Zelensky: Ukraine can’t provide security guarantees during Russian Victory Day on May 9. That pissed off Fico.

Also, NYT: Zelensky rejected Russia's 3-day cease-fire proposal for May 9, calling it a theatrical show.

Ukraine continues to offer a 30-day unconditional truce. 1/ Remeber that Russia routinely launches missile strikes during Kyiv visits by top foreign leaders. Both can play this game!

Military intelligence chief Budanov suggested parade guests "bring earplugs."

Russia responding threatening nukes. (again, for the 100s time) 2/

CIA veteran, Raplh Goff: We gave Ukraine enough weapons to bleed, not to win, writes The Times.

Biden’s White House did not give Kyiv the weapons to drive out Russia for fear of nuclear war. 1/ After Putin seized Crimea in 2014, Goff warned the CIA: The seeds of WWIII are being sown in Donbas.

U.S. leadership ignored his warnings, saying they had "other priorities.” A chance to stop Russia early was lost. 2/

The Guardian: New Russian campaign of arson, disruption, and psychological warfare is unfolding across Europe.

Russia is bringing back KGB-style sabotage - but now with Telegram and crypto. 1/ Russian intelligence - mainly the GRU’s unit 29155 - now recruits migrants and gig workers online.

They target vulnerable people: undocumented, low-paid, or simply desperate. Many don’t realize they’re working for the Kremlin. 2/

NY Post: Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff is under sharp criticism. Despite lacking diplomatic experience, he leads negotiations with Russia alone — without US diplomats and relies on Kremlin translators. 1/ He holds two key roles: leading talks with Russia about the war in Ukraine, and managing negotiations on Hamas and Iran. Officials say this overload and inexperienced create serious risks for US foreign policy. 2/

Zelensky might be a better diplomat than most think he is.

So far, he is the only one who cut a deal with Trump, held his ground, and recovered from the Oval Office fiasco. 0/ FT: Zelensky attracted Trump with a strategic trade: rare earths in exchange for American weapons.

Trump frames the deal as a win, saying it gives the U.S. economic benefits to justify continued involvement in Ukraine’s war with Russia. 1/

People do NOT understand how slowly Russia is advancing in Ukraine and at what huge cost.

Forbes: At current rate, Russia would need until 2256 to capture Ukraine - at a cost of 101 million casualties.

That’s 70% of Russia’s population for 81% of Ukraine’s land. 1/ In April, Russia gained 68 square miles. It lost 4,800 vehicles and over 36,600 troops—killed or wounded.

Ukrainian losses were “minimal,” said Konrad Muzyka of Rochan Consulting. 2/

What an amazing story!

CNN: Rubio has become Trump’s indispensable man — loyal, competent, and always available.

Now deeply embedded in Trump’s power circle, he’s in position to shape U.S. foreign and domestic policy.

1/ Once 2016 rivals, Trump and Rubio are now close allies. Rubio has become Trump’s go-to fixer. Trump: “When I have a problem, I call up Marco.”

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Pastor Burns after meeting with Trump: The U.S. will not turn its back on Ukraine. We stand for justice.

Also, State Department: The US is no longer the primary mediator in peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. 1/ After meeting with Trump, Pastor Mark Burns said the U.S. will continue to support Ukraine’s fight for freedom and sovereignty. 2/

Pastor Burns after meeting with Trump: The U.S. will not turn its back on Ukraine. We stand for justice.

Also, State Department: The US is no longer the primary mediator in peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. 1/ After meeting with Trump, Pastor Mark Burns said the U.S. will continue to support Ukraine’s fight for freedom and sovereignty. 2/

For the first time ever, a Ukraine maritime drone shot down a military fighter jet.

Ukraine's Defence Intelligence destroyed a Russian Su-30 air superiority fighter using a Magura maritime drone equipped with anti-aircraft missiles. 1/ On the night of May 2–3, Ukrainian forces deployed naval drones near the Russian fleet base at Novorossiysk.

Russian sources claim one drone launched an R-73 missile, critically damaging a Su-30 fighter. The crew was reportedly rescued by a nearby ship. 2/

Q: After the Vatican meeting with Zelenskyy, will peace talks succeed?

J.D. Vance: For 3 years both sides said no peace. Now each has proposed terms. Only Trump got them there. If the war ends, it’ll be because Trump brokered one of the great peace deals of the 21st century. 1/ Q: Why was Mike Waltz let go?

J.D. Vance: He wasn’t. He’s being made UN ambassador—a Senate-confirmed role. That’s a promotion. He reformed the NSC, now Rubio steps in. Trump doesn’t fire people and then promote them. Waltz will serve better at the UN—and I agree. 2/

Scott Bessent about the mineral deal: It's a win-win situation [for Ukraine and the U.S.; true]. The Ukrainians can see a path to economic prosperity once this conflict ends, and the U.S., U.S. businesses, U.S. best practices, and U.S. capital will be part of that. 1/ Scott Bessent: This isn't one of those rapacious Chinese deals. If the Ukrainians don't prosper, the American people don’t make money. We’re fully aligned in terms of economics. This is a total economic partnership, not just rare earths, but also infrastructure and energy. 2/

Bloomberg: Lindsey Graham's proposed sanctions would impose a 500% tariff on imports from any country buying Russian energy resources.

It will also ban U.S. citizens from purchasing Russian government debt, aiming to punish and deter trade with Russia.

1/ Graham says 72 senators back a bill with tough new sanctions on Russia to push Putin toward ending the Ukraine war.

He supports Trump as the best person to broker peace and sees the bill as a tool Trump could use in future negotiations.
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Trump on the “big beautiful bill”: 100% expensing for U.S. investments, no tax on tips, overtime, or Social Security, and interest deductions for American-made car purchases, boosting take-home pay for families and driving economic growth. 1/ Trump: Over 250 years later, in a proud, free America, we rejoice — God answered prayers. This new administration will make you proud and strong again. In just 100 days, world leaders are calling. America is respected again after years of decline. 2/

Reuters: Russia has tripled its 2025 budget deficit forecast – from 0.5% to 1.7% of GDP – due to the risk of prolonged low oil prices.

Spending will rise. Defense stays intact. 1/ Russia’s finance minister, Siluanov, lowered the 2025 oil and gas revenue forecast by 24% – from $133B to $101B.

The overall deficit estimate grew from near $46B. 2/

Waltz: Ukrainian mineral deal is a first of its kind in many ways.

It’s good for the American taxpayer. It’s recouping the billions of dollars we've put into supporting Ukraine.

It's good for Ukraine - helping it grow, develop, and rebuild - and for its security. 1/ Q: Is Trump’s team rethinking to continue talks with Russia?

Waltz: Sometimes, it ebbs and flows. But yesterday was a momentous step. The mineral deal should have happened a month ago.

And Russia needs to come to the table. Both sides have to want peace. 2/

Trump approves first direct commercial arms sale to Ukraine for $50 million.

Yesterday I thought that the new framework agreement strengthens Ukraine position with the U.S. Today we’re seeing the results. 1/ Trump administration has notified Congress of its decision to authorize weapons exports to Ukraine under the Direct Commercial Sales mechanism. A deal exceeds $50 million. 2/

Ukraine rewards soldiers with "points for kills" targeting Russians in a gamified system, Digital Minister Fedorov told Politico.

Soldiers get 20 points for damaging a tank, 40 for destroying it, 50 for rocket systems, and 6 per Russian killed.

Points buy drones and gear. 1/ Drone unit Magyar's Birds has earned 16,298 points, enough to buy 500 day drones, 500 night drones, 100 Vampire drones, and 40 reconnaissance drones.

90% of Ukraine's drone units now participate in the scoring system. 2/

Trump: We made a mineral deal, [with Ukraine] and I think they'll honor it. We’ve got an American presence on the site, it helps keep bad actors out of the country or at least out of the area.

We haven’t seen the full results yet, but I suspect we will. 1/ Trump: We gave Ukraine about $350B一 unsecured money just poured into banks. EU gave about $100 billion, but their money is safe, secured in banks, mostly Russian deposits.

This is Biden's war, not mine. I’m trying to get us out of it. 2/

The mineral deal between Ukraine and the United States has been signed.

It’s a major political and diplomatic win for Ukraine and the U.S.

It gives Trump a domestic political boost — and that translates, I expect, into a more positive attitude toward Ukraine. 1/ Ukraine held the line. Despite enormous pressure, every overreaching demand from the other side was dropped. The final deal looks fair.

It also opens the door to new U.S. military aid.

I’ve just read the full text to be sure. 2/

Trump: Putin wanted all of Ukraine. He saw weakness after Afghanistan and made his move. He never would’ve invaded if I were in office.

Ukraine was always his goal, but because of me, he didn’t take the whole country. I believe he now wants to stop the war.

1/ Trump: Putin's dream was to take all of Ukraine, but he respects me. I don’t trust many, but I believe he won’t go all the way while I’m around.

This war never should’ve happened - it only did because of incompetent people [Biden administration].

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