Posted on 05/10/2025 7:00:44 AM PDT by marcusmaximus
European leaders have called US President Donald Trump to discuss proposals for a 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine from Monday while on a visit to Kyiv.
The call came after leaders of the so-called "coalition of the willing" held a meeting to discuss advancing peace talks.
The leaders of France, Germany, the UK and Poland were hosted in person by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, while others joined remotely.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the coalition backed a "full and unconditional" ceasefire - originally mooted by Trump - and that the EU was ready to "impose further biting sanctions" if it was broken.
Trump earlier reiterated the call for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire after a phone call with Zelensky.
"If the ceasefire is not respected, the US and its partners will impose further sanctions," he wrote on social media.
As the meeting was going on, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia was already "used to sanctions" and knew how to minimise their impact, adding: "There is no point in trying to scare us with these sanctions."
Meanwhile, Dmitry Medvedev, the former Russian president and now deputy head of Russia's Security Council, told the European allies to "shove these peace plans".
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
I have my doubts that Russia has the materials left for prolonged offensive operations
——
Um
They are actually producing many more tanks, missiles and artillery shells than before the war and continue to expand production and Capacity
For example, They are building a large explosive plant in Siberia for artillery shells coming on line later this year
They have expanded production of drones in house and recently Introduced a new drone that has a larger payload, longer range and is more stealthy and is now mass producing it
Plus of course arms from Iran and North Korea
Problem there is that Putin doesn't want to do anything that will make Trump and therefore America stronger.
They are actually producing many more tanks, missiles and artillery shells than before the war and continue to expand production and Capacity
Well, if you complete 5 tanks a year and increase production 25, that’s a 500% increase. If you lose 50+ tanks a month, your increase means nothing. So, you lie about your production and get stores from China and North Korea. Then they start running out of stuff, and you start using Donkeys, Horses, and meat waves to keep up with the attacks. What do you see happening there now?
The problem with wasting all your people and supplies, is that you become vulnerable to claustrophobic collapse. War is deception, you look weak when you’re strong, strong when you are weak. When Gen. Patton realized that the NAZI were using horses and carts to move supplies in 1944, he knew the end was near for Germany.
The price of oil is going down, availability up, in a petrol based economy. The Russians are running out of everything, and using animals, motorcycles, carts, private cars to move supplies. The Ukrainians have been playing a defensive war, bleeding the Russians. I don’t know if the Ukrainians have the supplies and people to mount an offensive. The summer, with dry ground, air cover from F-16’s a drones, and tanks and APC’s designed for breakout(speed), we will discover if they have been playing the long game.
Vlad the invader might be willing to negotiate, when things go way south. I figured he would play it the way he has so far, and I am certain so did Trump.
All the killing is sad.
The United States of America has prolonged the killing and accomplished nothing towards peace, as the Globohomo idiots leading France, EU, Ukraine are determined to incubate this to WWIII.
Without the involvement of the USA, China and the EU would most likely not take the bait to become actively involved.
It is time for the United States to make it clear, we have no interest in Ukraine and let the cards fall where they may.
“The problem with wasting all your people and supplies, is that you become vulnerable to claustrophobic collapse.”
Which is exactly what the Ukrainians have done. Yes, we’ll see ...
“You’ve always claimed to harbor no innate animosity towards Ukraine”
Link please. Just kidding, I NEVER claimed that, another story you’re making up. I happen to hate their guts, at least the present government, since they IMPEACHED TRUMP (sorry, it didn’t work), ripped off US taxpayers, and are willing to take orders from people who HATE TRUMP, both in the US and Europe.
“The arguments you Putin-supporters have advanced here were always 100% in agreement with the Kremlin line.”
Nope, I have a HUGE PROBLEM with Putin. He simply waited TOO LONG to clean up his backyard. He should have known that the Neocons were hell-bent to take him out, considering who was running Washington at the time (Nuland), along with the other idiots there.
AGAIN - We are NOT mind-numbed robots as you guys think, and I also have a BIG PROBLEM with another issue of Trump, where he’s talking about rewarding people here in the US that come in (or stayed in) ILLEGALLY. And if Trump double-crosses us on other issues, we’ll blast him on those. We don’t take orders from our leaders, as you guys seem to do.
“Putin is going to regret rejecting President Trump’s ceasefire.”
Putin would be drawn and quartered by HIS GOVERNMENT if he didn’t reject the ceasefire, considering what the Neocons have put his country through. So he’s doing the right thing, given his situation.
Likewise for Zelensky, for that matter.
I do not know the positions of the other two people as well as I know yours. You are certainly aware since we have been corresponding for years... that I have never said anything positive in this forum about Putin or been "100% in agreement with the Kremlin line."
You are well aware that I do not agree with the way Biden and company wasted $Hundreds of Billions on this disastrous situation in Ukraine. You are labeling anyone who does not agree with the development of this disaster, “Pro-Putin”.
One of the people who has been most critical of this foreign policy disaster has been President Trump. Your stupidity in these three posts crosses a line into outright libel especially as it relates to President Trump. It is certainly not the type of gentlemanly behavior that I expect from you. These repeated written statements have unjustly diminished my reputation in this forum which I have been participating in for over 20 years. You have written accusations that you know to be false. You should be ashamed!
So screw that obnoxious little troll.
Here is the real “tell” on this line of hogwash Mucous is peddling.
https://x.com/JimFergusonUK/status/1921111656739795081
They all flew to Ukraine because they knew those stupid drone attacks on Moscow by the ignorant doped up Zelensky was going to bring the reaper down on Ukraine.
These bozos are hoping this will stop Putin from hitting Kiev in retaliation strikes.
I hope Trump says nothing.
Sorry about the confusion. It is more than possible that I have violated some sort of "netiquette" or posting protocol by not clearly establishing to whom I was directly posting, and whom I had merely placed on "carbon copy." I placed you and PIF on "cc." It was thus purely FYI.
that I have never said anything positive in this forum about Putin or been "100% in agreement with the Kremlin line."
But have you actually ever - publicly / here at FR - condemned, in no uncertain terms, Putin's invasion? Accused him of violating Europe's post-war peace architecture? Agreed that all men of good will would burst out in cheers over Ukraine's victory over the invaders? Without feeling compelled to simultaneously backhand Zelensky?
Your stupidity in these three posts crosses a line into outright libel especially as it relates to President Trump.
Please point out anything I purportedly wrote libelling President Trump. A direct quote would be appreciated!
It is certainly not the type of gentlemanly behavior that I expect from you. These repeated written statements have unjustly diminished my reputation in this forum which I have been participating in for over 20 years. You have written accusations that you know to be false. You should be ashamed!
Again, I think that this confusion can be attributed to my awkwardly including you on "cc" without further clarification. Sorry!
Regards,
Yes, President Trump is gradually manoeuvering Putin into a corner from which he won't be able to escape. And the major W. European powers appear to be "on board" with it.
You are in agreement with President Trump on this, aren't you, CatHerd?
Regards,
So your "problem" with Putin is, essentially, that he didn't launch his invasion earlier.
A person of your political persuasion and low morals has no place here at Free Republic.
Avowed Putin-supporters should be expelled with prejudice.
Regards,
The United States certainly has a distinct interest in seeing Putin fail, and be punished for his crimes.
Regards,
Haven’t you heard, the United States is not the world’s policeman.
You said in post #20 in a post that I was included in by you,
“So, you're all TRUMP SUPPORTERS - until the moment when President Trump departs an iota from policies benefiting Putin.”
“The arguments you Putin-supporters have advanced here were always 100% in agreement with the Kremlin line.”
When you view this in addition to the other posts that you made in this thread that your claim that this was all just a big misunderstanding is laughable at best.
And no, despite your best efforts at twisting my words I was not writing that you libeled President Trump... I was writing that you claiming that I abandon him whenever he says or does something that does not benefit Putin is intentional libel on your part. I suggest that you should refrain from these types of libelous mischaracterizations in the future. It is sloppy, stupid and hurtful.
And no, I do not accept your laughable explanation that you included me as some form of "CC". This is just one more lie in an obvious continuation of a pattern that you have now established.
Isn't that “pot calling the kettle black”? You have absolutely no moral superiority over anyone here as has been clearly demonstrated by your recent pattern of libelous statements. You just cannot stop yourself can you?
BobL and I have both been here for more than 20 years.
Wow, my name in red! What an honor!
And how exactly is Trump maneuvering Putin into a corner? Can you explain that, or is it just wishful thinking?
I’m all for an to end the war and a lasting peace and always have been. This ceasefire ain’t gonna do it.
Now explain this grand plan where Putin is backed into a corner.
A cease-fire is merely a first step.
Now explain this grand plan where Putin is backed into a corner.
Sadly, irrational Putin - criminal war-monger that he is - is likely to reject the magnanimous cease-fire which President Trump is kindly offering him. In that case, the vise will be tightened and additional sanctions imposed on Russia. And secondary sanctions will be imposed on third countries attempting to evade the primary sanctions on Russia, itself.
Time is running out for Putin.
Regards,
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