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[Politics] Russia invades Ukraine (24/02/2022)



Eric the meek

Fiveways Wilf
NSC Patron
Aug 24, 2020
7,990
I dont know what deal US has with China, I just read that US is heavily reliant on these things and has to currently rely on getting a lot of it from China and it doesnt want to as it wants to pivot away from Chinese interdependence

Ukraine has the worlds 5th largest deposits of rare earth minerals.
It's also in huge debt to China I believe.
 




GoldstoneVintage

Well-known member
Oct 20, 2024
341
Europe




Triggaaar

Well-known member
Oct 24, 2005
54,529
Goldstone
Was Paul Warburg's video on the US/Ukraine spat posted here (2 days old)?

He says the it's understandable if you understand Trump, and look at it as a sequence of events:

1. Trump took office, softened negative rhetoric on Ukraine
2. Zelenskyy offered rare earth metals to US in exchange for help
Trump wants this deal, so goes into negotiation mode
3. Trump Admin says Ukraine's peace requirements are unreasonable
4. Trump talks to Putin (knowing this will bother Ukraine)
5. US gives Ukraine low ball offer, which they knew Ukriane would reject
6. Zelenskyy rejects deal
7. Zelenskyy said Ukraine would not accept a peace deal made without them
8. Trump resumes anti Ukraine rhetoric (saying war is Ukraine's fault)
9. Zelenskyy said Trump was compromised by Russian dissinformation
10. Trump called Zelenskyy a dictator

So Paul is suggesting that Trump isn't really on Russia's side, just that Trump is trying to push Ukraine into a corner such that they accept a deal that they wouldn't otherwise accept.

Whether Trump will then offer a deal that Ukraine will accept remains to be seen. So far all suggestions appear to be mad, and completely unacceptable to Ukraine.

 








Triggaaar

Well-known member
Oct 24, 2005
54,529
Goldstone
Looks like Ukraine's parliament will debate the deal on Monday but there are parts they aren't happy with and want changing.

There's only one part of the deal that's really unacceptable.

The words.

(copyright Blackadder)
 
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Triggaaar

Well-known member
Oct 24, 2005
54,529
Goldstone
With all the pressure, threats, insults and humiliation of Zelensky from Trump, you could be forgiven for thinking he is really keen for a deal to be agreed.

I agree.


It is encouraging that Ukraine don't seem likely to roll over.

Well let's hope not. I'm concerned that Ukraine are debating it on Monday, but hopefully that's just diplomacy talking, and they've already decided to reject it.
 




peterward

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Nov 11, 2009
12,548
With all the pressure, threats, insults and humiliation of Zelensky from Trump, you could be forgiven for thinking he is really keen for a deal to be agreed.

It is encouraging that Ukraine don't seem likely to roll over.
One thing Zelenskyy does better than Trump or Putin, is defiance against the perceived bigger fish.

It also galvanises Ukrainian society into a siege mentality around the flag and president.
 




Eric the meek

Fiveways Wilf
NSC Patron
Aug 24, 2020
7,990
Well let's hope not. I'm concerned that Ukraine are debating it on Monday, but hopefully that's just diplomacy talking, and they've already decided to reject it.
No harm in taking a few more days. Put it in the intray, debate it, kick it around a bit, and then ask for a few amendments.
Above all, don't work to Trump's timeframe.

Besides, I assume this is key, and not easy for the Americans to specify, even in the second version of the document:

'Work had continued on the document “all night” but was held up by the issue of “security guarantees,” Suspline reported.'
 


Eric the meek

Fiveways Wilf
NSC Patron
Aug 24, 2020
7,990
No harm in taking a few more days. Put it in the intray, debate it, kick it around a bit, and then ask for a few amendments.
Above all, don't work to Trump's timeframe.

Besides, I assume this is key, and not easy for the Americans to specify, even in the second version of the document:

'Work had continued on the document “all night” but was held up by the issue of “security guarantees,” Suspline reported.'
Just to add, I think it will be difficult for the Americans to specify and ringfence the security guarantees, in view of the fact that they seem to have outsourced the security guarantee to third-party Europeans (without agreeing a sub-contract with the Europeans).
 








Eric the meek

Fiveways Wilf
NSC Patron
Aug 24, 2020
7,990
It' not about the peace though. There doesn't appear to be anything in the 'deal' about peace. Just how much it is going to cost Ukraine to buy military aids from the US. That's it.
Indeed. That might well be the issue !

Ukraine has complained about the security guarantee (or lack of) in both iterations of the deal......

The Americans want to leave the security guarantee until later in the process, but AFTER Ukraine has signed the rare earths deal (y), but the awkward Ukrainians have spotted this (n) and want the security guarantee pinned down BEFORE they sign their country away.
 


Bodian

Well-known member
May 3, 2012
15,627
Cumbria
Indeed. That might well be the issue !

Ukraine has complained about the security guarantee (or lack of) in both iterations of the deal......

The Americans want to leave the security guarantee until later in the process, but AFTER Ukraine has signed the rare earths deal (y), but the awkward Ukrainians have spotted this (n) and want the security guarantee pinned down BEFORE they sign their country away.
And anyway - the peace is dependant on a third party. You can't have a contract between Ukraine and the US guaranteeing peace - it could only guarantee some form of help fighting Russia. The US cannot guarantee a Russian ceasefire / withdrawal.
 


raymondo

Well-known member
Apr 26, 2017
8,345
Wiltshire
It says in it that it's for the whole of Ukraine, and not just for metals, but for oil and gas. Anything inside the Russian controlled area the US get more money.

It's just daft.

Ukraine need to be strong. Maybe highlight that they don't understand whose side the US is on. If the US in on Russia's side, why is the US offering Ukraine a deal? If it's on Ukraine's side, why is it claiming that Russia aren't the aggressor, and labelling Zelenskyy a dictator?

I think they should either put off signing a deal, or get the deal changed, or sign it with no intention of honouring it.
I don't think they'll be dishonourable... so they just shouldn't sign it
 






raymondo

Well-known member
Apr 26, 2017
8,345
Wiltshire
Indeed. That might well be the issue !

Ukraine has complained about the security guarantee (or lack of) in both iterations of the deal......

The Americans want to leave the security guarantee until later in the process, but AFTER Ukraine has signed the rare earths deal (y), but the awkward Ukrainians have spotted this (n) and want the security guarantee pinned down BEFORE they sign their country away.
And after a deal is signed, and some weapons delivered from the US, Trump will say..."oh no, you can't attack russian refineries with those, you can't do this, you can't do that..." Ukraine are being stitched up, I'm sure.
 


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