Ukraine supports peace, but if Russia talks and then bombs Slovyansk, we will respond.
Russia’s goal is the same - no mobilization, no aid to Ukraine, so they can attack later.
The prisoner exchange? Pre-planned, nothing new.
0/
Zelensky: Russia and Ukraine, with U.S. mediation, might agree not to hit energy infrastructure
But it can’t be that Russia keeps striking our energy sector while we stay silent. We will respond. [He refers to tonight’s Russian attack and blackout in Slovyansk] 1/
Zelensky: Regarding Putin’s political will. The air raid alarm in Ukraine - that’s your answer. This is how Putin shows he doesn’t want war.
He’s afraid that Ukrainians will disrupt the "peace." 2/
Zelensky: I don’t want Ukraine to be on Putin’s menu. We are not a salad or a compote to be served up for his appetite - no matter how big it is.
And we all see what kind of appetite he has. 3/
Zelensky: We support all steps toward ending the war. But to support something, we need to understand the specifics. If President Trump has time, he’ll call. We’re ready. 4/
Zelensky: I knew about the prisoner exchange. I got that information in advance from the SBU and GUR. This was a planned exchange on our part. 5/
Zelensky: I want President Trump to see what Putin is really after - a new offensive in Zaporizhzhia, the east, Kharkiv, and Sumy.
Why? To put maximum pressure on Ukraine and then dictate ultimatums from a position of strength. 6/
Zelensky: There’s no major weapons shortage in Ukraine right now. Yes, there are issues with FPVs. But when it comes to artillery, certain mines, and systems, we’re covering those needs for now.
Honestly, we’re even ramping up supplies. 7/
Zelensky: I really hope that President Trump put maximum pressure on Putin regarding necessary steps.
Perhaps they are sequential.
I do not know. 8/
Zelensky: Putin keeps bringing up mobilization, and weapons [in his demands].
What’s behind that? An attempt to weaken Ukraine’s army.
This was his ultimatum at the start of the war. He changes the words, but the substance stays the same. 9X
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Former CIA Director Petraeus: Ukraine plans to produce 7 million drones this year, compared to roughly 300,000 in the US. It’s at the forefront of modern warfare.
If you want to see the future of war, come to Ukraine — on both sides, innovation is moving fast.
1/
Petraeus: Ukraine’s innovation is extraordinary. I’ve never seen anything like it. The speed at which new drone capabilities are deployed is remarkable.
It has helped offset Russia’s advantages — five times more manpower and an economy 10–15 times larger.
2/
Petraeus: In Ukraine, those who design, build, and use drones are the same people, working fast.
The US system is far more cumbersome. Ukraine is creating tomorrow’s tech for today’s war. We need to transform much of our force.
Former CIA Director Petraeus: I said from the start Russia would not take Kyiv. Others predicted it would fall in 3–5 days. Kyiv is a vast city with brave defenders.
It would be extremely hard to break in — and Ukraine’s actions denied Russia the airfield north of the capital.1/
Petraeus: The Budapest Memorandum was a major failure.
Ukraine gave up nuclear weapons in exchange for security assurances from the US, Russia, and the UK and those guarantees weren’t upheld. This is Ukraine’s war for independence — a fight for its very survival.
2/
Petraeus: US sanctions are under Senate review.
If paired with the EU’s 19th package and continued military support, the pressure could be strong enough to push Putin toward a ceasefire by the end of the year.
Angela Stent, Former National Intel Officer: Every time Witkoff claims progress on Ukraine, the next day Putin or Lavrov restate the same demands — withdrawal from Donbas and “denazification”.
They also cite an “Anchorage formula” no US official confirms. It’s obfuscation. 1/
Stent: Russia's negotiations are entirely performative.
They follow Soviet and post-Soviet tactics: negotiate to create a process and wear people down. Putin wants to humor Trump to avoid more punitive actions from the US administration. 2X