Zelensky: I blocked the agreement with Trump on mineral rights as it does not protect Ukraine interests.
Then he goes diplomatic. It must be legally correct regarding investments and security guarantees. I don’t yet see in the document. 1/
Zelensky about meeting in Saudi Arabia: I haven't seen any invitations for Ukraine to meet with envoys. We have no documents or negotiations with our strategic partners. Russia is not one of them. 2/
Zelensky: To defend against a potential Russian offensive, we need not 50, 100, or 300 thousand. European leaders understand this and are considering the financial implications. 3/
Losing the alliance between Europe and the U.S. would benefit only Putin and North Korea. 4/
Zelensky: If Putin only wants a ceasefire to ease his isolation, that’s not real peace. The U.S. holds key political power, and its approach to Russia matters. 5/
If Trump can push Putin toward genuine peace, we may achieve real security guarantees for the first time - if all sides, especially America, are ready. 6/
Zelensky: European leaders, once more skeptical than the U.S., are now more ready to support Ukraine. They understand the danger - Putin will come, not if he comes. 7/
He may test NATO, and without strong sanctions and unity between the EU and the U.S., that is very dangerous. 8/
Everyone needs to get used to the fact that Ukraine can no longer be told where to be. 9/
Zelensky: Strong security guarantees are not possible without U.S. Troops on the borders or front lines must include U.S. and European partners. 10/
Without the U.S, it’s weak. The number of troops matters, and for now, Europe alone is not enough. 11/
Zelensky on elections: No one raises this issue at a high level, except Putin, sometimes the U.S. Everyone understands our law and the consequences. 12/
The shift to a contract army was the right step, aligning with U.S. practices. This war isn’t just about manpower but advanced weapons. Now it's about drones, not just tanks. 13/
Zelensky: North Korea involvement in war is global threat. They’ve gained experience in missiles, drones, and electronic warfare, and they will use it. 14/
Distance no longer matters - missiles and drones fly thousands of kilometers. If Russia wins, others will follow. We must defend values and protect every country, no matter its size. 15/
Zelensky: The U.S. needs to see the reality of this war firsthand, without outside influence. I invited Mr. Kellogg to the front to witness it himself and speak with our commanders. 16/
I want him to bring this understanding to President Trump. After that, we can discuss concrete steps toward our goals. 17X
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Thank you for reading. If you want to support Ukraine and our work through education, please consider donating to a scholarship for war affected students
Hillary Clinton: If Trump thinks he can dominate the Western Hemisphere and give Europe to Putin, he’s mistaken — and Europeans must prove it.
If you want a just, lasting peace in Ukraine, you have to better equip them. That’s the only thing Putin understands. 1/
Clinton: One of the biggest threats we face is Trump and Putin forcing an insecure, unjust end to the war in Ukraine that favors Putin.
There is reporting about corruption among their allies and oligarchs trying to profit from the misery and death of the Ukrainian people. 2/
Clinton: The rift between Europe and the US is deep. For a year, Trump and his administration have baited and insulted European leaders, countries and civilization.
After disbelief that a close ally would act this way, Europeans are pulling together and facing the reality. 3/
Ukraine’s former army chief Zaluzhnyi: Tensions with Zelenskyy began soon after the 2022 invasion over how to defend Ukraine.
It peaked when SBU agents raided my office. I called Yermak and warned: I will fight you. The 2023 counteroffensive dispute was especially bitter, AP. 1/
Zaluzhnyi: Dozens of SBU officers entered my Kyiv headquarters in 2022. I stopped them from searching documents and computers. I viewed the raid as intimidation.
2/
Zaluzhnyi: My 2023 plan concentrated forces into a single fist toward Zaporizhzhia and the Sea of Azov to cut Russia’s land corridor to Crimea. Political decisions dispersed the troops and diluted the strike.
3/
Stubb: Is it in U.S. interests that Finland, with its 1,340 km Russia border, has a strong army?
That Sweden and Norway defend the Arctic? That Russia creates no spheres of influence in Europe? Yes. Right now, interests matter more than values.
1/
Stubb: Europe and America’s interests sometimes align, sometimes don’t — values are complicated.
One strand is MAGA, which sees Europe as too liberal, “killing itself with immigration,” and attacks places like London as multicultural melting pots.
2/
Stubb: The other strand is policy — America First. There’s a pecking order: 1) Western Hemisphere, 2) Pacific, 3) Europe, 4) Middle East, 5) Africa. That’s the reality we live in now.
Kasparov: Any real compromise removes the causes of conflict. Ukraine-Russia “peace talks” are cowardly and corrupt, openly corrupt on Trump’s side.
Europe isn’t ready to admit this isn’t just a standoff, but a real war. Even after four years, it’s still living in illusions. 1/
Kasparov: The cause of this war is Putin’s desire to destroy Ukrainian statehood, restore imperial influence in Eastern Europe, and revise the Cold War’s outcome.
A “compromise” just lets him regroup — his war is against the liberal democratic West.
2/
Kasparov: Witkoff is basically a mid-level real estate speculator now trying to “sell property the size of New Jersey.”
Europe makes a brave face but avoids saying the simple words: Ukraine must win. Instead, it keeps searching for a middle ground to avoid decisive action.
Ukraine recaptured 78 sq miles of land in 5 days — its fastest pace since summer 2023.
That equals Russia’s total gains for the entire December, due to Russian battlefield communications collapsed, The Telegraph. 1/
After Starlink access was restricted to verified Ukrainian terminals, up to 90% of Russian units reportedly lost connectivity — crippling drone coordination and command links. 2/
ISW: Ukrainian counterattacks likely leveraged the Starlink block.
Russian milbloggers report C2 disruption. Drones were grounded. Armored vehicles advanced through the grey zone — normally a kill zone. 3/