[Politics] Donald Trump, US President

[Blue3]

I did read the article, and I think it’s important to clarify what it actually says. Nowhere does it state that Trump “sold Ukraine to Russia.”


The article points out that Trump’s words and those of his Defense Secretary may have pleased Moscow, but that’s quite different from suggesting an actual concession of Ukraine’s sovereignty. It also mentions that Zelenskyy has insisted that Ukraine must be involved in negotiations, and contrasts that with Trump’s direct communication with Putin.

At most, the article implies that Trump’s rhetoric and approach could be seen as more favorable to Russia compared to the current administration. But that’s a far cry from “selling” Ukraine to Russia. If you’re interpreting it differently, I’d be curious to hear your take.

Trump was talking about Ukraines need to be willing to make concessions which at the very least sounds like appeasement in favour of the aggressor . As of 2025, Russian troops occupy about 20% of Ukraine. From a population of 41 million, about 8 million Ukrainians had been internally displaced and more than 8.2 million had fled the country by April 2023, creating Europe's largest refugee crisis since World War II.

 

[beorhthelm]

Apologies if previously posted - but probably worth posting several times! Every American should be made to watch it (although half the thickos will probably think it's fake news or propaganda). Very worrying stuff.

the issue is, and its a fairly nuanced point, that the Trumpians believe the funding is going to places it shouldn't, and therefore can be cut and ultimately reduce the budget. Congress approves a budget total for various departments but not the thousands of line items that make it up. and so far, if half what's been posted is true (it's pretty difficult to trust it all) there is a lot of dubious line items.

a lot of Democrats seem to be making an argument no one should even question what spending is going on in the government departments, so the Trumpians and Republicans dont trust them and see Musk's mission as legitimate and fair under the constitution.

 

[nicko31]

The Red white and blue land bill is published. The aim is to give president the right to purchase or otherwise acquire Greenland and change the name. Genuinely insane. Otherwise acquire means invade right?

Waiting for Farage to endorse it

 

[BiffyBoy100]

Trump was talking about Ukraines need to be willing to make concessions which at the very least sounds like appeasement in favour of the aggressor . As of 2025, Russian troops occupy about 20% of Ukraine. From a population of 41 million, about 8 million Ukrainians had been internally displaced and more than 8.2 million had fled the country by April 2023, creating Europe's largest refugee crisis since World War II.

I completely agree with everything you're saying about the situation, but I don't think perceived appeasement is the same as 'Trump selling Ukraine to Russia.'

Look at Northern Ireland—Britain refused to negotiate for decades, treating the IRA as terrorists rather than engaging in meaningful diplomacy. It took years of conflict, thousands of deaths, and international pressure before they finally sat down to talk. And even then, the British government only did so when it became clear they couldn't win militarily. If negotiations had started sooner, how many lives could have been saved?

A peace process—no matter how distasteful the compromises—usually requires talking to all sides, even aggressors. That doesn’t mean handing over everything they want, but it does mean acknowledging reality and working toward an outcome that actually ends the bloodshed.

 

[GT49er]

the issue is, and its a fairly nuanced point, that the Trumpians believe the funding is going to places it shouldn't, and therefore can be cut and ultimately reduce the budget. Congress approves a budget total for various departments but not the thousands of line items that make it up. and so far, if half what's been posted is true (it's pretty difficult to trust it all) there is a lot of dubious line items.

a lot of Democrats seem to be making an argument no one should even question what spending is going on in the government departments, so the Trumpians and Republicans dont trust them and see Musk's mission as legitimate and fair under the constitution.

I don't think questioning how departments spend money is actually the problem here..................

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

Two dictators to decide what happens to Ukraine , who would have believed it three months ago ?

 

[The Clamp]

Trump’s support base hate giving money to Ukraine’s war effort. “Foreign aid to a country and a war we have nothing to do with”

Trump wants to stop providing aid to Ukraine.

I think, and I may be wrong, that he’s engineering negotiations that are guaranteed to fail so he can claim he tried but Zelenskyy is not playing ball and he can stop sending funds.

Who knows but I seriously doubt Ukraine are going to acquiesce to any kind of deal that involves surrendering territory to Russia. The rights and wrongs of that can be discussed ad-infinitum but who would willingly hand over their land and people to someone who clearly wants to wipe the entire nation off the map?

 

[Since1982]

I completely agree with everything you're saying about the situation, but I don't think perceived appeasement is the same as 'Trump selling Ukraine to Russia.'

Look at Northern Ireland—Britain refused to negotiate for decades, treating the IRA as terrorists rather than engaging in meaningful diplomacy. It took years of conflict, thousands of deaths, and international pressure before they finally sat down to talk. And even then, the British government only did so when it became clear they couldn't win militarily. If negotiations had started sooner, how many lives could have been saved?

A peace process—no matter how distasteful the compromises—usually requires talking to all sides, even aggressors. That doesn’t mean handing over everything they want, but it does mean acknowledging reality and working toward an outcome that actually ends the bloodshed.

Understand the point you are making but the most distasteful part of this is that Trump thinks he has the right to decide if a negotiated settlement should be sought and on what terms. He doesn't, it's for Ukraine. Trump and other nations may choose to withdraw financial and military support but it's still for Ukraine to decide when negotiations start. I doubt we would have accepted the USA talking to the IRA over our heads whatever the motivation.

 

[The Clamp]

Besides which, if Zelenskyy hands his people over to Russia they will all die.

At least if Ukraine continues to fight, they’ve a chance.

You give territory over to Russia and it’ll just keep taking more. Knowing that it can “negotiate” and face no resistance.

 

[BiffyBoy100]

Understand the point you are making but the most distasteful part of this is that Trump thinks he has the right to decide if a negotiated settlement should be sought and on what terms. He doesn't, it's for Ukraine. Trump and other nations may choose to withdraw financial and military support but it's still for Ukraine to decide when negotiations start. I doubt we would have accepted the USA talking to the IRA over our heads whatever the motivation.

The U.S. kind of did that with the IRA in 1994 when it granted a visa to Gerry Adams, despite strong objections from the British government. While this wasn’t a direct, secret negotiation, it was a significant diplomatic move that signaled U.S. engagement with Irish republicans, even when the UK opposed it.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Besides which, if Zelenskyy hands his people over to Russia they will all die.

At least if Ukraine continues to fight, they’ve a chance.

You give territory over to Russia and it’ll just keep taking more. Knowing that it can “negotiate” and face no resistance.

Unsurprisingly, Zelenskyy isn't happy

 

[SweatyMexican]

Just give the Sudetenland over to Germany and this will all go away.

 

[Greg Bobkin]

The Red white and blue land bill is published. The aim is to give president the right to purchase or otherwise acquire Greenland and change the name. Genuinely insane. Otherwise acquire means invade right?

That'll get the price of eggs down!

Twats.

 

[Cordwainer]

That'll get the price of eggs down!

Methinks the orange bumbaclaats been watching a bit too much Brass Eye

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Two dictators to decide what happens to Ukraine , who would have believed it three months ago ?

If we thought Trump would win (I certainly did) then this was obviously inevitable.

I have asked myself what would be the better scenario?

A soft bureaucratic (Democrat) US government with more years of conflict,
with no chance of Ukraine defeating Putin
and no chance 'the west' stepping in to save Ukraine,
but not chance of a full Russian win?

Or a forced resolution (driven by Trump*), with Ukraine ceding much territory, and an end to the bloodshed?

Of course, I am presuming that if a deal is done then peace will last.
If it doesn't then 'the west' will have to decide whether to sit by as Putin very soon annexes the whole of Ukraine...
Or not. Which would mean 'west' troops in Ukraine and possibly on Russian soil.

I can't yet decide whether Trump's play will be useful or not...
I had assumed he would just piss about as president, enjoying the end to his risk of jail time.
Perhaps I was wrong. *Perhaps he does have a vision....

 

[maffew]

In an interview in the Oval Office he was asked if Ukraine would have an input into the negotiations between the USA and Russia his answer was and I quote “thats a very interesting question” he then went on to say “that was not a good war they went“ nothing about being invaded by Russia “millions of people have died” “this war would have never happened had I been in power” usual me me me stuff “Ive been invited to Moscow to discuss with Putin” “I get on really well with President Putin” then almost as aside “I will also be talking with Zelensky“

That sounds like the USA and Russia are going to discuss a peace deal that concedes land taken when Russia illegally invaded Ukraine

That's exactly what will.happen, and if zelensky says no deal, no more US Support

 

[maffew]

Really Canada ought to annex Alaska, see what he thinks about that

 

[abc]

I was talking to someone yesterday, in his mid-40s, about the Russia-Ukraine situation. I asked if he felt that, with the benefit of hindsight, the UK going to war with Germany was an error in 1939 - because Germany were looking to take Europe. I thought it was a fair parallel and a reasonable question to ask, which I assumed he was going to back our decision to go to war to stop Nazi occupation.

He said it was a mistake, because it led to years of war and millions of deaths. I was stunned.

Unbelievable. I suspect Trump would agree with him which is unbelievable but also very, very worrying for the free world

 

[beorhthelm]

I don't think questioning how departments spend money is actually the problem here..................

sure it is. the framing and who's involved makes it look like something else.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Unbelievable. I suspect Trump would agree with him which is unbelievable but also very, very worrying for the free world

Interesting.

I had not considered conflating the Hitler rubric with the Putin rubric.
I am not a historian, and I am entertained and appalled by historians in equal measure.
Particularly the dick-wavers at Oxford and Cambridge who compete to see who can be the most eye-catching revisionist.
As a scientist I struggle reaching a view when presented with badly curated 'facts'.

I will hold my hand up and admit I know longer know what the f*** Trump is up to.
I thought he simply wanted to shore up the prosecution risk by pardoning himself.
And I have been confused what Putin is up to for years.
I assumed the latter was simply a psychopath, high on steroids and coke and cosmetically enhanced hookers.

Fortunately I have no plans to bet on the outcome.