JJE comments

Here is footage of the El Salvador end of things - they don't muck around there:

https://x.com/BrandoRepublic/status/1901279493576143036

Talk of Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is interesting. Truth of the matter here is it's firmly in Russian territory, south side of the Dnieper. Russia has hooked up Donbass/Crimea to the Russian electricity network, so it doesn't 'need it', so to say.

Ukraine, having their energy infrastructure seriously degraded, will need it much more. And this means the power it produces most likely, because one can't see them handing it over, as opposed to providing access to what it generates.

Also, it was built in USSR times, so Kyiv shouldn't want it back anyway.

Called playing another card, of which Moscow has many.

Another big misconception is the "Trump is siding with Russia" narrative building (let's call it B). He is not. Rather, he is a Realist, which means he observes the blunt reality Waltz outlined in the article, that Kyiv stands 0% chance of pushing Russia out of the south-east or winning this conflict for that matter and neither is it related to core US national security concerns by any measure.

Realism doesn't mix well with neo-liberal/con-international-interventionist rules-based-order crowd, like oil and water. Thus, the confusion, which extends to the necessity of territorial concessions. This is compounded by the simplistic and erroneous narrative that governed how this actual provoked conflict was falsely portrayed in the media narrative bubble (call this A).

Certain quarters that subscribed to A are now susceptible to B by default.

There is some legitimate circumstantial evidence that Biden's autopen was being used in an unscrupulous manner: public comments and interactions with lawmakers showed him confused or not aware certain things were signed, more so in retrospect. Concerning because it indicates other people were perhaps exploiting his obvious physical/mental decline. This definitely warrants a broader investigation.

Again, it is clear that the bogus 30-day ceasefire is meant to be a trap for Russia, designed to immediately pump-up Ukraine with weapons and potentially EU/UK troops. Not one nation thus far has even logically explained what the purpose of the "30-day ceasefire" is. They have prevaricated to obscure this point. Their little planned 'peacekeeping force' is a backdoor to NATO and won't be permitted by Moscow.

The sudden urgency for a 'ceasefire/peace' does lend an interesting angle, as it seems to suggest that Ukraine's situation is more dire than is being let on. Recall all the talk of summer-time collapse: it’s possible they know that a new round of Russian spring-to-summer offensives could be the final straw on the exhausted Ukrainian camel's back, coming right after the Kursk fiasco has been exposed.

Looks clear Moscow isn't going to dictated terms, least of all by Zelensky - the losing party doesn't get to do it. Nor is the former waiting for others to come and solve their problems: they appear motivated and able to do it by themselves.

They have made clear either rump state Ukraine becomes a neutral, demilitarized buffer or it will have to be dismantled (much like Yugoslavia).

Now that's a spray and a half...

What exactly is a non-UN recognized entity doing at Expo in the first place?

The legal status of the entirety is very dubious.

TaiwanIsNotChinaToday  06:44 am JST

How many missiles is that going to cost? How come infinite monies are spent for Israel but none for Ukraine?

The latter is not related to core US national security by any shake, unlike the Middle East, which has actual resources.

The missile cost will be enormous - meaning a limited number have to prioritized as depleted stockpiles are rebuilt for regions that actually count and have enormous national security implications, like the Asia Pacific too.

Having said that, the Houthis are doing a fantastic job at creating another flank.

Witkoff has done a tremendous job at rebuilding relations between these two great powers. People like Macron who make ignorant and uninformed comments, as the former said, are demonstrating why it is imperative these irrelevant obstacles to peace be shunted aside from future decision making. He also correctly identified the two most important card holding players in that future process - Putin and Trump. They make the buy-in and will get a seat at the table, unlike others such as EU/UK. This will be the only show in town going forward with diplomacy.

Plus, it's important to reflect on events after the passage of time. Sometimes truth can fall victim within a set narrative. Important that ceasefires/negotiations going forward attempt to set a more decent standard:

https://x.com/simpatico771/status/1901384039648354375

Western media has basically gone silent, but last week the top European court (ECHR) found the Kyiv regime guilty and culpable for the Odessa massacre.

It's another brick in the false narrative about this being an "unprovoked" conflict falling. That shocking event precipitated the uprisings in the south-east.

The origins of the civil conflict that provoked outside intervention are complex - the remedies are just as complex. Meaningless ceasefires without conditions or obligations are a carefully laid trap. Moscow was correct in sending the ball back with a dose of reality, especially considering how signed ceasefires were abused in 2014, 2015 and there definitely wasn't interest in peace at Istanbul in 2022.

Considering it's a fairly contested province of mainland China, this is appropriate. Much like HK and Macau.

Considering it's a fairly contested province of mainland China, this is appropriate. Much like HK and Macau.

How did they enter in the first place?

Five: after territorial changes that reflect new realities, the new Ukraine re-adopts neutrality like Austria and Switzerland, and which it had from 19991-2014, thereby thus guaranteeing long term peace.

Classic how Mr. Witkoff 'brushed aside' comments, as the article phrases it, by the wannabe Napoleon Macon and gave him a dunking.

Confirms the EU warmongers have been sidelined.

Truth is Macron is a professional liar. Russia does not want to attack NATO. Instead it seeks to protect Russian speakers in the south-east, who were abused from 2014 onwards.

This why they are petrified of elections. Hypocrites the lot of them.

Kellogg has been sidelined and his spud gun license seized. Won't be hearing more from him.

The obvious solution is quite simple:

Implement President Putin's conditions, which he has already outlined, and a ceasefire starts immediately, opening the door to proper negotiations which can solve the root causes of this conflict - especially the provoking factors, like that horrible Odessa mass casualty event for example.

After all, he is holding all the cards and playing the strongest hand.

The Brusselian empire isn’t helping Ukraine, it’s colonising it. War is the tool, and EU membership is the bait. All at our expense. Hungary was never asked about the war, but they will have to ask us about Ukraine’s accession. We call for a Union, but without Ukraine!

V. Orban

https://x.com/PM_ViktorOrban/status/1900966214983164301

This is the Brussels crowd, having been sidelined elsewhere, are turning their attention on countries they blame for not toeing the line.

We know who pays the bills here.

Leaving behind troops - some forcibly 'mobilized' - is shameless. But nothing would surprise you with that crowd. Indicative of much that has gone on.

One can gauge from those decent photos of the bottom of the article, only 1, 2 and 3, that attest to the ferocity of engagements in that zone. Look at the 'vehicle'.

Idiot of the week award.

In photo 2, one can see the fuses lying in the foreground amongst the boxes. End caps are still in place. Powder charges stored separately.

Hats off to the article for providing an interesting montage of photos: one can see evidence of the fighting that took engulfed the Sudzhansky District of Kursk. Photo 2 is a smoked artillery position, unprimed 155 shells of various origin scattered about. 10 has the investigator being kindly assisted by the hospitable local lady (civilian target). First one has the tank looking a bit out of commission, ERA blocks hung ornamentally.

The main photo is quite classic! That agency was out of control.

Bottom photo is a few scattered people in the park just of Russian Hill area.

Putin did not make him 'wait' 8 hours. The day before yesterday he worked - meaning meetings, including with heads of state etc - until 1:30AM before going home.

Plus, he flew in on his jet via Baku and had multiple appointments. Called building bridges. His assistant is quite the sort. Decent escort for the black German automobile they rode in to beat the traffic on a rainy day too.

The G7 is moribund. Rubio can't wait to escape from this three-ring-circus.

Misappropriating seized state Russian assets is downright theft - a blatant violation of international law.

Now the 'tightening' of sanctions, meaning oil:

Cutting the EU off from Russian oil will hurt the EU far more than Russia - not only will oil profits rise, but the EU itself will be hurt economically, suffer more inflation and be in an even worse position.

Washington understands this and is precisely the purpose. Only a few decent EU countries have actively realized and voiced dissent towards peace. They will still receive it via Turkey.

Correct again.

Thousands are surrounded in three separate pockets from the Kursk adventure. There is no way out.

Russian armed forces --- We’re not just going to let you walk out of here.

Absurd notion.

US has stockpiles of all kinds of nukes in something like 5-6 countries in Europe theatre.

Belarus only has little burning suns to repel the expansionist alliance on the field.