Russia and Ukraine flashpoint

[mrstickball]

Ryuu96 said:

🚨 #BREAKING: Trump says he is seeking to trade Ukraine's rare earth metals in exchange for U.S. aid — AFP.

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— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) 3 February 2025 at 18:46

🇩🇪 Chancellor Scholz criticized Trump's statement on access to Ukrainian rare earth materials in exchange for aid, emphasizing that Ukraine's "Victory Plan" aims to use its resources for the future. He stated it would be selfish to use them for defense funding during the war. #Ukraine #Scholz

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— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) 3 February 2025 at 22:29

He's a scumbag Mafia boss who needs to receive monetary benefits simply to do the right thing, despite the fact that half of the Ukraine aid remains in America anyway. Trump wouldn't protect his own children if there wasn't a financial benefit in it for him. Having said that, I know this was Zelenskyy's backup plan anyway.

Kyiv delayed minerals deal with US to let Trump take credit, NYT reports

If this is what it takes to ensure continued support to Ukraine then so be it, Zelenskyy seems to be playing Trump smartly so far. However, I do believe a lot of these rare minerals and resources exist in the eastern parts of Ukraine, thus Ukraine would have to push Russia back some more, so if Trump wants access to those he will have to help Ukraine push Russia further out.

(Outdated Territory Control)

If it's the only option then it's a bitter pill to swallow but one that makes sense for their survival. Plus Trump won't be President in 4 years anyway so Zelenskyy or whoever is in charge can re-negotiate with a lesser dickhead, likely receive loan forgiveness and all that crap, a President who will be less likely to plunder Ukraine's lands in exchange for their freedom, we hope.

Meanwhile the frozen Russian assets should all be sent to Ukraine.

🚨 Reuters: U.S. briefly paused weapons shipments to Ukraine as the Trump administration debated its policy. Shipments resumed over the weekend after the White House reconsidered halting all aid, but internal divisions remain over continued support.

www.reuters.com/world/us-arm...

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— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) 3 February 2025 at 19:58

And the simple solution to having avoided this was..... Any western European leader showing a backbone and supporting Ukraine so the Russians would have lost by now.

Europeans funded the bombs and bullets to kill Ukranians and did literally nothing for Ukranians after the annexation of Crimea. How could any deal or trade for the support needed to win be the fault of Trump or the US when Europe has slow-walked their support, ignored NATO funding for decades, then magically decided that they gotta do more now?

Yes, there are many other proposals out there that would be better for Ukraine to win, but as of yet, this is the only potential one on the table that actually yields a Ukranian victory with their homeland intact. Until another nation does that, then what do you really want?