Thread by @kgosztola

US State Department has come out in opposition to Zelenskyy and Putin meeting to discuss potential ceasefire. (!)

"Now we see Moscow suggesting that diplomacy take place at the barrel of a gun, or as Moscow’s rockets, mortars, artillery target the Ukrainian people."

Cities, including the Kiev capital, are under assault. US news media are reporting that Zelenskyy may face threat of assassination. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Ukrainians have fled. Talking with Putin could save Zelenskyy's life and stop the destruction in Ukraine.

US/NATO transformed Ukraine into proxy state and target for Russian assault, and yet their forces aren't parachuting in to push back Russian forces either. An insurgency could challenge Russia's troops, but it would take months if not longer for Ukrainians to prevail.

Of course, negotiations will take place at barrel of gun. Ukraine's military capabilities have been decimated. But some type of negotiations are only way peace has a chance. How many Ukrainian lives have to be sacrificed before US backs Zelenskyy in his desire to save Ukraine?

The deal that comes out of negotiations would be lopsided. It will favor Putin. However, it is even more clear that the US/NATO agenda is unrealistic and imperils the stability of eastern Europe. Every world leader should be trying to get Zelenskyy and Putin to a table.

I suppose the US State Department would rather Russia's assault on Ukraine end more like US interventions— regime change, torture and detentions, the establishment of death squad militias, armed insurgency and sectarian warfare, and then the collapse into a failed state.

Oh, this is probably a big reason why the US State Department is opposed to negotiations. China would mediate the talks between Putin and Zelenskyy.

Latest developments:

https://twitter.com/kgosztola/status/1497618336481431553