1).
„Having framed his hostile takeover as simply standing up for Americans’ interests, Ukraine’s refusal may be used by Trump to justify either its exclusion from peace talks or else an eventual reduction of US assistance.
2).
As one bewildered US diplomat at last week’s Munich Security Conference admitted:
»I’m not sure if @realDonaldTrump actually thinks he can get his hands on these assets, or just wants an excuse to leave the Ukrainians hanging. Actually, I’m worried he means both«.
@realDonaldTrump 3).
European leaders, despite their apparent capacity to be surprised afresh each time things don’t happen the way they think they should, ought not to have been taken unawares.
@realDonaldTrump 4).
The only question is how they can operate in this environment, and whether they can move beyond summits and declaratory statements. They haven’t yet. But they should realise that this is exactly the zero-sum world Vladimir Pootin is very used to navigating.”
18 Feb. 2025
@realDonaldTrump 5).
Excerpts from an article by Prof. @MarkGaleotti
@ChristopherJM 1).
„[...] @POTUS [...] never made much secret of his inexplicable desire to suck up to Poptin. One difference from @realDonaldTrump's first four years in office, though,
@ChristopherJM @POTUS @realDonaldTrump 2).
is that he has now adopted not only a pro-Putin take on Russia’s conflict with Ukraine but an approach to foreign policy over all which echoes Putin’s throwback view of the world,
@ChristopherJM @POTUS @realDonaldTrump 3).
as a playground for predatory great powers to exert nearly unlimited control over the smaller nations that fall within their sphere of influence.”
1).
@POTUS @realDonaldTrump „is in the middle of executing one of the most jaw-dropping pivots in American foreign policy in generations, a 180-degree turn that will force friends and foes to recalibrate in fundamental ways.
2).
Ever since the end of World War II, a long parade of American presidents saw first the Soviet Union and then, after a brief and illusory interregnum,
3).
its successor Russia as a force to be wary of, at the very least. Mr. Trump gives every appearance of viewing it as a collaborator in future joint ventures.
1).
„ @elonmusk, the technology billionaire and key @realDonaldTrump adviser, hit out at @ZelenskyyUa, and repeated the US president’s call to hold an election in Ukraine.
2).
– »In reality, he is despised by the people of Ukraine, which is why he has refused to hold an election« – @elommusk said.
3).
@EmmanuelMacron [...] said @ZelenskyyUa had been »legitimately elected« and it would be »impossible« to hold an election in Ukraine while the war continues.”
1).
„US business owners risk being »robbed and killed« if they return to Russia”
@marcorubio (@SecRubio) „claimed there were »incredible opportunities that exist to partner with the Russians, geopolitically on issues of common interest and frankly economically«.”
2).
As Nezir Sinani of the B4Ukraine said:
„»Companies rushing back to Russia are playing a reckless game of Russian roulette.
3).
No matter what deal the @realDonaldTrump administration strikes with the Kremlin, Russia remains a lawless, high-risk market where foreign businesses are at the mercy of an unpredictable regime.
2).
The bodies of Shiri Bibas, her children Ariel and Kfir, and Oded Lifshitz - pictures of whom were on the coffins - were handed over to a Red Cross convoy to be returned to Israel [1] [2] [3] [4].
3).
Behind the coffins on stage was a picture of Benjamin @netanyahu, with blood dripping from his mouth and text in English accusing him of killing the hostages.
1).
„The best way to dismantle the federal government, then repurpose it as a tool of personal power and ideological warfare, is to start with the soft targets.
2).
Entitlements and defense, which comprise more than half of federal spending and a large share of its fraud and waste, enjoy too much support for @elonmusk to roll them up easily.
@elonmusk 3).
But nothing is less popular than sending taxpayers’ money to unknown people in poor, faraway countries that might be rife with corruption.