SanAndreasX said: Ryuu96 said: Hasn't been a single actual concession from Russia's side thus far from the master dealmaker. Palestine - You guys leave your homes, never return, and I (with Israel) steal all your land. Ukraine - You guys will make all the concessions to Russia and let us steal your resources. The art of the deal is: 1) threaten and bully the people that are supposedly on his side. 2) get on his knees and present submissively for bigger bullies. So, he basically behaves like a chimpanzee.Â

That's an insult to primates.

at this point Europe must start acting like it is on its own:

- aim to maximize military production while helping Ukraine maximize its own
- strike a fair deal with Ukraine for its natural resources
- use the frozen Russian assets if necessary
- start to built relations with China, get investments
- threaten the US with more taxes and regulations on its digital giants
- declare that US efforts for peace without EU and Ukraine have already failed

Jeffrey Sachs EU Parliament Explosive Speech Shakes Europe and Middle East

Bit of history how the Ukraine war started (Yes he goes on about NATO, but makes a good case about why it remains an issue, The US)

Some painful truths, which already felt true, the US using Ukraine as a proxy war to weaken Russia.

But unfortunately he ignores the other painful truth, Putin called US' bluff and is now getting away with genocide and further annexations. Yes, Europe will have to live with Russia, but can't just give parts of Ukraine to Russia. Meanwhile Trump is now basically doing Russia's foreign policy like Aipac is deciding US foreign policy in the ME.

Europe needs something like NATO without the US. Europe needs to lead negotiations between Ukraine and Russia and Europe. Russia has far more to gain from trade with Europe and vice versa. Yet Putin needs to go, that dictator can't stay.

We're in kind of an impossible situation now. Trump fully supporting Putin, trying to extort Ukraine into submission. Europe can't have Putin 'win' Ukraine. Who's next. Nato is just a small part, Putin's legacy is the real driver behind his Ukraine invasion and that won't stop by Ukraine declaring impartiality.

Europe needs to be liberated from the US just like Russia needs to be liberated from Putin.

Preliminary results of the election in Germany, based on one of the better pollsters:

CDU - 29%
AfD - 19.5%
SPD - 16%
Greens - 13.5%
The Left - 8.5%

FDP and BSW are at 4.9% and 4.7%, respectively. Currently they would fail to clear the necessary 5.0% hurdle, but votes are still being counted, so the final result may differ.

In the big picture these are bad results. Assuming FDP and BSW stay out, the only possible two-party coalition is CDU+SPD, providing little to no leverage for the CDU which would very likely make it take longer until Germany has a new government. Assuming FDP and/or BSW make it, it's even worse, because then all two-party coalitions are off the table and any three-party coalition is much harder to realize by default.

Foreign policy, especially regarding Ukraine, could be a major obstacle regarding coalition talks. We can only hope that Scholz steps down entirely and the new SPD leadership takes a different and more firm stance on Russia.

Sounds like it's better than expected at least?

CDU still sound shit but at least they're pro-Ukraine, pro-EU, pro-NATO, Scholz will hopefully piss off for someone more strong on Russia and then a CDU + SPD coalition. I'm assuming there's no chance the Greens join the coalition because CDU probably have a typical Conservative stance of "Fuck Greens!"? It would be sad to see Baerbock no longer in cabinet, I thought she was great as foreign affairs minister.

Then again a 3 party coalition sounds like a mess so hopefully it's just CDU + SPD. Sorry Baerbock!

Last edited by Ryuu96 - on 23 February 2025

🇺🇸⚡️🇫🇷🇬🇧 Trump criticized Macron and Starmer for failing to support Ukraine and not spending enough at the start of the invasion, Politico reports.

"Europe is basically giving nothing, while the U.S. is spending its money on some country that is very, very far away."

www.politico.com/news/2025/02...

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— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) 22 February 2025 at 15:48

❗️The U.S.-Ukraine rare earth deal is "not one Zelensky would accept," CNN reports. The draft demands more than Ukraine received for defense, while offering no U.S. obligations. Meanwhile, Ukraine will start active talks on the agreement next week.

edition.cnn.com/2025/02/22/e...

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— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) 22 February 2025 at 15:59

⚡️🇺🇸 U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg says the U.S. stands with Ukraine—any deal must guarantee no new war.

Kellogg visited a military hospital in Irpin, calling it emotional: “This is why President Trump is absolutely right to end this war. The killing must stop.”

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— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) 22 February 2025 at 16:01

🤔 Trump’s team asked Ukraine to withdraw a UN resolution condemning Putin for waging war. Zelensky refused, and the request reportedly shocked Ukraine, – Washington Post, citing European diplomats.

www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...

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— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) 22 February 2025 at 16:02

🇺🇦✈️ Ukraine expects to receive more F-16 fighter jets this year, Zelensky says. "The skies over Ukraine must be closed and safe." He discussed military support with Dutch PM Dick Schoof, emphasizing the need to strengthen Ukraine’s defenses.

newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/ukraine...

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— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) 22 February 2025 at 16:05

France & Italy are slowing down a €20B aid package for Ukraine, citing budget constraints & diplomatic concerns. The package includes 1.5M rounds, air defense support & troop training, but faces resistance from Hungary, Slovakia & now key EU players.

www.spiegel.de/politik/deut...

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— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) 22 February 2025 at 16:12

‼️ Ukraine demands to reduce the mineral fund from $500B to $100B, NV reports based on sources. Zelensky previously stated that U.S. spending on the war in Ukraine was around $100B, not $500B.

nv.ua/ukr/world/ge...

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— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) 22 February 2025 at 20:02

"Ukraine, or what’s left of it, will remain a buffer zone. It will never be a NATO member," – Hungarian PM Orbán said. He also claimed, "This war isn’t about Ukraine, but about a territory called 'Ukraine,' a conflict zone between NATO and Russia."

telex.hu/belfold/2025...

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— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) 22 February 2025 at 20:07

A very large Shahed attack on Ukraine was mostly repelled overnight. Russias launched 267 (!) Shahed drones and simulator type drones. A total of 138 were shot down and 119 more were supressed by electronic warfare.

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— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) 23 February 2025 at 09:11

Trump claims the U.S. wants Ukraine’s oil, rare earth metals, and more to compensate for aid. He slams Biden’s "stupid, incompetent" administration for sending $350B but says his talks with Zelensky & Putin give hope for ending the war.

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— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) 23 February 2025 at 09:14

White House Press Sec. Levitt suggests the war in Ukraine could end this week.

"I don't have anything to detail or read out. The President and his team are very focussed to continue negotations with both sides, and the President is confident we can get it done this week."

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— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) 23 February 2025 at 09:17

Pentagon denies Trump’s claim: “The U.S. did not give Ukraine $350B—only $183B,” reports Voice of America. $58B of that was spent in the U.S. to boost defense industry & upgrade weapons. They add that $3.9 billion authorized in aid, remained unspent.

www.holosameryky.com/a/trysta-pja...

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— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) 23 February 2025 at 09:20

❗️ Ukraine rejects the U.S. demand for a $500 billion fund, calling it unjustified, as actual aid amounts to only $90 billion, Bloomberg reports. Negotiations are delayed due to disputed terms that Zelensky refuses to approve.

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

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— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) 23 February 2025 at 09:34

In just one week, Russia launched nearly 1,150 attack drones, over 1,400 guided bombs, and 35 missiles of various types against Ukraine, says Zelensky.

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— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) 23 February 2025 at 09:40

Two columns of 10 units of Russian armored vehicles approached Ukrainain positions in the morning. They tried to break through Ukrainian defenses, but the soldiers of the 110th Brigade repelled the attack and disabled and or destroyed most of the Russian equipment.

t.me/noel_reports...

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— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) 23 February 2025 at 12:06

Stefanchuk on EU integration: Ukraine has already started work on preparing for clusters. "This year, we passed a significant number of legislative acts, opening negotiations and actively working towards European integration," said the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada at the "Ukraine. Year 2025" forum.

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— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) 23 February 2025 at 12:21

Estonia is sending a new military aid package to Ukraine, including 10,000 artillery shells and 750,000 food rations for troops. The Prime Minister also stated that additional defense industry products worth over €100 million will be added as soon as possible.

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— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) 23 February 2025 at 12:26

❗️ Russian special services planned to assassinate Budanov and me, using their “rats.” Over three years, 102 spy networks have been uncovered, – SBU chief Malyuk. Russia also planned a terrorist attack during peak hours in a Kyiv hypermarket.

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— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) 23 February 2025 at 14:31

❗️ Ukraine is developing new long-range weapons, already striking 1,700 km into Russia, – Commander in Chief Syrskyi said.

"Despite Moscow's failed attempts to seize Ukraine, tough battles lie ahead, and our task is to keep hitting the enemy," he added.

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— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) 23 February 2025 at 14:32

The war could end in 2025 as Russia needs a pause due to lack of forces and high financial costs, – GUR chief Budanov said.

"I have seen their strategic planning until 2045: if it does not get out of the conflict by 2026, then in the coming years it will lose its chances of becoming a superpower,"

— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) 23 February 2025 at 14:36

Tomorrow could be a turning point. Top European leaders are coming to us, Zelensky said. A total of 13 partners are expected in person, with 24 joining online.

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— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) 23 February 2025 at 15:06

Zelenskyy: “I’m ready to step down if it brings peace—or trade my post for NATO.” He urges Trump to direct his strength against Russia and calls for talks with Ukraine, the U.S., Europe, and Russia. On aid: “We’ve received $100B, not $350B. I won’t sign deals that burden 10 generations.”

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— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) 23 February 2025 at 15:13

"Ending the war this week—I don’t know how it’s possible without our presence in meetings," – Zelensky in response to White House claims.

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— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) 23 February 2025 at 15:45

🇺🇦 The Ministry of Defense is working on "mega-projects" for joint production of high-tech weapons with top international manufacturers, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov confirms.

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— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) 23 February 2025 at 15:46

"American aid continues to arrive. Nothing has been stopped, but nothing new has been announced," Zelensky on US military assistance.

"The aid is there. $15 billion that haven’t reached Kyiv yet. It’s in weapons and various technologies. This is what was approved during Biden’s term.."

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— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) 23 February 2025 at 15:49