countries will be held accountable for respecting the sanctity of these direct negotiations.”
What Happened?
Trump’s actions to date have all been one sided.
Most of the MAGA base is siding with Russia, not Ukraine.
Trump is very reluctant to offend the base, on anything. So Trump has resorted to bluffs, hoping they work.
Paper Tiger, Braggard, and a Liar
There is only one possible conclusion from this. Trump is a proven paper tiger, a braggard, and a liar.
There is no question Putin is stringing along Trump.
Importantly, Putin has correctly assessed Trump’s pledge of more weapons to Ukraine as one of the most transparent bluffs in history.
Perhaps Trump changes his tune, but I highly doubt it starts with weapons. If it’s sanctions, look for China to buy more Russian oil.
Then we see if the sanctions bite.
OK I Get It
Trump does not want to get the US more involved militarily. I would not either.
But when you make such threats, the red lines need to be genuine.
This is very reminiscent of Biden’s repeated “red lines” on Israel that Netanyahu ignored.
Putin is now openly mocking Trump.
On the Economy
China called Trump’s bluff on 145% tariffs. Trump backed down. Now Trump is threatening 50% tariffs on the EU.
The EU’s best response is to ignore Trump, wait for the economic damage on the US, then expect Trump to back down.
There is no point in negotiating with a proven liar, on anything.
Related Posts
April 9, 2025: Trump Capitulates with a 90-Day Pause on Tariffs, DOW Jumps 2,200 Points
Trump has had enough of the stock market decline.
I am amused that the cult portrayed this as a victory for Trump.
May 5, 2025: Trump May Accept the Same Deal with Iran that Obama Already Negotiated
Trump scrapped Obama’s deal. He may be willing to settle for essentially the same deal. Or not.
May 23, 2025: “Talks Going Nowhere”, Trump Threatens EU with a 50 Percent Tariff in June
What happened to Trump’s claim “200 deals already”?
The art of the big bluff is obvious everywhere.
Trump may have wet himself again. Poor old deluded gomer can’t figure out what to do or who to threaten with tariffs. As a wanna-be dictator he simply can not grasp how to deal with a real one.
Hint Donald, Putin don’t care what you think you can settle in 24 hours.
Those drones that tried to take Putin out did not come from the Ukraine, they were supplied by the U.S. in a botched operation.
Sorta like Jimmy Carter failing to get the hostages out of Iran.
Does trump have any level of competence besides being a carnival barker?
Sorry kids, the answer is NO!
“Trump is a proven paper tiger, a braggard, and a liar.”
There was never a doubt of this.
RT suggested attacks were a response to Ukraine’a attack on Putin’s helicopter.
Ukraines attack? Who do you think supplied those drones?
The Russian position is unchanged since the beginning of the military operation: the four oblasts that voted for reunion with Russia must be recognized as Russian territory, Ukraine must become a neutral country with a reduced military, and the neo-nazi Banderites, Azov, the Right Sector etc. must be eliminated from the government.In contrast to the constantly shifting positions of Trump, Putin is a model of consistency.if anyone is stringing anyone along it’s Trump.
“Putin is now openly mocking Trump.” The world sees Trump for who he is, a blowhard losing support in his home country. The problem was our choice last November was between two really bad choices.
The Libertarians have been on the ballot. As long as voters keep thinking there are only two choices, and being mostly unaware of the huge debt and deficit spending problem, the incompetent ignorant reckless uniparty republicans and democrats will keep getting elected and the country will further deteriorate.
This was totally predictable. Whoever elected the Clown In Chief should have known better that they were electing a corrupt, narcistic, and mostly incompetent fellow. Why were people so dumb?
They watch a lot of television.
And the television was telling them to vote for Kamala Devi Harris.
Because the alternative was Kamala Devi Harris.
All of the West is ruled by a satanic dystopian idiocracy, a choice like Trump is one of the least bad ones the average Westerner can hope for nowadays.
Trump isnt much different or any better. The Libertarians were/are on the ballot. Their policy is a balanced budget, but very few voters are aware of the mess we’re in. The deranged deficit spending, which trump is carrying on no different from the democrats, because hes really part of the uniparty swamp, is a major source of the problems in the usa and across the globe.
You keep on blindly believing the Western MSM and that’s why you know NOTHING about the NATO – Russia war in Ukraine and why you could correctly predict NOTHING about the NATO – Russia war in Ukraine.
I will not repeat myself once again but this must be reiterated:
“Trump is a proven paper tiger”
The issue is not Trump at all: as a Russian general said on Russian national TV “one of the biggest lessons from this war is that Russia has way overestimated NATO and NATO has way underestimated Russia. NATO, against a peer adversary, has proved to be a paper tiger, and NATO without the US is a wet paper tiger.”
There is fuck all that the US, the EU, the UK and the rest of the satanic, dystopic West and Western vassals can do to win the war THEY STARTED against Russia (or the one they want to start against China, for that matter).
NATO spends some 1.6 trillion on defense. Russia was <100 bn last I checked. Russia would lose a war with NATO. Putin’s task, then, is to stay below the US/NATO’s threshold for converting from proxy (no NATO troops) to a hot war, yet inflict enough damage on Ukraine to achieve his goals. Putin knows there is no appetite for NATO boots on the ground. I agree NATO provoked this war.
“NATO spends some 1.6 trillion on defense”
And yet it doesn’t have anything anymore to send to Ukraine, least of all troops.
ALL of the military chiefs of the major Western countries, including NATO top commanders, have admitted so at various times on your beloved MSM.
“Russia was <100 bn last I checked.”
Check again, Russia spent $ 130 billions in 2024 and will spend $ 200 billions in 2025.
But all of this, of course, means ABSOLUTELY NOTHING since:
The West has lost the arms race, this time around, and it doesn’t matter which clown is in charge in the White House, this war will end with the Ukraine’s (and by extension the West’s) capitulation.
Just like I have been writing here basically forever.
Oh and a final point: by PPP Russia is the 4th largest economy in the world and surpassed both Germany and Japan ALREADY in 2021.
Russia has also officially joined the “high income countries” bracket.
Both data come from the West-controlled World Bank and IMF.
What you (and Mish and the average Westerner) think you know about Russia and Russians has no basis whatsoever in reality.
He caved on Europe lol! Took two days this time. The period for caving just gets shorter and shorter – SAD.
It’s a joke,Don genocide increased the size of Ukraine’s Army 3 fold during his first term.Now he spews,it’s not my War as the Russians are handing his arse back to him on a silver platter.
Afghanistan all over again,oh well,time to move on to the next fukup.
China next!
It will be easier.
Won’t it???
It’s Biden’s war, as he provoked it. Russia prevailed while Biden was president, as well.
Did anyone research the hundreds of Ukraine drones attacking Moscow causing airports to be temporarily shutdown BEFORE the Putin missle tirade happened?
Just took 30 min research. Go look for yourselves. No im not pro Putin anything but never believe theres only one side to any story
I got simple propositions for anybody who likes to post about things that 12 times zones far
======
=1 IF YOU DONT KNOW Ukraine/russian languages. dont post
=2 if you are not Russian/ or Ukraine nationality. dont post
=3 if you never lived in former USSR, or now Ukraine or Russia , dont post
and last one if you do not know simple facts from Ukraine/Russia history like
what happened in 1654 or 1686 on territory now in Ukraine ?
DO NOT POST!! OTHERWISE YOU ARE JUST EMBARRASSING YOURSELF!!
What? yOuV’e nEEveR bEEEENN therah?
wow! mish read something in some western media propaganda rag and somehow FUGURED IT OUT.
SORRY PAL. I guess you dont know that about 1 month ago Ukraine bombed some local market in Russia controlled territory (=ukraine) and 6 people died.
all Ukraine. all were living there !
Why so much concern for 12 Ukrainians and none for the people of Gaza?
I would simply note: look at Kyiv (and indeed most of central and western Ukraine after 3 years of Russian attacks and then look at Gaza after 18 months of Israeli attacks.
That’s just the difference between a government that has ethics and morality and one that doesn’t.
Also note the US is not supplying Russia with bombs, planes, satellite photos , etc.And Russia doesn’t provide direct campaign contributions to American Senators and Congressfolks.
Humans vs non.
I agree.
Semites (Arabs and Jews) are less human than Slavs.
“If I am not for myself, who will be? If I am only for myself, what am I?” – Rabbi Hillel, died c. 10CE
Here’s a question: what relevance have Truth Social posts to the decisions of General Gerasimov as to how he conducts the ironing out of the Ukraine forces? The the Russian campaign is a fascinating case study of a battle against an entrenched enemy along fixed lines where air supremacy cannot be achieved due to SAMs and armoured unit mobility is highly disadvantaged due to intense drone warfare.
Next: Russia reiterates its Istanbul+ peace terms, coked out Zelensky throws a fit and the war will be decided on the battlefield, not in social media.
Also, the “boner munching” sanctions proposed by effeminate girly man Lindsay Graham put 500% to 1000% sanctions on Russia’s trading partners… China and India. Graham would have better luck cruising DC park public bathrooms.
Putin is too weak. Russia deserves a stronger leader. Time to recover all lost Soviet territories.
Bye, Alaska 🙂
And Northern California. The Russian River has that name for a reason. (Pre-Soviet history.)
Off Topic but worthy of this site and I’m interested in Mish’ opinion on this….
https://www.bls.gov/ppi/notices/2025/bls-to-discontinue-selected-ppis.htm
Evidently, the BLS will no longer report PPI after the August report. I guess this is Trump’s plan to hide the mess he is going to make with his tariffs. CPI next?
Following in China’s footsteps, eh? [lol]
BLS also renamed to the economic politburo.
Worth reading:
Good Lord, what a bunch of neocon horseshit. From an operation (“Gatestone Institute”) formerly run by John Bolton. The author is a 70 year old British journalist. It’s always the old chicken hawks arguing for war – sending young men to die for America’s prestige or honor or “credibility”. God forbid that small countries figure out that America always abandons its erstwhile “allies” if the war starts going against them. You’d think Vietnam and Afghanistan would be examples enough. The Ukies chose poorly – siding with the fast-talking country an ocean away against the colossus at their border with whom they shared a religion, language and culture. And now the CIA wants to run the same game with Georgia, Armenia, Kazakhstan – any/all Russia-adjacent countries they can stoke into another war to “weaken Russia”. John Bolton and some old Brits raised on James Bond movies will be there to beat the war drums.
They have a comment section at Gatestone. All you need is a working email address and any name to post. Feel free to leave your comments there. Perhaps they will post your rant.
Trump CAN’T do anything to Putin. Trump and his family owes Putin too much money. Even Trump can be made to fall out of a window.
I agree that Trump seems beholden to a foreign country. It ain’t Russia. Oy vey.
Agreed. Trump and Israel are VERY close, almost intimate.
[rotflol] If you were actually a cyborg, you wouldn’t be so clueless.
Trump’s favorite daughter, son-in-law and kids are all Jewish. D’oh.
.
Mish “”” The art of the big bluff is obvious everywhere. “””
a/k/a The art of the boister. You have to hand it to Trump eg: I opine he has single handedly raised the US stock market
However, as in the Trump Melania coin, one must be concerned for the retail investor who has effectively single handedly followed Trumps boister and gone all in.
.
It will be interesting if we get a market decline, how the followers feel.
.
You’re assuming it was done as a deliberate snub to Trump.
Other reports had it as a retaliation for the recent mass drone attacks on Moscow and other cities and also the recent attempt of a mass drone attacks on attempting to assassinate Putin in his helicopter as he visited the liberated Kursk region.
Hard for peace to happen when the penis piano player ups the drone war
Russia has won against NATO, and its cobelligerent, the US. Rather than mocking Trump, Putin is giving him a chance to save face. Let’s see if Trump seizes the opportunity or ends up humiliated.
True, what the West has been doing lately, is “defeat management”.
I concur. T’s foot-in-mouth disease is challenging to mitigate.
Dreaming and reality is different.
“We’re going to win so much. You’re going to get tired of winning. You’re going to say, ‘Please, Mr. President, I can’t take it anymore, we’re winning too much. Please stop the winning!’
More and more we are ignoring Trump. He ignores for example the courts so in turn just do what you want and let this paper dragon huff and puff
Putin isn’t stringing Trump along. Putin has been clear about his aims from the very beginning: demilitarization and de-nazification of Ukraine, no path for Ukraine into NATO while allowing Ukraine to join the EU. Meanwhile, Trump is stringing Putin along with talks of a ceasefire which only helps Ukraine. Trump doesn’t seem to be interested in root causes or the fact that the U. S. is fully enabling a proxy war with Russia.
Agree. Putin has stated numerous times that he is not interested in any peace deal that doesn’t address the root causes of the conflict, which trace back to NATO’s eastward expansion after the Cold War ended.
Additionally, I am not sure Mish is correct that the recent Russian attack is because Putin is calling Trump’s bluff. Others are reporting that Country 404 sent a large drone swarm into Kursk when Putin’s helicopter was taking him there, ostensibly trying to assassinate Putin.
It’s really impossible for Russia to trust Zelensky, the EU, or the USA after Zelensky, Merkel, and others admitted the Minsk agreements were just a hoax to dupe the Russians. And, of course, Zelensky giggled like the immature little boy he is:
http://www.x.com/valentinpetz/status/1894458204022567060
The idea that Trump’s interest in this is anything beyond personal gain was discredited the instant Witkoff started meeting Putin with no American companion, not even an interpreter. I just hope an intelligence agency has something on this.
The time to make a deal with Russia has long since passed. These are surrender terms now. Biden made sure of that.
When one side acts in good faith and the other not then you walk away from the table. Since Russia is not acting in good faith then the Great Slavic Civil War continues killing more and more of them. Trump offered Putin an offramp but Putin couldn’t take it because if he did he would fall and if he falls he is dead. Many in Europe are quite happy to see this since it weakens their rival Russia while they gain time to rearm which they are doing more and more rapidly. If Russia doesn’t want peace then so be it. In the end they will still lose anyway.
I agree. If this goes on long enough & Putin grows desperate enough, then the EU very well may be forced to engage. Granted, the EU isn’t some great powerhouse, but they would give Ukraine something they’ve desperately needed all along: air dominance. But one has to wonder if the EU is ever forced to engage, what will China do?
I agree though. It’s time for the EU to step up.
China is looking to grab a piece of eastern Russia.
Doubt it, but Putin might give them the Jewish Autonomous Oblast.
I’m thinking that it is more likely that China will TAKE the piece they want. China wants some presence in the Arctic as it unfreezes and Eastern Russia has a lot of exposure in that area.
This is why Xi is helping Putin. Bigger plans in action.
“In the end they will still lose anyway.”
Russia has already lost, it’s “dead man walking” but doesn’t even know it.
https://www.statista.com/topics/5937/demographics-of-russia/#topicOverview
Russia faces a demographic crisis, as its population shrinks and ages year-on-year, while the number of deaths considerably surpasses births. The number of Russian residents decreased by approximately 300,000 between January 1, 2023 and January 1, 2024. The increasing migrant outflow, including that of qualified workers, also contributes to the population decline. One of the potential threats stemming from the demographic crisis is a workforce shortage, which could result in the inability of the government to pay out pensions to the next generation of retirees, a decline in labor productivity, armed forces recruitment, and a long-term economic slowdown. In addition, the internal migration to Central Russia raises fears of depopulation of the country’s Far Eastern and Siberian Federal Districts.
Russia will stay Russia while France turns into Algeria.
Time for Keir Starmer, Mr & Mrs Macron and Ursula to storm the Kremlin.
OUT
OF
NATO
NOW
All we have to do is remove our people and equipment from Ukraine. Once we do that, it doesn’t matter if the war continues for another 30 years.
think of the poor amerikan C suites at our MICC…..and the pentagon brass. so many estates and staff to purchase.
Excuse me? But did it escape your notice that Ukraine (and, of course, NATO) launched an attack on Vladimir Putin’s helicopter? And that situation caused a retaliatory attack on Ukraine – not “thumbing the nose at Trump”…. Trump had zero to do with this situation.
As Marty Armstrong has been forecasting: direct war (not a proxy war) between NATO and Russia is a forgone conclusion. It’s going to happen. Why? Because as Dr. Paul Craig Roberts points out: the crazed Euroland leaders want war, not peace. It doesn’t matter if Trump wants peace. Euroland, Canada, The UK do not. So, I hope you all have a fallout shelter.
The only hope for Americans is if Trump pulls out of NATO and makes a separate agreement with Russia. End of story.
Everybody wants peace; they just want it on their own terms.
As long as USA=NATO refuses to accept that they have no leverage, there can be no resolution. They thought, like Hitler, that a good kick would knock the door off its decrepit hinges.
Now they suddenly realize that the Russians have the weapons (and are producing in 1 Quarter what the whole of NATO produces in a year, according to Secr General Mark Rutte), the troops, the advantage, the stamina, and the economy to outlast paper tiger NATO which has run through its weapons stocks and ordinance. Even the Pakistani could not keep up an artillery barrage against India because the US had requisitioned too many of their shells. And the Russians could always turn to China, far and away the greatest manufacturing power.
The war would be over in weeks if NATO stops providing supplies, command & control, and especially ISR.
Too bad they missed Putin’s helicopter.
Too bad. Medvedev would have incinerated London and Brussels 10 minutes later.
Medvedev is so far out of the loop that he is comic. If Putin dies he isn’t even worth defenestrating by Putin’ successor.
Doubt that they will go that far and start WW3.
Maybe go full Mobilization against Ukraine and offer no terms for peace except unconditional surrender. Putin assured Zelinsky that he wouldn’t be targeted for assassination. That would be void.
And instead of nuking London just blow up a few North Sea platforms with sabotage and not admit it. Think of the damage to the UK economy as the pound, bonds, Lloyds insurance and the London stock exchange go bust. Everybody would know it was the Russians but there would be plausible deniability and the Eurowimps would weasel out of going toe to toe with Russia on behalf of Britain.
Assassinate Boris as an example to the other EU politicians.
And benefit from oil and gas doubling in price
Ukraine had a reasonable offer laid at their feet in April 2022, but they listened to Boris Johnson (sent by Blinken) and chose to do it the hard way. As Otter told Flounder in Animal House “you f’d up, you trusted us”.
This is correct
They have ignored every offer.
This is a death cult. They will go on sacrificing Ukraine as long as they hold on to power. At the heart of their national identity is hatred of Russians, and even more of “wrong” Ukrainians. In WW2 they killed a lot of Jews, Russians, Belarussians, and Poles, but most of all, other Ukrainians. Dmytro Dontsov launched the salute slava ukraini, heroi slava explicitly as the counterpart to Sieg Heil, Heil Hitler.
Russia is not thumbing its nose at anyone.
It is responding to the unprecedented scale of the NATO drones targeting civilians in Russia, far from the battlefield.
The truth is that Russians don’t really give a toss about what Trump or Europe thinks, as long as they get off their border and get the hell out.
At this point no one really cares anymore about how Russia feels. That boat sailed long ago.
Mish – you missed that the Ukro’s tried to assassinate Putin on Tuesday – this was just payback for that. I thank you for your usually very solid economic/market commentary, but this missive is misleading to your readers. Don’t just rely on the MSM for your info – at least look at zero hedge or listen to the Duran to stay informed on geopolitics. Also maybe skim the book “Provoked” by Scott Horton to get a better understanding of the US/NATO strategy for using Ukraine as cannon fodder to go to war against Russia – a program began in 2008 at the latest. We are the belligerents here, not Putin. UN documented 15K ethnic Russians killed in eastern Ukraine (where 90% of the pre-war population was ethnic Russian) by the Ukraine military we built up for that express purpose. At least google “Cookies Nuland”.
Correct – I did not see that – Will investigate and add an addendum
This apparently happened on May 3.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/russia-ukraine-tried-assassinate-putin-drone-attack-kremlin-rcna82608
Here is another report – another attempt?
https://en.mehrnews.com/news/232248/Atampted-assassination-against-Putin-failed-Russian-general
And It’s disputed.
I have no reason to believe any of this potential propaganda by either side and no one else does either.
https://www.timesnownews.com/world/europe/did-ukraine-try-to-assassinate-vladimir-putin-heres-what-we-know-article-151718532
It is not even clear the date of the allegation.
Pertinent Question:
Had Putin not backed out of peace talks, would this have happened (assuming it did happen)?
Interesting May 3 video
https://youtu.be/DrMoBUlIHqI
My post is still accurate.
That “interesting” video was from 2023.
“I will end the war in Ukraine on Day 1”
People make the same mistake over and over to be anti war is pro Putin or MAGA
Most Americans have zero clue about Slavic culture, Russia, or Ukraine and apply western thought to a different culture
30 years post Vietnam, the millions dead didn’t matter.
Dead is dead. This is 2 oligarchs mafias at war while good people die and we wave American exceptionalism.
The war is about natural resources control. Viva la military industrial complex.
voters in pax dumbfuckistan want to meddle in every corner of globe. our CIA under obama started this conflict in ukraine a decade ago.
“Russia thumbs its nose at the Entire West, particularly at France” would be a more correct title. Trump may be under the illusion that US involvement will result in net gain, but he’s not the only one. I’m with with Bannon on this one. Let the Europeans deal with Russia, this time fully.
I agree. It’s Europe’s problem. Let them collectively rise up & defend themselves against Russian aggression. Then, if they’re successful, they can thumb their noses at Trump.
The longer this goes on is obviously bad for Ukraine, but it’s also going to weaken Russia. With a little luck, maybe Putin will make some sort of really big miscalculation that forces the military to step in with a coup.
That would be marvelous.
Replace Putin with some real hard-liners.
Young ones too, that can stick around a long long time.
Brilliant.
Yes, there are worse things than Putin being in charge of a nuclear-armed Russia.
That does nothing to excuse DJT’s contempt for his voting audience, so exhaustively documented above.
I was about to write exactly that. Putin is an old bureaucrat. If you replace him, you may end up with a military hard-liner who will not use the “salami negotiating tactics” (village by village) of Putin.
Europe only got involved by being in NATO and following the US around.
This whole war was planned and instigated by the US, CIA, AID, NED and has been in their designs for decades.
The European political establishment is dead without a victory in Ukraine.