Russia attacks Ukraine

[MeltingMan]

Putin is said to have explained on the phone call with Trump (see post #209) that he still needs 60 days to complete the summer offensive. The period of 50 days announced by Trump yesterday is seen as 'Carte Blanche' in the Kremlin, says Armin C. today for phoenix. However, there is no reliable information from the front.  

[dsanchez]

Good analysis from Mearsheimer (as always):

[MeltingMan]

Hmm. The comparison with AH at 08:39 is tasteless. I don't see Russia on the "road to victory" like these two gentlemen here. Of course, you don't win a war if you're not brutal. Not Ukraine, but Russia has lost almost 1 million men to death and injury so far, according to previous estimates (10:05). Mr. Mearsheimer doesn't know any better or is confusing something. And what's that map in the background?!

I saw the statement. Trump is rambling too far. He had more "bite" during his first term. I wasn't happy with Mr. Stoltenberg, and I'm not happy with Mr. Rutte now either. With him, I wonder if he's ever held a gun, and I'm a peaceful person! 

[Ulrich]

According to one "expert" (me) Trump is fooling all of us (with the notable exception of his billionaire mates)! 

[dsanchez]

Good analysis, as always:

[MeltingMan]

Using ancient weapons against Russian drones

I wonder how many M2 Brownings the Ukrainian air defense has received. In my opinion, it's too few. Exact figures aren't published. This machine gun, and I just want to make this clear, was also designed to defend against flying objects!   

[dsanchez]

[MeltingMan]

I actually have few expectations for the upcoming meeting in Alaska. The location underscores two things: the former affiliation with the Russian Empire and the greatest possible distancing in any kind from the Europeans. A "male friendship" is being celebrated there, and with a bit of luck, Ukraine might also be discussed. They should have met in Sochi, seriously. And then two more things: the "results" on the battlefield and the ongoing maltreatment of the public by the media. Information, yes, but not to the point where it constantly displaces other topics. "Finding a common language with Moscow," is how Eduard Shevardnadze put it in a 2008 interview about the neighborly relationship with Russia. That doesn't mean appeasement, in case some have forgot. 

[Ulrich]

I actually have few expectations for the upcoming meeting

Expectations become lower with each day the meeting comes nearer...

[Ulrich]

That was a full success!
Two huge w*nkers w*nked each other off, what more could you want? 

https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c2kzn1nw1d4t

Despite the lack of a substantive breakthrough on a ceasefire, both sides will characterise this as a success says chief North America correspondent Gary O'Donoghue.

Difference of opinion

Putin got his moment in the geo-political limelight, sharing the stage with the leader of the world's most powerful country - and has so far had to make no noticeable concessions over the war, writes BBC's Russia editor Steve Rosenberg.

Uncertainty persists

There will be signs of relief in Kyiv that no deal has been announced that would cost Ukraine territory - but the anti-climactic end to Friday's meeting also proves that years of Western efforts have failed to change Putin's mind, says BBC Monitoring Russia editor Vitaliy Shevchenko.

Trump's new plan to bypass an initial ceasefire is a blow to Kyiv and its European allies as it was one of their main requests, Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse writes...

[MeltingMan]

My conclusion from the meeting at Elmendorf Air Force Base: much honor for a man wanted on an international arrest warrant. I'm surprised nothing "happened". Is the USA still a constitutional state? Rhetorical question. 

Otherwise, I can only strongly advise Mr. Zelenskyy not to sign anything, but I already did that. Many forget that Putin is a lawyer. So he will know that not everything is as hot as it seems. If he (Putin) really wants to shorten the war, he should turn himself in and allow a fair trial, seriously. But this way he's only making things worse and clinging to his old worldview.   

[Ulrich]

Otherwise, I can only strongly advise Mr. Zelenskyy not to sign anything, but I already did that.

Did he listen to you?
Trump does not listen to my advice. I'd told him to give Alaska back to the Russians in exchange for them to leave the Ukraine alone...

Apparently Melania wrote a letter to Putin. I think it says "I love you, please conquer the U.S. and get me out of here"!" 

[MeltingMan]

Did he listen to you?

Well, he's expected in Washington, D.C. tomorrow — alone — and I don't like that. 

[Ulrich]

Well, he's expected in Washington, D.C. tomorrow — alone

Nope, he's not coming alone:

US-Präsident Donald Trump ist nach seinem Treffen mit Kremlchef Wladimir Putin in Alaska zur Freude Russlands abgerückt von der ultimativen Forderung nach einem Waffenstillstand. Nun will er den ganz großen Wurf landen und im Sinne Putins gleich ein Friedensabkommen für die Ukraine aushandeln.

Dazu trifft er am Montag im Weißen Haus den ukrainischen Präsidenten Wolodymyr Selenskyj, der viel Verstärkung aus Europa mitbringt – darunter Kanzler Friedrich Merz (CDU), EU-Kommissionspräsidentin Ursula von der Leyen und Nato-Generalsekretär Mark Rutte.

https://www.gmx.net/magazine/politik/russland-krieg-ukraine/selenskyj-verstaerkung-ziel-41287096

[MeltingMan]

President Macron will also be there. Then hopefully it won't go off as in February. 

PS: Renounce Crimea? No. Renounce NATO membership? No. Renounce nuclear weapons? No. Demilitarize Crimea? Yes. Demilitarize the four fully or partially occupied provinces? Yes.