Russia - US | Ukraine “peace negotiations”

  • Thread starter Thread starter nycfan
  • Start date Start date
  • Replies: 2K
  • Views: 35K
  • Politics 


“… The latest strikes occurred after an announcement from the United States that the country was suspending both military and intelligence assistance to Ukraine in an effort to force Ukraine to the negotiating table with Russia. Officials in Kyiv have warned that without American assistance Ukraine’s air-defense capabilities would be among the first elements of its security to be compromised.

The Trump administration’s special envoy to Russia and Ukraine, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, said on Thursday that cutting off intelligence sharing with Kyiv was meant to get the attention of Mr. Zelensky, akin to “hitting a mule with a two-by-four across the nose.”

Mr. Kellogg was speaking to the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, and his remarks earned a frosty reception from the national security experts in the audience.

When Mr. Kellogg, discussing the pause in intelligence sharing, said the Ukrainians “brought it on themselves,” the audience hissed in response.

Earlier Thursday, rescue workers raced to pull wounded civilians from the ruined building in Mr. Zelensky’s hometown, Kryvyi Rih, in central Ukraine, and air-defense crews across the country scrambled to defend against bombardments that have become routine during the winter.

… The American-made Patriot system has proved to be Ukraine’s most reliable defense against Russia’s most sophisticated ballistic missiles. The pause in American military assistance could leave Ukrainians short of the interceptor missiles that have helped provide a blanket of protection over the capital, Kyiv, and other cities.

At the same time, Ukraine’s air-raid alerts are informed, to some degree, by the early warning data provided by American satellites, which can detect aircraft and missile launches deep in Russian territory. It is not clear if the pause on intelligence sharing included information related to those systems. …”
 
I don't think I'm a warhawk by any means but I do think that it's about time for NATO- and specifically the European NATO countries- to feel more comfortable calling Putin's bluff. I think that NATO should consider sending troops to Ukraine to man *defensive-only* positions that would free up more Ukrainians to mount possible offensive assaults on Russian forces in the east. Draw a line at Kyiv or just east. I'd phrase it as something like, "The North Atlantic Treaty Organization has established a no-fly zone over the internationally recognized sovereign territories of Ukraine, at Ukraine's request, and is sending security assistance to investigate and prevent violations of Ukraine's border by foreign nationals." Phrase it as blandly as possible, don't even mention fighting Russians, and stress the invitation of the Ukrainian government.

I'm sure some folks would say, "well, Putin would consider that a direct act of war" but that's where I think it's time to call Putin's bluff. He isn't stupid enough to actually risk direct armed confrontation with NATO nations. The whole point would be to intervene militarily, but to do so in such a way that makes it clear that there will be no attacks across the Russian border, except in direct response to attacks on Ukraine. So if missiles are launched at Ukraine, then their launchers are targets. The whole point is it wouldn't be the NATO war machine in Ukraine- it'd be Ukraine with *NATO equipment*. That is an important distinction.
That makes very good sense.
If only "Little Marco" was offering solutions to aid Ukraine, instead of standing back and standing by like a Proud Boy while the Blusterer In Chief aligns us with Russia and North Korea. Zelensky only 'has no cards' to negotiate with to end the conflict when we weaken rather than strengthen his hand, which seems to be the plan now.
 
Putin Ready to Agree to Ukraine Truce With Conditions
Russia is willing to discuss a temporary truce in Ukraine provided there is progress toward a final peace settlement, according to people familiar with the matter in Moscow.

In the first signal of a positive response from President Vladimir Putin to US counterpart Donald Trump’s call for a ceasefire, the offer was conveyed at last month’s talks in Saudi Arabia between top Russian and American officials, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing internal policy.

In order to agree to a cessation of hostilities, there would have to be a clear understanding about the framework principles of the final peace accord, two people with knowledge of the matter said. Russia will insist in particular on establishing the parameters of an eventual peacekeeping mission, including agreement on which countries would take part, said another person familiar with the issue.

 
Putin Ready to Agree to Ukraine Truce With Conditions
Russia is willing to discuss a temporary truce in Ukraine provided there is progress toward a final peace settlement, according to people familiar with the matter in Moscow.

In the first signal of a positive response from President Vladimir Putin to US counterpart Donald Trump’s call for a ceasefire, the offer was conveyed at last month’s talks in Saudi Arabia between top Russian and American officials, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing internal policy.

In order to agree to a cessation of hostilities, there would have to be a clear understanding about the framework principles of the final peace accord, two people with knowledge of the matter said. Russia will insist in particular on establishing the parameters of an eventual peacekeeping mission, including agreement on which countries would take part, said another person familiar with the issue.
This is entirely because of Europe. Trump shat the bed.
 
Back
Top