Trump Job Approval

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Stepping back.

128 responses to “Stepping back.”

  1. I restarted HHR to keep a more than 21 year old discussion going. With few exceptions, the conversation is largely over. Even though the Cult could never win an election without conservative Republicans like me, it has carried the day here. My position on Ukraine has not changed since before Putin’s invasion. Putin is a KGB killer and dictator. He is solely responsible for the death and destruction in Ukraine as well as the deaths of his own troops. At the original HHR, he would have universally been condemned. Here, the man who has stood against the KGB thug is condemned. Is Ukraine perfect? No? Is Zelensky perfect? No. But in an ugly, complex world choices must be made and I choose Zelensky and Ukraine over Putin and the invaders.

    I don’t control HHR. I don’t control anything. I can’t even walk across a room without feeling intense pain or nausea. So, I will continue to respond to posts because I refuse to compromise what I believe but I hope DW and Vic can step up while I step back.

    Like

  2. Has Zelenskyy said what “security guarantee” means to him?

    Jason says that sending stuff, money and intelligence would suffice. Does Z agree? If not, do we promise American troops?

    Also, Zelenskyy has at least twice said he’d sign the minerals deal before refusing to do so. Now he’s saying again he will sign it. C’mon man….

    Chicon

    Like

  3. Bitter, I don’t think you have wanted to have a discussion for quite awhile. It’s your choice, but the conversation isn’t over, you left it.

    Chicon

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Question for Pam Bondi….do you think Sen. Murphy’s actions Friday were a violation of the Logan Act?

    Chicon

    Like

  5. No. It is clear that nobody wants to discuss anything. The Cult has chosen Zelensky as the villain and 100% of their posts fall into varying degrees of how much Putin and Trump should get in carving up Ukraine. Not much to discuss anymore.

    Like

  6. I asked you yesterday to discuss the VDH points. You said you don’t do homework assignments.

    As I said then, I’d be happy to discuss any of his points, with the cease fire in force.

    Chicon

    Like

  7. “I restarted HHR to keep a more than 21 year old discussion going. With few exceptions, the conversation is largely over”

    HHR started off almost 2 decades ago as a place primarily to post polling/election news and to discuss current events.

    HHR continues to be a place for both. However, you want to make every topic a discussion about Ukraine, to feel sorry for yourself and to pick on the women who post here and the few men who push back on your nonsense.

    Surely, there are 5-10 current events or topics that you care about except for wanting to fight over Ukraine? THAT is why you dont respect those you used to respect, of which I was never one so GFY first.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Still here at the dead blog? So sorry for you.

    Jan and Tina don’t need your protection. 90% of their posts are links.

    Stay or go but I don’t know why you stay and you won’t be missed.

    Like

  9. LOL. poor Bitter. A legend in his own mind.

    Like

  10. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    Yes.

    About time.

    What was done to Pete Rose is one of the greatest injustices of all times in the sports world.

    “Donald Trump Goes to Bat for Late Pete Rose, Will Issue Pardon and Calls on MLB to Induct Him Into HOF”

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Any serious discussion regarding Ukraine includes the mishandling of the West in its past Ukrainian and Russian policy that helped enable the war to begin with and is now fully supported by the WEF/EU globalist alliance.

    Putin is a straw man to use against the Constitutional Republic that Trump supporters and patriots of the US represent … that is in direct conflict with the globalist vision adopted by most Western Nations today.

    The same “Russia” shit is being used in Romania to defeat the anti globalist President elect which JD Vance called out in Munich. Thank God he has balls.

    What the hell do you think Russia Gate and the first impeachment over an Ukraine phone call was about? To take down Trump and what he represents. Zelenskyy is being counseled by Blinken, Nuland, etc…currently.

    Trump has a strong and loyal cabinet and VP this time. Buckle up it’s going to be a ride.

    If you don’t understand this you are a clueless.

    Liked by 2 people

  12. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    Has Zelenskyy said what “security guarantee” means to him?

    Jason says that sending stuff, money and intelligence would suffice. Does Z agree? If not, do we promise American troops?”

    We offered nothing.

    Offering a massive influx of offensive weapons and shared intelligence if the Russians violate the agreement is a security guarantee.

    Zelensky has the option to say it is enough in which case the US can say take it or leave it.

    But Trump offered nothing except to say “I don’t think Putin will violate the agreement”, which in fact is nothing.

    Like

  13. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    If you don’t understand this you are a clueless.”

    This is the same guy who said Trump was absolutely “finished”, the same guy who said the indictments against Trump were devastating, the same guy who believed in the musings of an old discredited Bolshevik “reporter” who said the Norwegians helped blow up the Russian pipeline.

    So take what he said about “being clueless” with a grain of salt.

    Like

  14. XI and China are a 10X threat to the US over Russia.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    Albertus Idioticus is still here at the blog he said would never exist.

    He spent the last couple months of the old HHR assuring us there would be no new HHR and if there was, it would never last.

    But one thing hasn’t changed, the lies and idiocies he posted in the old blog are the same here.

    Like

  16. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    XI and China are a 10X threat to the US over Russia.”

    Zzzzzz….

    Like

  17. Jason, the question was….has Zelenskyy said what security guarantee means to him?

    Do you know if he has answered that?

    Chicon

    Like

  18. Of course I can be wrong about speculations … this is history and based on fact.

    Like

  19. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    As soon as Ukraine is surrendered, JeffP will be here to advocate for Taiwan’s surrender too, on account the “globalists” want war against China.

    Russia is a geopolitical enemy and adversary, bent on expansion and the re-creation of the USSR.

    Oppose it now on the cheap, it will be much more expensive later.

    Like

  20. Does Zelenskyy even want a cease fire or negotiate seriously?

    Like

  21. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    Jason, the question was….has Zelenskyy said what security guarantee means to him?

    Do you know if he has answered that?”

    Irrelevant.

    Only in your small isolationist mind does “security guarantee” mean US troops on the ground.

    A security guarantee can take many forms, which may or may not be acceptable to Ukraine.

    But the fact is the US offered nothing, and Zelensky is entirely justified in saying “I dont trust Putin, sorry”.

    Like

  22. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    Does Zelenskyy even want a cease fire or negotiate seriously?”

    I am sure does.

    But a cease fire with no security guarantees means nothing unless you trust Putin at his word (which as a little lapdog Putin toady I am sure you do).

    Like

  23. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    XI and China are a 10X threat to the US over Russia.”

    This is not true, of course, but even if it was, you don’t choose your enemies.

    Like

  24. This bitter law guy is pretty funny. He claims to be a lawyer and to want a discussion on these complex issues, yet disparages posters for articulating mainstream and widely held  Republican views as “cult” members. These views have been well supported by articles posted here by a wide swath of the Republican Party inteligencia from victor david Hansen to Lindsey graham, as well as well known  vehemently anti Russian intellectuals like Polish diplomats. What’s even funnier is that based on his handle, he projects himself to be an attorney, yet since I’ve been posting here for the last 3 days, he has yet to provide a single, cogent argument as to why these esteemed republicans are wrong and not “cult” members for expressing the same views as the people he disparages regularly on this board. You would think an attorney would not only have the capability but be eager to engage in that discussion instead of merely dismissing everyone with insults like I’ve seen him do since I’ve been here. Maybe he’s not an attorney but a 1st year law school kid or a glorified legal tech. Who knows, but what I’ve seen so far clearly lacks the legal temperament and skill to persuade let alone articulate a cogent argument.  If this person is not an attorney, apologies in advance, but if this person is, I wonder what his clients or managing partner (since he most certainly hasn’t made partner anywhere) would think of his clearly less than legal worthy commentary.

    Fla2025

    Like

  25. amuse

    UKRAINE: Have you noticed that Ukraine frequently cuts off its nose to spite its face? For instance, Ukraine prohibits Russian gas from transiting its territory for either domestic use or resale to Europe. As a result, Ukraine is forced to purchase gas indirectly from European suppliers—gas that originates in Russia. In other words, Ukraine continues to buy Russian gas, just through European middlemen. This indirect method reduces Europe’s overall gas supply, causing prices to rise. Ironically, Ukraine’s policy intended to punish Russia ends up hurting European consumers and Ukraine itself while benefiting Russia financially, as the reduced supply enables it to charge higher prices.

    Like

  26. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    Putin is a KGB killer and dictator. He is solely responsible for the death and destruction in Ukraine as well as the deaths of his own troops. At the original HHR, he would have universally been condemned. Here, the man who has stood against the KGB thug is condemned. Is Ukraine perfect? No? Is Zelensky perfect? No. But in an ugly, complex world choices must be made and I choose Zelensky and Ukraine over Putin and the invader”

    Good summary Bitter.

    I am not sure how those that support Putin and his war crimes and the destruction he has wrought in Ukraine can sleep at night.

    An idiot like JeffP rails against “communism” while shilling for an ex KGB communist thug and dictator of a police state.

    The hypocrisy is astounding.

    Like

  27. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    For instance, Ukraine prohibits Russian gas from transiting its territory for either domestic use or resale to Europe”

    Zzzzz……

    Like

  28. If you need to step,back, you can throw some keys this way. Get well.

    Like

  29. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    The Cult members hate being called Cult members.

    The Putin toadies hate being called Putin toadies.

    I am proud of being called a Ukrainiac.

    There is a lesson to be learned here.

    Like

  30. I posted this article on the other thread but posting it here because it makes some pretty outrageous accusations worthy of further discussion –

    “Dems lead Zelensky, Ukraine off a cliff with pressure to reject mineral deal”.

    Key excerpt – “Before meeting Trump, Zelensky met with anti-Trump Democrats who advised him to reject the terms of the mineral deal the president was offering, according to Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.).

    “Just finished a meeting with President Zelensky here in Washington. He confirmed that the Ukrainian people will not support a fake peace agreement where Putin gets everything he wants and there are no security arrangements for Ukraine,” Murphy’s office posted on X at 11:15 a.m. Friday.

    He attached a picture of Zelensky at a conference table, with Murphy seated on the opposite side.

    Forty minutes later, Zelensky arrived at the White House, where Trump met his car, smiled, shook his hand and walked him into the Oval Office.The meeting, as the world now knows, quickly went off the rails and ended with Trump angrily ejecting the arrogant ingrate from the White House.

    The earlier meeting with Dems undercuts wild claims that Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance staged an ambush. In fact, it was Zelensky who came with an ulterior motive.

    The purpose of the meeting was to sign the mineral agreement he and Trump representatives had negotiated. He had twice refused to sign it after promising to, and thanks to Murphy, we now know he had no intention of signing it Friday.

    By listening to the nakedly partisan advice of Dems instead of dealing forthrightly with the current president, Zelensky betrayed his countrymen and, for now at least, leaves them without the military and diplomatic protection that only America can provide.

    Good luck counting on Britain, France and the rest of Europe to save Ukraine. Maybe the Germans will send strudel.

    read more here –

    https://nypost.com/2025/03/01/opinion/dems-lead-zelensky-ukraine-off-a-cliff-with-pressure-to-reject-mineral-deal/

    Fla2025

    Like

  31. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    persuade let alone articulate a cogent argument”

    Zzzz…

    This from a moron who has yet to make a cogent argument on why Putin should be allowed to annex Ukraine, a cogent argument on why Russia should be rewarded for the war crimes and destruction it wrought in Ukraine, or a cogent argument as to why this is the interest of the US.

    Until he does that, take with a grain of salt his whining about Bitter not being a lawyer. Bitter’s name is known to all here, he ran for Congress, and the fact he IS a lawyer is on in dispute by someone who is an imbecilic idiot.

    Like

  32. “But one thing hasn’t changed, the lies and idiocies he posted in the old blog are the same here.”

    LOL. I dont lie, havent since I became a Christian. Idiocy? Matter of opinion, and yours matters to no one.

    Like

  33. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    I posted this article on the other thread”

    Zzzzz…

    Why don’t you post directly from Russian state media or Putin’s press secretary/

    It would be more “authentic”.

    I think the theory that Zelensky was set up in that Oval Office meeting has a lot of merit.

    Trump and Vance were angry that Zelensky (rightly so) had refused to sign the mineral deal without security guarantees and they wanted to punish him for it.

    Do I think the whole Zelensky trip was an ambush? No. I think the US legitimately had the minerals deal on the table to be signed, and Zelensky either miscalculated that security gusrantees would be offered or tried to up the ante. In which case, Trump should ended the talks, but the showdown in the Oval Office was unnecessary and probably staged.

    Like

  34. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    dont lie, havent since I became a Christian”

    LOL

    A real “Christian” that supports Putin’s war crimes in Ukraine.

    Like

  35. Jason said…Irrelevant.

    It’s the crux of the whole issue. You’re talking out your blow hole again….

    Chicon

    Liked by 1 person

  36. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    Trump should ended the talks, but the showdown in the Oval Office was unnecessary and probably staged.”

    Don’t get me wrong, I think Trump should have offered the security guarantees. But if he wasn’t prepared to do so, then he could have ended the talks without the Oval Office idiocy.

    Like

  37. lol! The self professed maniac Ukrainiac and HHR Phoenix troll is in a tizzy this morning. Hey chicon, don’t feed the troll, there’s no point in it.

    Liked by 1 person

  38. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    ason said…Irrelevant.

    It’s the crux of the whole issue.”

    Yes, security gurantees are the crux of the issue, a blind squirrel sometimes gets a nut.

    The US offered none, Ukraine was right not to accept that.

    But your theory that there can only be one security guarantee, US troops on the ground, is BS.

    I explained above the security guarantee could be in the form of promising offensive weapons and shared intelligence.

    Maybe that would not be enough for Zelensky? Possible. But maybe it would.

    Like

  39. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    The self professed maniac Ukrainiac”

    Damm.

    Maniac Ukainiac.

    Coo;

    Like

  40. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    don’t feed the troll,”

    Ok Bitter, I will share the points.

    Nobody ever called us trolls before, should be worth something.

    Like

  41. Jason said….”But if he wasn’t prepared to do so, then he could have ended the talks without the Oval Office idiocy.”

    And if Zelenskyy wasn’t gonna sign the minerals deal (again), he shouldn’t have said he would. Instead, the dope blew up the process by trying to lecture Trump in the Oval Office. FAFO.

    Chicon

    Liked by 1 person

  42. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    “Just finished a meeting with President Zelensky here in Washington. He confirmed that the Ukrainian people will not support a fake peace agreement where Putin gets everything he wants and there are no security arrangements for Ukraine,” Murphy’s office posted on X”

    And the Putinistas have a problem with this?

    Murphy is an idiot but I agree with him that “the Ukrainian people will not support a fake peace agreement where Putin gets everything he wants and there are no security arrangements for Ukraine”

    Like

  43. Jason – Take 2/3 of the points. I am on the injured list.

    Like

  44. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    And if Zelenskyy wasn’t gonna sign the minerals deal (again), he shouldn’t have said he would.”

    I don’t disagree with this, actually. If he absolutely made a commitment to sign, then he was wrong to renege.

    But I am not sure that was exactly the case, perhaps he thought there was still a window to discuss the security guarantee.

    But in any case the US should have offered the guarantee, because without that any “deal” with Putin is worthless.

    I will even go further, if the US was now going to have an increased financial stake in Ukraine, the security guarantee would be a way to protect that investment.

    Like

  45. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47
    Bitterlaw Avatar

    Bitterlaw

    March 2, 2025 at 10:22 am

    Jason – Take 2/3 of the points. I am on the injured list.”

    Wow, generous.

    Thanks.

    Like

  46. I have no problem with what Zelenskyy did. If he thinks blowing off Trump is in his country’s best interest then fine. It’s Europe’s problem now.

    Like

  47. Jason said…Maybe that would not be enough for Zelensky? Possible. But maybe it would.

    You could have just said…”I’m not sure about Zelenskyy’s position on that”. Your position (and mine) don’t mean squat.

    Again, if that moron thought the way to get Trump to do what he wants was to publicly badger him in the Oval Office, he’s the biggest idiot to lead a country since Idi Amin.

    Chicon

    Liked by 1 person

  48. JeffP and Chicon, you raise a good point as to whether Zelensky even wants a peace deal. David Saks, one of the tech billionaires that recently abandoned the Democrat party, offers some decent analysis on this subject. Here’s what he posted yesterday –

    WHY ZELENSKY CANNOT MAKE PEACE Zelensky’s meltdown in the Oval Office began over his refusal to accept a negotiated settlement to the war. Even the Vice President’s use of the word “diplomacy” provoked a heated response. So why can’t Zelensky make a peace deal? 1) He will lose power. Zelensky cancelled elections in Ukraine and remains in power through martial law. Despite what USAID propaganda polls may claim, Zelensky is unpopular in Ukraine and would likely lose a fair election. That could leave him vulnerable to retaliation from political opponents he has imprisoned or seized assets from. In short, Zelensky needs the war to justify his continued rule. 2) The gravy train will end. Ukraine was widely acknowledged as the most corrupt country in Europe before the war, and there is abundant evidence that Ukrainian elites have been hugely profiting from the billions in Western aid. If the war ends, so does the gravy train. A post-war audit of where the money went would also be disastrous for Zelensky’s supporters. 3) He fears the ultra-nationalists. Most Ukrainians say they want the war to end, but the ultra-nationalist faction (a relative minority but well-armed and willing to use violence to achieve their ends) refuses to accept any territorial concessions to Russia. If Zelensky signs such a deal, he has reason to fear for his safety. 4) He’s psychologically committed. Zelensky’s belief in ultimate victory over Russia has “hardened into a form that worries some of his advisors,” according to a report by TIME Magazine, which described Zelensky’s faith as “immovable, verging on the messianic.” According to one of Zelensky’s aides, “He is delusional. We’re out of options. We’re not winning. But try telling him that.” Zelensky may be in too deep to see the situation objectively. 5) History will judge him harshly. Zelensky could have accepted a draft peace deal signed in the first month of the war, the Istanbul Accords, under which Ukraine would have kept all of its territory in exchange for neutrality. A deal now will likely be modeled on Istanbul but require Ukraine to recognize realities on the ground (ie loss of territory). Acknowledging that hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians have died only to get a worse deal may be too bitter a pill for Zelensky to swallow, now or ever. In summary, Zelensky has powerful motivations to reject a deal, no matter how bad the battlefield realities get. His incentive is to continue a doomed war even if it leads to the complete destruction of Ukraine. Instead of offering unconditional support, Zelensky’s supporters in the West should be urging him to seek a diplomatic off-ramp. Certainly they should stop catering to his unrealistic and maximalist demands. As Solzhenitsyn said, the yes-man is your enemy, but a friend will argue with you.

    Fla2025

    Liked by 2 people

  49. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    If Zelensky did not signal he wanted to further discuss security guarantees as a pre-condition to signing, it was a mistake.

    If he intended to sign and then got emboldened by what the Democrats told him, it was a mistake.

    I don’t know if either are true, just acknowledging it if it was the case.

    It still doesn’t change the fact that Trump thinks he can trust Putin to honor any deal without security guarantees is an even bigger mistake.

    And we know that IS the case.

    Like

  50. Jason said…”if the US was now going to have an increased financial stake in Ukraine, the security guarantee would be a way to protect that investment.”

    The point made by many, including VDH, is that deep financial ties goes a long way toward convincing a future US President that the US has something to lose if Russia starts up again. Any future President will analyze whether US interests support defending Ukraine. The deeper the interests, the better the odds that Ukraine is defended.

    That’s what Zelenskyy risked pissing away Friday. It was really short-sighted stupidity, imo.

    Chicon

    Liked by 1 person

  51. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    David Saks is full of crap. There was no “Istanbul accord” that only asked for Ukraine’s neutrality.

    There was only a Russian demand that Ukraine abdicate of its sovereignty and become a Russian vassal state, including the requirement that Ukraine could only have an Army of 50,000 (so could never fight the Russians off). In addition it also required Ukraine to change its Constitution so it would favor Russia.

    Goebbels would be proud of this repeated lie that Ukraine was offered a “better deal” before the war started.

    What they were offered was unilateral surrender.

    Like

  52. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    The point made by many, including VDH, is that deep financial ties goes a long way toward convincing a future US President that the US has something to lose if Russia starts up again.”

    Zzzzz..

    That is not a security guarantee, let’s get real.

    “Goes a long way in convincing”

    Wow, that would mean a lot to Putin.

    Like

  53. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    Any future President will analyze whether US interests support defending Ukraine. The deeper the interests, the better the odds that Ukraine is defended.”

    Sorry, you don’t gamble the future of your country on the ‘hope” there will be “better odds”.

    Like

  54. Jason said…you don’t gamble the future of your country on the ‘hope” there will be “better odds”.

    A promise to militarily defend Ukraine is only as strong as the strength of the US President in office at the time. Both are risks, imo. If I’m Zelenskyy, the more (economic) skin the US has in the game, the more secure I feel about that President’s decision. I’d also be more confident Putin or his successor won’t try.

    Chicon

    Liked by 1 person

  55. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    1) He will lose power.

    Zzzz…

    2The gravy train will end.

    Zzzz…

    He fears the ultra-nationalists.

    Zzzz..

    .He’s psychologically committed.

    This may be true. But it is not a bad thing.

    History will judge him harshly

    This is the biggest lie. Zelensky is a great leader who has heroically kept Ukraine from being annexed. He was a wealthy man, he could have run away and lived a life of great luxury anywhere he wanted. But he stayed on at great personal risk. IMO his place in History as a great Ukrainian patriot is already assured.

    Like

  56. Hey don’t worry Trump got the Globalist West to take Ukraine on full stop…LOL!

    “I’m in London this morning, working with President Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Starmer, and European leaders to bring about a just and lasting peace in Ukraine — one that guarantees Ukraine’s sovereignty and security.”

    Justin Trudeau

    He is the Ukrainiacs Hero … JT not JD!

    Liked by 1 person

  57. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    I’d also be more confident Putin or his successor won’t try.”

    LOL

    I am sure Zelensky appreciates your “confidence”, especially coming from a Putin supporter.

    Like

  58. If anyone hasn’t watched the BBC documentary on The West and Putin I would recommend it.

    Part 2 is about to play out.

    Like

  59. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    If I’m Zelenskyy, the more (economic) skin the US has in the game, the more secure I feel about that President’s decision.”

    If I am Trump, the more military guarantees, the more secure I would feel about my (economic) skin in the game.

    Fixed it for you.

    Like

  60. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    He is the Ukrainiacs Hero … JT not JD!”

    If I ever call an isolationist like Vance “my hero” please shoot me.

    Like

  61. For those interested, here is a writeup on the Istanbul accords referenced by Saks from a Republican foreign policy think tank that seems fairly balanced –

    “The Istanbul Accords, also known as the Istanbul Communique, were a set of peace negotiations initiated in March 2022 between Russia and Ukraine under Turkish mediation. These accords aimed to address several key issues, including Ukraine’s neutrality, military constraints, and security guarantees. However, the negotiations ultimately failed to reach a final agreement due to several factors, including the Bucha massacre.

    The Istanbul Communique proposed that Ukraine would declare itself a neutral state, barred from joining military alliances and hosting foreign bases or weapons. This neutrality was intended to de-escalate tensions but critics argue it would have left Ukraine vulnerable to future Russian aggression and stripped it of the means to defend itself.

    The draft treaty also required Western countries to provide security guarantees to Ukraine in case of aggression. Additionally, the Istanbul Communique included provisions for a ceasefire and monitored troop withdrawal, with Russia agreeing to withdraw its forces to their permanent deployment positions under supervision by a joint commission comprising Russian, Ukrainian, and potentially UN representatives.

    Critics argue that Moscow’s dismal history of honoring political and security agreements with former Soviet republics makes the success of any peace deal based on the Istanbul agreements unlikely.”

    Fla2025

    Like

  62. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    This is sad… she is only 49

    Former US Rep. Mia Love, the first Black woman elected to Congress as a Republican, faces an increasingly grave prognosis as her condition has worsened while fighting an aggressive form of brain cancer, according to her daughter.

    Posting to her mother’s X account Saturday, Love’s daughter, Abigale Love, said that she and her mother’s team have decided to prioritize being with her and keeping her comfortable at this time.

    “Sadly her cancer is no longer responding to treatment and the cancer is progressing,” Abigale Love said.”

    Liked by 1 person

  63. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    This neutrality was intended to de-escalate tensions but critics argue it would have left Ukraine vulnerable to future Russian aggression and stripped it of the means to defend itself.”

    It was in essence unilateral surrender.

    This is not all the terms of Russia’s demands.

    It limited the Ukraine Army to 50k, what country of 40 million is going to defend itself with 50k troops?

    It also changed the Ukrainian constitution with all sorts of pro-Russian clauses.

    It would have made Ukraine into another Belarus, a bloodless coup and transformation of Ukraine into a vassal state.

    Like

  64. If your hope is Trudeau, Macron, Schultz and Starmer you are in deep shit. All four in weak or lame duck positions in their own countries.

    In particular when Trump says hell no to NATO for Ukraine. The Harris poll had ending the war at close to 70% in favor.

    Liked by 1 person

  65. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    I have emailed Zelensky and told him Putin supporter Chicon is “confident” Putin would honor all agreements.

    Could be a game changer.

    Like

  66. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    The Harris poll had ending the war at close to 70% in favor”

    Zzzz..

    I am in favor of ending the war too, I am surprised there are 30% who aren’t.

    I am just not in favor of Ukraine’s surrender.

    Like

  67. Some facts……Zelenskyy wants “guarantees”. OK, I get that. Don’t blame him. Let the Europeans step up and give those to him whatever that means. Troops, unlimited resources? What? In any event, it’s their back yard. Endless money from the US toward a never ending stalemate isn’t something that is going to be sustainable. People like Lynn Chenney and Vindman can push that all they want…..but, it’s also a fact that the US electorate isn’t going to support risking war with Russia over Ukraine nor are they going to support an endless open checkbook.

    Liked by 2 people

  68. Jason said…..I am sure Zelensky appreciates your “confidence”

    He’s free to choose another route if he thinks one is available.

    Strong economic ties and strategic interests are the best ways to get and maintain US military protection. Right now the US has none of the former and little of the latter.

    Trump offered him economic ties, and the moron said no thanks.

    So, Zelenskyy is on to plan B. You seem to think he’s at Churchill’s level, so I’m sure plan B will be great for Ukraine.

    Chicon

    Like

  69. They hid the polling on how unpopular this war uh grift is. They cannot hide it now.

    Liked by 1 person

  70. Good post, Phil. I think that’s the reality.

    Chicon

    Liked by 1 person

  71. EricLDaugh

    In 2022, 7% of Americans said we are supporting Ukraine “too much.” Now? 41% say the same. In 2022, 72% said Zelensky would “do the right thing.” Now? 48% say the same. 78% support a peace deal NOW between Russia and Ukraine. The public has turned on Zelensky.

    ·

    19.1K Views

    Liked by 1 person

  72. Tina, can’t you see that the Americans in that poll are Putin shill cult members that have been manipulated by Russian disinformation, according to the Ukrainiacs and their compatriots, the democrats

    Liked by 1 person

  73. For Bill Murray fans –

    Bill Murray on

    @JoeRogan podcast: “So when I read ‘Wired’ by whatshisname, Bob Woodward, about John Belushi, I read like five pages of ‘Wired’ & I went, ‘Oh my God, they framed Nixon.’ …If he did this to Belushi, what he did to Nixon is probably soiled for me too.” Interesting

    https://x.com/JerryDunleavy/status/1895935122907808069

    Fla2025

    Like

  74. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    CNN has Trump disapprove at 52%

    His weakest demographic is older people, which may indicate the Dem propaganda that he is cutting Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security is working.

    Of course, nothing would benefit seniors more than exempting social security from federal taxes.

    Like

  75. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    The public has turned on Zelensky.”

    Not surprising given the level of Putinista propaganda against him.

    But it is a mistake.

    This is about Ukraine, not Zelensky. It is about Russian expansion and aggression, not Zelensky.

    Making it about Zelensky and what he wears, etc. is just an excuse to pretend Russia is not the aggressor in this war and is not responsible for countless war crimes and atrocities in Ukraine.

    Like

  76. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    In any event, it’s their back yard.”

    ZZzzz…

    Same old isolationist drivel.

    America is an island and its interests end on the beach.

    Like

  77. I don’t know who had a worse week – the grifter or the free passers?

    Like

  78. It’s also well past time for us to end Nato and the Un.

    Like

  79. With his country literally on the line, Zelenskyy relied on the Democrats for advice on how to deal with Trump.

    And he’s the new Churchill!?!?

    C’mon man. Dumbest guy on the short bus…..

    Chicon

    Like

  80. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    Who called Zelensky the new Churchill?

    Show us the post or admit this is a straw argument of the worst kind?

    Like

  81. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    It’s also well past time for us to end Nato and the Un.”

    Zzzzzz…

    Like

  82. Let the euros take care of it. We are done. No more wasted billions to an ungrateful thug.

    Like

  83. Ukraine was an engineered coup (Maidan coup) in 2014 by Boden, Newland, the neocons, the usual criminals (just like the coup they caused in Syria to put Al Qaeda in charge of the country)

    It then became a democrat money laundering operation that has continued to this very day

    Like

  84. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    The dumbest guy on the bus was absolutely right in rejecting any deal that didn’t include security guarantees because anyone who thinks you can trust Putin is an imbecile.

    I already granted that IF he categorically agreed to sign the deal without these guarantees and then reneged once he got to the WH it was a mistake.

    Like

  85. The NYSlimer made Asov take all off their Nazi logos for the photoops they put in their paper for the fake news.

    Like

  86. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    No more wasted billions to an ungrateful thug”

    Zzzzz…

    We are aiding Ukraine, not Zelensky.

    And the only “thug” is your hero and mentor Putin.

    Like

  87. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    Ah yes, Putin invaded Ukraine to fight the “Nazis”.

    Watch Russian State Tv much?

    Like

  88. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    Anonymous recites endless Putin talking points but pretends to be “concerned” about “fake news”.

    Hilarious.

    Like

  89. The war is an unpopular mess. Let the euro trash handle it all.

    Like

  90. “Trump to pardon Pete Rose”. Yep. Now, how about Shoeless Joe Jackson as well.

    Like

  91. “America is an island and its interest end on the beach”?

    What? ‘America is party to thousands of international agreements with other countries, territories, and international organizations. They include arms control agreements, human rights treaties, environmental protocols, and free trade agreements.

    And American exports close to $3 trillion in goods across the world-second only to China and more than a trillion more than the UK and Japan combined.

    Like

  92. Trump should also pardon Tina Peters.

    Like

  93. Unfortunately Jason’s biggest contribution is to mock and deride posts that are beyond his own capacity to process and understand. Some of the opinion pieces and excerpts, however, posted in this thread have been outstanding in connecting the dots so logically regarding Zelenskyy’s motives and behavior. It’s been instructive to scroll through and read them – especially the pieces written by the new poster Fla2025.

    Like

  94. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    deride posts that are beyond his own capacity to process and understand.”

    Ah yes, janzam the Putinista “nurse” (her lack of empathy for the Ukrainian victim’s suffering will certainly damm her to hell as a nurse) who comes here to shill for Putin’s war crimes has better “capacity” to understand posts?

    Okayyy….

    Like

  95. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    Waltz on TV saying that the US will have a carrot and stick approach to Russia.

    So far we have seen a lot of carrots, no sticks.

    Like

  96. Jan approves of all the posts that agree with her. Zzzzzzzzz. She is getting the Cult echo chamber she dreamed of.

    Like

  97. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    What? ‘America is party to thousands of international agreements with other countries, territories, and international organizations. They include arms control agreements, human rights treaties, environmental protocols, and free trade agreements.

    And American exports close to $3 trillion in goods across the world-second only to China and more than a trillion more than the UK and Japan combined”

    No thanks to Trump. He views all that as a negative.

    Like

  98. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    Jan approves of all the posts that agree with her.”

    Yep, she is very proud every pro-Putin blogger in the world agrees with her!

    Like

  99. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    And American exports close to $3 trillion in goods”

    Let’s see how much is left after the stupid tariffs and trade wars.

    Like

  100. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    Randy Quaid says Hackman was murdered.

    “When an Actor like Gene Hackman is murdered and clips of his films are run on all the networks it only distracts from the murder investigation and the fact Gene died a terrible, horrible death. IN REALITY the clip licensing only generates profits for the alleged murderer(s). Do you think Gene Hackman would care that fake news says he was a great actor, or would he rather they figure out who killed him?”

    Like

  101. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    I want whatever Quaid is smoking….

    Not that it is not possible that murder occurred, just because of the way Quaid posted.

    Like

  102. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    I wonder if the Putinistas will tell us this:

    Are the Russians more encouraged to continue the war based on what happened in the WH or less?

    Don’t tell me whose “fault” that is. I will say Trump, you will say Zelensky we can dispense with that.

    So just tell me whether Putin was the winner here or not.

    Like

  103. Like

  104. UKRAINE: China and Russia will lead redevelopment efforts in Ukraine? The UN has announced The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is opening an office in Ukraine to lead redevelopment efforts – notably the US, UK, and France are not members – while China and Russia are with Ciyong Zou from China serving as Deputy Directors General.

    Like

  105. It looks like a violation of the Logan Act….

    Ned Ryun

    @nedryun

    If it’s true that Blinken, Rice, Nuland, and Vindman conference called with Zelenskyyyyy on the flight to DC advising him to “stand strong” and “be tough” and “don’t let Trump bully you” it seems to have backfired. Perhaps FBI Director Patel should meet with those clowns for a debriefing after talking with a foreign head of state. Just a thought.

    Like

  106. Zelensky fails the art of statecraft in catastrophic fashion

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky set off a global firestorm Friday during his meeting at the White House, once more displaying to the entire world that he is a geopolitical novice who is entirely incapable of conducting statecraft for his country’s benefit. No matter how you spin it, Zelensky left Washington, D.C., having inflicted significant additional damage to Ukraine’s standing under his stewardship.

    https://www.dossier.today/p/zelensky-fails-the-art-of-statecraft

    Like

  107. Still waiting for decades for Putina to criticize Putin.

    Like

  108. Bitterlaw – what will be accomplished if Tina was to “criticize Putin”? Is virtue signaling that important to you?

    -nycmike23

    Like

  109. UKRAINE: China and Russia will lead redevelopment efforts in Ukraine?

    Definitely needs to be verified!
    -nycmike23

    Like

  110. “Security guarantees”

    Somehow, Zelenskyy, along with the A-Holes, always forget that one of the only periods where Ukraine was free to conduct its own affairs was Jan2017-Jan2021……..

    Like

  111. -nycmike23

    Like

  112. Is criticizing a KGB thug responsible for the death and suffering of millions virtue signaling?

    Like

  113. @EricLDaugh

    Imagine if the $350B aid to Ukraine went into first time buyer home down payment assistance for American citizens. Or maybe strings-attached infrastructure grants to rural counties. Or possibly tax incentives for food corporations to swap out harmful chemicals/preservatives for healthier alternatives. No. They went into the Military Industrial Complex. And helped *nobody* at home.

    ·

    14.2K Views

    Liked by 1 person

  114. If it won’t solve the current problem, YES.

    You still refuse to call for American troops to defend Ukraine and to repel the Soviet Putins. So all of your words do ZERO BUPKIS NADA to solve the issue. They just make you feel good.
    Pure unadulterated virtue signaling on your part.

    -nyycmike23

    Like

  115. I did not put an extra y to mock anyone. Just a typo

    -nycmike23

    Like

  116. Just remember the free passers had no issues with the euros getting back their money. Their problem was with the US/mineral rights.

    Talk about Deadenders

    Liked by 1 person

  117. 10:23AM – I did notice a subtle change in Jason’s posts, that he realized he was getting a little far over his skis. Let’s see if that UN news is real or fake.

    -nycmike23

    Liked by 1 person

  118. “Is criticizing a KGB thug responsible for the death and suffering of millions virtue signaling?”

    That’s the same reason why I said to DW about Putin being the invader and having responsibility for this war – it’s already accepted as fact, why does it need to be repeated?

    unless you are willing to call for American troops, there is little hope for Russia to just retreat to the former boundary lines.

    Like

  119. That was me.

    -nycmike23

    Like

  120. Zzzzzzzz And Putina now embraces the Demorats dream of more social spending at home.

    Like

  121. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    America sends Ukraine $350 billion”

    Lie.

    Like

  122. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    The Russians should open an office in Kiev to start paying reparations for the destruction they caused.

    Like

  123. jasonyupanqui47 Avatar
    jasonyupanqui47

    UKRAINE: China and Russia will lead redevelopment efforts in Ukraine?

    Definitely needs to be verified!”

    Is this before or after Russia annexes Ukraine?

    Like

  124. Jason – not sure.
    Which is one more reason that your vehement opposition to this minerals deal brought up by Trump is so astounding. Ukraine, like Trump told Zelenskyy, doesn’t hold any good cards to play right now. This deal was an alliance with the player who had much better cards.
    -nycmike23

    Liked by 1 person